Madeira - Making Own Travel Arrangements. Help!

[moggie 939]

Hello
Last year we went to the EnotelFunchal at Xmas for 7 days all inclusive and it cost £1600 for the two of us and was well worth it. This year Thomsons are asking for £1950 which is a little steep!

We went before from BHam on Thomsons flight.

Looking on LowCost Holidays and other similar tour operators I find I can book the same room as before for £980 and can get a return flight thru Monarch for us both for £520. This is a big saving!!

Has anyone used LowCost or similar accommodation only sites and are they safe? A saving of over £400 is worth having.

Thanks everyone.

[rockyracoon]

I've not used them but here's a review site with opinions.

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.lowcostholidays.com

[moggie 939]

Thanks for that Rockyracoon. Looks good

[pinkerton]

Try booking direct with the hotel on line, and booking flights similarly. I have been doing this for years now, and have saved hundreds, if not thousands of pounds. also, you usually don't have to pay the hotel until the end of our stay!

[pinkerton]

PS I have often used Booking.com and found them very reliable.

[emeritus]

Some info on Low Cost Holidays which is worth knowing

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10528370/Lowcostholidays-in-row-over-protection.html

[dzug2]

The problem with this type of company is that accommodation and transport are separate and not a package. If one of the elements changes they are not obliged to adjust the other accordingly

So if Monarch change their schedules you might be stuck with accommodation you can't get to or needing extra nights to fit in

The chances of it actually happening are maybe not that high but are not zero - depends how risk averse you are.

[moggie 939]

Thanks everyone and especially Emeritus! Did not know about this article. Am very wary now.