Florida

[mikechandler]

Chaps,

Following on from this thread, http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a... we are looking to go in April next year. The villa is booked however I was wondering when is the best time to book the flights (presumably Virgin direct is best). Also any suggestions as to who to get the hire car from?

Thanks
Mike

[shakotan]

mikechandler said:

Chaps,

Following on from this thread, http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a... we are looking to go in April next year. The villa is booked however I was wondering when is the best time to book the flights (presumably Virgin direct is best). Also any suggestions as to who to get the hire car from?

Thanks
Mike

Wait for the end of summer sale on the Virgin website.

I always use these folks for 'all inclusive' car rental in USA, not found anyone cheaper yet.

http://www.uscarhire.co.uk/

[SLacKer]

Used these guys over the last few years http://www.floridacarhire.net/

[Muzzer]

We booked with Virgin in January for a June holiday and got a good deal. If you're travelling in school holidays though just book as early as you can.

For car hire, I flew into Sanford and used Alamo the 1st time I went who were pretty good. All the cars were dinged, but most of them are over there.

2nd time I used Hertz flying into Orlando International or whatever it's called. Hertz were off site and whilst the car was in good nick, it was allocated to me (a lot of hire companies have them lined up and you pick whichever you like the look of) and certainly not what I'd have chosen:



P.O.S.

[Mr E]

We went last October and had a great time. Flights via OntheBeach.com

The best car hire I could find was EasyCar in the UK - they used Alamo I think. I got the basic car from EasyCar and then discussed an upgrade with the guy behind the desk at Alamo (result, Volvo C70 folding hardtop with the 2.5 turbo 5 cylinder for another $100)

[LHRFlightman]

BA fly direct to Orlando and also Tampa.
Usrentacar do good, cheap and simple car hire.

[Deva Link]

Muzzer said:

We booked with Virgin in January for a June holiday and got a good deal. If you're travelling in school holidays though just book as early as you can.

For car hire, I flew into Sanford and used Alamo the 1st time I went who were pretty good. All the cars were dinged, but most of them are over there.

2nd time I used Hertz flying into Orlando International or whatever it's called. Hertz were off site and whilst the car was in good nick, it was allocated to me (a lot of hire companies have them lined up and you pick whichever you like the look of) and certainly not what I'd have chosen:

I've been 20 times and never had a dinged car! Alamo are the only company that let you pick your car from within each group (but there's often not much choice). Hertz are on-site at MCO now.

As mentioned elsewhere, UsRentaCar are pretty good. Used them a few times.

[alex1982]

I've flown Virgin twice, but flew Thomson last time and the seats were a lot bigger and more comfortable as well as about 4 inches extra leg room, which makes a massive difference. If your flying virgin, i hope you are not a big person because it will be an uncomfortable 9 hours.

[Benzman]

I don't know where your flying from but I've been with Virgin, Delta, Continental and next week with BA from Gatwick.

I normally use Continental as they fly twice daily from my local airport (Manchester) to New York and then it's an onward connection to almost anywhere in the States. They are functional nothing more, but being an American airline it's just a glorified bus because that's all they want over there.

Not impressed with Delta.

Virgin were good and I'll reserve judgment on BA until I return.

Key thing is shop around, the variations in price can be massive. Don't assume that one airline, just because they fly there alot, is cheaper than any other.

[Muzzer]

alex1982 said:

I've flown Virgin twice, but flew Thomson last time and the seats were a lot bigger and more comfortable as well as about 4 inches extra leg room, which makes a massive difference. If your flying virgin, i hope you are not a big person because it will be an uncomfortable 9 hours.

I have to say, I was expecting Virgin to be better than they were.

It wasn't terrible, but certainly wasn't what I was expecting.

I've heard they put the older planes on the Orlando routes as it's "only" tourists. The nicer new stuff goes on the more popular business routes.

[SLacKer]

Muzzer said:

alex1982 said:

I've flown Virgin twice, but flew Thomson last time and the seats were a lot bigger and more comfortable as well as about 4 inches extra leg room, which makes a massive difference. If your flying virgin, i hope you are not a big person because it will be an uncomfortable 9 hours.

I have to say, I was expecting Virgin to be better than they were.

It wasn't terrible, but certainly wasn't what I was expecting.

I've heard they put the older planes on the Orlando routes as it's "only" tourists. The nicer new stuff goes on the more popular business routes.

Yes you are correct about that.

I am off again in a week or so and on the way out we have the standard layout, Upper in the nose, Premium Economy next and then Economy with Premium upstairs. On the way back however the seat plan is completely different with PE on the main flight deck so you never know we might get the leather seats etc. I am sure if someone has flown Gatwick - Orlando - Gatwick recently they can fill me in and bring me back down to earth.

I haven't bothered with the in flight entertainment for years as I have it all on my iPod. The older Virgin in flight is rather dated and has been for some years but I guess a refit of a whole 747 is not cheap and therefore they will eventually get round to it.

Never had a dinged car (badly dinged I mean as there may have been a small ripple somewhere of course) however the last time through Dollar I had a car without keyfob locking and with the cruise control missing with a hole in the cowel. Suffice to say no Dollar this time.