The icing on the cake! (Portland Direct)

Member Name: sue.51

Product:	Portland Direct
Date:	09/06/01 (850 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Don't have to leave the house

Disadvantages: Beware the insurance trap - many travel agents offer it free

This company could soon put their own travel agencies out of business.

Being an ardent holiday fan, and one who always likes to book next years before I have got this years out of the way. I think I could quickly become addicted to this company.

My ventures to find suitable holidays and a reasonable price, often involve me spending many hours of my precious time sitting in Travel Agents pouring over brochures until something suitable turns up. This is a carefully engineered exercise that can take many weeks, have travel agents battoning down the hatches when they see me coming, and looks of panic as they all quickly pick up their telephones and pretend to look busy, yes I am the original customer from hell.

PORTLAND DIRECT
This company, as many of you may probably be aware, are the direct arm of Thomsons, and therefore you fly on the same planes, eat the same food, stay in the same accommodation and get the services of the same rep, just as if you were travelling with Thomsons or Skytours, although I haven't been on a Portland holiday, yet, I hasten to add, I assume you would get the same good service you get from their other companies, if anyone disagrees with this, I am happy to listen and if appropriate update.

SO WHY AM I SO TAKEN?
You can now book Portland holidays over the internet at http://www.portland-direct.co.uk

Using their on-line search facility you input the following details:

* Holidays, Price breakers or Late deals
* You chose the date you want to fly right up until October 2002.
* You must select an airport
* You select duration - i.e. 7, 10/11 or 14 nights
* You indicate the size of your party (up to 9 people)
* You can select any destination, or a specific one (not specifying does give more choice)
* You can even select specific hotels if you want
* Price Bands: select any - or up to £199, then in bands of £100 until you get to £600+ (I wish)
* Yo
u can select if you require a free child place, board type and flight times (i.e. day or night)
The click on search
You will then be asked if you are prepared to forego any of your options, such as, if there are no free child places available, are you prepared to fly from somewhere else, or travel on a different date (it will only go a week or two either side if you are flexible)

WHAT DO YOU GET BACK?
You get a list of up to 30 holidays back, which exactly match, or are close to your choices.

At this point, you can read the on-line brochure information about the hotel - includes facilities, accommodation, star rating, location and also cost the holiday, and if you so desire book it.

PRICES
Yesterday, I checked out a few holidays for next year, and then rang my local travel agents for an equivalent quote for the same dates for the same destination, there was a difference of £180, i.e. Portland were much cheaper.

DOWNSIDE
My Portland price does not include insurance, and this needs to be added on top.

My local travel agents (The Travel House - owned by Thomsons) is currently offering free insurance, so total prices need to be offset against each other, to get a like-for-like comparison.

I am not aware of Portland offering any low deposit schemes, whereas my local travel agent offers a low deposit of £50 per person, with the balance payable in October.
UPDATE: T-Boy67 advises that they do offer a low deposit scheme, but it is dependent on you taking their insurance out - I tried to get prices on insurance, but looks like you have to book first.

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You can browse this site as much as you want, and price holidays to your hearts content (if you are sad as me), and you are under no commitment to purchase until you input your payment details.

The site is operational 24 hours a day, and can save an awful lot of time, as I will no longer have to spend
hours sitting in the travel agents (do you think they will miss me?)

If you are not comfortable booking on-line, you can call them on 0870 241 3172.

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The site is easy to navigate and gives results quickly. It does appear, however, that my op has given it the kiss of death as it hasn't worked since I wrote this.

Summary: