How much are you paying for AI?

[Karlkennedyslovechild]

I’m not sure if I’m being tight or naive. Just looking for holidays for this summer. 2 years ago we did a TUI AI in Mallorca and it was probably the first holiday I’ve had since kids that has actually felt like a holiday and I got to relax.

So looking for this summer. In August, so school holidays, and admittedly I am looking at 4 and 5 star resorts as want something nice. The one that is my favourite is almost £8k for 10 days and I’m struggling to justify that. I see Ikos is recommended on here often but that seems to be more like £12-15k. Is that what people are paying for this type of holiday??

Definitely check Jet2 and OntheBeach and compare prices. We gave up with TUI last year as they’re just so expensive now.

As other people have said, try and avoid august too. We did AI in Tenerife last year for £3200 for five adults with Jet2 in may. You could also try Travel Republic for accommodation and just book the flights yourself.

If you’re restricted to the summer holidays, look at the whole month when you’re booking. Sometimes going on a Tuesday or staying 8 days instead of 7 works out cheaper.

I’m a definitely a povvo by Mumsnet standards - but I also could not get over how much AI is now and how many people must (be able to!) pay for it.

I’ve gone self-catering which means more work for me as the primary household cook, but oh well. About 2500 total for a family of 5; 14 days in Corfu - apartment booked on Booking.com, Easyjet flights. Very basic apartment 15 mins walk from the nearest beach/town, there’s a pool and kids’ playground. Hoping it works out okay.

I dream of AI bit only was able to afford it once

Am amazed at other people's spending power 🙂 must be so nice....

Do you have a link?

I don't think Tui are that bad really, we have just booked for end June, its only 2 of us and we always go to the same hotel in Cyprus, its costing the same as it has for the last few years and this time we have got extra legroom economy seats and their Flex plan and taxi transfer. I think the trick is to juggle your dates around, its normally cheaper to go on a Tuesday or Thursday, avoid weekends

https://www.booking.com/Share-yLs6Ks

this is the place…note it’s near Sidari which gets a bad rap here. We haven’t booked a hire car (I don’t drive, husband would get stressed 🤣) so will be relying on buses to see other areas. July/Aug seems quite well-catered for public transport wise.

We're going with TUI and got a 5 star AL in July for 2 adults and 1 dc for 2.8k. This is in turkey. Free child place though.

@PrincessPotato thank you

Thank you everyone this has been really helpful.
I’ll definitely have a look at Turkey. I was worried about heat but since i’m looking at Rhodes and Crete I don’t imagine there’s a huge difference.

Haven’t just looked at Tui, On the Beach has been good. I’m pretty fixed with my annual leave but I have been looking at a Tuesday departure date rather than weekends. Will consider going away at a different time of year next year but I imagine that makes the school summer holidays drag even more!!

Who was this with please?

We are a family of 6 (one infant) we are paying £4800 for 4 star AI in July. Salou. School holidays for us. This is the cheapest I could get other than Turkey or Bulgaria which we didn't fancy. Seems extortionate for Spain. We went to Boston and New York for 9 nights 2 years ago for £4500. I found the holidays with a free child place worked out more expensive. Good luck 🙂

Used On The Beach and got the free lounge access they ate current giving away.

I'd defiantly recommend turkey. We were a bit dubious but decided to give it a go and this will be our third summer. We always tend to go AI in summer. In terms of AI quality and service Turkey was head and shoulders above Rhodes, kos, Crete and Egypt.

I've booked with easyJet holidays for this year, they have loads of 4 and 5 star all inclusive, and I found them to be quite a bit cheaper than Jet 2, on the beach etc.

£1300 each for 2 weeks in Turkey with Easyjet holidays.

School summer holidays. Decent flights from Manchester.

TUI were £200 each more.

Holiday Hypermarket are also the discounted version of TUI.

@Woush can I ask what hotel & resort please?

I won't do AI. I wanted 9 days in Cyprus at a particular resort. £7k! Bollocks to that for ayia napa.

I'm guessing people willing to pay. I'm not. In August Im doing northern Spain. 10 days. Spending £3k on accommodation with pool. £400 car hire, £500 flights for 4. Plus food when there but will self cater a lot. That'd still be £5k +once food included.

Pickalbertross, Hurghada, Egypt. I'd defo recommend. Booked through On The Beach

I think Mallorca and Crete are more expensive overall for 5 star AI
In the past we have done AI in Turkey - Antayla region and for 3 adults and 1 child have paid between 2k and 3k for a week r 10 days - however we always go May half term and sometimes we miss the last day of school and go on the Friday - however since covid prices have hugely increased

Thank you 👍🏻

We've just booked a 7 night stay AI at a 5* hotel in Rhodes for around £4800 in July. This was through Love Holidays. Same holiday was coming up as over £5K on TUI and OnTheBeach

As OP have said, can't you look at cheaper times to go? We're doing AI in Lanzarote in Feb half term and we have paid only £1500 for 4 of us in 4 star hotel, 2 adults 2 kids. I did book it a while ago and book flights and hotel separately. But then I'm happy spending ages researching hotels and flights to get the best deal. Another £120 for a car hire as I can't abide the coach transfers.

The spectrum of quality of AI is huge. You definitely get what you pay for.

I thought Ikos was all fur coat and no knickers.

Looks amazing, lots of staff but actually the food and drink quality wasn’t anywhere near as good as Iberostar. Despite Ikos being family focussed there was no kids entertainment. Also found the other guests were quite stuck up and annoying.

@jackstini we booked with Tui! We booked during a deal week so we got a bit of money off as well, and we went in the very last week of august/first week of September. Absolutely recommend it, fantastic restaurants, lots of incredible activities included and trips out (Xscape, Xoximilico, Xhichen-Itza, Xel-Ha etc) look the activities up!!