First Choice All Inclusive

[flummingbird]

Hi

I'm a bit of a holiday novice, I've been away abroad maybe 5 times so not massively confident. I'd like to take DD(7) abroad next year on a cheapish AI and have found a great deal (to a sort of waterpark hotel in Tunisia) through First Direct. My question really is that the same holiday is available through lots of other operators at £2/300ish more, will there be a difference?? Surely the holiday on site is the holiday on site, or am I mistaken? Are First Direct just as good as TUI that they're part of?

First Direct? What does a bank know about holidays?

First Choice?

Oh God yeah... First choice 🙄

• [Message from MNHQ: we've edited the title for you, OP]

It could be cheaper as the flights are at worse times, so check that. Also some AI are not always the same- only non alcoholic drinks etc, so another thing to check. If all checks out ok, it could just be a good deal! Our holiday this year was a few hundred cheaper with EasyJet holidays, they're another company to look at.

It's the higher price with easyjet too, and it's all showing easyjet prices. I'll check out what the AI drinks and stuff are, thanks 😁

Check the flight times. It may be a late night flight on day one and either a really early flight on day 7 or a really late night flight.

Thanks all. Next question... is it as "safe" and easy to go with On The Beach as it is with the likes of TUI or First Choice? I can see the same holiday for another £100 cheaper through them!

Personally I'd only book with a Tour Operator who has both ATOL and ABTA status. On The Beach don't seem to have the latter.

Perfect thank you. I think I'm just of the age where I first booked holidays in person at the travel agent, and haven't travelled enough to be confident in what I don't see as a "big name"

Never booked with FC but would do so for the right price/ package.

Might also be worth considering Easyjet holidays and Loveholidays.com.

If you know the hotel you want compare it to Tui, EJ, LH etc. Often prices are a bit different as they use different airlines.

ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licensing) sits alongside ABTA but is specifically designed to cover people who fly. Whereas ABTA covers rail, road, or sea travel holidays.

Also Jet2 is supposed to be good

On the beach will be cheaper as you need to add transfers and cases on after, whereas they are mostly included with first choice. Iv used both and had no issues 🤷🏻‍♀️ first choice are part of TUI

Is the room like for like? As well as obvious differences like basic twin room vs suite, there could be subtle difference such as the size/shape of the room/balcony, distance from the pool, if the room has been refurbished recently or whether the view is of the garden or the bins.

Also things like luggage allowance on the flight or level of rep service could vary.

With a child we always went Tui or First Choice (or Thomas Cook). It was often a bit more expensive, but we accepted that for the knowledge that they have reps in resorts and we would be looked after for outlandish issues like when the volcano downed all the flights.

Now it's just us we look at the likes of Love Holidays, but tbh the prices are so similar we generally choose to go for the brand.

I've booked with TUI as they matched the First Choice price and it gives me that peace of mind. Thanks for all the help!

First choice and Tui are part of the same group but first choice usually concentrate on AI. I've booked with both over the years and you usually get quite a generous luggage allowance and transfers are included. Often you will have a Tui flight and, if staying at a large hotel, all guests will be at the same hotel which means transfers are quicker.

Loveholidays/on the beach etc are on the face of it cheaper, however, if you read reviews of the hotel on TripAdvisor you'll often find that tui/fc run the kids clubs or other activities that love/otb put in their spiel but as you didn't book with Tui/fc you can't actually use them. If you don't want kid club etc then not an issue (my dcs enjoy them). Sometimes tui/fc have certain blocks/rooms/restaurants which are nicer.

Have fun!

Also, have a look in Facebook and see if you can find a FB group for the hotel. They can be really useful for info and tips about the hotel and area, and if anyone is leaving and has inflatables they don't want to take home they'll be offered up to members.