Would you expect to get some discount on a holiday in this current climate?

[frumpygrumpy]

I called up to book our summer holiday and was told in a flat, empty voice, no discounts whatsoever from the brochure price. Not for being a return customer. Not even if they couldn't sell the villa. I'm surprised but maybe I'm wrong.......

Try somewhere else....just booked a villa holiday with the owner directly and asked for discount for paying 50% now and by BACS rather than cheque and got £200.00 off.....Depending on where you're going look at Owners Direct, French Connections, Chez Nous (french ones obviously, but trawl the internet and you should find links to owners websites).

Alternatively tell them you won't be booking with them again....or say you've got £so much, and what can they find for your for that price. Good luck

Yes was going to say try going independently ownersdirect, holidaylettings or simialr. Much easier to haggle - if you are already doing this then maybe try somewhere else as I think many are discounting.

The villa is very specific to our needs and not many places can tick all the boxes.

I have already told them what I would like to pay (still a very good price) and they just keep telling me it would cut their margin. Reluctantly, the girl said she would email the owners and ask them so fingers crossed. I would just feel that a bird in the hand........

Ultimately, I'm going to end up paying it for the peace of mind. Some you win.....

And next time I will get the owners email!!

The owners still need to make a living - even moreso in the current climate. By reducing their prices they'd have to sell many more weeks to bring in the same income. Yes, if they're already working to huge margins then they may have room for negotiation, but some are very fair on their pricing and just don't have the luxury of fat profits.

I book huge volumes of accommodation over the year (I run a holiday club for single parents) and if I like a location, I really don't think it's fair to try and hold them to ransom over pricing if their prices represent good value in the first instance.

Chrissie

If you know where the villa is why don't you look on some of the direct rental sites (owners direct, holiday-rentals, chez nous etc) and see if you can find it?

We advertise our villa on a couple of independent websites and also through an agency. The agency add on a margin so anyone booking directly with us will immediately save about 10%.

However, I know that lots of people prefer the peace of mind of booking through a recognised company which is why we've gone down this route as well as direct marketing.

It is definitely worth trying, especially if you book direct and maybe offer to pay the balance in cash on arrival.

As others have said, best to book direct through owners as opposed to a company that probably doesn't have the authority to offer discounts.

I rent out my holiday villa in Florida and give discounts for return bookings. I also do offer discounts to people who are happy to pay a larger deposit up front or for longer bookings, ie more than 2 weeks.

Thanks everyone, that was helpful. The villa is expensive and I just feel in this current climate something should be discounted. The holiday company did contact the owners who have offered 5% for a variety of things. Interestingly, the holiday company said that this was standard practice for being returners........only they weren't willing to offer that until I asked and asked...... Anyway, sorted now thank you