Group booking for 120 - where am I going wrong?

Could someone offer me advice on doing a group booking?

I've phoned the Virgin group booking line and enquired about booking 120 return flights to New York for a wedding next June.

In addition to the 120, I am looking for 4 Upper Class return flights. My ideal would be a free upgrade to Upper Class on the 4 given the 40k odd we will be spending.

Virgin came back with 345 Economy return and refused to do anything on the Upper Class flights.

BA offered 295 Economy return and the free upgrade to Club World for 6 of the flights.

What am I doing wrong here? I want to give the business to Virgin, mainly because I like the Upper Class product, I will get Tier Points etc etc. But it seems given the massive cost difference we will have to go with BA.

Is there any other department in Virgin I should try?

Thanks

Did you let Virgin know what BA was offering you?

Originally posted by Galley Guy
Did you let Virgin know what BA was offering you?

Absolutely; still said there was nothing they could do. As you can probably tell I don't book group tickets that often so do not know if this is the norm.

Originally posted by inkiboo
My ideal would be a free upgrade to Upper Class on the 4 given the £40k odd we will be spending.

I truly hope you're paying with a VS AMEX...

How about chartering your own aircraft?

Originally posted by Jeffers555
How about chartering your own aircraft?

Not a bad idea now fuel has dropped lower & the amount of spare aircraft on the ground !! [:w] [:w]



Anyway, can't believe VS will not be more flexible for that amount of business - especially if you are mentioning what BA are offering. Flights must be busier than I thought ! ?

Have you also tried the US airlines for a comparison - they do like to ' deal ' on large groups !

[Scrooge]

Yeah, a 752 on wet lease last time I check was $5500 per hour.

I persoanlly dont think VA are being unfair in their quote. New Yoork is a busy route and they would not have any problem selling 120 seats in Economy. It is not uncommon for parties to buy out all of BA FIRST and/or circa 50+ in Club/Upper Class for big birthday bashes/weddings etc (certainly some of family and friends have done it a fwew times) but they never get or indeed expect any concessions. The offer which BA are talking about seems more than resonable to me so I would take it before they change their mind.

Hackneyguy

[buns]

I would agree with Hackneyguy - the fact that VS have been given the opportunity to quote against the BA offering indicates they will not budge.

As much as VS are your preference, I would take the better offer on the table.

buns

Originally posted by buns
I would agree with Hackneyguy - the fact that VS have been given the opportunity to quote against the BA offering indicates they will not budge.

As much as VS are your preference, I would take the better offer on the table.

buns

Indeed. Shame really as I significantly prefer Upper Class to Club World but given the savings BA it is.

Originally posted by inkiboo

Originally posted by buns
I would agree with Hackneyguy - the fact that VS have been given the opportunity to quote against the BA offering indicates they will not budge.

As much as VS are your preference, I would take the better offer on the table.

buns

Indeed. Shame really as I significantly prefer Upper Class to Club World but given the savings BA it is.

Well you could always pay for Upper Class [:w]

Originally posted by hackneyguy

Originally posted by inkiboo

Originally posted by buns
I would agree with Hackneyguy - the fact that VS have been given the opportunity to quote against the BA offering indicates they will not budge.

As much as VS are your preference, I would take the better offer on the table.

buns

Indeed. Shame really as I significantly prefer Upper Class to Club World but given the savings BA it is.

Well you could always pay for Upper Class [:w]

As much as I love Upper Class, it is not worth the £6k difference in economy flights let alone having to pay for the Upper Class fare.

[Scrooge]

See if BA will do 2 J and 2 F.....worth a shot.

Why not write to SRB himself?

Although VS aren't obliged to do anything, they're missing a trick here; this is the sort of thing that generates column inches. In fact, you'd almost expect them to step in and do something alongside Virgin Weddings too...

If you do go with BA I'd be surprised if they didn't jump on this as a PR coup.

Originally posted by inkiboo
Could someone offer me advice on doing a group booking?

I've phoned the Virgin group booking line and enquired about booking 120 return flights to New York for a wedding next June.

In addition to the 120, I am looking for 4 Upper Class return flights. My ideal would be a free upgrade to Upper Class on the 4 given the £40k odd we will be spending.

Virgin came back with £345 Economy return and refused to do anything on the Upper Class flights.

BA offered £295 Economy return and the free upgrade to Club World for 6 of the flights.

What am I doing wrong here? I want to give the business to Virgin, mainly because I like the Upper Class product, I will get Tier Points etc etc. But it seems given the massive cost difference we will have to go with BA.

Is there any other department in Virgin I should try?

Thanks

Can't believe everyone has missed the simplest and cheapest option[?]
Have the wedding here in the UK[:p]

I think the simple fact is that Virgin are not too fussed about the business. Emailing Sir Richard is probably not going to make much difference but how would I go about doing that?

Really, really don't want to fly BA!

[Darren Wheeler]

As you say, £6000 is a big difference and I'm sure whoever is paying will be glad of that.

BA have a lot more capacity to New York tha Virgin, so it does not surprise me at all. The last time I looked into getting prices for 65 people, the best I could get was a 5% discount, and that was with a number of airlines, with a ticket price much higher than the New York route.

The margin's are very tight. I think your BA deal is great and I would go for that.

Mark

I would use a good experienced travel agent that has plenty of experience in organising groups.... (not that i am hinting or anything!)

Originally posted by barnstaple
I would use a good experienced travel agent that has plenty of experience in organising groups.... (not that i am hinting or anything!)

Happy to use a travel agent if it makes it easier; let's talk!

you know where to find me !!!