Packaged holidays - what are the downsides?

[AdMEL]

I am looking at a holiday to NZ (Queensown), with flights on AirNZ and hotel accommodation for 2 people for 5 nights in winter (likely July/August). I would like to minimse cost and maximise Virgin/Veloicity benefits - status credits, points, lounge access (I've droppd back to Red, but have purchased an annual lounge pass) and hotel benefits (Likely Novotel, though I didn't take up the Le Club Gold through Europcar when I had the chance, nor any of the free Plat offers!).

Package holiday through Expedia Australia is the cheapest I've found - about 10% cheaper than through Virgin Holidays and 6% cheaper than booking flights through VA and accommodation separately.

What are the downsides?

I seem to recall packaged holidays often don't earn SC's and points - is this still the case?

If they do earn SC's and points, does it make any difference whether they are AirNZ or VA flight numbers?

Any suggestions with respect to the hotel?

Anything else?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hvr]

The main downside si that you've given up your free will for the duration. Your meal times are regimented as are wake up times, how long you have at a particular attraction etc. Worst of all if you get obnoxious people on the tour you're stuck with them.

Not knocking them, for some people they are the best way to see a site they've always wanted to visit.

Indeed I did a two day tour last year from NYC to Niagara Falls. Doubt I could do much longer though.

 

[AdMEL]

The main downside si that you've given up your free will for the duration. Your meal times are regimented as are wake up times, how long you have at a particular attraction etc. Worst of all if you get obnoxious people on the tour you're stuck with them.

Not knocking them, for some people they are the best way to see a site they've always wanted to visit.

Indeed I did a two day tour last year from NYC to Niagara Falls. Doubt I could do much longer though.

To clarify, I'm loking at a package of flights and accommodation only, not a tour.

 

[Clobu5]

I did a Fiji holiday for 5 pax in feb on v holidays. The process was seem less I loved the ease and variety in selecting hotels and flight times to suit me.
Purchased airport transfers and had the option for pre booking tours aswell (all with vff points earn)

You could manage the flight bookings as per normal so was able to select and update the seats as the flight grew near.

SC popped up the next day however 3 weeks on in still waiting for the holiday points to arrive.

Can't recall what bucket tickets were booked in but was far cheaper then simply seperating the flights and accommodation out individually.

I was able to add my spg details to get free upgrades, discounts on meals and points for my in house spend but did not earn nights due to the booking being made with virgin.

I will use virgin holidays again until I can beat the total price other ways.

 

[AdMEL]

I did a Fiji holiday for 5 pax in feb on v holidays. The process was seem less I loved the ease and variety in selecting hotels and flight times to suit me.
Purchased airport transfers and had the option for pre booking tours aswell (all with vff points earn)

You could manage the flight bookings as per normal so was able to select and update the seats as the flight grew near.

SC popped up the next day however 3 weeks on in still waiting for the holiday points to arrive.

Can't recall what bucket tickets were booked in but was far cheaper then simply seperating the flights and accommodation out individually.

I was able to add my spg details to get free upgrades, discounts on meals and points for my in house spend but did not earn nights due to the booking being made with virgin.

I will use virgin holidays again until I can beat the total price other ways.

Great to know you get status credits and points from Virgin Holidays, though the downside with points is that it's only 3 per $ - in my case I would earn almost the same number of points for the flights alone!

Also in my case, the Virgin Holidays price is 5% higher than booking flights and accomm separately and 10% higher than Expedia packaged price! Given this, Virgin holidays is at the bottom of the list!

 

[Clobu5]

The bonus 3 points to the $ using velocity Amex was also a nice extra.

Having already been credited flight points I wonder whether when the entire purchase points come thru whether there will be a deduction for my flight points or if in effect you get them twice?

All 5 pax a vff and have got their own points for the flights so will be interesting to see what I get..

 

[Clobu5]

So I just got all the points 3/$ for paying go the holiday.
Plus my 3/$ Amex points from using my velocity plat
plus 2x pooled points for actually taking the flight
plus my silver bonus %..

The second lot of flights points are a sneaky little bonus.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So I just got all the points 3/$ for paying go the holiday.
Plus my 3/$ Amex points from using my velocity plat
plus 2x pooled points for actually taking the flight
plus my silver bonus %..

The second lot of flights points are a sneaky little bonus.

Sneaky = good in my world!