invalid child age

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gailey

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I have being trying to find a reasonably priced sun holiday for 2007.I have tried to book online but find it extremely difficult to book a holiday for a family of three children. Budget travel have now released the brochure for 2007 but have not realized that some families have more than 2 children. I have tried to book an appartment which caters for 5 people yet when I tried to book this it says that a child's age is invalid. I have three children.16,11 and 3 so basically I am booking for 3 adults and 2 children.

Am I the only one having so much trouble booking a family holiday!!!
 
I think that different agents/package holiday operators have different rules/age limits for when a child will be charged as an adult. Perhaps 16 is old enough to be charged full price with Budget?
 
I understand that but why make it so difficult to book a holiday online. I tried to book an appartment for 5 people and it responded with invalid child age. Surely an appartment meant for 5 people should suit 5 adults so why can't I book for 3 adults and two children. Last year I had a lot of trouble as well and one tour operator offered me two rooms but couldn't guarantee if they would be together. Eventually we did book a holiday in portugal with a lot of hassle. I was just wondering if anyone else with more than two children had problems like this and if they have any suggestions.
 
gailey said:
so why can't I book for 3 adults and two children.
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That seems to be a separate problem from the one that you originally described which seems to be down to you trying to classify a 16 year old as a child. Are you saying that when you change the details and book for 3 adults (parents and 16 year old) and 2 children it doesn't allow this? What error does it give when you do this? I did a quick test but could only come up with accommodation for 3 or 2+2 (not sure what that means exactly) and not 5. Why not ring Budget to tell them about your booking hassles or try another tour operator's website?
 
gailey - we found in the past that the tour organisers were pretty much only interested in selling 'standard' packages, despite the fact that many parties were non standard (whether bringing an extra grandparent, or having 3 children or whatever).

I don't know how long it has been since we booked a package holiday - possibly 5 or 6 years now. If you find the name of a hotel you like and go up on the web you should find their rack rates advertised, but more importantly you should also find the range of rooms advertised. We have used this previously to book the larger apartments or make more suitable arrangements than was possible through the operators.

With hotels in particular you might find that they provide significant discounts that the tour operators don't pass on - for example children under 4 might be free, children under 12 @ 50% and so on. We have noticed that these discounts (in some instances) aren't fully passed on.

If the place you are going to is within easy reach of a low-cost airport then you might be able to do the whole thing cheaper than as a package, but even if not, you should be able to get a better choice or room types by dealing direct with the hotel.

z
 
I've often tried to roll my own but was never able to beat an equivalent package holiday on cost.
 
why not check out flights only prices( no kids prices I admit) and book a small villa off one of the specialist sites [broken link removed] has loads of villas for rent.
 
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What I meant clubman is that it is so hard to find a good deal when you have 3 children. I have tried numerous web sites to find a reasonable priced holiday.I have tried pricing direct with hotels. I have tried booking flights seperate. I have thought about villas but with a teenager I didn't think this would be suitable. He would be bored. We have already went on a camping holiday in France before which was cheaper and we had a great time but would like to just book a sun holiday for next july for 2 weeks. It doesn't matter where I book the price amounts to €3500 before spending money. Surely there must be a better deal than this.

I was also frustated when I found an appartment on the budget travel website for 5 people and I tried to book it for 3 adults and 2 children. It would return with "invalid child age" refering to my sons age of sixteen

It doesn't matter even if I book late deals or even if I book for April of next year.Price is still the same. At least €3500.
 
gailey said:
I was also frustated when I found an appartment on the budget travel website for 5 people and I tried to book it for 3 adults and 2 children. It would return with "invalid child age" refering to my sons age of sixteen
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Did you call them to ask why this was not possible?
 
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