V-Flyer

Even though it is over a year away from my next holiday to Florida, I have booked and paid for it already
Obviously it is a bit early to organise travel insurance and the ESTA etc but the main part is done and I can look forward to going away for 2 weeks this time instead of the 10 days last time. And I will make sure the TR's wont take a year to do this time

It is a nice satisfying feeling isn't it ! And you can enjoy the anticipation for a whole year !
That's how I like it .....

Yup knowing that I am going away next is a very good feeling, but as it is so far ahead. I am of course unable to look at seats etc, oh well I will just try and be patient

Great feeling to have booked early ,loads of time for planning the trip

If it's anything like the last time I went in 2012 it will be a military operation lol

To be honest, never too early to do an ESTA, as long as it's still valid on the day of travel. For the sake of $14 each it pays to get it done and approved rather than risk having to make a tight visa application.

I'm with you on this one, too! Love booking things well ahead.

It's never too early to sort out travel insurance, though, in my opinion, as the sooner you get it, the sooner you are covered

mrsw wrote:I'm with you on this one, too! Love booking things well ahead.

It's never too early to sort out travel insurance, though, in my opinion, as the sooner you get it, the sooner you are covered

Couldn't agree more, I wouldn't be comfortable having any holiday booked and paid for without insurance in place in case something goes wrong, either with me or one the providers.

Exciting stuff, WazneB.

And that is a very good point, mrsw: good to get travel insurance now, so that you're covered in the unlikely event that something unexpected happens prior to your trip, and you have to postpone it.

The few £ extra for an annual policy (even if you only have one holiday a year) is worth it for the cover prior to departure, especially as you've booked this one so far ahead.

Any suggestions on where to go for insurance ? TBH I can do it through work and get a discount but options are always welcome

I'm with BUPA for annual travel insurance. We got a big discount on it via my other half, as she has UK BUPA via her employer. We've used it a couple of times, and have been extremely impressed.

Years ago, I had a very bad experience with Virgin travel insurance. This was partly - if not wholly - because of a passing-the-buck game (Virgin is a re-sale agent for InsureAndGo, which in turn uses Mapfre as their underwriter, who in turn use GobalExcel as their emergency handlers).

Lordy ! Well I have just done my esta so that's sorted travel insurance next I think.

We started planning our holiday for next year by booking the accommodation 450 days ahead.
Then booked the flights as soon as they opened for the return journey. And upgraded on miles within a month after that.
Then booked one night at the Hyatt Regency about 10 months in advance.
Mrs D has already bought some dollars. at $1.68 to the £

Still to do: ESTA, hotel room at Gatwick, Car hire at Orlando, taxi to Gatwick, book a one night hotel in St. Augustine as we had to add a day to get a UC upgrade for the return.
I just love planning. I'm so sad that first time I made this trip I Googled all the junctions between Orlando airport and my accommodation in South Carolina.
Can't help with Insurance as I still have an annual one from my previous employment.
Just over 6 months for me now.
Dick D

WazneB wrote:Any suggestions on where to go for insurance ? TBH I can do it through work and get a discount but options are always welcome

For the 3rd year in a row we have booked up the day after we come back. Each time it was a case of there's the list of all the things we wanted to do, only 1/3 removed from list, ok back we go.

As for insurance, we normally use comparison website (but which comparison website is the best, if only there was a comparison website that compared them )

Normally £150 excess, £15m health, £1500 baggage are my minimums, we come in at £35 for a family of 5 so this year I paid the extra £10 and took out an annual policy. With Virgin Money as it happens but that was luck rather than design.

Also get your insurance ASAP, if you have to cancel your holiday you're not presently covered.

That is a very valid point Fuzzy14, I shall look into it now, also how long before I fly does it take for my flight info etc to appear as I don't have a flight confirmation code yet ?

WazneB wrote:That is a very valid point Fuzzy14, I shall look into it now, also how long before I fly does it take for my flight info etc to appear as I don't have a flight confirmation code yet ?

I had to wait over a week when I upgraded the flights. I phoned twice and was told it will be with you in a couple of days. On the second call it was only a couple of days till I got my E confirmation.
Dick D

Well it was last Tuesday when I booked but I wonder if its because I am still over a year away yet before the flight

WazneB wrote:Well it was last Tuesday when I booked but I wonder if its because I am still over a year away yet before the flight

You won't get your Virgin Atlantic flight confirmation number until 11 months before the flight. That flight still won't be for sale on the VS website.

YeaI did wonder if that was the case of it being just too early, of course the next important decision is where am I going to sit when the time does come lol

And the travel insurance is now sorted

As the ESTA lasts for two years from approval date, applying early does not make much sense... other than just crossing it off the list of course

Seeing as I go to the US very rarely its doesn't make that much difference tbh, before going in 2012 I hadn't even been away in 11 years :p

MrDoob wrote:As the ESTA lasts for two years from approval date, applying early does not make much sense... other than just crossing it off the list of course

Take a look at The Dibb. Quite a few posts about ESTA being refused and long wait for tourist visa. 6 month delays not unheard of.

I was going to suggest try Aviva through Topcashback, my OH has lots of conditions to cover and they came in at £125 for both of us on a multi-trip annual cover, plus got £16 cashback as well.

I phoned Virgin so I could get the booking Ref to get in to "Manage my flight" and I'm nearly 9 months away from going. Just give'em a call they can only say no!!