MadeInDorset

Didn't mention currency at all. When I was quoted the price in dollars I thought I would confirm if others have asked for anything in particular. Will be trying again tomorrow as when looking at the UK site and planning a return trip to coincide with my outbound and an outbound to coincide with my return I am achieving a saving of about 400 dollars, being somewhat conservative with the exchange rate.

printer

I agree thats odd. Why would a UK travel company quote a flight in another currency? There was no mention of currency when i phoned, she quoted it in pounds sterling as i would expect.
If it helps the lady i spoke to was called Laura and she said i could ask for her by name if i needed assistance so maybe try that.

AlexInBC

Or if Laura's not available, the guy we spoke to at their London Office was called Simon and he seemed very efficient and friendly too

Maybe you called when the UK office was closed and got silently redirected to their Canadian branch...? Although, scratch that idea - I imagine you'd have noticed by the accent if that had happened!

Hobbess

When I called earlier this year, I spoke to both Glasgow and London and got quotes in both UK£ & CAD$. They both matched what I could see on either the .co.uk or .ca sites respectively. I'd tried asking in either currency to see if I could get these magically huge discounts others are reporting. As it is I think the small £50ish savings I got was from some slight adjustments in how the FX was calculated, nothing more exciting.

justkidding

I did the same thing and the prices were the same. Flights were Calgary to Glasgow in July.

AlexInBC

Maybe the UK price starts out much lower than the Canadian base price (which would account for us saving $1000 for return flight for our family of 4, because we booked well in advance for a not particularly busy time of year) but then they push up the UK price more than the Canadian one if/when the flight starts getting fuller? Who knows...? Worked for us, anyway!

MadeInDorset

Well finally booked my flights, return toronto to gatwick in June and saved over 400 dollars by speaking to someone in the London office. I called a number of times and all but the first call was either given the price in pounds or was asked if I would like the price in pounds or dollars.

adele

I've booked my ticket today for Vancouver - Manchester return, departing at the end of next week.

Price online was $878
Price on the phone to the London office was £458

By my reckoning I saved about £100/$150 just by calling London and booking with them over the phone Thanks BE posters :-)

I haven't flown Canadian Affair before so fingers crossed...

printer

The whole thing seems to be hit and miss. I had a good deal as mentioned so recommended it to a friend who wanted to book Calgary/Gatwick return in October but he saved very little compared to me, in fact just enough to cover the extra "seat selection" cost.
Definitely worth a try anyhow

JB0591

Which Canadian Affair airline are you flying with Thomas Cook or Air Transat?

We have flown both airlines and they are fine. They are cheap airlines so you get what you pay for.

Thomas Cook:
I have flown economy in Thomas Cook and like the seat back TVs but would recommend not paying for the extra leg seats as on some aircraft types you wont have arm rest TVs and if they dont have enough working hand-held TV devices they just say "sorry" and it can be a boring flight.

Also I would recommend buying water/drinks in the terminal (once past security) and taking them onboard as you will only get free drinks with the meal. I was on one flight and they struggled to balance the temperature between the front and back of the plane. We were so dehydrated and they cocked up the meal timings so we did not get any drinks as we started the approach before they could bring anything out. If I fly with them again I am going to take a little fan as well just in case.

I like the fact that on winter flights you dont have to pay to have your ski gear transported.

Air Transat:
We have only flown with them on our landing flight, we got Club Class seats for an additional £50 each, it was brilliant, extra luggage allowance and the best in-flight service we have had. Beats European Business Class flight experience on airlines like British Airways. You could not eat or drink enough. It made up for no seat back TVs.

Had we booked on the Air Transat website then I think our luggage allowance would have been more.

--

On both airlines they can (and often do) charge for excess backage over the 20 kg limit etc, so please remember that as it can be costly at the airport.

Also dont expect things like pillows and blankets as they are extra weight (and cleaning costs) so they have reduced them. They try to give blankets to the kids and people sitting in cold spots etc.

--

It is a shame they dont fly much from Ottawa.

mandymoochops

Chucking my 2p in.......

got a quote form a travel agents for my 11 yer old daughter to fly over unaccompnied July 19th to August 9th. Heathrow to Calgary.

Quoted nearly $1800 (1794 or something similar).

Read this thread and thought i'd give Air Canada UK a call.

Saved $300 on the price so booked it right away Cheers guys you rock

canadian_critic

no you are not missing anything. Canada is a very expensive place to live. Couple that with fuel prices being way higher in Britain you would imagine it is the other way around. Most of this is silly looney taxes which make (some) people feel good, but to most people with half a brain cell, they are just an excuse to extort more money and make you feel bad for not all living in teepees and sporting a beard.

Hobbess

Opposite update on this today. We've unfortunately got our first flight back for a funeral requirements and so my wife and kids are flying on Wednesday - Calgary to Glasgow.

Quote from the UK for 1 way (return is already booked as part of an original trip planned later this month) £450 for 3 flights. Booked in CAD$ (paying in £s) at $550 - so about £343.