Reply To: Is BA Holidays the only option if you just want to pay a deposit?

[The real Swiss Tony]

NorthernLass wrote:

It was Travel Republic – they seem to be still going and offering low-deposit bookings.

So that’s fundamentally different. I needed to book a quote expensive lodge in South Africa. Direct they wanted payment up front but an outfit called stayforlong (I think) were happy to reserve in advance but only take payment a week before arrival. I guess they could have sold me an air ticket too and I’d be in the same position you mention.

Where BAH and Trailfinders win is combining those bulk/consolidator airfares with deeply discounted hotels then securing for a 10% or so deposit. BAH’s online approach makes it easier to shop around and understand where they are getting the outsized hotel discounts.

Trailfinders no longer seem as competitive but I wonder if that’s because there never used to be a reference price to compare against. And the mark up on their ground arrangements is just phenomenal. But back in the day they cleaned up for me when booking long haul packages in the past.