First Choice Pull out of Plakias!

[Mike G]

Whilst awaiting further information on Kosmar in Plakias in 2005 I checked their website. They don't do day flights from Gatwick to Heraklion but do to Hania. However, tour operators going to Plakias nearly always fly you to Heraklion for some reason, even though Hania must be nearer.

I don't do night flights- I did it once and said "never again". I don't mind how early I get up though.

All the Heraklion flights are night so others with my aversion to night flights might wish to note this.  

[martyn]

Just a thought guys. It's obvious that a lot of people are going to have to DIY to get to Plakias. For those who can get cheap flights, the owner of ANSO Apollo Papadakis has offices both in Plakias and Rethymon. He seemed to have all areas covered i.e. accomodation, car hire, aiport pick-ups and drops, excursions etc. etc. Just wondered if he could do any special rates for the users of this site. Seemed to me to be very efficient too.

Martyn & Svetlana

[John R]

Don't know about special rates but certainly many people I know use ANSO for all these facilities you mention and they are helpful and efficient. If you know your own Plakias I suspect you might be able to find suitable accommodation over and above what they list. They would be the first choice    for me if I needed help.

John R

[Susan K]

Morning

Anso are very good, we book our holiday through them every year.
Just in case anyone decides to call/email him, the MD of Anso is Adonis Papadakis, sorry Martyn, didn't mean to correct you.

Susan

[martyn]

LOL sorry Susan, I'm getting my ancient Greeks mixed up. I was too lazy to check it on my files *slap*. Of course you're right, thanks.

Martyn & Svetlana

[Allan Barham]

Anso are very helpful and will book accommodation for you.  Be aware though that there is a mark up and you will invariably strike a better bargain if you approach apartment owners directly.  The same applies if you are thinking of booking through the Interkriti site.

Good hunting

Allan

[roger]

However, tour operators going to Plakias nearly always fly you to Heraklion for some reason, even though Hania must be nearer.

Hania is just a little nearer plakias than Heraklion  but there is not much in it, about 5 kms i think . The distance indicator on the main road near Rethymnon where you turn off for Plakias indicates the exact difference in distance as from either airport , you have to go that junction .Hania airport is very much smaller  . I think there are only flights there on tuesdays -= I believe it is used as a military airport on many other days . Also there are flights from many more UK airports to Heraklion but only from Gatwich and manchester to hania . So by taking people to Plakias via HEraklion , tour operators give you a much more extensive choice of flights - both departure airports and days as there are flights to Heraklion on fridays as well as tuesdays - without any significant increase n journey time . But it is a terrible airport and overcrowded and not an ideal way to start or end a holiday



All the Heraklion flights are night so others with my aversion to night flights might
wish to note this.  

not so - there are a number of tuesday morning flights to HEraklion - including a 7 30 from Gatwich which I shall be on on 10 august .

[Susan K]

Allan it doesn't always follow that the prices are higher if you book through Anso. Anso are in a position to negotiate lower rates, they managed to get us a cheaper deal for our accomodation this year. We are staying at  Artemis and their advertised price is 5 euro more than we paid through Anso. It is always worth checking.

Susan

[compage]

That's true Susan but of course that means the owner of the accommodation gets less from your stay in order to provide Anso with their cut.
You may well find that the owner is not so happy about that and you may not get the best rooms.
In my humble opinion it is better to book direct and the idea of maintaining on this forum a database of accommodation in the village with details of contacts and prices is good.

[John R]

Today I contacted First Choice Customer Support and asked what they intended doing about my 2005 Plakias booking. They said I could choose any alternative holiday I wanted - anywhere with no transfer fees (big deal  ) and I would have to pay any extra cost or they would even refund for a cheaper option. I asked about a 100% refund of deposit and they were reluctant saying that they usually offered alternative holidays rather than refunds. I pointed out that I only wanted to go to Plakias and the half asleep operator then started to look for rooms in Plakias. After a long delay came back with the surprising news that they had no accommodation in Plakias for 2005. I pointed out that I had been to Plakias for the last 7 years and it was my intention to go there for the next 7 years and what could they do about it. A refund was then immediately offered   but it was like drawing blood.

They had totally ignored my letter written over a week ago.

John R

[ostraco]

Yes John, Cursed Choice have been very slow in responding.
I've been away, so a little out of touch, but this mail was sent on July 7th - in response to my mail of June 25th:

Thank you for your email.

We regret that we have now dropped Plakias in Crete for operational reasons as we have dropped a lot of our units across the board.  This just happens to be one of the resorts we have cancelled.

Customer Services are currently in the process of advising passengers of this, you will be informed by letter over the next week or so.  Should you wish to discuss this with them, please call them on 0870 901 6522 or alternatively email them at customer.services@firstchoice.co.uk.

We apologise most sincerely for any inconvenience caused.

Regards

Internet support
First Choice Holidays

I'm not impressed!

[martyn]

Allan,

I have to side with Susan on the pricing issue. The Hotel price for B&B at the Kalypso was €70 per night. ANSO did it for €50 Half Board. Quite a saving really, and I also know by checking at the reception that ANSO was making only €5 per night. Good luck to them they saved me four times that much. They didn't even cash my credit card until two days after my holiday was over.

On the best room issue, we asked for a double and got a twin so the Hotel moved us to a substandard room and refused to budge. One phone call to ANSO and we were off again to a first rate room. I guess we were lucky, but based on our limited experience of ANSO, we would recommend them to anyone.

Martyn

[Mike G]

Hello Roger,

When I checked on a map, rather than going on my perception, you are right that Hania is only marginally nearer to Plakias than Heraklion. I used Hania last year when going to Kalives and had no problems- I've seen much worse Greek airports!

Bear in mind that the comment about night flights only to Heraklion was based on 2005. I obtained the information from their website.  

To Susan K and the other "independents".

You probably remember that we exchanged some interesting posts last year on the costs and pluses/minuses of tour operator vs independent. I still believe the latter is cheaper in low season but do agree with whoever made the point that with FC pulling out, some may be forced to go independently. Could you please refresh my memory (or point me to where it is on this website) about the best way to book flights/accommodation independently. I know you have mentioned Anso Travel. Is it best to book the accommodation or the flight first (don't want to book one and find that the other is unavailable). Lastly, how to make the transfer from Heraklion to Plakias without having to engage in stressful haggling with a taxi driver or getting ripped off. Could be at least £50 each way I guess.    I never hire a car on holiday so that is not an option.

On Saturday I E-Mailed Customer Services at FC pointing out that as they have pulled out of Plakias completely I want my money back, so far without response. I'm glad one correspondent has been successful. They were pretty quick to accept the money, even though someone at FC must have known they were pulling out.

Mike G

[Susan K]

Mike

I generally phone/email Anso and make sure the accommodation I want is available and make a provisional booking. I then book my flights and confirm dates with Anso and pay a deposit of one third. Two weeks before we fly I pay the outstanding balance of accommodation/taxi  and Anso arrange for a taxi to be waiting at the Airport to whisk us off to Plakias.  What could be easier than that.  

Susan  

[Allan Barham]

On the pricing issue, I was basing my remarks on my experience last year when I asked Anso for a quote for the new apartments behind Medousa.  The price they came up with  was about 15% more than I had been been quoted previously by the owner (Babis) and he had also offered to do a B&B deal if we booked for a fortnight.   I also find that Anna (of Anna apartments) charges me 10% less than the price quoted on the Interkriti site.  It seems that if you negotiate directly with the OWNER you will do a good deal.  This may not be possible of course if you are staying in one of the hotels and it is perhaps not surprising that Anso will offer a better deal than the rack rate at Kalypso, Alianthos, Lamon, etc.

Although I don't book my accommodation through Anso, I do find them good in other respects.  Thay generally have one of the best exchange rates in town - though be warned that you can only change money when the boss is there because it seems that he holds the only the key to the safe.   Anso are also one of the few companies that will let you hire cars in 3 day blocks starting at the airport and finishing in the village (and vice versa at the end of the holiday).  This obviates the need for a taxi and gives you four other days to explore the local area.

Allan