Personally I think it is a con by the carrier, they have overbooked so have to offload some passengers and who goes first? The ones they make the least money out of.

They will have to except an email print out after all most airlines send e tickets.

We were flying with Monarch, and no, it's actually a Gov of India ruling They are starting checking at Gatwick too I believe.We had a pucka youcher with the travel companies logo on it, I would imagine you will need some kind of headed paper from either where you are getting the ticket from or headed paper from the accomodation you are staying in. None of this of course applies to scheduled arrivals Alan

Gramps

I have booked a guest house over the internet, as i will not be getting an accomodation voucher do you think the confirmation of booking email will be sufficient.

G M

The Gov. of India civil aviation board has just issued guidlines this week to all handling agents(th people who run the check in desks) for the coming season among lots of other stuff is the reminder to be scrupulous at weigh in regardind the 20kg. allowance and stating the charges for excess, it's 8 pound per extra kg and it even lists all the different ways you can pay!!! so be warned Alan

All the people who sell you flight only tickets know the rules and will send you an accomodation voucher with the tickets which covers the first night and that does , if you dont get one with your tickets chase them up and demand it. The carry on at the airport is people leave it at home and turn up with their tickets only Alan

Thanks for the info

I have just sorted out at all my emails from the guest house, I will speak to my travel agent tomorrow, used them for years but first time for flight only to Goa.

Last thing i want is our Xmas holiday getting off to a bad start

Ian

Hi
this business about requiring accommodation vouchers is not a new thing.

We flew out of Manchester with Monarch on 25th February 2006 and just as they were opening check-in, a member of the ground staff stood at the desks and shouted:
'Does everybody have a valid passport?
Does everybody have a valid visa?
Does everybody have an accommodation voucher?'
If you don't have ALL these 3 things, you cannot travel'.

I spoke to a number of people while in Goa who had travelled with Monarch from Gatwick and they were NOT asked to show accommodation vouchers.

So, whose 'policy' is this?
If it is a requirement for entry into Goa, surely all airlines and airports would be asking for this.
If it is a requirement of Monarch (but why?), then shouldn't they be asking the same of passengers travelling from Gatwick and all other airports?

I did send an email to Monarch when we returned home asking them to clarify the situation but didn't receive a reply.

It would be interesting to hear of people's experiences with other airlines and airports.

Cheers
Polly

Hi all,

we want to get a charter flight from Manchester to Goa for 28 nights sometime in January. I'm tempted to shell out for First Choice and have tried their website, but I'm stumped!! The timetable tells me they fly to Goa, but then I can't find any further info on their search tool!! I'd ideally like to fly via Manchester but will consider other northern airports and Birmingham.

Am I going mad? Do First Choice (or any other charter carrier except Monarch) fly from Manchester and can we book a flight only for a month?

Ta very much for your help in advance

Hi - Firstchoice do fly from Manchester, it's a Monday flight from terminal 2, if you look on their teletext site, they are advertising flight only and it's very cheap, doesn't say which airport but if you give them a ring I'm sure they will be able to help.

Debs

Can anyone please help?

I have had a complaint with Southall Travel (which I have booked with many times before) over pricing and am looking for another agent for flights to Goa with Jet Airways for next March.

Apart from Expedia & Ebookers does anybody know anyone else to book with who they may have used before.

Thanks

http://www.opodo.co.uk
have deals with most airlines
Rgds

Thanks DebnPete,

I've rang First Choice - all their 28 night flights in Jan are gone - only 21 nights left. The first 28 night flight available is 6 Feb, a little too late It looks as though we may have to stick with monarch

Thanks Ginlizzy. I have had a look and they are little bit dearer but maybe worth it!

Sandyshoes
I was watching my flights for months and they went down nearly £100 on Opodo you just have to keep checking,
Rgds

I'm planning on using BA for the Mumbai leg in Feb but can anyone recommend a cheap good airline for the Mumbai to Goa leg?

hi ilovemypiglet
try airflightsdirect booked with them,flights from manchester
with thompson flying on sundays at 15:00 good to deal with.
we fly 26th nov for 3 weeks £299 including all taxs.
ann&john

All airports have been put on high security alert in India due to terrorist threats.

Make sure you don't have anything you're not supposed to have.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/380611.cms
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1240257,00.html
Dabolim and Mumbai are not one of the 5 on the highest alert.

I've always thought security ad Dabolim was pretty tight anyway - The guards are always very thorough seaching for Rupees - I hope the have the same enthusiasm with the internal flights