Was about to book but this came to light.......

AllyG wrote:

I mean, Crystal should time their flights to match in with the time the accommodation opens. Otherwise, where do they expect you to go whilst you wait?

:D

Clearly you do not understand how a tour op works.

Crystal do not own an airline. Nor can they dictate when that airline flys. They often charter Thomson flights, but the airline gets given their slots and doesnt have a great deal of choice.
Each flight has people going to different resorts, different hotels.
Therefore it would never ever be possible for them to organise a flight to coincide with a reception opening time.

The issue here is with PV as they should damn well open their reception when guests arrive.

Simples.

DIY never a problem :thumbup:

Ian Wickham wrote:DIY never a problem :thumbup:

Still depends on flight times, or you're forced to arrive when they can be arsed to open their poxy reception.

Within reason the tour op does chose the flight time when they charter a flight especially if they are chartering the whole flight.

You would think that Crystal have enough muscle to ensure that their clients can check in when arriving in resort, even if the accom isn't quite ready - to close reception on change over day is barking.

P&V in Flaine texted us when our apartment was ready when we arrived early each of the 3 years we were there. We could leave luggage and go off and sort out passes etc.. or even ski.

Don't know why any of you are surprised by Crystal - they were rap when I did my seasons in the 1990s, and as a mass market operator run a numbers game, ahead of quality.

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:DIY never a problem :thumbup:

Still depends on flight times, or you're forced to arrive when they can be arsed to open their poxy reception.

Simple as...... don't use them, with DIY when you book your apartment you are told that you can have access at something o clock you then book your flight accordingly. Never had a problem getting into an apartment on arrival with a DIYer.

Tony_H wrote:

I have to say Crystal are NOT gaining a great reputation for ski holidays.

I

Would you also include First Choice and Thompson with these as they all seem to come under the umbrella of Tui now or do you find that each operator is still run as a different empire?

We booked with First Choice but had a Crystal rep, in the past we've booked with First Choice and had a First Choice rep.

I find it all quite confusing.

NellyPS wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

I have to say Crystal are NOT gaining a great reputation for ski holidays.

I

Would you also include First Choice and Thompson with these as they all seem to come under the umbrella of Tui now or do you find that each operator is still run as a different empire?

We booked with First Choice but had a Crystal rep, in the past we've booked with First Choice and had a First Choice rep.

I find it all quite confusing.

All First choice ski holidays are handled by Crystal but i think first choice have their own reps for their summer hols.

I have friends staying at Le Hameau des Airelles from next saturday. I have just sent them the link to this thread. I will post any feedback I get from them before they leave.....or when they get there!

Like NellyPS stated, I have become extremely confused over which reps and travel companies are 'in bed with eachother' so to speak. One thing I have noticed year on year though is that the service any of them provide is lessening in quality each year.

Time for all of them to step up to the plate if you ask me.