Best way to book two hotels on one trip?...

playahokie · 01-06-2009

I have always booked my trips online myself without the assistance of an agent, but I am wondering is there a good way to book the following:

2 nights in Playa followed by 5 nights in an AI?

It seems most sites are set up for the traveler to stay in one hotel for the entire trip. When I look to book it all separately it comes out to quite a bit more than one would expect.

I just thought it would be fun to mix things up this time. Thanks in advance!

**Shammy** · 01-06-2009

You'll likely need to book the 2 nights in Playa on your own, most agents don't book those small hotels anyway. Some companies I book with, but not all, do allow reservations where the round trip air does not match up with the AI hotel stay the client wants. The agent simply chooses the proper air dates and then what date the client would check into the hotel (if later than the air arrival date) or check out (if earlier than the departure date). Transfers will be provided between the airport and the AI hotel if the AI stay is first. If the AI stay is second, transfers are provided BACK to the airport. Transfers are not provided between hotels and the transfer company will not drop you or pick you up at a small hotel in Playa. If you want transfers arranged for all segments, you need to make those arrangements separately.

Ok, info overload there

so put it this way - it can be done, and that's why using an agent might be a good idea. I can't comment on your cost vs. my cost because I have no idea about any details at all, but as I said, and agent can book air and AI hotel while you just do the hotel in Playa.

mocha2 · 01-07-2009

Wow, I am glad to know that is an option. We are doing non-AI and AI this year. I was just planning on booking airfare, and hotels seperately. It may be a little cheaper if I can put the airfare and the AI together. Do you happen to know if Funjet allows the dates to be different?

Thanks so much!!

JackieMRP · 01-08-2009

Like Shammy said, using an agent might be a good idea in this case.

My husband & I just got back from 3 nights at Sol Caribe (a 4-room hotel waaaaayyyy down in Punta Allen, 3 hours from CUN) & then 6 nights at the Iberostar Grand.

My travel agent made all of our arrangements for us. She packaged the air w/ the IB* (even though the start/end dates weren't the same for the air & the IB*) (she booked that through Gogo, which only travel agents can access). She also took care of reserving our rental Jeep for us. There were just so many details involved, that it was much easier to let our agent take care of it for us.

That said, I ALWAYS use my travel agent, so I'm just not used to ever doing the booking after I finish my research. So, maybe if you're used to doing your own bookings, you'd be able to figure it out.

By the way, it WAS fun to "mix things up this time" for us !! Worth all the effort & planning !!

Jackie

mocha2 · 01-08-2009

I also always use my travel agent. I just assumed it wouldn't work this time. Thanks so much for the info. I feel much better when my TA is in control, even if she is a little bit crazy

topshelf · 01-10-2009

We have also done that several times. Most recently we spent 4 nights last summer at El Dorado Maroma and then 4 nights in PDC at La Tortuga.

We book the flight and AI through an agent. That usually includes round trip transfers which you only wind up using one way. We were picked up at the airport and taken to EDM with our transfer. when we checked out we took a cab to PDC, and then took the ADO bus back to the airport. Worked fine.

The biggest drawback is that your vacation must be long enough where you don't mind giving up 1/2 a day or so switching accomodations. We love doing it that way though and plan on the same this summer.

Good luck!

01-06-2009	#1 (permalink)
playahokie lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 18	Best way to book two hotels on one trip?... I have always booked my trips online myself without the assistance of an agent, but I am wondering is there a good way to book the following: 2 nights in Playa followed by 5 nights in an AI? It seems most sites are set up for the traveler to stay in one hotel for the entire trip. When I look to book it all separately it comes out to quite a bit more than one would expect. I just thought it would be fun to mix things up this time. Thanks in advance!

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01-06-2009	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 12,305	You'll likely need to book the 2 nights in Playa on your own, most agents don't book those small hotels anyway. Some companies I book with, but not all, do allow reservations where the round trip air does not match up with the AI hotel stay the client wants. The agent simply chooses the proper air dates and then what date the client would check into the hotel (if later than the air arrival date) or check out (if earlier than the departure date). Transfers will be provided between the airport and the AI hotel if the AI stay is first. If the AI stay is second, transfers are provided BACK to the airport. Transfers are not provided between hotels and the transfer company will not drop you or pick you up at a small hotel in Playa. If you want transfers arranged for all segments, you need to make those arrangements separately. Ok, info overload there so put it this way - it can be done, and that's why using an agent might be a good idea. I can't comment on your cost vs. my cost because I have no idea about any details at all, but as I said, and agent can book air and AI hotel while you just do the hotel in Playa.

01-07-2009	#3 (permalink)
mocha2 into ruins Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 68	Wow, I am glad to know that is an option. We are doing non-AI and AI this year. I was just planning on booking airfare, and hotels seperately. It may be a little cheaper if I can put the airfare and the AI together. Do you happen to know if Funjet allows the dates to be different? Thanks so much!!

01-08-2009	#4 (permalink)
JackieMRP very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 37	Like Shammy said, using an agent might be a good idea in this case. My husband & I just got back from 3 nights at Sol Caribe (a 4-room hotel waaaaayyyy down in Punta Allen, 3 hours from CUN) & then 6 nights at the Iberostar Grand. My travel agent made all of our arrangements for us. She packaged the air w/ the IB* (even though the start/end dates weren't the same for the air & the IB*) (she booked that through Gogo, which only travel agents can access). She also took care of reserving our rental Jeep for us. There were just so many details involved, that it was much easier to let our agent take care of it for us. That said, I ALWAYS use my travel agent, so I'm just not used to ever doing the booking after I finish my research. So, maybe if you're used to doing your own bookings, you'd be able to figure it out. By the way, it WAS fun to "mix things up this time" for us !! Worth all the effort & planning !! Jackie

01-08-2009	#5 (permalink)
mocha2 into ruins Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 68	I also always use my travel agent. I just assumed it wouldn't work this time. Thanks so much for the info. I feel much better when my TA is in control, even if she is a little bit crazy

01-10-2009	#6 (permalink)
topshelf into ruins Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 61	We have also done that several times. Most recently we spent 4 nights last summer at El Dorado Maroma and then 4 nights in PDC at La Tortuga. We book the flight and AI through an agent. That usually includes round trip transfers which you only wind up using one way. We were picked up at the airport and taken to EDM with our transfer. when we checked out we took a cab to PDC, and then took the ADO bus back to the airport. Worked fine. The biggest drawback is that your vacation must be long enough where you don't mind giving up 1/2 a day or so switching accomodations. We love doing it that way though and plan on the same this summer. Good luck!