Best agent/website to book a trip

Mypka · 01-20-2004

Hi there. Can somebody recommend me the best website or an agent to book a resort in PDC? I am looking for Royal Hideaway or Riu Palace, 4/16-18 to 4/22 - 24, for family of 3 from San Diego. Thank you

**denisea** · 01-21-2004

One word [color=orange] for info on how to contact hr.

memomuffin · 01-21-2004

Mypka,
Denisea couldn't be more on the money. Have you read the message with the Topic titled: Sincere gratitude and perhaps even a bit of enlightenment? Read it and you won't hesitate to contact Shammy. Tell her memomuffin says Hi.

Coral Reef · 01-21-2004

I've gotten some great deals through www.discount-all-inclusive.com. You have to keep checking-- sometimes they have average prices, and sometimes they are incredible deals. I research different times and resorts frequently, and if I kept calling a live travel agent that many times, even Shammy (wonderful as she is!) would probably run screaming into the road at the sound of my name.

When I see an especially good deal through discount-all-inclusive.com, I check with other agents, and I have yet to see one beat DAI's price. (No, I'm not affiliated with them!)

Martini · 01-21-2004

Check out http://Differentworld.com It is a great website with beautiful photographs of the Royal Hideaway, which is the only AI they book in PDC. They cater mostly to intimate hotels. I was going to book with them then we decided on Secrets.

Mypka · 01-25-2004

Thank you very much for your help! I am a little bit puzzled - some of the agents and websites stqated, the Riu Palace is completely booked for April. But www.sunglyph.com and travel-center.com did stated, it's available. I'd like to book through them, but a bit concerned - they are based in Mexico, and hypothetically speaking, my family may end up on the doorsteps of a completely booked resort?

drpointer · 01-25-2004

She can work wonders beyond belief!

snoopy · 01-25-2004

Mypka
I agree about using Shammy. I have used many travel agents and have never had the personal and immediate service that Shammy provided us. We live states apart but it worked out with no problems. I went back and forth between several islands I thought about visiting. Shammy gave her opinions (based on what was important to us in a vacation), prices, weeks/months that would save us money,etc. All, usually within a few hours! I don't know about other parts of the country but here in MA, travel agents are charging for many things that used to be free, such as "researching" for you. This is what impressed me so much about Shammy- she spent the time to find the best prices and flight times. I had spent many hours doing my own research so I knew I was getting good prices. In planning future vacations, if I see what appears to be a wonderful deal, I will see if Shammy can match it. From the brief time I have dealt with her, I believe she would take whatever time was necessary to match it or offer a better deal. I personally have always felt more comfortable when spending thousands of dollars, to work with an agent rather than an anonymous on-line travel company.

**Shammy** · 01-26-2004

Mypka,

Every agent has a list of suppliers that they are "allowed" to book with, meaning that their agency has a contract with that supplier who has agreed to pay a commission to the agency. That list is usually quite big (Apple, Funjet, Go Go, WorryFree, TNT, GWV, Travel Impressions and so on....). The way it works is if I check for a certain hotel and the place that I personally like to book with is sold out, I move along to the next place, and then the next.
If NO ONE has the hotel, I have to say it's sold out. Now, just because it's sold out for ME, doesn't mean it's sold out for everyone. Each supplier is given a certain number of rooms at each hotel that they can book. For instance, Apple starts us out with 14 standard rooms and maybe some suites. Once they are gone, they are usually gone. Occasionally, they may release a few more but it's not likely. Another agency may deal with a different supplier that I do not have access to and they may indeed have that hotel still available. Sort of makes the agents who say that it's sold out look stupid :roll: , but that's the jist of what goes on.
As for booking with the other companies you mentioned, I am unfamiliar with them. But you have to decide what is most important to you...to get the exact hotel you want and take a chance with a company in another country you are not familiar with or stick with a well known tour company, such as Apple, etc.
If something were to happen while you were there, would an in hotel representitive be there to help you out? This is a question that you should ask. Being left standing at check in without a room or getting bumped to a hotel you could have reserved in the first place (and maybe paid less for) isn't the best way to start a vacation.

P.S. hey snoopy...do I know you? :lol: interesting, this incognito stuff. :wink:

01-20-2004	#1 (permalink)
Mypka sandflea Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4	Best agent/website to book a trip Hi there. Can somebody recommend me the best website or an agent to book a resort in PDC? I am looking for Royal Hideaway or Riu Palace, 4/16-18 to 4/22 - 24, for family of 3 from San Diego. Thank you

01-25-2004	#7 (permalink)
drpointer lost on fifth Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 21	I will always recommend Shammy. She can work wonders beyond belief!

01-21-2004	#2 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,207	One word [color=orange] for info on how to contact hr.

01-21-2004	#3 (permalink)
memomuffin way into it Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 138	Mypka, Denisea couldn't be more on the money. Have you read the message with the Topic titled: Sincere gratitude and perhaps even a bit of enlightenment? Read it and you won't hesitate to contact Shammy. Tell her memomuffin says Hi.

01-21-2004	#4 (permalink)
Coral Reef way into it Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 155	I've gotten some great deals through www.discount-all-inclusive.com. You have to keep checking-- sometimes they have average prices, and sometimes they are incredible deals. I research different times and resorts frequently, and if I kept calling a live travel agent that many times, even Shammy (wonderful as she is!) would probably run screaming into the road at the sound of my name. When I see an especially good deal through discount-all-inclusive.com, I check with other agents, and I have yet to see one beat DAI's price. (No, I'm not affiliated with them!)

01-21-2004	#5 (permalink)
Martini lost on fifth Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Jersey/Philly area Posts: 16	Check out http://Differentworld.com It is a great website with beautiful photographs of the Royal Hideaway, which is the only AI they book in PDC. They cater mostly to intimate hotels. I was going to book with them then we decided on Secrets.

01-25-2004	#6 (permalink)
Mypka sandflea Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4	Thank you very much for your help! I am a little bit puzzled - some of the agents and websites stqated, the Riu Palace is completely booked for April. But www.sunglyph.com and travel-center.com did stated, it's available. I'd like to book through them, but a bit concerned - they are based in Mexico, and hypothetically speaking, my family may end up on the doorsteps of a completely booked resort?

01-25-2004	#8 (permalink)
snoopy lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 17	Mypka I agree about using Shammy. I have used many travel agents and have never had the personal and immediate service that Shammy provided us. We live states apart but it worked out with no problems. I went back and forth between several islands I thought about visiting. Shammy gave her opinions (based on what was important to us in a vacation), prices, weeks/months that would save us money,etc. All, usually within a few hours! I don't know about other parts of the country but here in MA, travel agents are charging for many things that used to be free, such as "researching" for you. This is what impressed me so much about Shammy- she spent the time to find the best prices and flight times. I had spent many hours doing my own research so I knew I was getting good prices. In planning future vacations, if I see what appears to be a wonderful deal, I will see if Shammy can match it. From the brief time I have dealt with her, I believe she would take whatever time was necessary to match it or offer a better deal. I personally have always felt more comfortable when spending thousands of dollars, to work with an agent rather than an anonymous on-line travel company.

01-26-2004	#9 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,484	Mypka, Every agent has a list of suppliers that they are "allowed" to book with, meaning that their agency has a contract with that supplier who has agreed to pay a commission to the agency. That list is usually quite big (Apple, Funjet, Go Go, WorryFree, TNT, GWV, Travel Impressions and so on....). The way it works is if I check for a certain hotel and the place that I personally like to book with is sold out, I move along to the next place, and then the next. If NO ONE has the hotel, I have to say it's sold out. Now, just because it's sold out for ME, doesn't mean it's sold out for everyone. Each supplier is given a certain number of rooms at each hotel that they can book. For instance, Apple starts us out with 14 standard rooms and maybe some suites. Once they are gone, they are usually gone. Occasionally, they may release a few more but it's not likely. Another agency may deal with a different supplier that I do not have access to and they may indeed have that hotel still available. Sort of makes the agents who say that it's sold out look stupid :roll: , but that's the jist of what goes on. As for booking with the other companies you mentioned, I am unfamiliar with them. But you have to decide what is most important to you...to get the exact hotel you want and take a chance with a company in another country you are not familiar with or stick with a well known tour company, such as Apple, etc. If something were to happen while you were there, would an in hotel representitive be there to help you out? This is a question that you should ask. Being left standing at check in without a room or getting bumped to a hotel you could have reserved in the first place (and maybe paid less for) isn't the best way to start a vacation. P.S. hey snoopy...do I know you? :lol: interesting, this incognito stuff. :wink:

register to remove these adverts