Better pricing for solo travellers? Please?

[ferret]

I actually did email LL asking if a single traveler could use all of the spa treatments him/herself. The reply I received from LL was not to my satisfaction, and I responded reminding LL that there are many single travelers who will not find this of service to them. There was no reply. Also they tried to confuse the issue by saying that there is no single supplement. Duh! There is no single supplement because we single travelers pay the entire price!!



My suggestion (and I am putting this into another suggestion thread with another one that is very important to me) is that while specific spa treatments can be mentioned in the package description, to make it appealing to the buyer, there should in fact be a SPA CREDIT issued to the room for that amount. Then any of the room occupant(s) can use that spa credit as they wish.



For anyone interested, here is the email I wrote to LL the reply I received, and my response (to which I got no further reply). I replaced any personal information with "x" characters.

=================

Dear Ms. XXXXXX:

Thank you for your response. I have some further questions/suggestions.

I understand why there is no single supplement single supplements are used to increase the price of a package that is priced *individually*, not for two-person packages so a single supplement *would not make sense* in this case. The fact that a single supplement is not charged for Luxury Link trips is not a bonus for singles, it is correct and expected.

I also understand that a dinner for two, or a tour for two, would not translate for practical purposes into two dinners or two tours for one. Doing this would cause the restaurant or tour operator additional time and cost.

However, I fail to understand this logic as applied to spa treatments. I see no practical reason for this.

What exactly is the practical reason for the setup of the spa treatments in so many auctions as $n-per-customer, rather than $nn-per-package? Do the resorts request this, and if so, what is the benefit for them? Wouldnt you find that your customers may want to decide how to allocate the spa time between the travelers? For example, one person may not be interested in using the spa credit, but may feel compelled to use it so as not to *waste* it, while the companion may find the spa time a real selling point in the trip. This could be a make-or-break part of the purchase decision.

And following that, for single travelers, what is the practical reason why half of the spa credit included must be forfeited? I simply fail to understand the logic in the case of the spa credit.

I guess what Im suggesting, overall, is some consideration for single travelers who may want to purchase travel from Luxury Link, such as myself. There is a double-whammy effect in not only paying the full-price for two when only one person will use the facility (which Im not quibbling with at this time), but also losing half of the bonus items included as well. It can be the *little things* that impact a buying decision. I feel that the interpretation of the rules regarding the spa credit should be re-evaluated.

You may have a lot more single customers out there, who just need a little something to tip the buying decision!!

Thank you for your time,

XXXX XXXX

P.S. I just made my first Luxury Link purchase today, and am currently shopping for a vacation.

From: XXXXX XXXXXX
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 6:32 PM
To: XXXX XXXX
Cc: Public User
Subject: RE: Single traveler inquiry

DearMs. XXXX:

Thank you for your inquiry.Although Luxury Link packages are designed primarily for two, you mayindeed travel solo at the same price as we do not charge a "single supplement."Single travelers, howeverwillusually forfeitthe amenitiesdesignated for the 2nd traveler (ex. "a spa treatment for two" does not equate to "two spa treatments for a single" ) .

If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us US toll free (888) 297-3299 or from outside the US at (310) 215-8060.

Very truly yours,

xxxxx xxxxxx
Customer Service Manager
Luxurylink.com
[email protected]
[url="http://www.luxurylink.com/"]http://www.luxurylink.com/[/email]
(888) 297-3299 x167 Toll Free US and Canada
(310) 215-8060 x167 Outside of US
(310) 215-1451 fax

From: xxxx xxxx
Posted At: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 11:07 AM
Posted To: CustomerService
Conversation: question for single traveler
Subject: question for single traveler

Hello:

I have a question. For packages that include a spa credit, which say one per person, what does the single traveler get?

I assume the single traveler can use both credits, since the buyer is paying the full costs for two people, but would you please confirm.

I understand that dinners, tours, etc. for two can only be used by the one, but I would hope that the full spa credit can be given to the one single traveler.

Thanks,

xxxx xxxx
[/quote]
Message Edited by ferret on 06-15-200711:13 PM

[claassenam]

Ferret - I agree with you completely, and your email makes perfect sense to me. Why on earth would the hotel and Luxury Link begrudge you the benefit of the spa credit which you pay for? They are already saving money by selling to the single traveler since you won't use the double meal and other double benefits. I am completely baffled.

[jashermd]

Hello,

I agree with you both about the spa credit (which makes a lot more sense than doing a specific treatment in general -- what if you'd prefer a facial to a massage?) -- and personally I don't see how the logic applies to the meals either, though I can see how it might apply to tours. A single person only eats enough for one, so it would seem that two meals for a single = one meal for a couple. I suppose one could argue that the second meal is 'taking up' a potentially profitable table, but perhaps it could be done on a space-available basis?

Cheers,
Julian

[maylinglai1]

Has anyone ever tried to work out with the hotel to double your spa credit if you are alone? I know for some they give you a voucher good for two people, which would suggest that you could just go two nights and pretend that you are the other person.

You have no way out on paying for the meals by yourself. I have always been lucky and made friends in the city I travel to alone. But that may be easier for the ladies than the gents.

[10CaratBlue]

Hi Julian -- so you reviewed restaurants and I was a travel writer. Gave it up when I was forced to write nice things about a smarmy, overpriced island in the Indian Ocean. When I found myself in the Dolomites when I wanted to be in Sicily. I'm addicted to business class and decent rooms, tho, that's the legacy of that 15-year stint. But you seem to know how this site works. I can't figure how to post, anymore. Never saw my replies here. LuxuryLink totally ignored me, that's their response. From what I've understood, hotels think you're spending in the restaurant, gift shop, casino, bar, and they want bodies. I've yet to buy a vacation online, but I finally ran into someone in Belize who'd bought the trip to Chan Chich at half the price I'd paid, and two of them were eating and sleeping and getting bitten at a bargain. I want cheap mosquito bites too!

My big fear is that I'll buy and won't be able to meet date restrictions "when available." That they'll stick me near the elevator or facing a noisy street. That I'll have to pay for stuff they won't give me 'cause I'm only one. That I'll want to drag homeless into the restaurant to eat the second breakfast. You get the picture.
Claudia

[kyshel]

We've been able to work with a property after winning a bid and 'adjust' the benefits accompanying the package:
Ours was a 2 bedroom villa for 4 in Thailand and we planned to occupy it as only 2 persons. We made arrangements to have the dinner split to 2 persons for 2 meals (and they were some of the finest gourmet meals I'd ever eaten!) They also turned the extra 10 breakfasts for 5 nights into free transfers into the little town, since the hotel was somewhat remote, so it worked well for us. The hotel offered us a smaller villa for 2 but gave us the option of keeping our larger one, which we preferred due to the much larger private pool.
I think communication prior to a purchase can get great results; being patient and asking for equitable exchanges of services/meals/transfers, etc.
Good luck with future purchases at LL. Happy New Year!

[LL_Travelfan]

Hi,



I think communication with the hotel is most often the key to get what you want. My husband does not care for massages, saunas or healthclub/spa benefits, so in personal communication with the hotel on arrival, I negotiate to get the benefit of 2 massages, saunas, healthclub/spa benefits, etc. as provided by the LL package, and I must say, I have never had a problem at the many hotels we have stayed with LL packages. I can see where a LL package priced for two might be a little trickier where meals are concerned. Perhaps the single person could negotiate to have the 2 meals provided by the LL package to be taken 1 meal at a time at two different evenings and enjoy the benefit of the larger room priced for two. We have found all the hotels we have stayed in with LL packages to be very accommodating. A sweet smile, when making your request, often does wonders as well....