About to use LL for the first time ?'s!

Hi, I am looking at using an auction to book a property. I initially booked this resort thru a different website, which I can cancel for a small fee. Since it is available on LL now at a great savings I am going to attempt to bid on the trip. I DID contact the hotel to confirm availability and they said its open. We would be traveling during shoulder season which tends to be a slower time of travel. I already have our air booked and am nervous about a possible issue getting our exact dates of travel. But after reading forum info. on here it sounds like if you cover your bases and contact the hotel people usually don't have a problem. Any thoughts? Also, does the price ever drop as you get closer to the auction closing? Also, can a person use a credit AND their first-time user promo code at the same time when booking an auction? Thanks for any info. I am crazy excited to try this website and have a few trips coming up so I am hoping its as good as it seems!

Hi, I am excited for you, I remember the first time I bid on a
package here, I was so nervous and was afraid what the
deal would actually be after arriving. Well, 6 years later, I
have now booked over 13 trips using LL and have ALWAYS
been so surprised, exceeding my wildest expectations.
No, the price does not go down, in fact, it will go up
quickly during the last hour or so, I watched one bid
go up over $200 during the last 30 minutes once.
Very important to get your dates in an e-mail to
back up your specific dates, also communicate
before arriving making sure you know how to get
there, touching base with someone who's name you
may remember when checking in - believe me, it
has worked every time I have tried it. Things like
champagne, better room, fruit tray, etc. just from
making someone at the front desk know you
value their opinion. Have a great time, would love
to know where you are going in case I have been
there. We have used LL in Spain, France, Italy,
Budapest, Prague and also Colorado. Ask any
questions or concerns you may have, I will be
happy to answer your concerns..
Runaround

Runaround, u mentioned getting dates in an email. Did you mean to have the hotel email with information stating they have availability for the dates that I 'd like? I just asked them verbally over the phone. Also, the auction that you saw the price go up $300 in the last little bit, did it go up because of bidding or because LL raised it towards the end of the auction? I really appreciate your information! I am nervous even though LL seems to get rave reviews!

LL doesn't increase their prices on auctions, bidders do. Are you talking about a mystery auction or regular auction? Many auctions reappear anew after the bidding is over an start a new bid cycle but there is no guarantee. It may be the last package available. I can't even add up how many we've bought. (Wow--I just checked my account--24 auctions!!)
I do get an email from a property when possible, saying they have availability on my preferred dates. Never hurts. Since we don't know what property you're considering, I can't tell you if it's large or small which may make a difference as opposed to season. I understand if you don't want to say what you're bidding on right now. We'll do our bets to answer--there are some really epxerienced LL travelers here. You came to the right place--welcome!

Welcome - I have been using LL since 2006 and I have to say all my experiences with booking have been pretty good - I usually email the hotel that I am thinking of and ask about availability for the dates I am considering - never had any problems with getting my 1st choice dates after I win the auction, although, I have not experienced winning an auction during high peak times like holidays, certain places in the summer, etc. but many times these particular time periods are listed in the auction as black out dates so this would not be a problem.
Great packages, great hotels, nice prices - what more could you ask for.
Happy bidding!!!

Hi Markie, it's Runaround. I am sorry if I confused you about the bidding
process. when I said the price goes up towards the last minutes of the
bidding, I meant those bidding will bid the price up - not the Luxury Link
site. It will still be a great deal if you go up a little in your bid, you can
check out the prices on the hotel's website and compare and then
include the extras, you will still be ahead. As far as the e-mail from the
hotel, I do ask them for a reply to my request for the dates I have
selected as you may, after winning the bid, contact the hotel and find
out that the person you spoke to when you asked about availability
was not aware of the Luxury Link deal with all of the extras. Just
happened to me once, had to speak to manager who informed me
that particular room was not available for those dates as told to me
by the reservation desk. All went well, they gave me a better room,
but could have really ruined by trip. Don't be afraid, you will be hooked
and wonder why you didn't do this before. Let me know when you win your
bid, and good luck!
Runaround

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by markie22

Hi, I am looking at using an auction to book a property. I initially booked this resort thru a different website, which I can cancel for a small fee. Since it is available on LL now at a great savings I am going to attempt to bid on the trip. I DID contact the hotel to confirm availability and they said its open. We would be traveling during shoulder season which tends to be a slower time of travel. I already have our air booked and am nervous about a possible issue getting our exact dates of travel. But after reading forum info. on here it sounds like if you cover your bases and contact the hotel people usually don't have a problem. Any thoughts? Also, does the price ever drop as you get closer to the auction closing? Also, can a person use a credit AND their first-time user promo code at the same time when booking an auction? Thanks for any info. I am crazy excited to try this website and have a few trips coming up so I am hoping its as good as it seems!

---

markie22, Aren't you glad you asked for our help?

Did you win the auction?

I ALWAYS contact the hotel prior to bidding on an item. While auction items are less expensive than the identical buy it now item, you have more peace of mind when you pay the buy it now price. That being said, all of my Luxury Link purchases have been auction items. When I first showed the Luxury Link website to my wife, she was extremely skeptical. However, after staying at our first property, she was totally blown away, as she's been with every package we've ever purchased here.

Welcome to the Luxury Link community and don't hesitate to ask questions!

I did win my auction, to Scrub Island. I literally saved half the cost of our stay. I was a bit nervous since our airfare is already booked. But I spoke with the resort, twice, and they confirmed availability. The resort said they were familiar with LL and that its very reputable from their perspective. Well, my dates were confirmed the day after my auction closed! I am totally hooked and plan to refer a lot of people to LL. This was a truly seamless transaction.

markie--make sure you refer them thru the LL link and you'll get $100 for each referred buyer's purchase. They automatically get $100 off their first purchase.. Just tell them not to bid against me!! haha
Glad it all worked out and I can tell you are going to be a future LL junkie! The Scrub Island pkg looks awesome--please report back after your trip. We needed new blood in the Lounge--welcome, welcome!