AUCTION ADD - ONS

[enewseven]

Hello All:





I was wondering what LL users would think if each auction would have a section for add- ons ( additional nights, meal plan, just breakfast, etc)> I think that at the least an option for adding additional nights for a fixed price in addition to the auction would be very helpful for really tailoring a trip to fit any travelers needs. Not to mention another revenue source for LL.Would anyone else find this helpful ?

[jashermd]

Hello,

This would be brilliant -- personally I enjoy spending more than three or four days at a place and I'd like to be able to extend. It might be hard to do with the packages which have a few nights in several different places, but for the ones which feature on property it should be doable.

Cheers,
Julian

[cruisinred]

Just a thought, but I'm wondering if customizing a package with extras would be too much administrative work for LuxLink to worry about and they'd prefer to leave it up to the hotel to offer those options.



I mentioned on another thread that I would like to see customizable (is that a word?) packages in terms of # of nights, as Jasher also mentioned.

[enewseven]

I don't think it would be too much work administratively, based on the fact that on a lot of the resorts in "The Portfolio" have an a la cart booking feature that goes right to the resorts web site. With that said, that would actually be one way to add on some nights after winning an auction, but if there were a section on the auction page for "add a night, or 2,3, etc" that would be a great way to get exactly what you want !



There are also someseparateofferings that are buy it now (accommodation for a night)...

[jashermd]

Hello,

I've never seen any one-night listings...maybe I'm not looking at the right places? I generally look in the Africa and Europe sections. The Buy Now ones don't usually tend to be as good value as the auctions though. It seems as if you're paying a premium for the security of not being outbid (which does make sense from an economic standpoint).

Cheers,
Julian

[bdsouza]

I think that it would be a good idea if the Ts & Cs stated whether the option might be available, so when one contacts the hotel to make a reservation it could be set up.



I might be wrong but typically, "packages" are sold to ensure a revenue stream at certain times during the year (eg Venice in the middle of August is not the best time to go because of the heat, but is nicer in March because it is not very crowded, but there is also not a tremendous amount of light). Some hotels that are just establishing themselves also "sell" packages to organisations like LL to get on the map. If the packages were to state other options at competitive pricing, LL would most likely have to guarantee a minimum number of nights/massages/meal plans in order to secure the discount. Hence, my suggestion that the hotel states whether it could offer such options and leave the winners to deal direct.

BDS

[cruisinred]

I was thinking some more about this issue of extra/add on nights.... I am wondering if it is part of the revenue model for these auctions, that the properties expect that many people will want to extend their stay by adding additional nights at the rack rate price?

Message Edited by cruisinred on 01-29-200707:56 AM

[jashermd]

Hi Cruisinred,

That's a good point, though I think that the benefit of a guaranteed 3-4 night booking is also an incentive. I think it would work well for both parties if there was an option for discounted add-on nights, so there would still be some savings even if not quite as good as through LL -- it would provide an incentive to stay at that one property rather than moving to another LL property in the same city or town. Personally I hate to move hotels (and I'm sure I'm not the only one) so this would be an incentive for me to stay.

Cheers,
Julian

[two2go]

Hi Julian

I agree with your statement. Also, I would think that the packages offered on LL are usually offered when the properties are quiet, so why not have the option of adding on nights, meals and also massages when available. It would not only be a benefit to the traveller, but also to the resort or hotel.

two2go

[funtimes]

hey - don't forget that often LL often has multiple resort auctions available in a certain destination. You can choose to relocate hotels in a particular city and extend your stay by winning 2 LL auctions. This gives the traveler a chance to experience two properties at reduced rates while allowing the properties exposure on LL Win! Win! We are trying this piggy back idea in Tuscany and Umbria. Any nights we required additionally we prepared on our own. Great travels...Funtimes