BDW travel agents

[TammyWright]

 

 

Originally Posted by Brenners 

 

TA Wendy, you are great!  More questions!  If you are able to get us cheaper rated through online sites and not directly through the hotel, are we still able to get resort credits or other programs such as the free upgrade to a suite or free cocktail reception, etc... since we are still providing the hotel with the required number of rooms?

 

this would REALLY depend on the resort and is a per case basis.  The upgrades and amenities are written into the group contract that get from the resort.  Some resorts are sticklers about only counting the rooms booked through the block while others will let a few rooms slide and count them even if they are not part of the block.  it is always best to get these amenities in writing because even if you get one wc that may agree to it, if a year into your wedding planning, that wc is gone or even management has changed it can be difficult to get them to honor what a wc may have said when it is not written into the contract.

 

Palace resorts REALLY wants you to book the rooms through the block to get the amenities because they offer some good ones like upgrades, free nights, free private events, etc.

[Matt Adcock]

 

 

Originally Posted by Tammy Host 

 

 

 

 

 

this would REALLY depend on the resort and is a per case basis.  The upgrades and amenities are written into the group contract that get from the resort.  Some resorts are sticklers about only counting the rooms booked through the block while others will let a few rooms slide and count them even if they are not part of the block.  it is always best to get these amenities in writing because even if you get one wc that may agree to it, if a year into your wedding planning, that wc is gone or even management has changed it can be difficult to get them to honor what a wc may have said when it is not written into the contract.

 

Palace resorts REALLY wants you to book the rooms through the block to get the amenities because they offer some good ones like upgrades, free nights, free private events, etc.

 

great advice Tammy!

[Brenners]

Thanks Tammy.  I am reading more and more about the importance of having everything written into the contract.  Has anyone heard about Ceiba del Mar's willingness to allow you to count rooms booked thru online sites?

[TammyWright]

 

Originally Posted by Brenners 

Thanks Tammy.  I am reading more and more about the importance of having everything written into the contract.  Has anyone heard about Ceiba del Mar's willingness to allow you to count rooms booked thru online sites?

Let me stress that MOST resorts do not allow rooms booked through online sites to be counted as part of the group.  1 reason is because it is hard to track who is part of what group.

 

It really is best that you ask your resort directly if they will allow it.

[Brenners]

Thanks Tammy.  We haven't made a final decision on a hotel yet so that will be among the list of questions we send to the three that we have narrowed it down to.  Good to know as that is a HUGE cost if you cannot get the deals from the online sites and can only deal directly with the hotel. 

[shan0487]

Thank you so much Wendy, that is what I wanted to hear!
 

Originally Posted by TA Wendy 

Hello,

Yes, typically when booking a group we are able to access the same programs and benefits for our clients that they would get by going direct themselves to the resort, and often we are able to get lower rates than what would be offered directly. But again using the Palace resorts example, they have a program of up to $1500 credits per room to be used onsite by guests... that is something that as travel agents we are also able to pass along to our clients when they book through us. Hope that is helpful!

TA Wendy