Group rates not very group appealing?

[SunBride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelissaH We had everyone book their own thing too - much cheaper than a group rate and it was better because people on smaller budgets booked over at the Maya Beach and Caribe sides, and then people with bigger budgets booked at the Tropical and Colonial...it worked out really well for us (but we're all pretty easy going and it didn't matter to us that we weren't all staying together). The only thing we did was give out our TA info in case they wanted to book through her.

I think this is a great way to go about it so that nobody has the right to get mad at your about the price or about your agent (lots of other girls get slack from their guests that their agent was not helpful) or about booking by a certain deadline. Just let them know if they wait too long the resort might sell out and then let them make their own choices!

[TA Lindsay]

Hi Heather,

I sent you a PM

 

Lindsay

[Jen_S]

I am running into the same thing group rates are high or are only avail. for people who actually travel together (same plane etc.) a lot of my guests will be going for different lengths of time. I did find that Apple Vacations offers a insurance (only for indiv reservations) that offers best rate. So if someone books and the trip (hotel and same flight) goes down at all the guest is locked in at the new rate. This may save your guests some money since they are usually booking so far in advance prior to special prices.

[jajajaja]

We just let everyone book on their own as well. So glad we went that route because after seeing some of the drama the girls have had on here regarding group blocks. It could be a good thing if you have people who know they are FOR SURE going, but we had so many people up in the air until last minute.

 

Our resort wasn't too big so even though we were all in different towers, we were able to easily meet up or communicate. The first thing I did upon arrival was get everyone's room number.

[ErinB]

In hindsight, having guests book individually would have been the better option for us.

 

The negative was that we didn't use all of the rooms we reserved (because people suck!) so we did lose some deposit money.

 

However, with the group rate, we will all be in the same area of our hotel, we get an upgrade to a suite, and we got our 11th room free for 2 guests, so that will pay for all of my wedding extras!

 

I did find some cheaper rates online, so I called my TA who contacted the resort. Basically asking the advantage of the group rate and if they would price match, which they did! So, it never hurts to ask.

 

Also, by us booking the whole package, we got much better flight times--everyone will be in Jamaica by 12:00 noon and we don't have to leave until 12:00 noon. The same flights now are $950 that we paid $425 for!

 

The best part is that we have people flying in from 4 different cities, yet we all meet in Memphis and fly the same plane down to Jamaica, so it will be kinda like a charter flight!

[Bride010101]

We are having everyone book individually as well but mostly due to the fact our guests are coming from different places and staying different lengths of times.

[Leticia]

you know how I feel already about this, I just had to tell you again, it is such a headache. your guests are better off without it, and so are you.

[morenaindc]

Im clueless about it all too! Ive been advised (from this forum actually) to list my TA's info as an option but also encourage folks to try to find better packages

[TammyWright]

one thing to consider...if you are booking at a popular resort, they could sell out and your guests then have to stay at another resort.

 

i am having this problem with 3 weddings in june, 1 in october, 1 in november, 1 in december where the hotel is sold out and there are no more rooms left....luckily for all but 1 of the weddings they blocked a bunch of rooms so they were set aside for their wedding guests.

 

can you imagine booking your wedding, booking vendors, paying deposits, sending out invitations to have your guests not be able to stay at the same resort as you....?

 

people should consider getting group blocks if:

 

1. the resort is really popular and sells out often

2. the date is during high season

3. your group is kind of slower to book their rooms etc.

4. your wedding is in say 2009 but you want to try to lock in 2008 rates.

[LadyCheese]

I was having a really hard time deciding "to block or not to block" a couple mths ago...and ultimately we decided to reserve 35 seats/rooms and I'm so glad I did. So far 28 people have booked and we know the rest of the seats we have available will be booked within the next month or so. My TA mentioned the same thing as Tammy...sure your guests may find a cheaper flight somewhere esle but what if the hotel is all booked up--where would they stay? So it was a little scary for me to not have something set up for my guests that I know will definitely go. Plus I wanted everyone to stay in the same place with us. and now not too mention, the flights are so expensive so we got a decent rate when we did the block. Just my 2 cents.