Sandals Resorts bans Expedia

[JenniferSS]

Interesting news I just received from my DSM- Sandals has now banned Expedia from sellling their resorts because of discounting!

 

Sandals & Beaches Resorts years ago adopted a same price policy to discourage discounting the product.This was due to receiving so many complaints that mega online agencies were not assisting and servicing the clients of the resorts who in turn would complain to Sandals and expect Sandals to make it right. (A case of you get what you pay for-low price = low or no service). They wanted consumers to get the best possible service from their partners(travel agencies) thus making a great experience for the guests.

 

Often the discounters would provide the clients with mis information about the rooms , were advertising that the client was booking one room category when the client received a lower room category and on and on(still alot of that going on with other properties)!

 

I've had lots of people ask me to discount- I've always said nope- don't want to lose the ability to sell the resorts! They booked elsewhere which is fine but I hope that their reservation is still valid!

[JCruz]

A friend of mine got a great deal at Sandals last year. Interesting to know that we won't be finding deals like that anymore.

[JenniferSS]

I just came back from Royal Plantation and received a little more information about this....not only were they going against the same price policy but an even bigger issue is that they were consistently selling clients the wrong room category (which then appeared to be a huge savings to the client)or in the case of Royal Plantation saying that the guests were purchasing the all inclusive program when in fact they were not !

 

They would have the room category on their website for one price but when they would send the information over to Sandals they would tell Sandals the lower room category and the online company would pocket the difference! The guests of course would be furious at Sandals thinking that the problem was with Sandals/Beaches/Royal Plantation when in fact it was with the online company mislabelling the room category or describing it inaccurately.

 

There are a few other big online companies that I hear about utilizing this practice and they too may soon be cut off. If you check the fine print on those websites it actually states that they reserve the right to do this (CHANGE ROOM CATEGORIES ON YOU)!!

[JenniferSS]

There are lots of great deals to be had- Sandals/ Beaches and Royal Plantation have been offering phenomenal pricing over the last year including free nights, 65% off and spa credits !

[islandbride317]

Thanks for making us aware of this...I can't imagine if I had gone with someone other than my Sandal-certified TA here at home, and showed up at the resort to a nightmare! I will be sure to caution my guests against booking on their own with an online mega-agency, so that they don't get burned by this, as well.

 

As always, good looking out, Jennifer!

[Sheree10]

Interesting... glad we decided to work with a TA.

[avb1983]

good! I'm glad b/c its not fair if they get a discount! I love working with a TA- they have experience with booking trips/flights so things okay...