Still Trying To Pick A Resort.. Help!

[Smellsey]

I told my TA to get me quotes for all options ie different airlines, if they went to Edmonton, etc. 6 of those 25 people are my sister and her children and to only get to see them 5 instead of 7 days makes me sad. hopefully we can figure out a cost effective way to get them there a day sooner.

[kmk2016]

I told my TA to get me quotes for all options ie different airlines, if they went to Edmonton, etc. 6 of those 25 people are my sister and her children and to only get to see them 5 instead of 7 days makes me sad. hopefully we can figure out a cost effective way to get them there a day sooner.

If you are booking an AI charter, flights are limited... But may open up closer to the date of travel. (Usually only 1-2 direct charters per city a week)

 

The other problem is when using multiple tour operators (flight companies), you will not get credits accumulate like when you give the business to one company.

 

 

The last issue is some tour operators often have exclusive rights to specific hotels whereby they are the only charter company privy to booking rooms at that hotel.

 

Best of luck navigating!!

[TinkerSofi]

did you give people the choice of a plus one or include it on your rsvp? Is anyone having issues with people flying from other provinces and arriving 2 days later than everyone else? Most of our guests are coming from WPG but I have about 25 from Calgary, 5 from Vancouver and a couple from Edmonton. My TA told me that the Calgary people will arrive 2 days later than us. I am not sure if I am ok. I asked her if we could have them go out of Edmonton instead or if we can book them with Air Canada or West Jet and then book their hotel separately. The 1 day earlier or later doesn't bother me but 2 days is quite a bit I think

Luckily, all of our guests are leaving from Calgary so we will all be in the same plane . There's only one couple living in Fort McMurray who might leave from Edmonton but they're buying their trips with credit card points on their own so they don't count as part of our group. 

 

We gave most people a +1 and we put it on the online RSVP. In the end, most tried to room up with other guests that were traveling solo so things really worked out for us. Others still haven't replied if they're traveling with someone else, mainly those not booking with our group. We invited one couple who sort of broke up in the middle of this whole thing so that was awkward. They're both coming but the guy said he's bringing his sister and so we had to give him a plus one even if it wasn't planned. Make judgments on a case to case basis. If you have two friends who are single and they are friends with each other maybe don't give them a plus one and suggest that they room up with each other so save up on traveling costs. My friends loved the idea! 

[Smellsey]

If you are booking an AI charter, flights are limited... But may open up closer to the date of travel. (Usually only 1-2 direct charters per city a week)

 

The other problem is when using multiple tour operators (flight companies), you will not get credits accumulate like when you give the business to one company.

 

 

The last issue is some tour operators often have exclusive rights to specific hotels whereby they are the only charter company privy to booking rooms at that hotel.

 

Best of luck navigating!!

Yah well I really wanted the Azul and I understand that this stuff might happen but I am willing to try anything I can to make it work. if it doesn't work out, at least we tried! I am not very worried about the credits.. if I have to lose some to get my sister there on time I will. that is more important to me and I am sure for my father as well. Worst case scenario is that they are there 2 days after everyone else but my FI and I will be there for an extra week (perhaps at a different resort however). I am sure they would be fine with it -I am the one more worried ha.

 

I actually cannot believe how many people are coming from Calgary due to the fact that they live around there. she never gave me a date for Edmonton so I am wondering if Edmonton would be the same (-2 days) or what. we have around 10 coming from there too.

 

@@TinkerSofi I think I will give people plus 1's who are single.. ie aunts/uncles/friends. hopefully they are able to bunk up with someone. did you try and coordinate getting people to bunk together or did they figure it out on their own and contact people?

[TinkerSofi]

@@Smellsey it was a bit of both. I kind of suggested it if I knew someone in that circle was also traveling alone but then they made the final arrangements. You do have to play matchmaker a bit and try to group people up that you think will get along. I tried to group people that belonged to the same group of friends, that was usually my rule of thumb. 

 

Others really insisted on having a plus one (and they asked us for months), or if they plain out don't know anyone else, we gave them a plus one because we thought they'd have a better time with someone they know. 

Edited August 21, 2014 by TinkerSofi

[kmk2016]

Yah well I really wanted the Azul and I understand that this stuff might happen but I am willing to try anything I can to make it work. if it doesn't work out, at least we tried! I am not very worried about the credits.. if I have to lose some to get my sister there on time I will. that is more important to me and I am sure for my father as well. Worst case scenario is that they are there 2 days after everyone else but my FI and I will be there for an extra week (perhaps at a different resort however). I am sure they would be fine with it -I am the one more worried ha.

 

I actually cannot believe how many people are coming from Calgary due to the fact that they live around there. she never gave me a date for Edmonton so I am wondering if Edmonton would be the same (-2 days) or what. we have around 10 coming from there too.

 

@@TinkerSofi I think I will give people plus 1's who are single.. ie aunts/uncles/friends. hopefully they are able to bunk up with someone. did you try and coordinate getting people to bunk together or did they figure it out on their own and contact people?

Another option is to book her as "room only" through your tour operator and then book flights separately through regular channels. WestJet for example flies daily to cancun (some with stop overs) from almost every city but will get her in on the day you want. It may cost a bit more- but give her this option and then let her decide what she wants to do.

[calgarybride2015]

I also tried to pair people but they all ended up just paying the single supplement.

 

 

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[plopes0420]

HI Smellsey, I feel your pain. My fiancee and I live in Miami and were trying to decide between Jamaica, Mexico (we looked at Azul), Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic. I've been to all except PR so that was out. We started thinking about where our guests would be flying from (NYC, Miami, El Salvador and Brazil) and checked out air fares from each major city into each major city at each location. Our spreadsheet was madness and prices vary depending on time of flight and when you book! Oy vey! Too much to consider...you won't make everyone happy so we went back to thinking about what would US happy. I went with my gut feeling a chose a place I've always had a really good time at...Jamaica! Once that was decided, it was round 2 of decisions to make...which resort?! It never ends, but no matter what, just keep reminding yourself:

1) you can't please everyone

2) do what you love and you won't regret it.

Good Luck!

[Smellsey]

@@plopes0420 I completely agree. 2 things that you always have to remember.. A - you cannot please everyone and B - it is YOUR day!

 

if you forget those - you are going to have a hell of a time ha. Now that we have put down the deposit I think people are starting to realize ok, they are doing this. I can already feeling the tension releasing!

[JennyAdele]

I told my TA to get me quotes for all options ie different airlines, if they went to Edmonton, etc. 6 of those 25 people are my sister and her children and to only get to see them 5 instead of 7 days makes me sad. hopefully we can figure out a cost effective way to get them there a day sooner.

 

In the end…its YOUR wedding day…you need to follow your heart and go with what will make you most happy and what just feels right!