We have a quandry and are looking for some input from a few of the frequent visitors to Temptations. We're visiting for the second time from October 6 to 13, and plan to use one of our four free all-inclusive weeks from our "timeshare" purchase in May, 2008. Additionally, we have been quoted $928, all-inclusive, for the two of us for the same week if we pay, so we're wondering if we're better off paying and saving the free week for later. The $928 (not including airfare) represents a much lower price than we paid 17 months ago and we're assuming this has a lot to do with the economy, recent crimes in Mexico, etc. If this price is likely to be much higher next year, we'd rather save it and spend the money now. Any input would be much appreciated! Note: These are not the four "bonus" weeks per year where you must pay extra, they are fully inclusive for the week and we have four total.
The AI fee for October is usually lower as it is slow season. Next year at this time the rate would be $74 pp. As for using the free week or paying your AI for this trip it depends on if you are going go during a time frame when the AI is much more expensive. Rates for the next year from the Premier site (Single-Double-Extra person): Aug 16, 2009 to Dec 25, 2009 $119.00 $85.00 $73.00 Fall Promo Members Only *Capacity Controlled $95.00 $68.00 $58.00 Dec 26, 2009 to Jan 02, 2010 $182.00 $152.00 $152.00 Jan 03, 2010 to Jan 31, 2010 $130.00 $100.00 $100.00 Feb 01, 2010 to Apr 03, 2010 $148.00 $118.00 $118.00 Apr 04, 2010 to Jun 30, 2010 $114.00 $84.00 $84.00 Jul 01, 2010 to Aug 14, 2010 $125.00 $95.00 $95.00 Aug 15, 2010 to Dec 25, 2010 $104.00 $74.00 $74.00 Dec 26, 2010 to Jan 02, 2011 $186.00 $156.00 $156.00
Thanks Catrina (and Kevin)! Really appreciate your input, but I want to be sure we're on the same page. The free week we intend to use is an all-inclusive week, so we do not have to pay anything additional as far as the all-inclusive part of the stay, as we would for one of the bonus weeks. The $928 is the price through a tour operator for an all-inclusive week, not including airfare, so it has nothing to do with Temptations or Premier. If we burn one of our four (total) weeks now, we'll have three left for the duration of our contract, and we can, theoretically, book them at any time during the year, as long as they have openings. So, if we try to book during high season, we have a better chance of not receiving a free week. Obviously, it is total speculation as there is no way to know, definitively, what will be available and what the price would be should we pay in the future. Thanks and if you have anything else to add, we'd be appreciative. Greg and Trish
Thought your quoted price was from Premier. Curious why you would book through a tour operator if you are a member? Booking through your contract with Premier would be $952 and you know you are getting a room with ocean view and not taking a chance of looking at the street. Everyone's contracts seem to be different so not exactly sure how yours works. Me, I would probably use my free AI week, but that is just because my thinking is use what you can for free now and worry about paying later. Either way....have a fun vacation, wish I was going!
Great advice! Thanks for the input and we'll be sure to have a great time for you both! Greg and Trish
Those AI fee's are crazy. I booked through Orbitz for $1275 for airfare and the room for 2 people. We came so close to buying in the first time we went but gladly my wife said wait, and that we could buy next time if we still thought it was a good idea. That guy Bernie kind of rubbed me the wrong way n-e-who
That is one heck of a price for two. We go in February to escape the cold and that is less than the cost for one.
That is a great price, but keep in mind that you are coming from Texas as opposed to Michigan and other points north. Also, we would assume there is some subsidizing being done when airfare and accommodations are packaged together, by one or the the other (or both). Nonetheless, you can't beat that price for two people for an entire week! If we had it to do over again, we would probably still do the timeshare, but we are a little less enthused then we were when we signed up. We tried to negotiate hard and asked for as many freebies as we could, and still purchased a very modest contract. We figured that, with the RCI points, no annual membership fee, and the four free AI weeks over the term of the contract, we couldn't lose. However, since the prices seem to have dropped on the AI weeks, the value is not as good. Thanks for the input and have a great day. Greg and Trish
just for fun i looked up Detroit to Cancun for the same dates we are going and got a price of $1268.63 on AA. I will give you that this is definitely the off season and prices are cheaper now than they are in may when we go. I think we paid around $2100 in May.
Wow, good work on your part! Remind me to call you when I need help with booking travel (obviously, I need it). One thing that is different for us is that we only use frequent flyer miles for airfare, so we always book resort only. That makes it a little more difficult to get a great price (but still cheaper). Like you, we traveled in May of 2008 and paid around $1,500 for resort only during this time. Looks like it would be best to pay for travel during this time of year, and use the free AI weeks in the spring. Thanks for the great input! Greg (and Trish)
