Has anyone used skyauction.com to book a trip? There seem to be some great deals for the Caribbean to be had.. just wondering what people's experiences have been,if there are any "catches" that I'm missing.<BR>Thanks in advance!

I have looked on their site occasionally and have placed bids, but never won. <BR>I would be cautious about booking flights if you are picky about the times. I think the airfares are so inexpensive because the majority of them are on flights that leave at odd times, like midnight or 6 o'clock in morning.<BR>I would also love to hear from someone who has actually taken a trip using the skyauction site.

Make sure you read it well. There are additional service charges of $195 or $145, and additional charges depending on where you may be flying from. Great deals can be had but I have also seen people overbid.

We've won our bid with skyauction. The resort is expecting us Pres Week. Accounting was perfect and the documents were delivered by FedEx within days. I wouldn't hesitate if the price is right!

I was high bidder a few years ago on airline tickets to the west coast and had a great experience with sky auction. They even helped us change the flight itinerary to better accommodate us. I wouldn't hesitate to us them again but be sure to check out the service charges on each trip before you bid.

WHAT!! Service charges!! Eveyone is getting on the travel agents for charging fees for helping plan a vacation. But you are willing to pay a service fee to book it yourself? No help, no advice..on your own travel. I just don't get it, why would you pay a FEE to an internet booking sevice but balk at paying a fee to a real human who takes their time with you to make sure everything is right just for YOU? If some could please explain that one to me. I am a manager of an agency, we don't charge any booking fees, and since 9/11 we don't charge cancellation fees either. We can not avoid cancellaion fees that the cruise line and tour operators charge. We try to always give very fair prices and help everyone get the most for their hard earned vacation dollar. We are not all in this business to travel for free, I love to send people away on a wonder trip and hear all about it when they return. I like to hear the good and the bad, that is how my office learns about destinations that we can't all go to. We hear all about these places and pass them on to our customers, something the internet can not do, and WE don't ever charge a fee.

Fees: I understand what you're saying and it is unfortunate. But the reason people may be willing to spend the $195 fee was because they just had the winning bid of perhaps $1 and no additional airfare costs. For expample, that could mean a one week trip to the Bahamas including airfare and hotel for $196. Of course this is just an example and it could cost more but still be a great deal. This is why people are willing to pay the fee IMHO.

TA,<BR><BR>Calm down. Take a breath. The service charges skyauction includes are the service charges the resort charges -- for the regular price of the package purchased through the auction, not the auction price. <BR>The 'service charge' includes the local taxes levied on the room charge by the government at the resort location and the gratuity the resort automatically levies against every room.<BR>Skyauction doesn't charge the winning bidder anything for their involvement, only the seller/listing entity.<BR>Why would anyone bid on something at skyauction? Because there are some incredible deals to be had. Consider a recent auction: <BR>'Name your price per night for as many nights (up to 14) you want at the Coral Marien all inclusive resort in Punta Cana.'<BR>The winning bid was $27.00 per night for 7 nights. The 'service charge' was $32.00 per night, per person. If you took a moment to go to the resort site, you would see the rate is something like $210.00 per night. Taxes and service charges, levied by the resort, were an additional 15%, or $32.00 per night. Since the tarriff is filed with the local authority for tax purposes, and the staff expects to be paid for services rendered, regardless of the amount the resort actually charges for the room, the service charge has to be passed on to the consumer.<BR>So the winner of that auction got a $242.00 per night vacation at a Punta Cana All inclusive for $59.00 per night.<BR>Now, do you earn whaever you get for the work you do for a vacationer who wants to use your services? Of course you do.<BR>But until you can offer an 75% discount on the cost of a vacation, skyauction will continue to draw people to its site.<BR>The cautions, or 'catches,' everyone is giving about being aware of the service charge is to warn folks that the deal will not be as good as it seems if the bidding gets too high. As in any auction scenario, don't allow yourself to be drawn into the frenzy of bidding before researching to know what's a deal, and what isn't.<BR>

Thank you both for answering my question in a civil tone. I understand your reasons, make good sense to me. If you can get a good deal go for it! Have fun on your vacations

Yes, I have booked a cruise and a wks hotel stay through skyauction. I got unbeatable rates even after the service charges were added!