Can you help me explain how Luxury Link works?
 

Hi everyone,
As I am in the planning stages of picking 2 islands for my honeymoon next August, I am learning a great deal from this web site.

I see mentions of Luxury Link and am wondering if someone can explain how it works to me. I have been to their web site, and am curious as to what the differences between Auctions, Best Shot Auctions, Exclusives, etc... are? What is the best way to use an auction site like this? Any tips?

Thanks!

'Auctions' works in a format that I think people are most familiar with. There's a starting price and you bid against others in an open format meaning you can see the current highest bid and the next minimum bid increment. Pretty straightforward. You can also look up past winning bids (back 10 days or so) to get an idea of the going price.

'Best Shot Auctions' are blind auctions in that the posted amount is the minimum bid they will accept. You do not know what others are bidding and in the end the top 5 or so bidders win and everyone gets the package at the lowest winning bid, i.e. if the 5 winning bids are one at $1000, two at $1200, and two at $1400, all 5 winners pay only $1000.

I've won both Auction and Best Shot Auction bids and like both formats.

'Exclusives' and 'Best Buys' require no bidding and I find that they're usually not a good deal and avoid them. There have been a few exceptions but these are rare.

The best way to get started is to keep an eye on a few auctions before bidding. Auctions are usually repeated (but not always) at pretty regular intervals. Get a feel for the going prices which can vary from week to week and bidding activity. Sometimes there's a frenzy that occurs at the last minute.

Check past auctions and read all of the instructions carefully. Understand the validity dates and note any blackout periods. Price out the same package with the resort directly, then decide on a maximum limit, and try not to go over it (it's hard sometimes).

Once you've decided on one you'd like to bid, call the resort first to inquire about availability for the dates you're interested in. I always tell them that I'm looking at the luxurylink auction so they know what room type, etc. It doesn't guarantee there will be availability after you've won, but I've never had a problem.

If you win, you'll receive an email confirmation from luxurylink, and they will contact you for your credit card number if they don't have it already. Once payment is made, they send you details on who to contact at the resort for reservations, and you arrange your stay with the resort directly.

I highly recommend them and have had nothing but positive experiences. Good luck!

I forgot to mention that with Best Shot Auctions they don't post winning bids so it's a bit trickier. In this case, my advice about watching a few auctions first and researching past auctions doesn't apply. The best advice I can give with Best Shot Auctions is to just bid the amount you're comfortable with. I lucked out and got mine for less than what I bid. Hope this helps.

Patty,
Wow, thanks so much for your great answer. Do you mind if I ask what you have won in the past and how much you got it for?

A few years back I won a 5 night package at Peter Island (ocean view room) for $1700 and last year it was a 5 night package at Jamaica Inn for $1100 (deluxe room).