I just found this website? Has anyone used it? Any advice, cautions, recommendations? Thanks much!

I too just found out about it and am very intrigued. I, too, would love to know if anyone has used it.

I found out about luxury link from this forum about 2 years ago. Its a great site. I also recently read about it in the NY Times, as a great site, partially owned by Gannette. Anyhow I have used it for London hotels, and dinner at 21. All the action on the auction sites takes place in the last
hour or so! It is like a real auction!

I haven't used it myself, but have inquired about it. I heard from several other posters that they have had good experiences with it.

I've used it three times and it's legit. I absolutely love it! Some advice however before you bid. First, check the dates for the trip you are bidding on. You don't want to go to Fiji during the rainy season for example and some of the trips/packages are only valid for a certain time period. After you decide if the dates will work for you, it is a good idea to call the hotel you want even before you start your bidding to see what their availabilty is like. You dont want to have a bid accepted only to find out that hotel only has rooms available during hurricane season. Finally double check what the rates would be if you booked directly through the resort/hotel. You don't want to bid more than an actual package is worth. Luxury Link will charge your credit card immediately after your bid is accepted so be ready for that. That aside, I have been very, very happy with them, and as I said, saved beaucoup at some of the top resorts.

I have used Luxury Link myself and love it. I agree with the previous poster, do your research. Your best chance at a bargain is thru the "Best Shot Auctions", some of the other items are no bargain at all. Something I learned was the closing time really means nothing. The auction closes when there have been no bids for 5 minutes. So don't wait for the very last second to throw your bid out there, it won't matter.

penny: I have been very curious about purchasing an evening at the 21 Club. My 1st boyfriends' father was something important there and I saw in the NYT that he is still something important (GM or Host) and I'd love to go see him and tell him...nanny, nanny, pooh, pooh. You know, those 1st loves..?..

Thx for all of the info----question for travelchik (or anyone else who knows)---if the dates listed are May 21 - Sept. 29th, but I can only go the 1st week of August----how does that work? Am I assured when I bid (and if I win it) that I will get the dates I want? I read the rules but couldn't find the answer to this question-----or else I just didn't get it! Thanks

McSmith- I assume you mean Bruce! I saw the article too
The deal on luxury link is great. We did the tasting dinner for 8 about 2 years ago-now I hit the one shot auction for 2-wine,7 course meal, gratuites etc. at what I think is a great price. Over the years we have been there many times! Its now better than ever, it is one of the few
restaurants that appear on luxury link as it is now owned by Orient Express!

I meant dinner for 4!

penny: Yes, Bruce is my ex-boyfriend's father. Next time you go, say hi for me, ha ha.

Colette: Not sure if I've given you this answer soon enough, but if you are locked into a particular date, you must first make sure you can get airfare and that the property you are bidding on has vacancies BEFORE you bid. Then, keep your fingers crossed.

Colette, as Cissy said, and as I said previously, Call the hotel/resort directly before you even start your bidding and ask them if they have rooms available for the particular dates you are interested in. If they have plenty of rooms the 1st week in August, go ahead and place your bid on Luxury Link. Once you purchase from Luxury Link, you are locked in to the time frame which is specified in the package rules. Good luck!!

Thx for all for the luxurylink info. Altho the timing thing makes me nervous. Could the following scenario happen? Say I can only go the 1st week in August, and I call the resort and find out they have vacancies that week, I bid and win. But in between my call to the resort and my winning bid, the resort has filled those vacancies for my desired week. This part scares me! Perhaps one has to be able to be more flexible in order to use this service? Thanks again for your help.

Colette,

That's always been my exact concern, and main reason for not bidding myself. I'm always afraid that I can't be as flexible as I would need to in the long run.

"luxlink" is a really great company, I can only recommend it. We do business with them both ways, selling and buying and it has been always a great pleasure to deal with them.
Regine

Colette, yes this scenario is possible, however if you call, ask the hotel what their availability looks like. Do they only have one room available or are they only at 50% capacity. Personally I have always had the date available that I was looking for, and have been more than pleased with the results.

Thanks all for your replies-----think I'll be bidding!

I have used the site twice and was so happy with the customer service, both from luxlink and the resorts. Luckily, the resorts "respect" ll; meaning when you call to reserve, they are happy to accommodate, friendly and respectful of your ll deal. that makes a huge difference. go for it!