Judy

Hi! I'd like to know what everyones experience has been with www.vacmart.com - the good and the bad! In addition, any tips on traveling to DR?

lucy

I used Vacmart (Vacation Travel Mart) to book a trip to Acapulco 2 years ago and was very satisfied. I got a good price and good flights. They have been recommended several times by Frommers.

Judy

Hi Lucy - Thanks for your response! How does vacmart.com work?

Are they like expedia.com or are they actual travel agents who will mail you your tickets and information?

How informative are they or do you have to pull teeth to get as much info out? Do they have reps who will meet you at your destination?

What if, upon arriving at the resort/hotel, they *don't* have your reservation?

Any tips on what I can do to make sure the plans are smooth sailing?

Sorry about all the questions, I'm just a little worried/leery about online vacation planning - esp. hearing quite a bit about problems others have had using other travel sites...
Thanks!

xxx

Where are you going and what exactly are you trying to do? If it is a hotel quite often you can call the hotel yourself, and get the same price if you mention you saw it on some web site. Or you can call a travel agent, if you are more comfortable and they quite often will match the price you saw on the web, or at least check to see. Everyone thinks they are getting a great price over the web, expedia, orbitz, whatever, but in actuality, going straight to the hotel or straight through an agent will give you the same price. You just have to check around to find out for yourself. You may feel more comfortable making travel arrangements in this way. I have booked several airline reservations straight through the airlines, over the web and have seldome found a difference.

jen

Judy,

I not sure where you will be coming from but Apple Vacations has the best prices going to Punta Cana. I have used them many times and have been very pleased. The only down fall is you have to use an travel agent. But most agents,if not all, use them.

lucy

They are a regular travel agency based in Miami. I booked by talking to someone over the phone although I see you can now book online. I would still recommend calling because the prices I got from the agent on the phone were better than what I saw on the website. I liked using them because you are booked on regular (usually AA) flights (not charters like Apple who I have also used) and American Airlines is my preferred airline. I thought they were very informatve but I knew where I wanted to go so I just asked questions about hotels, etc... I booked transfers through them and there was someone waiting when we got there and there was a rep at our hotel (designated by the travel agency) who gave us information and assistance. Basically, it was like using a traditional travel agency.