gailw

This may seem seriously naive, but if you use bancotel vouchers, do you end up with lesser quality rooms?
I have stayed at Las Casas de la Juderia in Sevilla in the past and had a wonderful room with fabulous separate shower, balcony overlooking a patio. I'd like to get the same or similar room for my trip in March. If I pay with Bancotel vouchers (which I've never used before) can I still request that room or do I just have to accept whatever room is assigned, and assume that it will be smaller and less desirable?

Robert2533

You'll have to check with the hotel to see on which days they will accept the coupons, if at all, how many coupons are required and which rooms they can be use with. Generally, the coupons are used during low season or on weekends at most of the 4 and 5-star hotels that deal with a lot of business travelers. If you're planning on being in Sevilla during holy week then you can pretty well forget about using coupons. All of the rooms will be booked far in advance.

gailw

Robert: thanks for the reply. I'm going to Spain from 3/26 - 4/6 and plan an overnight trip to Seville sometime during that time period, but can be flexible about which date. Knowing that weekends are actually more likely to be available for Bancotel vouchers is helpful. I'll try emailing the hotel and see if I get a response.
Muchas gracias.

artlover

I've used these vouchers and it seems that they have upgraded us at times, probably depends on what's available at the time. When checking in, it never hurts to ask. Generally we've been happy with the vouchers, but find the Paradores an even better and nicer option if you can work them into your schedule.

snoopy12

gailw: I am also going to be in Spain in late March-early April and hoping to stay at Casas de la Juderia March 28 and 29, when they do seem to have available rooms with Bancotel checks (according to the Bancotel website). I will only need 4 checks for these 2 nights, the checks expire March 31. Would you have any use for the 5th check as they must be purchased in booklets of 5. If so maybe we could arrange to share a booklet.

gailw

Snoopy12:
I don't think we can use your extra voucher but don't know for sure. I need to do more research on how the Bancotel vouchers work (haven't had time over the holidays) and whether we can use them for the dates we're interested in. We'd have to buy our own booklet, in any case, and probably won't need extras, but if it appears that we could use one, I'll re-contact you. Thanks, and have a great trip!

artlover

Snoopy,
You can purchase just 4 vouchers from petrarax.com, though they do charge a fee for delivery (I believe it was $25, but it would still probably be worth it for you.)

snoopy12

Thanks, I assume you mean Petrabax. I just emailed them to see if they still sell single Bancotel checks and will post what I find out - - their web site only shows books of 5 for sale. BTW have added a 3rd night in Seville so I am now looking to purchase a check rather than selling one.

snoopy12

I did hear back from Petrabax and if you buy a minimum of one 5 check book, they will sell you as many as you need on top of that. There is a $25 FedEx fee. Thanks for the tip!

lincasanova

we were at casas de la juderia last february and had four rooms with bancotel. two of the rooms were very quaint and stylish, and two were more ordinary. one coupon per room was required.

i understand they have added a rooftop pool.

on the www.bancotel.com site you can actually see a calendar of each hotel to see when they accept one/two or three coupons and adjust your trip if possible. sometimes moving the date one day gets you a lower rate.

tgnych

have you got any tips to get a night at one voucher/night in March. Bancotel site only allows 2 vouchers/night while a lot of you claim having got a room for one voucher/night.
Does anyone know how good the Silken Al Andalus Palace hotel? It seems to feature attractive prices.

artlover

Snoopy, you were right, I meant Petrabax. And tgnych, you might check them out--they have an 800 number--I like to talk to people. If Luis is still there, he was a great help to me in planning our last trip to Spain since he's from there and seems to know many of the properties firsthand.

tgnych

ttt

lincasanova

you would need to look at the calendar for each hotel to know when you an go anywhere for one coupon.

i have gotten spoiled..using one coupon for most outings .

but we usually are not travelling during popular seasons.

mo_mo

snoopy12:

are you still trying to get rid of the last voucher? (...i wasn't sure if you decided to purchase individual vouchers or 2 booklets of 5 vouchers.) if so, i might be interested in buying the last one from you at $65; however, i will need to have it by early Feb. 2006. if still interested, let me know. thanks.

lincasanova

when you arrive in spain, you may be lucky and find a travel agency ( corte inglés will NOT) that will sell you one bancotel voucher, OR offer you OTHER vouchers that exist for same hotel at basically same price.

good luck.

there are numerous voucher systems out there.