Coordinating frequent flyer tickets and Concierge Collection Reservations

[BobH]

I am in the process of trying to book a reservation at the Claremont Spa & Resort in California. I have enough frequent flyer miles for free tickets, but I called member services today (Friday) and they told me they would call back next Tuesday or Wednesday to let me know if rooms were available. I didn't want to automatically book the room because I want to use frequent flyer miles and don't want to commit unless I know I have the room. Does anyone know why DVC takes so long to confirm reservations? You could pick up the phone and check availability immediately. Why does it take DVC several days. Does anyone have any advice on coordinating airline ticket purchases with this type of system? Thanks

 

[marges]

I was able to coordinate FF tickets with a Concierge Collection exchange to Kapalua Bay in Hawaii. I was concerned about all the same things you are, but everything worked out fine. I'm not real sure why it takes so long....I'm suspecting that someone in some other office than where the customer service reps sit actually negotiates the exchange and we know what happens when you start moving papers from one desk to the other.

It's been about 10 months since I actually made the reservations, but if memory serves, I think I jumped on the tickets, since Hawaii ones are supposed to be hard to get, and figured that I had several options (concierge, exchange) when it came to the hotel. If it helps, I've exchanged with the CC twice and I seem to get the feeling that you are not often turned down, unless you are trying to get an extremely impossible date at a very popular location. Just a feeling, though.

I'm not sure if this will help, but I looked at switching segments of my flights around to try to arrange to have two paying tickets at a good fare on the same flight as me. My FF's were with American, and they did not charge me a change fee, because there were FF's. You might want to ask the airline about that. Also, when I was looking at changing, it seemed to be relatively easy to get FF tickets to California...it was the CA to HI segments that I was never able to change. Beverly Lynn on the Transportation Board may be able to answer some questions about the airline policies.

Hopes this helps a little.

 

[BobH]

Thanks for the information. I also found out from American that you can change your travel dates without charge or penalty, but if you change your destination there is a problem. Cancelling the trip and re-instating the milage cost you a fee of $70 for 2 tickets I believe. I usually plan far enough ahead that I don't have a problem getting frequent flyer tickets, but this time I am only planing 10 weeks ahead so I felt there might be more likelihood of a problem. FYI I tried to book the Woodstock Inn in Vermont and had to give 3 sets of travel dates. I got my third choice. This eperience was what lead me to see a potential problem with the frequent flyer miles. I'll probably just committ to resort dates and take my chances with the flyer miles. It is only a feeling, but the few times I had difficulty using miles I have stated that I wish to buy a ticket as well as get a free one and things seem to open up.

 

[Merilyn]

We used my worldperks miles for our trip to the Marriott Newport Beach. We had to fly in 2 days early because we could not fly on Fri. Our week there was Fri until Fri. We found a place to stay that wasn't very far from the Marriott. It was very inexpensive to stay near Disney and it was close enough to the Marriott. I know how hard it is to work out all those free airline tickets. I had 6 people to work with and I paid cash for mine. Northwest must be harder to book than American. I know living in a hub city makes it even worse. Good luck with your reservations and tickets.