Explain Sky Auction please...

[hsmamato2]

Ok I know many on here use them for deals on hotels,etc- can someone explain to me how to find the really good deals? I know once in a while they sell a certificate, but how does that work? I am wondering the actual details of using such a thing, like buying it on sale,and do they allow you to use it actual desirable locations?

 

[2forMe]

Looking for info too....

 

[momto4obkids]

They are always selling the certificates.

http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/2768903

If you look at that page, it has the link to their inventory. I wouldn't buy a certificate until I see something in the system I want. You can search the availability from there. Once you do the search it shows the resorts and if that week just costs the certificate or the certificate plus some money, ie. certificate plus $100. The busier weeks will have the additional money added beyond the cost of the certificate.

They tend to have Sliver Lake Resort, Cypress Palms Resort and Cypress Pointe which are all good resorts.
I've seen people recommend Orbit One as well.

Then they have deals like this one below. 7 nights in a 3 bedroom at Cypress Pointe Resort. With specific dates it's available. With this one you need to make sure your dates aren't in the Surcharge range of dates because then I don't consider it a good deal at all.

• Date Surcharge (5/5/2017-5/20/2017, 5/26/2017-5/28/2017, 7/1/2017-8/19/2017) for $300 per room

May 6, 20, 21, 27, 2017
July 8, 15, 22, 29, 2017
August 5, 12, 19, 20, 26, 2017
September 1, 9, 16, 23, 2017
October 1, 20, 27, 2017
November 11, 24, 25, 2017

$1 bid
$299 taxes/service charge
$20 processing fee

So, $320 for a week in a 3 bedroom condo.



http://www.skyauction.com/action/search?otid=150990

 

[jsmla]

I use the certificates as well. You can find them if you type "vacation certificate" into the search function. Be very careful to check availability before purchasing.


I also purchase using the "Buy It Now" option. The range of dates for this is usually more limited than with the certificates but you can ge some very good deals. This option often lists "nicer" resorts that aren't offered with the certificates. Wyndham Bonnet Creek and Sheraton Vistana come to mind. "Buy It Now" is found under the "Vacation Rentals" link.

http://www.skyauction.com/action/search?cat=250&sch=DBP&costate=US|FL&dmy=


Always check the surcharges, Wyndham Bonnet Creek in particular often has extremely high seasonal charges.


My favorites are:

Certificates
Wyndham Cypress Palms (Kissimmee/Maingate East)
Silver Lake (Kissimmee/Maingate West, very close to AK)
Cypress Pointe (Lake Buena Vista)
Legacy Vacation Resorts Lake Buena Vsta (LBV/Palm Parkway)

I don't recommend Legacy if you have a car and want a pool. I like this one due to its location when I'm using public transportation to access the parks. The pool is small and dinky.


Buy It Now
Wyndham Bonnet Creek (next door to Caribbean Beach Resort)
Sheraton Vistana Resort (Lake Buena Vista)
Sheraton Vistana Villages (southern end of International Drive, good for a combined Disney/Universal trip)

 

[hsmamato2]

sooo apparently I started this thread long time ago..... what is availability like? How fast doe it disappear,and how fast cab you buy/apply a purchased certificate? Like if I go online, see places I like, buy a certificate..... will I then have enough time to use it before it potentially goes away?

 

[jsmla]

Availability is fairly fluid. Sometimes resorts add inventory closer to the check in dates, sometimes they don't.

You can redeem your certificate once you get your confirmation. In my experience it becomes available for use almost immediately. I've never pre-checked availability, purchased a certificate and then (if I redeem the certificate immediately) not been able to book my desired week.

(I've visited Orlando staying via SkyAuction at least twice a year since around 2008.)

 

[akl432]

It looks like some of the hotels have Saturday-Saturday stays. Our trip may fall into two different Saturday-Saturday timeframes, but booking 2 weeks would still be a great deal. Are you allowed to book 2 weeks and just check in/check out on specific non-Saturday dates? For us, it would be checking in on a Monday and checking out the following Tuesday.

 

[jsmla]

I've checked out early in the past, there's no refund on unused nights, but have never arrived after my check in date.