LastMinuteTravel.com

[umc1844]

I have done some research here and elsewhere regarding LastMinuteTravel.Com, but I still have a few questions. Their rate for Hilton Bonnet Creek seems too good to be true, and I still dont understand how they can offer it for $80 a night when its $170 (with a discount) on Hilton's site. Unlike the other "hidden hotel" or bidding sites, you can get a refund on your resevration up until about a week before you go (minus $25). It just doesnt make sense to me. Maybe I'm just a neurotic New Yorker.

Here are my questions:

1- When you confirm and pay with LastMinuteTravel, do they prepay your room with Hilton, or not until your stay is over (I guess my fear is what happens if LMT goes belly up).

2- Are you treated any differently by the hotel? Meaning, do you get a worse room (location, etc.).

3- I have read that you can call the hotel and they will send you a separate confirmation. Can you add your room preference (ie- two beds) to that confirmation from the hotel?

Thanks for any info. I guess my problem is that they say "You get what you pay for". I just can't make sense of the more than 50% savings.

 

[SunniKC]

I'm glad you are asking questions because I just found the Holiday inn at downtown disney (used the link in another thread and found out that is the hotel) for 68 something a night. I'm curious though about booking through them. I used hotwire ONCE for car rental for our trip and had no issues but am completely unfamiliar with this site. I'm curious about cancellations? My parents are going but she did not want a non-refundable but I'm trying to still find them the best deal.

 

[travelfanatic]

Here are my questions:

1- When you confirm and pay with LastMinuteTravel, do they prepay your room with Hilton, or not until your stay is over (I guess my fear is what happens if LMT goes belly up).

Yes, they prepay the room.

2- Are you treated any differently by the hotel? Meaning, do you get a worse room (location, etc.).

I have not checked in yet so I can't answer this but I don't know of any bad rooms at that hotel & when I speak with the Hilton about my ressie they have treated me as I would have expected.

3- I have read that you can call the hotel and they will send you a separate confirmation. Can you add your room preference (ie- two beds) to that confirmation from the hotel?

Yes, i put in my preferences for a room with 2 queens and the Hilton noted it on my reservation. They also sent me a confirmation from them showing my reservation and that I had paid for the room in full. I was also offered some upgrades at check in based on availability. I was offered a suite for an addl $90 per night which is a great deal considering they are listed at $455 a night on their website. I was not familiar with this website like you and was skecptical at first. I also asked some other Diser's about their experience and it was all good so I thought I would give it a shot. So far so good! It's nice to be able to take advantage of these fantastic rates!!

 

[umc1844]

Thanks for the answers!

 

[MomtoGKC]

We just used lmt.com to book the Hilton Bonnet Creek last night. I was a little nervous, but with all the advice on here I was confident it would work. We did have to pay up front. There is a $25 cancellation fee, then if you are within one week of the reservation it is a 1 night fee and within 1 day you forfeit all of the money.

I was a little worried because I couldn't specify 2 beds, but hopefully that will come when we get the information from the actual hotel. I booked rooms for my family & my mom - I wasn't thinking and gave them my mom's e-mail. She knows nothing about this stuff so I'll have to have her forward everything to me!

 

[umc1844]

Ok, so I just booked Hilton Bonnet Creek for 7 nights in August at $80 a night. I booked it for 4 adults and requested 2 queen beds (even though its 2 adults and 2 kids).

Thanks for the info!

 

[SunniKC]

It was the Hilton Bonnet Creek that we were looking at as well. My mom was just too scared to go for it. It was an amazing deal but
She ended up going for Courtyard by Marriott, its a bit closer to my dd anyway (they are not going to WDW maybe DTD to Raglan Road and for certain dinner at Shula's but going to surprise my dd for her birthday). Literally last minute as they will arrive on Monday.

 

[shoppgirl]

I also looked up LMT and saw it...but having read some mixed reviews about this company I am hesitant to try it too. I hope all pp who have booked will be willing to report back after their stay and tell me that my fears are unnecessary about this company. They are called Last Minute for a reason, and I am not willing to hold a room for 4 nights in July now...hardly a last minute booking.

 

[Royal Duke of Epcot]

Come on folks...really? its 2011. the pricelines, hotwires, ltm's and the like have been around since the Clinton administration.

Please keep in mind, these hotels were built before the economy took a dump.

the websites buy the rooms at a bulk rates...the hotel is assured they don't have 200 empty rooms and they have you there to buy things (internet, parking room service) during the worst economic downturn in gernerations...its really not very complicated.

Hate to be seem rude, but if you insist on paying rack rate you should turn off the Lawrence Welk and get out more.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I hadn't used LMT before either - so I'll post an update after my trip in May - I booked the Hilton Bonnet Creek for two nights.

I did start using hotwire this year and have been VERY pleased - for hotels in Budapest and Paris - and I am amazed. Also booked a London airport hotel through hotwire I'll try in May. I tried booking with Priceline for our May WDW trip but ended up going back to hotwire (Sheraton Vistana) but will probably try again at some point. I have been stunned that I can get a four star hotel for what I'd pay for a much lesser quality room - stayed on the Danube river Budapest Intercontinental for $48/night before taxes/fees - it was an awesome trip - awesome hotel and I wondered where hotwire had been all my life. Good luck every one - waiting for the feedback on Lastminutetravel - could be my new best friend.