Please tell me about Sky Auction

[java]

Well I didn't think we would be headed down to Florida anytime soon...but then Christmas week popped up as time off. So I am looking thinking yeah right we'll never get a room but ....actually there are some rooms- I was thinkng of staying 2 nights at Universal and then the rest of the time someplace else close to Disney. So is Skyauction the way to go? Can I view properties before I bid? And what are your favorites? We have always been an onsite family and I want to do an offsite to show them how much fun we can have(when we have $$ to have fun as opposed to spending it all on a room)

 

[kilee]

I have never used Sky Auction. However, here is a post I dug up on them from a few weeks ago. Many people use them here on the DIS and LOVE them.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=964820

 

[java]

Thank you so much!

 

[spiceycat]

okay for less than a week - I won't recommend skyauction.

I think their timeshares (RCI) are the best bargain. they generally rent for a week.

it is very, very important to read the ad BEFORE you bid.

if you just want some days at WDW then move your family for US.

I would probably go with

www.priceline.com

www.hotelkingdom.com
www.hotelmartusa.com

start looking right now for Christmas week with skyauction. If you can get it great!!

I am assuming you mean 2005!

on
www.travelocity.com
has disney's SSR for $30.83 for Christmas only - most of the time it is $308....
only a studio - but this is a great resort!!!! this site does not always list the price as this - it comes and goes - it is a great bargin when you can find it.

 

[disneysteve]

okay for less than a week - I won't recommend skyauction.

Pat, are skyauction prices for Christmas week as good as they are other times? If so, it might still be a good way to go for 5 nites. Book a week and just let them know you'll be checking in late. The average per nite cost for your stay might still be low enough to make doing that worthwhile. But that would all depend on the price of course.

 

[spiceycat]

I am pretty sure skyauction adds a surcharge - or tries too.

on the July 4 - weekend they gave up - since the ones with the surcharge got no bids.

 

[spiceycat]

Java remember that week is the most popular in Orlando calendar.

every place you go it will be crowded. Also you will pay top price everywhere.

so to sound so bad.

but some people go on Christmas and expect the same discounts that they see in the summer.

not happening.

expect the parks to be full by 10:00am. so get their early!!!! if enough people are staying in hotels - the parks will open early (like 8 am instead of 9 am) - so be sure and call the phone number for the next day hours.

I have never been for Christmas week and right now I don't want too.

now if I was not working and have time to spend - I might just love it!!!

 

[wdwluver]

You should also know that if you bid and win an auction your dates are not yet guaranteed. They will tell you to submit your dates and they will check with the hotel for availability. The hotel could easily say that your dates are not available because they are expecting higher paying guests to take those dates.

Bottom line, I wouldn't bid on sky auction for Christmas Dates. You will do better with priceline.

 

[spiceycat]

You should also know that if you bid and win an auction your dates are not yet guaranteed. They will tell you to submit your dates and they will check with the hotel for availability. The hotel could easily say that your dates are not available because they are expecting higher paying guests to take those dates.

Bottom line, I wouldn't bid on sky auction for Christmas Dates. You will do better with priceline.

the only ones that I bid on with skyauction are for the dates I want.

just those dates.

not pick one.

so there is a possiblity that her dates will come up.

since they are already starting new year - maybe Christmas has come and gone. but I really don't think so.

 

[vellamint]

So what happens if you win an auction and your dates are not available? Is the whole thing over with - no money exchanged or are you "forced" into picking something else?

Sorry, newbie here looking into this for a week next August.

Thanks

 

[crjack]

vellamint, if your dates are not available you will not be forced into accepting another resort. You may be given other choices and in some cases they could be an upgrade or you can just cancel your auction without any charges. The posts from many people here who have used Skyauction are favorable overall and they seem to be pretty accomodating when issues such as severe weather, etc. have impacted stays.

Just read all of the details first and if possible read through some previous posts on these boards for some tips for bidding. You have plenty of time for an August trip and people here can give you lots of feedback on any resorts you are interested in.

 

[ACrider]

Hi there,
I had never heard of SkyAuction before now, After checking it out and reading some posts, I'm questioning the value of our time share even more. My grandmother gave it to us two years ago as she no longer used it. The yearly fee is up to $500/month now and it is for a place in NC (bay area not ocean area) in October. Since we can't travel then and we have been banking it and trying to use it when and where we want - not any process we have learned. and now to see we can get similar stays when and where we want them (and not do it the years we don't want too) through Skyauction, well heck. Makes me think about junking the time share - not even sure we could sell it from what I've checked into. oh well, that is a whole nother topic.

I was wondering for those with Skymiles experience - I need to get a one night stay for April 28th Friday night as our flight gets in around 8 pm and we don't check into the resort until afternoon on April 29th. I know how to use priceline and look for discounts in general - but Skyauction has Doubletree, Comfort Inn, Quality Inn currently at $10/night! do they actually go for that amount - what is the catch I'm missing here?

Any help with this appreciated!
Amanda

 

[disneysteve]

Skyauction has Doubletree, Comfort Inn, Quality Inn currently at $10/night! do they actually go for that amount - what is the catch I'm missing here?

You are looking at just the BID amount. You need to read the whole listing and see what the added FEES are. SkyAuction is generally not great for hotels or by the night stays. You're probably better off with Priceline or HotelKingdom or even hotels' own websites and specials.