Sky Auction

[bsjs0708]

I am looking into a family friendly resort with transportation to the parks but DO NOT have a ton of $$. Someone mentioned Skyauction on these boards and I have checked out the Web site but have a few questions.
If I do win a bid when do I pay for the resort and when do I book it?
I have never done any bidding, ebay, etc.. on anything online and I am very curious.
Any advise or hints would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS SO MUCH

 

[wesbw]

I've used Skyauction at least 10 times with great success. However, I've almost always used their "buy it now" options instead of bidding. I find this much less stressful and time consuming, and often the price will turn out to be just as low as bidding.

Most of the times I have bought the "Vacation Certificates" (which are now priced at $259 plus $20 booking fee). After buying these certificates, I've been able to book weekly stays at 2-bedroom condos at places like Summer Bay, Silver Lake, Vacation Village at Parkway, Wyndham Cypress Palms, Bryan's Spanish Cove, and Orbit One Vacation Villas. I'd say all of these are family friendly.

You pay for the certificate right away, and then you usually have at least 6 months or so to book the property of your choice at the Resort Vacation Certificates website (be sure to look at the site first to see if there are options that fit with your schedule).

Make sure to read all the fine print before purchasing with Skyauction. I think most everything is non-refundable and non-changeable, and once you've bought something from them, they don't care much about helping you if you have a problem. Customer service is almost non-existent. However, I still continue to buy from them because the low price is worth the risk. I've only had one minor issue out 10 bookings.

As far as shuttles go, most non-Disney properties will have infrequent and unreliable shuttle service, so it's difficult to depend on this method for getting to the parks. I always rent a car at the Orlando airport, and usually pay somewhere between $150 and $200 total cost for a weekly rental. You might consider this since you'll be saving so much money on lodging.

If you need to book something during high season (summer and holidays) the "vacation certificate" method may not work for you. Availability of these condos tends to be much greater in the off-season. If there is availability in high season, you may have to pay a hefty upgrade fee.

It's been a long time since I've done any actual bidding on Skyauction, but I'm pretty sure they will want you to pay for and book the property within a few days of winning. At the Skyauction site, click on "customer care" and then go to "terms." I think that will give you information you're looking for on payment policies.

 

[bsjs0708]

I've used Skyauction at least 10 times with great success. However, I've almost always used their "buy it now" options instead of bidding. I find this much less stressful and time consuming, and often the price will turn out to be just as low as bidding.

Most of the times I have bought the "Vacation Certificates" (which are now priced at $259 plus $20 booking fee). After buying these certificates, I've been able to book weekly stays at 2-bedroom condos at places like Summer Bay, Silver Lake, Vacation Village at Parkway, Wyndham Cypress Palms, Bryan's Spanish Cove, and Orbit One Vacation Villas. I'd say all of these are family friendly.

You pay for the certificate right away, and then you usually have at least 6 months or so to book the property of your choice at the Resort Vacation Certificates website (be sure to look at the site first to see if there are options that fit with your schedule).

Make sure to read all the fine print before purchasing with Skyauction. I think most everything is non-refundable and non-changeable, and once you've bought something from them, they don't care much about helping you if you have a problem. Customer service is almost non-existent. However, I still continue to buy from them because the low price is worth the risk. I've only had one minor issue out 10 bookings.

As far as shuttles go, most non-Disney properties will have infrequent and unreliable shuttle service, so it's difficult to depend on this method for getting to the parks. I always rent a car at the Orlando airport, and usually pay somewhere between $150 and $200 total cost for a weekly rental. You might consider this since you'll be saving so much money on lodging.

If you need to book something during high season (summer and holidays) the "vacation certificate" method may not work for you. Availability of these condos tends to be much greater in the off-season. If there is availability in high season, you may have to pay a hefty upgrade fee.

It's been a long time since I've done any actual bidding on Skyauction, but I'm pretty sure they will want you to pay for and book the property within a few days of winning. At the Skyauction site, click on "customer care" and then go to "terms." I think that will give you information you're looking for on payment policies.

Oh my gosh.I cannot thank you enough for this information.you have also put my mind at ease about bidding.I will definitely read the fine print. Thanks again

 

[HopperFan]

My Mom and her husband travel all over the world (in GB for a month right now) and he uses them all the time for travel. I have used them a few times and no problems.

Buy It Now - You will know exactly what you are getting because the offer includes all details. ALWAYS scroll all the way to the bottom to see if (1) there is a surcharge for specific weeks in case one is yours or bigger condo etc (2) are there additional taxes and fees - usually $299 if there are and that is common (3) will be $20 administration fee. I just did a Buy It Now for a 2 Bedroom at Bonnet Creek in December for a total of $618. $299 for condo, no surcharge on my week, $299 taxes and fees and $20 admin fee. That is a total of $88 for a 2 Bedroom with full kitchen/laundry etc at a nice resort practically on Disney property. Can't beat that.

Auction - I did an auction for Bonnet Creek 1 Bedroom. It was random thought so I had no plans to bid too high for it. I already knew there was the $299 plus $20 fee. Well I won for $1. My total cost was $320 for a week. We had a great trip, got a great location condo, no issues at check-in or anything. Again I was bidding on specific dates that I knew I could get.

Certificates - this is where I am not as brave as others. I often see the great specials but when I click the link to see availability they are usually not when I want to go or where I want to stay. Maybe one day I'll brave it but I'm not flexible on when/where I stay. What I would do is check out where they seem to have availability when you want to go then find reviews of the places.

You do have to pay as soon as you buy it or win it and it's a done deal so be sure about your trip.

 

[trinchick]

Thanks for this great info. I started hunting around Skyauction just to see what's available.

If anyone can travel on short notice here's a 1br for 7 nights at Oak Plantation for July 5 checkin. No bidders currently, and minimum bid is $1, INCLUDING TAXES/SERVICE CHARGES. So just $21 total with the processing fee. Auction ends in 5 hours.

Don't know anything about the resort but just letting folks know if anyone can take advantage of it.

http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/2398743

 

[Lewisc]

I am looking into a family friendly resort with transportation to the parks but DO NOT have a ton of $$. Someone mentioned Skyauction on these boards and I have checked out the Web site but have a few questions.
If I do win a bid when do I pay for the resort and when do I book it?
I have never done any bidding, ebay, etc.. on anything online and I am very curious.
Any advise or hints would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS SO MUCH

Skyauction isn't for you. I suspect very few of the timeshare properties offer transportation to the parks, probably none with decent times. I don't think any of the few properties which offer transportation offer complimentary park transportation to timeshare guests.

There may be one or two properties within walking distance of a Lynx bus stop. People renting timeshare/condo resorts need to budget a rental car and Disney parking charges.

 

[dennise]

Sorry for jumping in, but can anyone tell me if you bid/buy a room on SkyAuction what are the charges besides the room+tax+$20 admin fee? Are other charges usually listed?

 

[HopperFan]

Skyauction isn't for you. I suspect very few of the timeshare properties offer transportation to the parks, probably none with decent times. I don't think any of the few properties which offer transportation offer complimentary park transportation to timeshare guests. There may be one or two properties within walking distance of a Lynx bus stop. People renting timeshare/condo resorts need to budget a rental car and Disney parking charges.

Bonnet Creek does have transportation.

Something to consider is getting from airport to offsite is already expensive. Plus how are you getting groceries. If you can save in lodging compared to Disney and take what it costs to get there you might be able to justify car rental and still save money.

 

[HopperFan]

Sorry for jumping in, but can anyone tell me if you bid/buy a room on SkyAuction what are the charges besides the room+tax+$20 admin fee? Are other charges usually listed?

All fees and potential fees (upgrade in size or prime dates) are stated, scroll entire page to not miss anything. Now there may be non-mandatory costs like at Bonnet Creek there is a shuttle fee if you use it.

 

[Lewisc]

Bonnet Creek does have transportation.

That's one of the few. The shuttle is no longer free and the schedule isn't great.

I agree about renting a car but I don't post that opinion as often as I used to. Some people can't rent a car. Some people don't like driving on vacation.

I'm going to assume a poster who's been to WDW multiple times, and who asked about transportation, has a reason. There are some timeshare resorts within walking distance of a Lynx bus stop, I'm not sure that would be fun for a family vacation

 

[dennise]

Is the $20 admin fee per transaction or per night on the stay as many nights as you wish?

 

[HopperFan]

That's one of the few. The shuttle is no longer free and the schedule isn't great.

I agree about renting a car but I don't post that opinion as often as I used to. Some people can't rent a car. Some people don't like driving on vacation.

I'm going to assume a poster who's been to WDW multiple times, and who asked about transportation, has a reason. There are some timeshare resorts within walking distance of a Lynx bus stop, I'm not sure that would be fun for a family vacation

The reason I brought up Bonnet Creek is they do have transportation and I stated there is a fee. I don't use it but I have heard many people say they are okay with the schedule. If they are sharing with the Hilton then I know they have a good schedule compared to many other resorts who only offer a couple going and coming each day.

Basically any shuttle from anywhere is not going to be a great schedule compared to Disney, many are not direct park delivery so you have to still get on a Disney bus, many charge fees and many share with each other so it's time lost. It would be the one thing I would check out completely before I booked anywhere offsite without a car. Schedule, Fees, All stops, Cost to/from airport etc.

 

[HopperFan]

Is the $20 admin fee per transaction or per night on the stay as many nights as you wish?

$20 fee is per transaction, that would be SkyAuction administration fee. The rest is pretty much the resort/hotel trying to fill their rooms by offering good rates. Sometimes they recover some of that money by "taxes and fees" so you have to always scroll down and look. For a condo it would usually be a one lump sum but for hotels it often says additional PER NIGHT.

Here is one - Rosen Centre in Orlando, nice hotel. Bid now at $41, great rate.
Scroll down to:
Check-in Dates Allowed:
Anytime within the following date(s):
Now thru 3/31/2015
Minimum/Maximum Stay:
1 to 7 nights.
First possible travel day is 2 day(s) after submission of travel preferences.
Taxes/Service Charges: $39 additional per room per night
One Time Processing Fee: $20

So it will really be, if you win at $41, $80 PER NIGHT plus a one time $20 processing fee. Surcharges on hotels can be $39, 49, 69 .... so be sure it really is a great rate, also surcharges on special dates as well.

Condos you are usually bidding on a week long amount plus taxes and fees on that week long. Occasionally in emails from them are specials to move properties with short notice that you can find a week for $300 plus range. Like right now there is a week, check in is ONLY July 4th for one week at Villas at Regal Palms - ends in 40 minutes but it is at $128 plus $20 fee for 4 bedroom. No fees/taxes. Short notice but that is a bargain - but a car absolutely necessary for here. But for large family or two families to share it can't be beat.

Key is to read everything all the way down. They aren't hiding anything or trying to trick you but it's easy enough to have extra charges if you didn't read all the terms.

 

[bsjs0708]

Thanks for all the replies. I figure with the savings I can go ahead and rent a car.

 

[dennise]

Thanks Hopperfan, that was exactly the answer I was looking for, and actually almost the same hotel. I was looking at the Rosen Plaza. We got it for $54. This past April through another booking site.