Has anyone actually used TravelUp to book a cruise?

[Floridaman76]

My and my wife do 2-3 cruises per year and when TravelUp first rolled out, it didn't work for me because my retail purchases were from several years ago.

When I went to an "update" in December, the salesman who had my paperwork pointed out that one of my resale contracts HAD TravelUp attached to it, and if it wasn't working, Owner Care should be able to fix it. I opened a case with Owner Care and they were able to fix the issue. This is the only time actually going to an update has been beneficial to me outside of the $$$.

Anyway I have been looking on TravelUp and have found that cruise discounts seem to vary wildly vs what is available via the Cruise Lines directly. In some cases, the difference is only $100, and in some cases it can be up to several hundred dollars.

One thing that's not clear to me is that promotions being offered by cruise lines are granted when booking through. Things like onboard credit, drink packages, etc. Cruise Lines often run promotions where they give these things for free.

Also if anyone has booked using TravelUp, what was the experience like. My past experience is booking through the cruise lines makes resolving any issues a lot easier, because if you book through a travel agent they have to be the ones that manage your booking. I'm assuming using TravelUp will be a similar experience.

Direct experiences from any of you who have actually done this would be appreciated. I don't want to complicate things or lose promotions just to save a miniscule amount of money up front.

 

[fer829]

My and my wife do 2-3 cruises per year and when TravelUp first rolled out, it didn't work for me because my retail purchases were from several years ago.

When I went to an "update" in December, the salesman who had my paperwork pointed out that one of my resale contracts HAD TravelUp attached to it, and if it wasn't working, Owner Care should be able to fix it. I opened a case with Owner Care and they were able to fix the issue. This is the only time actually going to an update has been beneficial to me outside of the $$$.

Anyway I have been looking on TravelUp and have found that cruise discounts seem to vary wildly vs what is available via the Cruise Lines directly. In some cases, the difference is only $100, and in some cases it can be up to several hundred dollars.

One thing that's not clear to me is that promotions being offered by cruise lines are granted when booking through. Things like onboard credit, drink packages, etc. Cruise Lines often run promotions where they give these things for free.

Also if anyone has booked using TravelUp, what was the experience like. My past experience is booking through the cruise lines makes resolving any issues a lot easier, because if you book through a travel agent they have to be the ones that manage your booking. I'm assuming using TravelUp will be a similar experience.

Direct experiences from any of you who have actually done this would be appreciated. I don't want to complicate things or lose promotions just to save a miniscule amount of money up front.

I haven't used them, but did google them just a you should. It sounds like a valid company but you agree to their terms--e.g. cancellation must be within 24 hours of booking, etc.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I wouldn't use it for cruises, unless I could pay 100% with points to book something, then I would use it. If it's part points and part cash, it wouldn't be a good deal for me.

I would just buy insurance for the cruise to cover the cost, should we have to cancel.

 

[Sandy VDH]

They are just a travel agency, like anywhere else that sells travel. They may make some Wyndham Group Cruise booking where their rate is slightly better pricing that that available to the public, but that is the same for most TA who have group rates, either directly created group or shared via some consortium they participate in.

I have been a TA for nearly 3 decades now. I had another acquaintance recently "win" a TA franchise via some promotion. She got a group together, was actively selling it and ran out of spaces. Cruise line had way more expense spaces left, but I had spaces that were still available at a price equal to her original group booking rates, because the consortium I was affiliated with still had group space and pricing available. She sent a few bookings to me as cruise line direct was nearly double the rate. As you get closer to departure dates like 4 -5 months out, those group held spaces get pulled back into the cruise line, if they are yet to be sold. So at any given time some agencies may have cheaper inventory available than even the cruise line has currently available.

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

I don't have it as a resale owner. If I remember correctly I got temporary access just to explore and the hotels were the same price as Expedia. The cruise prices were generally standard as well. Seems only worth it if you've got points to burn and have no other way to use them.

I book through Costco Travel and VacationsToGo for kickback incentives.

 

[dioxide45]

I don't have it as a resale owner. If I remember correctly I got temporary access just to explore and the hotels were the same price as Expedia. The cruise prices were generally standard as well. Seems only worth it if you've got points to burn and have no other way to use them.

I book through Costco Travel and VacationsToGo for kickback incentives.

I don't think you can use points to book with TravelUp. Isn't that what PlusPartners is for?

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

I don't think you can use points to book with TravelUp. Isn't that what PlusPartners is for?

Probably so, I may be blurring the two programs together. I tested hotel rates on TravelUP, and I'm not sure if it was there or PlusPartners that I looked at cruise fares.

 

[Floridaman76]

I kind of figured the experience would be similar to that of booking through a travel agent. But knowing how Wyndham's phone customer service is, i'm not sure that I want to mess with that.

Yes, it is via cash, not points, I knew that going in.

Just was genuinely curious to see if anyone has actuallu used it, guess not.