24 days left of the Orbitz $200 package discount

[Diver Kat]

How can anyone ever get tired of saving money?

I emailed Orbitz when I first read your post asking if it's too late to use the promotion code. Waiting to hear back from them.

Did you book air/hotel? Or hotel/car? If you booked hotel/car you can usually cancel for $25 (depending on hotel), then just rebook online again using the code. I think 1 trip I re booked 3 times saving more money each time because the price had dropped. Doesn't help if the price has gone up, or if you booked air/hotel as then you get hit with the airline cancellation fees.

 

[1KWIK_69]

Did you book air/hotel? Or hotel/car? If you booked hotel/car you can usually cancel for $25 (depending on hotel), then just rebook online again using the code. I think 1 trip I re booked 3 times saving more money each time because the price had dropped. Doesn't help if the price has gone up, or if you booked air/hotel as then you get hit with the airline cancellation fees.

I booked Air/Hotel from KC so the airline cancellation fee would make it not worth while. Not to mention that it said there were only 4 seats remaining on one of our flights, so if I were to cancel, I might not be able to rebook.

I only paid $616 per person anyway. That's not the best deal I've ever purchased to Cozumel, but it's not the worst either. I'm good with it.

 

[Diver Kat]

I booked Air/Hotel from KC so the airline cancellation fee would make it not worth while. Not to mention that it said there were only 4 seats remaining on one of our flights, so if I were to cancel, I might not be able to rebook.

I only paid $616 per person anyway. That's not the best deal I've ever purchased to Cozumel, but it's not the worst either. I'm good with it.

Yup, sounds like you got a good deal anyway, although it's too bad you missed out on the $200 off. I still have hopes that Orbitz will bring it back again later, or extend it past the March 31 booking deadline. We've used it the last 4 years or so, and I'll be bummed if it's not around when we go to book our 2012 trips.

 

[blue steal]

Hey Don, I have been watching airfare for months now from Los angeles to Cozumel and it is about $666 for the times that will work for me. I tried the Orbitz site with a change in flight times to match my "needs" and tried Villablanca with the 200entertain coupon. Came out to $956 for 12nights.
Now are all the taxes included in this? I did not check the room upgrade to superior because it was $27 more per night. Is it easier to upgrade at the resort? Is it worth it? Is it the same price?
As much as I like staying and diving at the BA, the price difference is over $700 for a 12 night stay, diving not included. Any tips or advice?

 

[DandyDon]

Hey Don, I have been watching airfare for months now from Los angeles to Cozumel and it is about $666 for the times that will work for me. I tried the Orbitz site with a change in flight times to match my "needs" and tried Villablanca with the 200entertain coupon. Came out to $956 for 12nights.
Now are all the taxes included in this? I did not check the room upgrade to superior because it was $27 more per night. Is it easier to upgrade at the resort? Is it worth it? Is it the same price?
As much as I like staying and diving at the BA, the price difference is over $700 for a 12 night stay, diving not included. Any tips or advice?

$27/night for upgrade - each?! :shocked2: Wow! Bummer. Funny how that varies so much, but I don't know your dates so the hotel may already be tight on that inventory for at least some of your trip. That's just too much in my opinion, if I understand your costs? $666 plane vs $956 package each after discount for 12 nights = $290 each = $24/night each = $48/night for room - or $48 + 2x27 = $102/night for room. Sucks. I think ScubaMau can get Superior rooms for like $55/night, but that might fail for some dates too.

Yeah the prices quoted on Orbitz should include taxes and that should be kinda obvious on the page after applying discount where you uncheck the overpriced Ground Transfers...

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...but I'm just not impressed on the offer. The Superior rooms at the VB are larger than BA's and the bathrooms are much larger, but I just don't think you'd like it that much better and the huge tubs are really just glorified showers since the water runs too slow to fill the tub. I did not look at a regular room but at half the size I'm sure it'd be a downgrade from the BA, the breakfasts are okay but not as good, and so forth. I think you would regret changing. With the upgrade you wouldn't be saving as compared to BA prices and without it you'd hate the room. You could still dive with BA and get the free lunches & gear storage but you'd be walking back and forth a lot to enjoy that.

The discount works better for a solo traveler since it's $200/room and I am thinking about trying the Hotel Coz. When I look at certain dates leaving here, AI is only $5/night more; funny tho, for a friend looking at same dates flying out of Waco - he doesn't get the same offer. Funny how that varies.

I would not chance asking for an upgrade on arrival. You might phone Orbitz and ask for a better price on the upgrade as they can work wonders at times.

 

[njones259]

The orbitz deal does include taxes.I used to stay at villblanca when I dove with blue angel as it is such a short walk down to the shop.If the hotel has rooms available you can upgrade with no problem.I have done it with a 20.00 tip once and another time for5.00 dollars a night.The last few years I have switched over to scuba mau and have been very pleased with their service.

 

[underachiever]

Hey Don, I have been watching airfare for months now from Los angeles to Cozumel and it is about $666 for the times that will work for me. I tried the Orbitz site with a change in flight times to match my "needs" and tried Villablanca with the 200entertain coupon. Came out to $956 for 12nights.
Now are all the taxes included in this? I did not check the room upgrade to superior because it was $27 more per night. Is it easier to upgrade at the resort? Is it worth it? Is it the same price?
As much as I like staying and diving at the BA, the price difference is over $700 for a 12 night stay, diving not included. Any tips or advice?

I'm not Don but my 2 cents.

You may want to read very closely. I have seen Villa Blanca Standard rate offering a free upgrade to the superior room for free on the Orbitz deal. It will be in green text along with the free American breakfast. Although the Superior Room increased price option is still there for the choosing. We got it for our June trip.

Enjoy

 

[njones259]

Just a reminder they won't offer you your breakfast ticket unless you ask for them.

 

[DandyDon]

If the hotel has rooms available you can upgrade with no problem.I have done it with a 20.00 tip once and another time for5.00 dollars a night.The last few years I have switched over to scuba mau and have been very pleased with their service.

IF is the key word, and if inventory may be tight for those dates, then less likely. It's harder on those married men, because if the wife ain't happy - it can be a problem for the 12 days then years beyond. :laughing:

I'm not Don but my 2 cents.

You may want to read very closely. I have seen Villa Blanca Standard rate offering a free upgrade to the superior room for free on the Orbitz deal. It will be in green text along with the free American breakfast. Although the Superior Room increased price option is still there for the choosing. We got it for our June trip.

Enjoy

Where did you see that, please? I saw a sign about that in the lobby, but I bet it's space available only. Now he might email the hotel direct saying "I heard about a free upgrade to the superior room for free on the Orbitz deal. Can you confirm that?" Wouldn't hurt to bluff. I like upgrades at time of booking...!!

 

[The Chairman]

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