Possible warning re "Curacao Now"

[jd950]

I was waiting for the program to kick in to book my air tickets. I went to do that today and there appears to be a new twist. They now seem to have an "instant rebate" when you book through links to their their "travel partners." Only some of the links work, and those that do tell you to put in a promo code when booking to get the instant rebate (aka discount). I like the idea of not waiting several months to get the credit, but the link I would like to use doesn't work and I can't figure out yet how to book this trip. I am still working on it.

But, it does not appear you can just book airfare and then submit proof of the ticket to get a rebate. I am not sure of this yet, but be careful before you go and buy airfare.

 

[Gtoph]

Looks like it's slightly disorganized like it was last year too. American vacations is the one that I would probably use and there's no link. Just going to the site, and trying to book something, they mention the $200 food credit, but nothing about the air credit.

I also clicked on the Expedia link just to check it out and they actually have a link to the rebate form that looks like the one from last year, but with 2010 dates.
(http://media.expedia.com/media/content/expus/graphics/partners/cvb/rebate-curacao.pdf)

I like the idea of an instant rebate, but doesn't look like all the sites are supporting it. Who knows, maybe give it a couple of days for them to figure it out?

 

[jd950]

I checked with AA. They will have the link and booking codes working later today or tomorrow. But, in order to get the instant rebate you must book both airfare and hotel with them at the same time as a package. You cannot just book the airfare. They don't handle bookings for AllWest, so if you want to stay there, no Curacao Now program.....

Maybe things will change. I may call the Curacao Tourism folks in New York if I can get time.

 

[Gtoph]

Ya, the fact they don't have a partnership with all west is kind of a bummer, but not really surprising.

The other choice is Kura Hulanda, which is pretty nice, but just like before their pricing is pretty screwed up (at least as of an hour ago). It's actually cheaper to specifically not book the promotion, which makes no sense at all. I'll have to keep an eye on it and see if things get straightened out.

 

[jd950]

No not surprising, but I would like to get the air credit. Kura Hulanda Lodge is VERY nice, but I am an AllWest / Curacao Sunshine kind of person, so I guess maybe no air credit.

When are you all going back to Curacao?

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

If Andreas doesn't see this first, I'll mention it at "leftover night". Once Louis gets on it, he'll work it out for divers to book with All West.

 

[jd950]

Sunshine...I sent him an email earlier, also.

We may just book our tickets tonight and hope something will turn up later to get us a rebate. I already noticed that prices jumped quite a bit on travel dates around ours so I don't think I want to gamble.

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

JD Andreas may have PMed you. If not and for the other inquiring minds; There were a number of glitches last year and the Curacao Travel Board is setting up the Curacao Now Program to run through booking agents. To book airfare and a room at All West, try Caradonna Travel. and we'll see you soon!

 

[jd950]

Yes I heard from Andreas and the bottom line is that anyone who wants to stay at AllWest and use the Curacao Now deal has to book through Caradonna.

Even for people staying elsewhere, it is important to understand that it isn't like last year. You can't just buy airfare, separately book with a resort and then submit a rebate request. You must book a package through a participating travel company.

 

[Diver OnLu]

Hi jd950 and all others interested in the Curacao Now promotion:

It seems to me (my private opinion!) that the Curacao Tourist Board (CTB) this year is trying to get rid of the work dealing with air fair credit applications by making it the responsibility of selected tour operators offering trips to Curacao to handle the whole thing. I am still trying to figure out what other tour operators apart from Caradonna will definitely be involved in the program, and if there really is no way of getting air fair credit while booking directly with the hotel or apartment house of your choice. Any new information I get on the matter, I will post here.

Greetings from Curacao
Andreas