Has anyone used Alpharooms recently?

[Coralchick]

We're booking our first trip down and Alpharooms has by far the best rates. I've read some negative things about them, however, and was wondering if anyone here has had any trouble. I even read about one couple that got there and had to stay in a different resort because Temptations didn't have their reservation and they couldn't get any help from Alpharooms. I also see these "vague" references to additional charges when you get to the hotel and I can't seem to get Alpharooms to give me a straight answer about it when I email them. Any input would be great. Thanks!

[Partydollgirl]

we have used them a few times with no problems.. we booked through them again for April not worried that there will be any problem. the only small issue is you have to let your credit card company know you are booking a trip through a UK company or sometimes they block the transaction..

[Shaved Yeti]

We're going to be at TTR in 10 days, and this is the first year I've booked through alpharooms. As you can tell, you can't beat the prices. Booking was a bit of a pain with allowing a UK company to charge my Visa, but that worked out. I've already confirmed my reservation with TTR, and it all looks good so far.

I'm not sure that getting bumped to another hotel is the fault of alpharooms. Many resorts, just like airlines, are known to overbook.

My only complaint with alpharooms.com so far is that they can be difficult to reach by phone. If you have a customer service request, it is best to use their service request system on the web site. But expect about 48 hours or more to get a response. They're not exactly in a rush.

But once again, you can't beat the prices.

[rieldeal]

I just used them and saved $300.00 room only. but as Party girl stated above you must call your bank and or credit card co. to let them know you are doing an overseas transaction. Good luck.

[hardrocktampa]

Used them without any problems...

[BeachBums'08]

We've used them each time we've been to TTR (except for the short time they weren't selling to US patrons). We'll be checking in on the 9th and I'm not expecting any problems (did the express check-in already). We're tanned and ready to PARTY!

[Coralchick]

Thanks for the replies. Can anyone tell me what they're referring to when they say that there could be fees assessed when we get to the hotel? They're quoting $444 for four nights and I just want to make sure this includes the all-inclusive fees as well as the room. Thanks!

[rieldeal]

It covers everything, except any up grades you may want upon arrival.

[Shaved Yeti]

Originally Posted by Coralchick

Thanks for the replies. Can anyone tell me what they're referring to when they say that there could be fees assessed when we get to the hotel? They're quoting $444 for four nights and I just want to make sure this includes the all-inclusive fees as well as the room. Thanks!

They're talking about incidental charges, what the hotel charges additionally, like if you use your phone, room service, etc. The basic room charges are already paid.

[jessned]

Just booked our rooms with them today for June7-19. Saved us around 450.00 compared to travelocity which was the other cheapest place we had found.

[haven fun]

I agree with what the others have said. We have used them three times and have had no trouble at all. The only charges in addition to what you will have paid Alphrooms are the incidentals. All rooms are all inclusive and paid at booking. You cant beat the price.

I have traveled quite a bit internationally so haven't experienced any trouble with my bank raising a flag with the UK charges.

[Coralchick]

Thanks for the replies. Since my last post, I sent anothr e-mail to Alpharooms asking them to clarify the charges. They sent a really odd e-mail back showing me a screenshot of the booking process online, but stated the rate I was looking at, which was $444 for four nights (two people) was "just for accommodations," but then said there would be no additional charges when we arrive at the hotel. wouldn't "just for accommodations" mean just for the room itself?

[BeachBums'08]

I'm not aware of TTR being anything but an ALL-INCLUSIVE resort. Alpharooms will reserve you the deluxe gardenview room. When you get there you can possibly upgrade or ask for a room thats other than gardenview. We've had NOTHING but good experiences with Alpharooms. Be sure to follow Cancuncare's link to Alpharooms as this helps Steve operate this forum that we all have come to greatly appreciate. Thanks Steve!

[BobbyD]

I booked May 1-9 with Monarch.co.uk at 432 pounds. It was by far the cheapest place on the net. It was loads cheaper than even alpharooms. It is a UK based site so you would prob need to use a UK based card. I emailed them to ask if I could use my US card and all they told me was to try!!? Bank of America said to call the travel department and they would not decline. I say check it out if you can.

[snapperheads]

Wanted to use Alpharooms to support this BB, but couldn't book a jacuzzi room through them...however we will be using USA limos. I know we could book a regular room through Alpha and hope for the upgrade or ask for it upon arrival, but Mrs. Snap is a bath-a-night kind of gal. Couldn't tell 100% if the regular rooms had tubs or just showers. We figured just showers based on our previous MEX trips...it was worth the extra quiche knowing there's a daily soak.

Ironically, we booked through TTR which you would assume would be a ripoff for the convenience, but ended up saving quite a bit vs. booking hotel and flight separately because US Airways is really proud of their direct flights from PHX. Same deal through expedia, so six of one or half a dozen of the other...

[fireguy2035]

I had a frioend last year that booked through Expedia staying at the ME Resort in Cancun. He really bragged about how he save $300 dollars thru them. He was really in for a shock when he checked out and found out he owed $280 in taxes that were not included in his Expedia booking. Sometimes you need to check those things. It ain't no fun arguing with a guy at call center in the Phillipines either...I like my travel agent. If he messes up I can go by his office ..but he never messes up. He told me that when you buy from an online agency you are technically designating that online company to be your agent...even if you don't realize it.

[btowns_darkside]

Have to agree with going with Alpharooms. We booked a week for May and couldn't beat the price anywhere. The credit card thing was a bit of a hassle (took a few calls to get it right) but saving $500 was worth it. Thanks Steve for looking out for our dollars.....now about a Boob Cruise frequent rider discount.....lol

[GandM]

We just booked for our first trip down. I had not heard of Alpharooms until I saw this thread. We booked 9 nights in April for just under 1200 US. It is so cheap I am sure it is an error and I am going to get an email saying so. Or a surprise when we show up.

[jessned]

Originally Posted by GandM

We just booked for our first trip down. I had not heard of Alpharooms until I saw this thread. We booked 9 nights in April for just under 1200 US. It is so cheap I am sure it is an error and I am going to get an email saying so. Or a surprise when we show up.

If you booked thru Alpharooms then Im sure there was no error. We booked 12 nts with them for June for just under 1500 US so that is comparable for 9 nts. Saved us about 450.00 off the nxt cheapest we had found. So glad we found out about them!

[hardrocktampa]

Worked great having just got back.

Had to change dates 2 times and that was no problem either.

Even got a better room than the last time!!!!

[SD_Couple]

Maybe I'm missing something but it seems like alpharooms is more expensive for our trip. We are coming out July 20-29th but we want to take a red eye on the 19th so we get in early on the 20th. So for a jacuzzi room for 20-29 with trip insurance it was going to be 2875.29 and that doesn't include our airfare. That's another 1200.00 to fly from San Diego. Any suggestions from anyone?

[reddog68]

Originally Posted by SD_Couple

Maybe I'm missing something but it seems like alpharooms is more expensive for our trip. We are coming out July 20-29th but we want to take a red eye on the 19th so we get in early on the 20th. So for a jacuzzi room for 20-29 with trip insurance it was going to be 2875.29 and that doesn't include our airfare. That's another 1200.00 to fly from San Diego. Any suggestions from anyone?

some dates are cheaper then others.....I actually went to alpharooms back in Nov to see prices for the first week of may and it was 178.00 for single. And then I went back on it in Dec and got the price of 94.00 a night for single and it was still at that price in Jan for the same week not sure what it is now. So guess it depends on if they have a sale at certain times or have a block of rooms they need to book. The airfare is really expensive now with the price of fuel. But the best price I get separate is usually flying on tue or wed and coming back tue or wed. Just keep checking alpharooms for prices. I hope you weren't also talking about trip insurance from alpharooms since you cann't use that insurance since your not a UK resident . You have to get it else where....just search online for trip insurance and you got plenty of choices. I have used insuremytrip.com before and they weren't too bad.

[SD_Couple]

That's great advice. I didn't know you couldn't use the insurance with alpha... Thanks. What I'm guessing is that the better costs are for the single rooms not the jacuzzi rooms.

[steveandjudy]

Glad to hear no problem from Mardrock. This will be our first time going through alpharooms. I had to piece meal the trip because flights went through the roof the past few months. Save a little but not that much more thatn the other sites.

[fbjr1]

third time in the last 12 months that we have booked through alpharooms. never a problem.

[carriejean]

I haven't used Alpharooms yet either. I keep checking the prices of there and Kenwood travel, and Kenwood looks like about $40 cheaper for the room, is it worth it to go with Alpharooms or save the money and go with Kenwood? I always see Alpharooms on the forums but saw someone had used the Kenwood Travel site, so I checked into it. It has stayed cheaper for a couple of weeks. I'm looking to book everything next week for Labor Day trip! Just want to get the best out of my second trip down there!

[daphneinok]

I was wondering this same thing.

Looking at Alpha Rooms and booking flights with AA direct, together they are about $400 cheaper then any of the other websites, Funjet, Orbitz etc.

July here we come, trip # 7

[slore19]

Originally Posted by carriejean

I haven't used Alpharooms yet either. I keep checking the prices of there and Kenwood travel, and Kenwood looks like about $40 cheaper for the room, is it worth it to go with Alpharooms or save the money and go with Kenwood? I always see Alpharooms on the forums but saw someone had used the Kenwood Travel site, so I checked into it. It has stayed cheaper for a couple of weeks. I'm looking to book everything next week for Labor Day trip! Just want to get the best out of my second trip down there!

Yaaay, someone else Labor Day weekend