.... was this a trip you won? ....
Yes, sponsored by AARP. Administered by ePrize and fulfilled by them via their subcontracted travel agent "Travel By Design".
Airfare for 2 ($850), 3 nights Hotel ($1800)(the cheapest room at Fisher Island Resort), Limo service to/from airport ($250), and $500 spending money. "$4500.00 value" but really about $3,400.
Of course the hotel upgraded me to a
$1,800/night 2 bedroom ocean front suite. So the actual value of the 4 nights I stayed was really $7,200.00 + $240.00 resort fees + $900.00 taxes.
One of the secrets of dealing with the travel agent that is assigned to arranging the travel is to take the "Maxiumum Value" (the amount allocated by the sponor) of the trip ... minus the "airfare" ... minus any "cash" or "incidentals". This leaves you with a remander that can be used for your "Hotel". In my case this amounted to $2,900 left over for lodging and the travel agent said I could spend up to that for the hotel, bearing in mind the restrictions of the contest. IE: 3 nights, single room (not a suite).
(Bear in mind that if you dont choose the hotel they will put you up in the cheapest place they can find ... probably a Motel 6 next to the airport.)
I looked at all the hotels in Miami, chose one of the 3 most expensive properties in town and they just happened to have a "buy 3 nights get the 4th free" promotion that enabled me to stay an extra day. "No problemo", said the travel agent.
:crazytongue: