No, reserve guarantee is just paid at your rate. If you fly a trip while on reserve then that trip gets you your international and per diem.

Thinking of a Sandals Resort trip with the wife in Sept. I know it's hurricane season but more concerned with the possibility of the resort not having all the restaurants open or things of that nature since it's off season. Anyone have any experience that time of year?

Ive done all inclusives at all times of the year. Ive never noticed a seasonal reduction in services. They just lower the room rate and still pack them in. That said, Sandals is a premium price for an average place. You may have your reasons for planning early. Id wait until later, get your best rate from Perx/expedia, then call the resort you'd like to use and shop them using lower competitor rates.

My wife does this stuff and usually we get Ocean front rooms/cabanas upgraded packages and lower rates. Examples, we did Breezes for $1500 for both of us for the week Ocean front. Some place in the DR which was really a great resort was $25/night/person all inclusive. I cant live at home that cheap.

Thanks Scambo. What did you find to be average about Sandals? Food, rooms etc? We were going to do an Ireland trip but don't want the bag drag/driving (that's why the Sept dates). Looking for a place to throw the bags in the closet and just hang out for a week (and watch the hurricane come);)

I agree with Scambo. I've done two Sandals. They're sorta like cruise ships on land. Mass produced food and lines. St Lucia was pretty nice but avoid the Bahamas. You can definitely do better.

In my experience, there are two levels of all inclusive, great and okay. Great ones have a nice beach, scuba, jetskis, and boats. Some have golf but im not a golfer. Okay ones lack the above. Sandals generally fall into the great category. But, within that category are average.

I dont really care about the room because youre only there to sleep and caffeinate. The majority of your time is spent on the beach drinking and relaxing. The additional activities and amenities are what punctuate your drinking and relaxing. The best places have them included in the all inclusive price.

My two favorite places were in the DR and Jamaica. They included everything for the price. Breezes at runaway bay, which i think is now closed, was the best of everything for a fixed price.

You definitely want a place in the great category with everything included. As I said earlier, price is negotiable as the time gets closer.

We did St Lucia UVF a few years ago. They gave us half off with an airline rate. It was great. Fun and drinks are good. Tried to go the next year and the half off was gone. I wouldn't go at full price. To expensive for what you get.

Punta Cana at the hotel we stay at. Check out mycrewguide.com. They give us $70 a night with $10 a day per person for all inclusive for all your family.
Grand Caymon at the Westin on 7 mile beach is nice. We get around $100 a night but its not all inclusive.
Kona at the Marriot at Waikoloa village we get 125 a night or Hilton waikoloa village 170 a night.

I always check the prices against delta vacactions also. Sometime they have better rates with our 20% off.

Hilton Waikoloa is an amazing property..... but it is surely NOT all inclusive, in fact the room may be the cheapest part.:eek: