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Post by guest on Aug 14, 2015 16:17:00 GMT -5
OK, here is something that has bugged me for a while. Maybe there are some folks out there who have helped serve on a tournament committee.
What is the deal for requiring out of town teams to use a certain travel agent to book certain hotels? The Stay to Play rule. Are the host clubs getting dollars back from the travel agents? And is there any incentive for the host team to monitor what hotels the agent is selecting? What if the hotel stinks?
We're going to an out of town tournament and we are staying at a hotel that is 20 minutes away from the field (on a good day, the front desk said). They were a bit curious why we would be booking rooms there. We've stayed at another hotel in the past that is nice and close for this tournament but they are not approved this year. I think the host must be using a different travel agent.
"Partner hotels are committed to the success of the tournament". Does that mean dollars are finding their way to the host club?
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Post by sidelinemama on Aug 14, 2015 17:39:55 GMT -5
I'm not sure about the benefits/monetary details, but staying at the hotel will protect you if there are rain outs and you have to cancel last minute. We have been saved by this on more than one occasion.
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Post by hejausa on Aug 14, 2015 17:45:27 GMT -5
Yes. The club is getting a kickback.
It's also very difficult to police if teams are staying at non-tournament approved hotels. We've done it before. But there is that benefit of a full refund if there is a rainout to consider.
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Post by spectator on Aug 14, 2015 20:12:44 GMT -5
The other reason is for tournament communications. If the Tournament Director knows where teams are staying, he or she can coordinate messaging, shuttles or any other amenities related to the tournament through the hotels. That's at a well run larger tournament.
Disney, CASL, large showcase tournaments - you do get better rates than if you booked on your own. (unless you're cashing in Marriot or Hilton points for the rooms)
We've had near disasters in Birmingham with that horrible travel agency for Vulcan Cup and Liberty Cup. Underbooked, no names given for rooming, total disaster but you're hostage to that travel agency for that tournament.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2015 21:20:32 GMT -5
We've had good experiences with Vulcan Cup reservations. I like how they provide a spreadsheet of all the hotels and all their amenities. The prices we paid were just slightly higher than booking outside of the group. We always booked really early for that tounament so we'd get our first choice.
I'm not too thrilled with Charlotte's tourney. We were assigned to a hotel (no choice!) further away and more expensive than we requested and it's $25/night more than you'd pay online. The convention company seems to not want to return a call or email or maybe they just can't handle the volume of teams.
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Post by rifle on Aug 14, 2015 21:57:31 GMT -5
I always "stay with relatives".
:-)
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Post by stevieg on Aug 15, 2015 6:41:41 GMT -5
We only use the team block if the cost is in line with what I can book through the hotel directly. This weekend in Greenville: RPL rate: $139, AAA Rate: $118. Jacksonville: RPL rate: $129, AAA rate: $98. Same hotels. I'm already paying a fortune for soccer so if I can save $20-30/night, I will do it.
And I disagree about Disney. The Disney properties they stick you in are all overpriced (especially if you don't care about Disney "theming.") We found a 3BR/2BA condo for $129/night last year minutes from WWOS.
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Post by SoccerMom on Aug 15, 2015 15:22:05 GMT -5
We have always gotten good prices thru tournaments
SC RPL - $109
Disney Condos - 5ppl condo $113 8ppl condo $143
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2015 7:11:08 GMT -5
There is no question you can typically find better deals not using tournaments booking on an individual basis.
However, its a little harder when booking 15 rooms etc vs one random room on priceline.
I agree, rooms should be cheaper, typically they are in the ball park and usually if the hotel doesn't include breakfast they set one up in a banquet room at the included rate.
I'm not a fan of condo's for tournaments, I prefer hotels that include a real breakfast and coffee. That alone could be worth up $40 a day. Its just really nice to send a kid downstairs on their own for breakfast. Even nicer is having an earlier game, and coming back to the hotel and getting to eat breakfast a 2nd time!
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Post by stevieg on Aug 17, 2015 7:13:10 GMT -5
There is no question you can typically find better deals not using tournaments booking on an individual basis. However, its a little harder when booking 15 rooms etc vs one random room on priceline. I agree, rooms should be cheaper, typically they are in the ball park and usually if the hotel doesn't include breakfast they set one up in a banquet room at the included rate. I'm not a fan of condo's for tournaments, I prefer hotels that include a real breakfast and coffee. That alone could be worth up $40 a day. Its just really nice to send a kid downstairs on their own for breakfast. Even nicer is having an earlier game, and coming back to the hotel and getting to eat breakfast a 2nd time! Agree on the breakfast thing, except when you have two teenage girls. Then a condo/villa is so much better. It's worth the drive to Starbucks
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Post by SoccerMom on Aug 17, 2015 7:28:02 GMT -5
I like the condos with full kitchen at Disney. we go grocery shopping on our first night and have actual meals in the room and its way cheaper than taking the whole fam out to eat.
For thanksgiving...condos are perfect for us because our team cooks an actual thanksgiving dinner -- (Turkey, ham and sides) so we need and like the full kitchens
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Post by Keeper on Aug 17, 2015 7:35:45 GMT -5
I like the condos with full kitchen at Disney. we go grocery shopping on our first night and have actual meals in the room and its way cheaper than taking the whole fam out to eat. For thanksgiving...condos are perfect for us because our team cooks an actual thanksgiving dinner -- (Turkey, ham and sides) so we need and like the full kitchens And as someone who use to travel and stay in hotels a lot for work those hotel breakfast are pretty unhealthy. Nothing but salt, preservatives and grease. I mean have you ever seen a vegetable at one of those "free" breakfasts?
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Post by SoccerMom on Aug 17, 2015 7:37:51 GMT -5
I like the condos with full kitchen at Disney. we go grocery shopping on our first night and have actual meals in the room and its way cheaper than taking the whole fam out to eat. For thanksgiving...condos are perfect for us because our team cooks an actual thanksgiving dinner -- (Turkey, ham and sides) so we need and like the full kitchens And as someone who use to travel and stay in hotels a lot for work those hotel breakfast are pretty unhealthy. Nothing but salt, preservatives and grease. I mean have you ever seen a vegetable at one of those "free" breakfasts? yea...its free but not necessarily healthy some have some fruit lol
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Post by goteam on Aug 17, 2015 9:25:30 GMT -5
Clubs are getting a kickback or why do they place the rule in there that you can be disqualified if you do not use their room block?
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