The newest big buzz in internet travel booking is WantMeGetMe.com. I don't see what's the big deal. It's a website offering a limited set of standard amenities at hotels in their program:
- Added to the VIP List
- Wi-Fi/Internet
- Room Upgrade (upon availability)
A few extra perks are offered in a not-so-systematic manner at a few of the hotels, but here's my initial analysis.
1. Virtuoso has better amenities. When you book through a Virtuoso travel consultant, you always get:
- free daily breakfast for two
- room upgrade if available at check-in
- an extra amenity (such as a complimentary lunch, spa credit, or other perk that differs by property)
Moreover, getting "VIP'ed" through a wholesaler booking is a non sequitur. I personally contact management at every Virtuoso hotel I book with a personal request to VIP my client.
2. Limited cities and hotels. Granted, WantMeGetMe.com is in its beta phase, and they will surely grow their collection, but there are currently no hotels offered in Hawaii or Hong Kong, just one hotel offered in Paris, just four in London.
3. Where are the top luxury hotels? Of the 21 hotels for New York, only 4 are Virtuoso five-star hotels. Missing from their list are the most requested five star hotels in NY: Four Seasons New York, Ritz-Carlton Central Park, Mandarin Oriental New York, and the Peninsula.
4. Their prices aren't as good. I checked the rates for The Lowell (one of my favorite boutique hotels in New York), and their rate for a Deluxe Jr. Suite at The Lowell was $90 more than the rate I am seeing in my system. (And WantMeGetMe didn't offer any regular guest rooms).
5. No way to review terms and cancellation policies before you provide your credit card. This is a big deal. Here's some of their fine print:
You may be eligible to cancel or change your prepaid hotel reservation, but you will be charged the cancellation or change fee indicated in the rules and restrictions at the time of sale.
Despite all the buzz, WantMeGetMe is just another hotel wholesaler. I provide my clients better rates, better amenities, better service, and more flexibility every day of the year (no change or cancel fees, ever). And so does any Virtuoso travel consultant in existence!
WantMeGetMe (search here on Google)
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