Could someone please explain this to me?

[eagle]

Hi, everyone,

I have some questions which I can't quite understand.

I live in Toronto, Canada and want to spend couple of weeks in DR. My plan is to look for some AI packages for one week, give up the return ticket, then buy another one way ticket back (because it is very likely that I would stay longer than a week and I don't know how long it might be). My original plan was to just get an one-way ticket, fly to DR first, stay there until the time to leave. But a friend of mine told me that they might not let me in with just an one-way ticket.

I checked out selloffvacations.com. It has this Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada 1 week package for Cdn$503.24 (for two persons) + Cdn$216.34 = Cdn$719.58/head.

However, since I will go alone, according to the site, for a single person, I will end up paying Cdn$816.04 (for one person) + Cdn$216.34 = Cdn$1032.38/head.

My questions are:
Why is there such a big price difference between one person and two persons?
Is a single person not welcomed to travel alone?
Any suggestions for other alternatives?

I apologize if my questions sounded too stupid.

Thank you very much.

Eagle

[NY1]

Originally Posted by eagle

I checked out selloffvacations.com. It has this Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada 1 week package for Cdn$503.24 (for two persons) + Cdn$216.34 = Cdn$719.58/head.

However, since I will go alone, according to the site, for a single person, I will end up paying Cdn$816.04 (for one person) + Cdn$216.34 = Cdn$1032.38/head.

My questions are:
Why is there such a big price difference between one person and two persons?
Is a single person not welcomed to travel alone?
Any suggestions for other alternatives?

I apologize if my questions sounded too stupid.

Thank you very much.

Eagle

That figure for 2 people has to be per person which would be about $1400 total for the two, as opposed to about $1000 total for 1 person.

[Hlywud]

Find a resort that doesnt have a single supplement and you will then be able to travel alone. Casa Marina, Jack Tar Villages, Puerto Plata Village are apparently ones with no supplement.
Either that or take a domestic flight to POP and find a hotel after arrivng.

One other reason is there are normally 2 beds in each room, some resorts waive the supplement but find you a roomy of the same sex.

Fly down and book a room at Rocky's best alternative thing to do.

[ricktoronto]

Originally Posted by eagle

Hi, everyone,

I have some questions which I can't quite understand.

I live in Toronto, Canada and want to spend couple of weeks in DR. My plan is to look for some AI packages for one week, give up the return ticket, then buy another one way ticket back (because it is very likely that I would stay longer than a week and I don't know how long it might be). My original plan was to just get an one-way ticket, fly to DR first, stay there until the time to leave. But a friend of mine told me that they might not let me in with just an one-way ticket.

I checked out selloffvacations.com. It has this Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada 1 week package for Cdn$503.24 (for two persons) + Cdn$216.34 = Cdn$719.58/head.

However, since I will go alone, according to the site, for a single person, I will end up paying Cdn$816.04 (for one person) + Cdn$216.34 = Cdn$1032.38/head.

My questions are:
Why is there such a big price difference between one person and two persons?
Is a single person not welcomed to travel alone?
Any suggestions for other alternatives?

1 room 2 persons is cheaper and easier for the hotel than one room one person. The food and airfare of course cost more since there are two eating/flying. There are many travel agents that know tour companies that will waive the single supplement to sell the trip. So the supplement pays for the extra room for a single.

You will pay a mint for a one way ticket, in all honesty. More than round trip is likely. (I've done it in an emergency - it cost CAD $1400 for one way MIA to Toronto plus a fee to change my ticket SDQ- MIA, as they only had first class to Toronto).

Some ideas: Find a two week AI package, there are more than a few available.

Skip the AI and buy a scheduled airline ticket and stay in a normal hotel which is my advice to 100% of everyone in the world.

Another idea buy TWO AI packages for a week each and either ask the TA to sell you the hotel part only for week two or find two deals with air included and no single supplement. You still could have trouble returning though since if you don't use the Toronto to DR part (from the second package that leaves a week later) they won't let you board on the flight back - you need to ask. If they are both the same airline maybe you can try that.

Or find two week air only as the first part of the deal, and then two week package hotel only.

Another idea, buy a R/T AA or other airline ticket and then just book at an AI directly for the room rate per night - off season may be cheap anyway.

NB: They don't ask about the ticket when you arrive, in fact they usually say nothing to you so even without it if you have a credit card you cold say you can buy the return ticket without difficulty.

Talk to a travel agent that does a LOT of tours and see what they advise.

[Nelly]

Check out air only from Toronto on the Charter flights,you should be able to stay at least two weeks maybe longer if you book via a travel agent. Also, check out the prices for regular commercial flights via AA and Continental. You can get nice rooms in Sosúa for $15 to $40 US per night depending on your tastes. The cost of meals and drinks are very reasonable as well.

[MommC]

Check out Hume Travel.....they have air only seats to La Romana for $257. plus the $211. in taxes. Buy an air only ticket (two way) then don't use the return portion. Make sure you get the phone # or the tour rep at the airport in La Romana when you arrive so you can call them for a return ticket when you are ready to return home. Cost for the one way return was $450 CAN in April - should be the same now!

[ricktoronto]

Originally Posted by MommC

Check out Hume Travel.....they have air only seats to La Romana for $257. plus the $211. in taxes. Buy an air only ticket (two way) then don't use the return portion. Make sure you get the phone # or the tour rep at the airport in La Romana when you arrive so you can call them for a return ticket when you are ready to return home. Cost for the one way return was $450 CAN in April - should be the same now!

If time is an issue this can be a problem if the flights are full and/or there's less of them which is always the case post-easter. Remember that other Candian guy stuck for weeks doing the trip to POP airport trying to find a one way seat. In this case flying on a scheduled airlien may be safer and less hassle in the long run.

[Frank13]

I watch all of the travel agency you propose and the best one is in Trois Rivières between Montreal and Quebec this is the web site www.voyagesarabais.com
all the tax are include in price...

[eagle]

Hi, all,

Thanks a lot.

I will definitely be looking into all the suggestions and hopefully be able to pick the best one for my plan.

You guys are awesome!!!

\(^_*)/ Eagle