For weeks, I’ve been saying that the best deals in travel are yet to come. Airlines, hotels and countries have been on the defensive, waiting to learn just how bad things will get, and what a return to travel may look like – and most importantly “when” it may come.
But now that clearer pictures are emerging, and many of the worst doomsday scenarios have been avoided, travel brands can start pushing out offers to grab business now, for travel later. Banyan Tree, one of the best luxury hospitality brands in Asia is offering some stunning gift card purchases, with two night stays, massages for two and more, with prices up to 80% off.
Banyan Tree is one of the first brands to really tap into what customers want right now: discounts to help support their business, but without being locked into dates. There’s still much to be seen as to when countries will open, so flexibility as to when in 2020, or 2021 you’d like to travel is key.
That’s exactly what the luxury hospitality group is offering, with gift cards you can purchase now, to book travel for later. Yep, here’s how it works…
- you buy a non-refundable gift card now, but don’t need to book dates.
- each gift card covers a two night, three day stay and other perks.
- you can book at a later date, for stays up through December 20, 2021.
- the gift cards offer up to 80% off, with most between 50-75% off.
- you get extra perks like massage, daily breakfast and upgrades.
This makes so much sense. We want to support the travel industry, but want to perhaps wait a bit before locking in plans. This puts vital cash into Banyan Tree’s pockets to keep things moving, but gives customers amazing reason to return in the coming months, or into next year.
With very few blackout dates and the ability to use the vouchers for travel up to any date all the way to December 20th, 2021 it shouldn’t be hard to get amazing value.
Take the Banyan Tree Bintan, where $365 USD gets you two nights in a four star resort, just a short ferry ride from Singapore, with daily breakfast, a 60 minute massage for two, private car transfers from the ferry to the resort and 20% off water sports.
How about the Banyan Tree Bangkok, where $285 brings two nights in a Horizon Room, with club lounge access that brings free drinks and food every day?
Or, the Angsana Ihuru in the Maldives, where buying a $1299 gift certificate earns you a two night future stay in a beachfront villa, with all inclusive package, meaning meals, drinks and everything else is taken care, of and also includes complimentary speed boat transfers. That typically goes for nothing short of $2450.
Which credit card should you use? These purchases are done through Banyan Tree, so they should absolutely fall under the hotel category of travel. Be sure to use a credit card which offers max points on hotel bookings.
Anyone planning to take advantage of these awesome offers from Banyan Tree?
What if they go bankrupt?
Same as any travel brand, like American Airlines or Expedia. You’d need to file a chargeback with your credit card company (be sure to use a credit card to have these protections) and you’d recover the amount.
In the UK at least that isn’t accurate – if you buy a gift card and receive it you have completed your transaction. You shouldn’t get s75 protection; I won’t say never but every time a store goes bankrupt you read about people losing vouchers …
But the value of the card is specifically for a future stay, and therefore not a monetary amount in any traditional way. The transaction is based on an anticipatory good in the future and that falls in line with transactions being covered if goods not received. I think Martin Lewis does a pretty decent job on MSE covering it here. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases/#bust
I agree with this analysis: the contract is for the value not the stay and therefore I think that the contract has been performed.
There is a collateral contract for the subsequent transfer of that value into a stay but that contract is separate not itself a Consumer Credit Act transaction and therefore not covered.
Accordingly I think the card provider can avoid liability.
The contract is for a good or service at a later date. It’s the entire principle of the sale. They’re forgoing standard stay rates and giving you a rate for a two night stay with massages and transfers. How do you define not receiving those massages, stays or transfers? Ultimately cards tend to side with a good cardmember even when not covered, but in many areas including EU the policy directly from MasterCard looks to cover out of business travel losses.
Even Banyan tree in t&C’s says these can’t be used for an amount, so how anyone could then argue that seems odd.
Is there a link to all offers in Asia?
https://gifting.banyantree.com/create/ultimategetaways/
You are joking right ? You know how high risk this is?! No one should take any stupid offer like this right now. Asia is off limits and may be for atleast another year. Good luck on the chargeback!! That’s not a sure thing and yes many hotels will be going bankrupt.
Dearest Ryan, As usual, you’re off base and killing the vibe. I don’t know why you bother reading here, since you’ve never had a positive comment to offer.
1) Regulation Z of the Consumer Protection Act in the USA does cover chargebacks in bankruptcies, provided paid for by credit card. In the UK, Section 75 does the same.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/policy-compliance/rulemaking/regulations/1026/12/#12-e-2-Interp-1
https://www.mastercard.us/content/dam/mccom/en-us/documents/rules/chargeback-guide.pdf (EU clarification)
https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/deposit-refund-bankrupt-company-1267.php
2) Many Asian countries never initiated full lockdowns and have had tremendous success in battling health problems. Just because it doesn’t make sense for you doesn’t mean anyone in the world, the USA, Europe, etc couldn’t find amazing value.
Thailand is already looking at the fastest way to safely get travelers back, perhaps for summer 2020. Many are expected to open before the end of 2020, and many more in Q1 of 2021. This allows you to enjoy a substantial discount for travel in 2020, or 2021. https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/thailand-lockdown-country-looks-at-restarting-tourism-after-coronavirus/news-story
3) I understand from your many previous comments that you hate travel, and are a pilot – which is ironic, but please don’t feel the need to bring negativity here. People can make their own decisions, and of course should actually read laws before taking your comments seriously.
I get nothing from these delay and am just passing on good opportunity. Why the constant hate? Start your own blog!
There seems to be a HUGE problem with Blackout Dates ….
Can you share? I haven’t seen any properties mention specific dates, but may have missed some?
Yeah what Gilbert just replied back to Ryan 🔥🔥🔥🔥 This is a pretty pretty pretty good deal and most likely end up buying BKK since I’ll be there Sept and Nov. Facts don’t have feelings. I
Westin Ubud in Bali is doing 2 nights for 1m Rupiah/68USD with breakfast.
Here feom your source. But it is in German.
https://youhavebeenupgraded.boardingarea.com/2020/05/achtung-vor-der-banyan-tree-giftcard-promotion/
In short you book withoit gift card there is availability. You book trough Gc link there is limited availability
I really appreciate the deals that you publish here! While I’m still on the fence about it, this is an incredible deal! Thank you for sharing!
480 SGD for Bintan is 339 USD – its not the price you mentioned.
Thanks for your great advice. I have postponed our round the world trips for my wife’s 60th birthday this year. I wonder whether there are any deals like this in round the world tickets of airlines.
Thank you for this. It sounds an amazing deal.
Do you know if you can buy three lots of two nights and use them for a total stay of six nights or is it only two nights maximum?
I bought the package for both the Banyan Tree in Bangkok and in Phuket.
By making dummy bookings, I can confirm that the following dates for check-in are blacked-out:
Banyan Tree Bangkok:
– 23-31 DEC 2020
– 1-3 JAN 2021
– 11-17 FEB 2021
– 12-14 APR 2021
– 1-10 OCT 2021
Banyan Tree Phuket:
– 29-31 DEC 2020
– 1 JAN 2021
– 11-14 FEB 2021
– 15-18 MAY 2021
– 1-8 OCT 2021
Whilst I simply clicked on the link in the confirmation e-mail, I did see that in the booking process the promo code “GETAWAYS” was added, so perhaps you guys could make dummy bookings with this promo code, without the need to purchase a certificate.
REMEMBER: it only shows availability if you search for an exact 2-night stay, as stipulated on the certificate.
I think Louise question is great and would love an answer! Can you do it back to back or would I need to book one and my wife under another?
Yep same question as Danny and Louise, am due to fly to Maldives in November for 5 days’ stay, if it’s possible to book end to end using two gift cards under same name? Cheers.
Hi everyone, you can buy/book same name/end to end with as many of these gift certificates as you like. After you purchase, they will email you the certificates. I purchased 2x banyan tree Maldives. The only thing is they will not substitute with extra credit/ other activities for the “extra” speedboat transfer that you will not be using. Also, the certificates are for “entry” level rooms. If you would like upgrade to a better one, you can email the hotel directly and they will give you a price/ day upgrade fee. The gift certificate also does not earn any Accor miles, but truly the Maldives ones are a steal! Happy travels everyone!
Can you rebook if you need to once you have used the promo to book?