Destination Weddings: Room Block 101
When I’m working with destination wedding couples I often hear a few of these things. Tell me if this sounds like you:
Having a room block is so important for your destination wedding. A destination wedding travel specialist is necessary to help you with your room block contract and will help treat your guests like the VIPs they are. Also: When you guests have travel questions all you have to do is text them and send them to your travel specialist. Easy!
I want to take care of my guests & I want them to have the best experience possible
I want to make this as easy as possible for my guests and save them money so they are able to celebrate with me.
I’m not able to organize all of my guests travels & the thought of answering all of their texts about travel is daunting… [I don’t blame you…']
So let’s hit a few bird with one stone & talk about reserving a room block – it’s super easy and totally worth it!
You've nailed down your wedding date at an absolutely gorgeous all-inclusive resort. Now, it’s time to make sure your guests have the perfect place to stay. Reserving a room block means you’re saving enough rooms for everyone and locking in sweet rates so they don’t have to go hunting for deals. Just one click for them and they’re all set – how awesome is that?
A group contract (fancy talk for room block) might sound a bit intimidating, but don’t worry, Escape Key Travel Co. got you! Understanding the ins and outs of a group contract and its perks is key before you sign anything. This option isn’t just for weddings – any group trip like bachelor/bachelorette parties, friends getaways, or family reunions can score these deals too! The number of guests and rooms you need will help you decide the best way to go.
Ready to make your destination wedding a breeze for everyone? Let’s do this!
Group Contracts [AKA: Room Blocks]
Alright, let’s break down group contracts, aka room blocks! When you sign a group contract, you’re holding 10 or more rooms for your guests. Sometimes, you can snag a deal for as few as 6 rooms, but 10 is the industry standard.
Group Contracts [AKA: Room Blocks] might sound complex but they’ll provide you so many benefits and special perks! A travel specialist, like Escape Key Travel Co, can help you with all the fine print & nitty gritty details.
Lock in Those Rates: Your rates are secure and won’t budge, giving you and your guests plenty of time to book without any price hikes. The booking window is usually a 7-day timeframe.
Deposits: Guests only need a small deposit (around $100-$250 per person) to lock in their room. Plus, you’ll put down one small deposit to secure the whole block.
Free Rooms: Resorts often offer free rooms with a group contract – typically, every 6th or 11th room is free. About 30 days before your trip, you’ll find out how many free rooms you’ve earned. You can either use this perk for your wedding/group or get a refund on your credit card.
Sweet Group Perks: You’ll score awesome benefits at no extra cost, like private VIP check-ins, free room upgrades, and special events or dinners. Each resort has its own set of goodies, so you’ll get something unique.
Important Dates: Every contract has attrition dates, meaning you need to release any unused rooms by a certain date to avoid charges. Don’t stress – I’ll make sure all rooms are released on time to dodge any fees.
Flexible Changes: Need to tweak a reservation (without air)? No problem! You can change names or dates as long as there’s availability. If a guest can’t make it and finds a replacement, we’ve got you covered.
Cancellation Fees: If a room is canceled, there might be a fee, but we’ll handle all the details to make it as smooth as possible.
See? We got this! A Destination Wedding Room Block isn’t as scary as you think. If you are having a larger group of 10 or more rooms, then I recommend going with a group contract. Ultimately, you will save money in the long run and receive more benefits with a contract versus a flexible group.
I know the penalties of a group contract can be scary, but as a professional, I monitor all these dates and ensure my couples don’t run into any issues. I release rooms not booked a month or two prior to the penalty date.
Looking to plan a destination wedding but don’t know where to start? Check out our Destination Wedding Workbook. If you are ready to book your rooms and need guidance, look not further. I can help you with a room block (aka contract) for your destination wedding. Contact me here and we can get started!
