We've tested this deal and you're better off booking the air and room yourself. I've called Bookit and tried booking this deal for November to St Croix testing out the different resorts.

The rate quoted to me departing November 12 was $788.40 a person for air and hotel.

Flights from Newark to St Croix non stop on US Air are $419 per person with taxes and fees the total is $ 837.40 for two people.

Regular room rates during this period are $175 / night plus taxes. For three nights the total is $537 including taxes.

3 nights hotel plus air booked independently would total $1374.40 vs $1576.90 for the "cent-sational" sale.

A better value would be to book the air independently for $837.40 for two people and book five nights for $770 which includes 5th Night Free (minimum stay of 5 nights)$50 F&B Credit against F&B room charges, Gift Box of Cruzan Rum, $5 match play at the Divi Carina Bay Casino, and the $1500 Travel Desk Savings Coupon Book for St. Croix.

Posted By Mary on October 9, 2009, 7:44 PM

My husband and I love your magazine and we would love to take one of your travel challenges!

Posted By Candice Bethea on October 11, 2009, 5:37 PM

Mary, thanks for testing out this promotion and sharing the results—complete with the comparative math!

I just called BookIt.com, too, and asked reservationist Nick to look up the cheapest three-night air/resort package available for the USVI, departing from NYC. He found that one of the best-value travel periods is Friday, October 23 through Monday, October 26.

With flights out of JFK on U.S. Airways, the rate Nick quoted me was $466 per person, including taxes, round-trip air/resort transfers, the two $25 credits per person, and a stay at the Wyndham Sugar Bay on St. Thomas. (I priced out the airfare on Kayak for the same weekend and got a rate of $389.) He said that without the Cent-sational promotion, the same package would cost about $300 more per person.

I mentioned your experience, and he said that St. Croix tends to be more expensive than St. Thomas, which has a greater number of flights to the U.S. He also said that he’s seeing much higher rates for November travel dates and gave the standard advice that the more flexible your travel dates, the more likely you are to score a low package rate.

Anyone else tried to book this promotion? Share your experience below.

Posted By Kate Appleton on October 12, 2009, 10:32 AM

Assuming all room rates are .25, why aren't the total prices the same for all resorts? Airfare +room = total

Posted By Pat on October 13, 2009, 10:31 AM

Pat, the total price also includes resort taxes, which vary from one property to the next. (As I mentioned in the blog post, the average rate is seven percent.)

Keep in mind, too, that the resorts are located on three different islands, so airfare will vary based on which island you choose, your travel dates, and your departure city.

Hope this helps clarify any differences in pricing.

Posted By Kate Appleton on October 13, 2009, 12:01 PM

I called Bookit.com last night and i was quoted $675.02 per person, departing from LAX to St. Thomas. Staying October 30th and departing on November 2. I was told we would be staying at Wyndham Sugar Bay. Being skeptical that the supposed cost for the three nights for the hotel was only 75 cents, we looked up similiar flights and hotel packages on kayak and priceline. Found the same hotel/flight for about $75 less per person.

After considering the $25 credit per person, about $100 that I would not receive from booking outside the promotion. At $75 less with out the credits, I do not see how the 25 cent hotel stay promotion is being passed on to me.

Posted By Alex Dorado on October 13, 2009, 1:37 PM

I just booked 6 nights at the Marriott in mid-December(the article said Nov 15, but the BOOKIT.com site showed dates until Dec 15-16 for some hotels, not all). I usually don't do packages, am an avid budget traveler, but will save $550+ for 2 of us (total package with full insurance was under $1950, plus $100 resort credit). Air is not "jacked up", optioned to pay a tad more for a one stop flight; leaving out of Houston and that's where I get more savings--minimal options on flights to STT. Plus, I went for the best savings on room rate, and will actually be paying $90/night with all taxes and fees for the room--even with a 45% off offer, couldn't beat it! Normally don't use an agent, but called BOOKIT, had all questions answered, so promptly booked with Rob, extension 6017--very straight forward, company is out of Panama City, FL and seems well enough connected to have the exclusive on this deal with USVI. And yes, St. Croix was much more expensive...

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