What happens on the Internet isn't so different from Sotheby's: One wrong move and you could end up spending a lot for something you didn't want.
Fish in the right lake
  Bids via LuxuryLink for a six-nigh package at Belize's Jaguar Reef started at about half the retail price |
Three companies dominate the travel auction scene. First, there's eBay, where travel is just one more category. SkyAuction and LuxuryLink, however, broker travel products exclusively, such as packages and cruises. As its name indicates, LuxuryLink is aimed at the high end; SkyAuction, less so.
A seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines sold for $449 per person on SkyAuction, compared to $737 through other sellers.
Understand what "deal" means
The most substantial discounts will generally be on ritzy vacations, which have a higher profit margin built into normal prices. A three-night stay at the Miami's Hotel St. Augustine, for instance, sold for $532 on LuxuryLink, compared to nightly rates of $219--$259 found elsewhere.
Do your research
What would it cost through standard channels? For cruises, try a big aggregator like cruisecompete.com, which gathers numerous quotes for you. And for just a hotel stay, always check with the hotel directly.
Evaluate the package
Do you really want everything included--the spa treatment, the diving excursion? If not, the offer probably isn't right for you.
Know thy seller
SkyAuction and LuxuryLink are travel agents that negotiate deals directly with hotels and airlines. At eBay, the seller might be a resort, a travel agent, or some guy in a basement. The only outfits allowed to sell flights, cruises, and vacation packages on eBay are companies registered in its SquareTrade program. (Non-licensed users are limited to auctioning items such as vouchers and gift certificates.) Even with SquareTrade, however, eBay's message boards are filled with fraud complaints. Read up, and, because some people lie, verify the company is indeed a SquareTrade member at squaretrade.com.
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