Lately we’ve seen a lot of travel brands get creative when it comes to generating revenue. With so many businesses having liquidity issues, we’re seeing companies offer a deal if you pay now for travel later.
In particular, we’ve seen lots of hotel brands sell discounted gift cards or stay certificates for future stays. In late June Explora launched such an offer that was supposed to be valid through the end of July, though it has now been extended by a month.
In this post:
Explora offering 50% bonus on gift card purchases
Explora is running a “Buy Now, Explore Later” promotion. Through August 31, 2020, you can get a $500 bonus voucher for every $1,000 voucher you purchase:
- These certificates are valid for stays at all Explore destinations
- You can redeem them for check-outs through October 31, 2022
- Existing Explora guests receive a 5% discount, and that can even be applied on these bookings
- The vouchers are transferable but non-refundable
- To make a stay with this voucher, you can contact Explora at [email protected]
- The vouchers aren’t valid for bookings over Christmas, New Year, Tapati, and Carnival holidays in all hotels and Travesías
- The vouchers aren’t valid for bookings at Torres del Paine and El Chaltén between November 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022
Furthermore, in light of the situation Explora also has a flexible booking policy, and you can change your booking date twice up to seven days before check-in. Also, you can use the balance of any voucher towards hotel services including massages, premium wines, optional explorations, etc.
As Explora describes this promotion:
With your purchase you will be supporting the livelihoods of local communities so they can cope with this challenging period. Our remote territories and their people need us all.
Explora Patagonia
What is Explora?
For those of you not familiar with Explora, they operate a series of luxury adventure-focused lodges in South America. A couple of years ago I reviewed Explora Easter Island, and had a fantastic stay.
In addition to the Easter Island resort, Explora also has properties in Patagonia (Chile), Atacama (Chile), the Sacred Valley (Peru), and they also have some really cool explorations beyond that.
Explora properties are pricey, but they do include food, drinks, and all explorations, so they don’t nickel-and-dime.
Explora Sacred Valley
Bottom line
If you’re considering an Explora stay over the next couple of years, this is a way to get a 50% bonus on a voucher, which is the equivalent of ~33% off. Explora isn’t cheap, so this discount most definitely helps if planning a stay.
I loved their Easter Island property, and Explora’s Patagonia property has been on my bucket list for a long time. I’m tempted by this offer, but realistically am not sure it’s worth the risk for me, given that no one knows what the next two years will look like.
Does anyone plan on taking advantage of this Explora promotion?
I’ve been to the Explora Patagonia. Absolutely loved it. I went in the winter when it was way cheaper and quieter. It is expensive but worth it. It’s the right mix of luxury while still offering an amazing location, fantastic guides, and easy planning without worrying too much. We did 15-20 mile day hikes in groups of 2-4 people.
Again not for everyone but don’t dismiss it as overpriced luxury.
Think it stacks with Virtuoso rates?
Another “give us your money now, and hopefully don’t travel at all”-money grab...
Explora is great but not right now. Hard pass on this "deal".
I loved Explora Sacred Valley! What's better than private hikes in low traveled areas in a region that is over-touristy?! And Virgilio Martinez was the guest chef during that time, and it's all inclusive. I can't wait to book another experience with them. Expensive and worth every penny.
I would say Easter Island Explora is not bad. I would not say Four Seasons level for sure but given lack of 5* choices, it’s fine. The one at Patagonia looks like a dorm. The location is fantastic but I would hardly call that luxurious in anyway. I highly recommend Awasi Patagonia. You get a large free standing cabinet and a private driver/ guide to show you around. It’s not quite at Aman level but...
I would say Easter Island Explora is not bad. I would not say Four Seasons level for sure but given lack of 5* choices, it’s fine. The one at Patagonia looks like a dorm. The location is fantastic but I would hardly call that luxurious in anyway. I highly recommend Awasi Patagonia. You get a large free standing cabinet and a private driver/ guide to show you around. It’s not quite at Aman level but given how remote this property is, it’s good enough. With that said, Awasi is about an hour outside of the park so if Patagonia is the only thing you are looking to see, then it’s a toss up. Otherwise Awasi will take you to other surrounding area as well which is much less traveled and just as interesting/ pretty imo. Chasing after guanaco was fun! I was able to do citi fourth night free at this property couple years back. My flight out of Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas was crazy windy. I have never experienced anything like it. Makes landing at Paro in Bhutan seem like a cake walk. Actually I take that back. My flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla was much safer than the one I experienced at Punta Arenas. Hands down!
Having been to Both Explorer Easter Island and Explorer Patagonia, all I can say is what splendid value for money they offer. While they are extremely comfortable , they are not ostentatious or luxurious in the true sense of the word. What you getting for your money are experienced, empathetic guides who understand and love with a passion the territory they are lucky enough to call home.
The comments above say a lot about how this is perceived. I tend to agree. It's compares to transferring credit card points to LifeMiles right now, or buying points in a big bonus promotion these days. Who is going to risk it?
The travel industry needs to get more creative beyond just enticing us to give them cash up front. They are not to be trusted at all after what we have seen with many hotels refusing to return deposits and airlines not refunding.
What a fantastic way to lose all of the money you give them.
I'm better off day-trading Hertz options in Robinhood, thank you.
Their target market is pretentious old'uns.
Good luck to their survival.
Luxury and adventure don't really go together... what luxury sells is faux adventure which may be enough for the luxurious :-)
Every travel company is looking for credit - whether in the financial markets or from customers.... good luck to them!