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| Allura's Owner-Direct Accommodation - What does this mean? |
| Q : What are the benefits of Allura's Owner-Direct Accommodations? |
| A : Owner-direct accommodations are booked directly through the owner. There are no middle agents involved in the process. The benefits include:
Reduced nightly rates as result of elimination of all middle agents
No commissions
No 10% hotel tax
Personalized homes
Personal service
No extra fees |
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| Allura Owner-Hosts |
| Q : What are the benefits of reserving with an AlluraDirect.com Owner Host? |
| A : The Allura Accommodations program extends far beyond internet marketing. Each owner has full access to current information resources, expertise and tools to ensure that their guest stays are extremely successful. The benefits of booking your accommodations with one of our clients include:
-Informed, educated hosts
-Confirmed legal ownership status of each listing.
-All owners go through a screening and application process. Not all owner-applicants and their properties are accepted into the program.
-The consumer knows what they are getting: all properties are extensively profiled on owner's personal web sites.
-Access to discounted services such as lift tickets and ground transportation.
-Access to travel planning tools on AlluraDirect.com
-Access to Allura Accommodations staff to receive customer feedback,
answer your questions and to investigate customer complaints.
-A corporate commitment to empowering the consumer
-Clearly defined corporate policies which enforce a high code of conduct and service |
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| Policies |
| Q : What are AlluraDirect's Policies? |
| A : Owners in the Allura Accommodations program enjoy significant benefits and privileges. Neither our clients, nor our corporate advertisers have an interest in losing their status as a member of our service. The following policies set a standard of conduct among owners and businesses in our program:
Allura Accommodations Ltd. will fully investigate customer complaints only against individuals, properties and service providers listed on it's web site, and will de-list an individual, property or a business with a history of more than two legitimate customer complaints spanning 12 months.
Allura Accommodations Ltd. will not investigate any complaints against properties, businesses or individuals not profiled on AlluraDirect.com, even if the individual, property or business was referred by an Allura Accommodations Ltd. owner.
Allura Accommodations Ltd. profiles properties being managed exclusively by an owner, or an agent exclusive to an owner. Any individuals who market unlisted properties under the auspices of Allura Accommodations Ltd., or as result of an inquiry generated by Allura Accommodations Ltd., or who is acting in the capacity of a rental manager or reservations agent, will be de-listed from the program.
Allura Accommodations Ltd. will immediately de-list owners who refer guests outside of Allura Accommodations Ltd. without the guest's consent. |
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| Q : What policies do owners have? |
| A : All owners have different policies. This section reflects some of the typical situations you will encounter when reserving directly with an owner.
-Some owners accept payment by personal cheque in the currency of the guest's choice. Exchange rates are usually taken from the owner's bank's web site for the day the reservation is requested. The rate quoted is the buy rate for a personal cheque in the currency in question. Your host should always quote the URL and the date for the exchange rate quoted.
-Most owners will require a percentage as a deposit payable immediately, and a post-dated cheque for the balance of payment, dated anywhere from 30-60 days prior to arrival. If the reservation is made within 30 days, most owners will require 100% of the payment up front.
If paying by credit card, NEVER give your credit card number in an e-mail message. Always use credit card numbers in secure areas only.
If paying by credit card, ensure that you make your final payment according to the owner's instructions to avoid losing your reservation. |
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| Q : What is the cancellation policy? |
| A : Most properties differ in cancellation policies; check with the owner directly. |
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| Reservation Tips |
| Q : What is the best way to make an inquiry? |
| A : Use the Search Tools and be as specific as possible. This will limit the amount of useless responses from owners who have properties that you are not interested in. |
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| Q : If I submit a request, what types' of responses will I receive? |
| A : - You will receive your first responses within 0-12 hours: check your e-mail frequently
- To maximize your choices, allow for 24-36 hours to receive ALL the responses matching your requirements. Sometimes the best match will not always be found in the first response; review all e-mail responses.
- If you do not receive a response for a specific property within 36 hours, that property is not available for the time you have requested, or you have used an incorrect e-mail address. Please re-submit your inquiry to another owner
- Always check the property details on AlluraDirect.com to ensure that they are legitimate, and to view comprehensive photos and details.
- All properties in the Allura Accommodations program are profiled on AlluraDirect.com If your inquiry from AlluraDirect.com leads to referrals to web sites marketing other, unlisted properties, you have been referred to a rental manager or reservations agent against your wishes. Please contact us immediately so that we may address the problem. We will not investigate complaints against properties, individuals or businesses not listed on AlluraDirect.com but will determine how your information was misdirected and take appropriate action to correct the problem. |
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| Q : What can I expect when making a reservation? |
| A : - When you have decided on which property you would like to book, confirm your intention to reserve it with the owner.
- Prior to payment, always get a reservation letter via fax, mail or e-mail detailing your arrival and departure dates, the payment procedure, how much you owe and when payments are due, and the owner's policies and procedures.
- Some owners will require you to sign a contract.
- Not all owners accept the same forms of payment. |
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| Q : What can I expect for a damage deposit? |
| A : - A typical damage deposit will be in the range of $300-$500 Canadian dollars
- Damage deposits are generally payable with the balance of payment and are fully refunded pending no damage, and timely delivery of keys back to the owner.
- Damage deposits are usually not refunded in cases of excessive cleaning charges, smoking or significant property damage. |
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| GST (Goods & Services Tax) |
| Q : What is GST (Goods & Services Tax)? |
| A : - GST is a 7% surtax on all goods and services consumed in Canada.
Most property owners charge the GST in concordance with Canadian law.
- GST on accommodation is 100% refundable to non-Canadian residents.
- GST paid on package prices is only 50% refundable; there is usually no difference on the refund derived from package prices versus vacations planned independently.
- If your receipt from a package vacation is not itemized accurately, your refund will not be processed.
In order to get your refund in a timely manner, you will require an original receipt and a GST refund form. |
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| Reservation Confirmation |
| Q : Will I receive a reservation confirmation? |
| A : Always receive written confirmation that your payment was received. |
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| Receipts |
| Q : Will I get a receipt? |
| A : Always obtain an original receipt which contains the following information:
- Your arrival and departure dates.
How much you paid in Canadian dollars.
- The owner's GST number.
- The owner's mailing address and telephone number. |
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| Typical Procedures |
| Q : What can I expect when booking a property through AlluraDirect.com? |
| A : Upon confirming with an owner that you would like to reserve their property, the following should occur:
- The owner issues you a reservation letter.
- Payment is submitted.
- You receive written confirmation of payment.
- Final payment is made.
- You receive directions, access instructions and keys if necessary, emergency contact numbers, resort information, an original receipt and a GST refund form. |
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| Owner Legitimacy |
| Q : How can I confirm an owner's legitimacy? |
| A : As a potential guest, you have the right to pursue additional avenues to confirm an owner's legitimacy. These include:
- Confirming an owner's individual membership with Tourism Whistler.
- Obtaining references from previous guests.
- Contacting info@alluradirect.com for additional information. All properties on AlluraDirect.com are title-searched, and each application undergoes revision. |
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| AlluraDirect.com Vacations Ltd. |
| Q : How can I check out AlluraDirect.com? |
| A : Allura Accommodations Ltd. is a registered British Columbia corporation: Number 571138
Member of the Tourism Whistler: 604-938-2718
Member of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce: 604-932-5528
Whistler Business License: 604-932-5535
Address: 153 West 22nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 2G2
Telephone Number: 604-873-1419
E-mail: info@alluradirect.com |
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| Join Allura! |
| Q : How can I join AlluraDirect.com? |
| A : Click on Join on the website or contact info@alluradirect.com for more details. |
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| Find a Resort |
| Q : How do I find a resort? |
| A : Look on the sitemap |
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| Q : I have never been to Whistler, Sun Peaks or Big White - which resort is the best? |
| A : All the resorts are set up to suit the needs of almost any clientele, including non-skiers! We encourage you to view each site and decide for yourself! |
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| New Destinations |
| Q : What other destinations are you considering? |
| A : You name it! |
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| Q : How do I add my destination? |
| A : Click on List Your Destination or contact kerri@alluradirect.com for more details. |
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| Discount Card |
| Q : What is the Allura Discount Card? |
| A : Allura has developed a Discount Card that offers savings for guests of Allura. The cost is $21.95 and is only available in Whistler. For more information, please view the Whistler site. |
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