Kagehitokiri

Time - Price - Page views

1200 - $11,000 - 10 trips available
1220 - $10,450 - 115,465 page views
1240 - $9,927
1300 - $9,629 - 120,039 page views
1320 - $9,340
1340 - $9,153
1400 - $8,787
1420 - $8,524
1440 - $8,353 - 131,303 page views
1500 - $8,186 - 133,539 page views
1520 - $7,859 - 135,484 page views (pretty sure 2 sold here)
1540 - $7,701 - 137,657 page views
1600 - $7,470 - 140,092 page views (2 sold here)
1620 - $7,246 - 142,100 page views (6 sold here)

and were done, about 90 seconds before the next drop

$7,246 is .66 of $11,000
so a .33 drop after 4.33 hours

DC4MS

This was an awesome auction and a lot of fun to watch.

Most of the sales were at the $7,246 price point and they sold 6 during that time slot and the last one was sold at 16:38 or 2 minutes before the next price drop.

After the auction ended, an ad screen popped up advertising $15,000 off Ultimate Escapes membership.

--------------------------
Here is the web link to the offer.
American Express Selects

Ultimate Escapes(SM)
GET UP TO $15,000 OFF MEMBERSHIP AND MORE.

Join one of the fastest growing destination clubs with over 80 destinations and hundreds of properties worldwide.

Ultimate Escapes(SM) members have private access to a growing portfolio of beautifully appointed luxury residences with Five-Star concierge service in more destinations than any other club.

As an American Express® Cardmember, Ultimate Escapes(SM) offers you a four percent savings on your club membership-a savings of up to $15,000—plus an additional 7 days club use in your first year of membership, when you join Ultimate Escapes(SM) using any American Express Card by August 31, 2008. Memberships start at $125,000.

Offer Valid 1 June 2008 - 31 August 2008
Terms and Conditions
To receive this offer, purchase must be charged in full to any American Express® Card.

Offer valid online or by phone only through August 31, 2008. Promotion must be mentioned at time of purchase to receive savings. Offer is valid for 4% off club membership up to a maximum of $15,000. Memberships start at $125,000. May only be combined with double Membership Rewards® points offer from American Express and may not be combined with any other promotions/offers/savings. Offer is not redeemable for cash. Other restrictions may apply.

DC4MS

Kage...thanks for keeping the prices updated.

Here is my short analysis of this program:

Assume average package sold at $7,500
Assume 4x plane tickets are worth about $2,000
Assume the mid sized car rental is worth $500
Assume excursion is worth $500

Thus, the cost of the UE accommodations was about $4,500 for 7 nights = $643 per night.

The wildcard is ----- which house do you get???

This is a great purchase for someone interested in visiting Tahoe and gives fantastic exposure to Ultimate Escapes. If someone is able to book the Elite home, then this is an unbelievable fantastic deal. If someone books a Signature home, then it is a outstanding deal. If someone books the Premiere home, then is is still a very good deal.

This is a win-win-win promotion where everyone wins. Bravo to UE for participating in a interesting and fun promotion.

If they get one new member as a result of the 10 trips sold, then that is a good promotion. Also, there were about 144,200 page views and this is additional branding and promoting for UE.

Hopefully, someone will report on who the winners were and get a trip report.

Kagehitokiri

i wouldnt want to pay that for the 2BR condo... although in decent season i guess it would be ok value for their property? the 5BR house OTOH would be a great deal.

i dont remember what their cabo packages went for. but it was 3/4BR (6 people) there. airfare there would have been a lot more valuable too.

maybe tahoe is a destination they know they have extra availability for, as well.

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re that discount, its similar to what amex has offered with ER, LRW, etc.

huge amex/ER discount at one point recently >
ER also offered ~2X amex membership rewards when charging deposit at one point.

ER is the only one i know to offer a dues discount ($1K/yr off to centurion cardholders)