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Things You Should Know Before We Go On Sale
A Better Way to Book
We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new Blue October Getaway booking system, built by our own team specifically for these events. It’s easier to use, clearer to navigate, and designed to make your booking experience as smooth as possible.
This new platform streamlines every step - from managing payments to sharing your travel details - so we can make sure your trip is seamless from start to finish.
We believe it will make the entire process simpler and more reliable for you - and, honestly, a monumental improvement for us behind the scenes too.
Booking by Room
All accommodations are sold by room, not by person. Each room rate includes up to two guests (double occupancy). Some room types can accommodate additional guests for an added fee, which will be noted in those specific room descriptions.
Additional guest add-ons will not be available when rooms first go on sale. We’ll reach out later to guests in eligible room types with details on how to add more people to their reservation, if they so desire.
Transfers, Excursions & Airfare
Airport transfers and excursions will not be available to book immediately. Our travel services providers for Portugal are finalizing some great options that will open for booking at a later date.
Please remember that airfare is not included, and each guest is responsible for booking their own flights to Faro International Airport - Gago Coutinho (FAO) or Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon (LIS).
Stay in the Loop
All official communications about the Portugal Getaway will come from updates@blueoctober.com and (833) 691-1570.
To ensure you don’t miss important trip details, please add this email address to your safe sender list or whitelist it with your provider and save our phone number in your contacts.
Payment Options
You’ll have two ways to pay for your trip:
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Pay In Full – Pay your total balance upfront and receive a discount for doing so.
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Installment Plan – Make a down payment followed by five additional payments spread over time.
Booking Multiple Rooms
Our system allows you to book one room at a time. If your group needs multiple rooms, we recommend multiple people booking simultaneously to improve your chances of getting your preferred room types.
Waitlists
We will maintain a Priority Waitlist of up to 10 individuals, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Joining the Priority Waitlist requires a $500 non-refundable deposit, which serves as a guaranteed hold should a room become available for you. The Waitlist will open once a trip is fully sold out.
By purchasing a Priority Waitlist spot, you agree to accept any available room type at or below the VIP Garden View King. Priority Waitlist positions will be honored in chronological order.
If a room becomes available, we will contact the next person on the Priority Waitlist to offer the opportunity to book that room. If the available room is a VIP Garden View King or lower and you choose to decline it, your waitlist deposit will be forfeited and we will move to the next person. If the available room is a VIP Pool View King or higher and you decline, your position on the waitlist will remain, and we will move down the list with the Suite offer.
Each time a higher room category becomes available, we will also reach out to former waitlist participants who have already purchased rooms to give them first priority for upgrading to the higher room type, based on availability and their original position on the waitlist.
If we are unable to place you in a room by 30 days prior to the trip, your Priority Waitlist payment will be refunded in full.
Why We Charge for the Priority Waitlist
This past year, a significant number of waitlist requests came from individuals who were not ready to commit when rooms became available, resulting in lost time and missed opportunities for others who were prepared to book. The Priority Waitlist deposit ensures that those on the list are serious and ready to attend the Getaway if a room becomes available.
General Waitlist
We will also maintain a General Waitlist, a no-cost list for people interested in being notified if additional rooms open. Those on the General Waitlist will be contacted via email or SMS only if the Priority Waitlist has been fully exhausted. At that point, available rooms will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cancellations
All trip purchases are final and non-refundable. We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance, which can be obtained through our travel services provider, Travel Abundance, or other reputable third-party providers.
While we are not obligated to cancel and refund your reservation, we may, at our sole discretion, do so for a cancellation fee. The following schedule outlines the potential cancellation fees that may apply:
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240+ days prior to arrival: $750 cancellation fee
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180 – 239 days prior to arrival: 25% cancellation fee
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120 – 179 days prior to arrival: 50% cancellation fee
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60 – 119 days prior to arrival: 75% cancellation fee
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Less than 60 days prior to arrival: 100% cancellation fee
Why We Charge Cancellation Fees
Each reservation involves significant non-refundable expenses on our end, including resort commitments, vendor deposits, credit card processing fees, and staff time. Additionally, when you reserve a room, it is removed from inventory and may prevent another guest from booking that room. If you later cancel, it may not be possible for us to resell it.
For these reasons, cancellation fees are necessary to offset the costs and lost opportunities associated with cancellations. Please make sure you are prepared for the commitment before booking and consider travel insurance should the unexpected happen.
Reservation Transfers
You may transfer your reservation to another guest for a fee. The transfer fee is equal to 5% of the total amount you have paid toward your reservation, plus $500.
We maintain a Priority Waitlist for individuals who wish to attend but were unable to secure a room. When a reservation becomes available, we will reach out to those on the waitlist to see if they are interested. If a match is found, both parties will receive a transfer agreement for digital signature, under which the new buyer assumes all responsibility for the remaining payments. Once the new buyer’s payment is completed, we will refund the original guest’s payments, less the 5% transfer fee and $500 administrative fee.
There is no guarantee that we will be able to locate a buyer for your reservation. You are also welcome to find your own buyer, in which case we will facilitate the transfer using the same process and fees.
Why We Charge for Reservation Transfers
Transfers require non-refundable processing and administrative expenses on our end, including credit card fees, staff time, and legal costs associated with preparing and executing the transfer documentation. Additionally, room transfers are time intensive and involve extensive communication and coordination between all parties to ensure a smooth and accurate handover.
The transfer fee helps offset these unavoidable costs.
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