Anchovy Front gave us the great info. on www.bancotel.es Well, they've JUST put their 2001-2 availibility on line and I've already reserved 5 nights!!! at amazing prices. When you go to the availibility screen, click on the number 1 at the left and it will take you to the 2001-2 calendar. I want to buy the bancotel coupons at a travel agency in spain, as they recommend... where??? I really don't want to do it by mail. Advice? Thanks! and enjoy this great deal!!

Bancotel is very extended, you should be able to buy a checkbook in most travel agencies you find on Madrid streets excepting, Viajes el corte ingles agencies, because they have a similar system of their own, bonotel.

Nativo, do you think I can buy them in La Corun~a at most travel agencies? If you know of any with a website, i'd appreciate the info... thanks!

I think you should be able to buy them in most agencies in La Coruña. In any case, an easy way to reach travel agencies in Spain, is getting to the www.yahoo.es viajes area, there is a relatively wide directory of travel agencies site.

Viajes Halcon has also a similar program, it is called weekend plan and it is supossed to have less limitations than the other plans, I never used it though.

Glad you're taking advantage, rgf. I actually bought a voucher for the book of cheques (you exchange the voucher for the cheques at the first hotel you stay at) at Viajes Halcon in Salamanca, in spite of that travel agent having their own scheme, as Nativo says.

In fact, I've bought quite a few Bancotel vouchers in the past and think I've only been back to the same travel agent twice. Every one I've tried always sells them, so you won't have any trouble.

[This message has been edited by Anchovy Front (edited 03-02-2001).]

That's good to hear, Anchovy Front. There is a HALCON viajes in La Corunya. The rates with this bonos are over half price off the already discounted weekend fares. I'm so happy! Have you used the bonos outside of Spain? They have them, for example, for New York hotels. That would be weird to show up at the Sheraton with my bancotel coupons from Spain and my Buffalo accent....

It's so nice to make someone happy! I've used them in Portugal and Spain only. If you are using them outside of Portugal, Spain and Andorra, you must already have the book of cheques ie you have to exchange your voucher first at a hotel in these countries.

How does a Buffalo talk, by the way?

AF-- and how do I know the hotel will actually have the coupon book? Why doesn't the agency just sell the book instead of a voucher? Weird. A Buffalo talks through its snout.

It's just the way they operate. It doesn't make much sense to me either, but each time I've exchanged the voucher, the hotel always has a new book, out of which they take the first one (or more depending on how many nights you're staying) and gives you the remainder back.

This next bit should be read in an English Cockney accent.....What's the difference between a buffalo and a bison? Answer.....You can't wash yer 'ands in a buffalo.

Methinks we'll need a fellow Brit to explain that one......!

Anchovy Front-- Sink the bison pun already! (oh, no, here comes MM to chastise me again for puns!).

I have some Bancotel questions...

First, it looks from their website like they don't have anything posted about NEXT year's Bancotel books (the ones that will be in effect after March of 2004). Does anyone know when the new books come out? I want to plan a trip for next summer.

And that leads to my next question--is it worthwhile to try to use Bancotel for July or August? Is the availability too limited?

Thanks!

I've been using bancotel vouchers for two or three years now. They work great, and you can check in their website ( BANCOTEL ) where can you get the 5 vouchers books. You can pay online and they'll mail them to you. So if you're not in a hurry this can be your answer. You can also make the reservation in the website after you register in it.
I've used this vouchers at the Hesperia Hotel in Córdoba, a 4 star hotel with a breathtaking view. They only charged 1 voucher (50 euros each) for a double room that normally costs above 100.
You have to pay taxes in the hotel, so add about 4 euros per voucher.
I also had the same question about next year, so I sent an e-mail and they told me they won't have their 2004-2005 plan until march 2004, they don't know the prices (although they've had the same price since 2000) or which hotels will still be afiliated to them.
Hope this information is useful.