Banyan Tree Ultimate Getaways 2: Up to 80% off prepaid stay certificates

Back in April 2020, Banyan Tree launched an “Ultimate Getaways” sale, offering up to 78% off prepaid stay certificates of 3 days 2 nights each. 

Banyan Tree has now launched a second sale, which runs from now till 4 September 2020 (10 p.m SGT). This features an expanded range of properties (30 now, versus 12 the previous time), with discounts of up to 80% off.

Keep in mind, however, that your actual savings will vary depending on the dates you choose to stay. 

Banyan Tree “Ultimate Getaways 2” Deals

Here’s the rules for Banyan Tree’s new voucher sale:

• All certificates are valid for two people for a 3D 2N stay, and include all applicable taxes and service charges
• Certificates are non-refundable
• Daily breakfast for 2 is included
• Stays are redeemable until 20 December 2021, with a no-extension policy
• Back-to-back stays are allowed if you buy multiple certificates. 

I’ve compiled the 30 hotel offers below. Where applicable, I’ve also added the equivalent price during the previous sale. 

Are these vouchers worth buying?

For the 12 properties which were available the last time round, all prices have increased- some slightly, others more so. 

The biggest increases are for the Angsana properties in the Maldives, although that’s on account of full board and alcohol packages being added to the vouchers. However, other prices have increased with no commensurate addition in benefits, such as the Banyan Tree Phuket and Banyan Tree Lang Co. 

So it’s certainly less attractive than before, but that doesn’t make it an unattractive deal, in and of itself. Check the rates being offered on the official site and see how much you end up saving. 

The other concern I have is that even though this sale comes four months after the previous, there’s been no corresponding extension in the validity period. Vouchers purchased during Ultimate Getaways 2 will expire on 20 December 2021, same as the previous batch. 

Although I’m cautiously optimistic about leisure travel within South East Asia opening up by Q2 2021, I think it’s only fair to give current buyers a runway equal to the previous sale. That’s all the more so given the T&Cs state that extensions are not allowed. 

What card should you use to buy Banyan Tree vouchers?

Banyan Tree vouchers will code as online foreign currency hotel spending. You can use the following cards to maximize your miles:

	Earn Rate	Remarks
UOB Visa Signature Apply here	4 mpd	Min S$1K, Max S$2K FCY spend per s. month
DBS Woman’s World Card Apply here	4 mpd	Cap S$2K per c. month
UOB Lady’s Card* Apply here	4 mpd	Max S$1K per c. month
UOB Lady’s Solitaire* Apply here	4 mpd	Max S$3K per c. month
HSBC Revolution Apply Here	4 mpd	Max S$1K per c. month, must use contactless
DBS Altitude Apply Here	3 mpd	Max S$5K per c. month
SCB Visa Infinite	3 mpd	Min S$2K per s. month
S. Month= Statement Month | C. Month= Calendar Month *Must choose travel as quarterly bonus category

Conclusion

I already bought a couple of certificates for the Banyan Tree Lang Co during the previous sale, so I’ll be sitting this one out. The prices this time round are less attractive, and Banyan Tree doesn’t seem willing to give extensions beyond December 2021. 

As with all prepaid certificates, you’ll need to look at the rates for your intended stay dates and decide whether the savings are worth it. Remember- you’ll be tying up your cashflow, and there’s always a non-zero risk of the company going under. Only buy if the savings are substantial enough to warrant the risk.