In December 2011, I said I would like to vist a 5-star resort in Jamaica for one week with my son. I specifically said I wanted to pay less than $2,000 for BOTH my son and I. This would seem near impossible since 5-star resorts in Jamaica, in the winter, are typically starting at around $1,500 per person.

I booked off vacation time from work for Feb 27, 2012-Mar 2, 2012, got a passport for my son and started shopping for my trip. I searched and searched for a vacation package and I couldn’t find one in my price range that was 5 star. In fact, I couldn’t even find a 3 star in Jamaica for under $1,000.

I was ready to give up and on February 18, 2012 I attempted to book a vacation online to Panama that was in my price range. The website had a glitch and I couldn’t book onlie so I called the toll-free number to speak with a travel agent. She was surprised to get my call since it was 11 pm and she said the phone lines shut off at 8 pm but she said she would book my trip anyway.

I told her I would like to book a vacation to Panama and as she was preparing to book it, I began telling her of my first wish for a Jamaican resort but explained I couldn’t find one to suit my price so I decided to go to Panama instead. She told me she just cancelled a vacation to a 5 star resort in Jamaica and the price had been reduced from $1,500 per person to $935 per person. Now, my son and I are off to Jamaica to escape winter in Canada for one week. Thank you!