Using pre-paid B&B vouchers in Ireland

I have used these. You also should get a directory of B&Bs that accept them when you book. They are a good deal for the consumer, but not such a good deal for the B&B owner. I had a long conversation with one of my hosts (on a trip when I was not using vouchers), and she told me that B&B owners look at them as a necessary evil. It can take weeks and weeks for an owner to be reimbursed by the company, yet they are paying for your breakfast, utilities, etc., right now. They feel that they have to accept them because voucher users are a big source of income in the slow season, and if they don't take them they miss out on the business that keeps them running during that time (of course, many B&Bs close over the winter).

Be aware that, though you say you are guaranteed a room with private bath, this sometimes costs extra. We stayed at one place that charged an additional (small) amount for having an ensuite room, which we were not told until we were ready to leave.

And you do still have to book your own places. On our voucher trip, we started by booking places via email before we left. Unfortunately, a foot and mouth epidemic in England that year meant that Ireland imposed strict regulations on people traveling in rural areas, and one of our B&Bs was closed. We had to find a place on the fly (not a problem). In another case, our B&B "lost" our reservation and gave away two of our three rooms to a party of golfers who were -- coincidentally, I'm sure -- paying cash.

There are thousands of B&Bs to choose from, true. But I got the feeling that any time they could get a cash-paying customer instead, they would. And sometimes, particularly during shoulder and off-season, you get a better price for paying cash.

About the only advantage I can think of for using vouchers is simply being able to have that part of your trip paid for before you go. I'm not sure if it's that much of a cost advantage, because I don't know the voucher prices.

We used vouchers the first time we went to Ireland but decided that it wasn't the best way to go. We found several places we wanted to stay that didn't accept vouchers so had to go elsewhere. The next time we just paid as we went. We also went in the fall and didn't book before we left except for our first night and never had a problem finding a nice B & B. We did call ahead a day or so a few times especially for a weekend. Have a wonderful trip.

To clariry, you need to FIND your own places -- you don't need to book ahead just because you are using vouchers.

Thanks All, for your advice. You have confirmed what I was thinking. I just wanted to hear from some seasoned travelers.

Happy Travels.

I think one of the biggest advantages to not using vouchers is that B&B owners are very willing to call ahead for you.If you have a place in mind they will call and many times they have B&B owners,who are friends of theirs that they can call.I wouldnt use the vouchers.