Attention Amex Cardholders In the US & UK: Prices Drop Every 20 Minutes on Luxury Vacation Packages; You Bid When Price Is Right

OK, here's the deal American Express is offering its cardholders in the US and UK every weekday from April 17-April 27: Each day at 11 a.m. Eastern time, Amex will post on line a five-star travel package to destinations such as Florence, South Africa, and Antarctica.  Every 20 minutes, the price of those packages will decline by an unspecified amount--Amex is keeping that a secret.  When you think the price is right, you can buy the package with a few clicks on your computer keyboard. 

Unlike some sites that sell or auction last-minute travel packages, this offer has a nice twist: You have at least six months, or in some cases, up to 12 months, to choose the time you want to travel.  You must use an American Express card to make your purchase should you win a package.

This is not the first time Amex has held a "declining price" auction, and previous ones have sold out before a package is removed from sale at 7 p.m. Eastern time each day. The good news is, there is more than one of each package trip available, so there can be several winners of each package.  Amex estimates winning bidders at last year's "Going Once" auction realized an average savings of 37% compared to retail prices.   

Beginning next week, on April 2, Amex will also post for viewing a limited supply of fixed-price travel packages at cardmember-only prices, all priced below $3,000. You can begin purchasing them on April 17, and they'll remain available until they're sold out or April 30, whichever comes first.  Details also available on the "Going Once" website.

Except for the interesting package vacation involving a luxurious recreational vehicle, all the packages in the declining-price auction are for two people traveling together and include airfare from the US or UK. Here are a few examples of what will be available:

• For adventure: A 12-night voyage around Antarctica with expert guides and lecturers.  The winner of this package will be flown from New York (other departure cities are available) to Santiago, where you'll spend a day and a night.  Then on to Ushuaia where you'll board your ship--you'll have an upper deck, outside cabin.  Starting price: $13,198.
• For R&R: A seven-night trip for two to the West Indies island of Canouan.  Included: Round-trip airfare from Miami or Gatwick and seven nights at Raffles Resort in a junior suite with an ocean view.  Starting price for US travelers: $7,740.
• For a safari: Airfare to Capetown, South Africa, from London's Heathrow or New York's JFK airport on South African Airways.  Spend four nights at the Table Bay Hotel right on Capetown's waterfront.  Take a tour of the nearby gorgeous wine country and tarry over lunch at a wine estate.  Then spend three nights tracking game in a Range Rover at the Idube Private Game Reserve in Kruger park. Return via Johannesburg.  Starting price is $7,985 for US-based travelers; retail price is $12,400.
• See the USA: The most unusual package is the use of an ultra-luxurious recreational vehicle fit for a rock star with four bedrooms and flat-screen TVs.  You'll receive $500 in gas money and a $250 credit for groceries.  Then the two of you and six of your best friends will have nine nights to travel anywhere around the US your heart desires.  Oh, and you can pick up and drop off the RV almost wherever you want when your trip is over--you don't have to return it to your starting point.  Beginning price: $14,257.
• Other packages include trips to Orlando, the Greek islands, Florence, Hong Kong, and the Riviera Maya.