A prebook is a $250 deposit that lets you book a Bender Jamboree package before the general public are allowed to purchase. This allows you first crack at all the room types, from the best suites, to the most economical options. Here's how it works:
The Bender Jamboree typically goes on sale a few months after the current event. This means there is a window of a few months between the Benders where you can put down a $250 deposit to indicate your interest in attending the next Bender, regardless of the lineup. Prebook sales are halted the day before we announce the lineup.
Depending on the volume of prebooks sold, the prebooks are divided into groups, and each group is given a time window in which they are allowed to book, prior to general on sale. Groups are assigned based on when you buy your prebook. If you buy one the first day they are offered, you will be in the earliest group. If you buy it later, you may be in a later group.
Example of an on sale with two prebook groups. (These dates do not necessarily reflect the sales dates) Prebook purchasers are sent a unique "Token." This is a code that allows you to enter the booking engine at your prescribed time. Tokens can not be shared or transferred. Once you use your token and enter the booking system, it can not be re-used again!
When it is your time to book, your $250 will appear as a credit (transfer) in your Bender Reservation account and will be applied against your purchase. If you decide that you do not want to attend the Bender after all you can refund your $250, less a $25 fee, or you can leave your credit in place for a future Bender. The prebook deposit is refundable (minus Admin fee) until 30 days before the event. Refund requests past 90 days of purchasing a prebook deposit will be refunded in the form of a company check. Within 30 days of the event, the deposit is no longer refundable and will remain on the account as a credit that can be used towards the purchase of a package or 4-Day wristband.
Please note that the prebook deposit is NOT a ticket to the event.