Gilt Groupe's Travel Sample Sales Focus on NYC with Launch of 'Gilt City'

　　

　　Chain up your credit cards, because Gilt Groupe—the members-only luxury sample sale site that offers deals on everything from Alexander McQueendresses to vacations in the Maldives—is getting bigger. Please welcome Gilt City into the fold, their Groupon-like site for purchasing dining deals and experiences for a fraction of their price. Currently it's only focused on New York City, but as more people find out about it and sell out deals like this week's dinner for two at Rouge Tomate, we expect the cities will expand.

　　We've talked about Gilt and their travel sample sale site Jetsetter.com a fair bit here at Jaunted, and there's a good reason: they've created a whole new way to browse and shop for deals. It's a completely curated system that doesn't inundate you with too much choice and too little information. Several sales per week whip buyers into a frenzy and similarly educate about the hotels or designer fashion labels. We like it.

　　And now that Jetsetter has a direct competitor in the newly-launched Vacationist.com, Gilt is upping the ante with Gilt City.

　　To access the deals on Gilt City, or on any Gilt Groupe site, you must be a "member." It's completely free to join, but you have to know someone who is already on the inside. Like us. Here's a membership link to join right away. Current offerings at Gilt City include buying $20 worth of 16 Handles frozen yogurt for only $8, pay $175 for a wine workshop that usually costs $325, and paying $30 for a 3-step hair treatment at an upscale New York salon, where it usually costs $60.

　　All of these options sound like amazing deals for New York tourists who want the full NYC experience, and we're extremely curious to see what other goodies Gilt has up their sleeves.

　　In case you're confused about the sites, here's our complete Gilt Groupe breakdown:

　　· Gilt: The original. All luxury designer womenswear and accessories, with occasional kids and home goods sales

　　· Gilt Man: Luxury designer menswear sales

　　· Gilt Fuse: Lower-priced, younger womenswear and accessories sales

　　· Jetsetter: Upscale hotel and vacation package sales

　　· Gilt City: Currently NYC-focused deals on dining, beauty, services and events.