I would assume one is for early phase registration (101domains - May 1-7), and one is general registration (gandi - May 8). If the domain isn't registered in the early phase, you'll be in line to have it registered on May 8.

It looks like it, indeed.

I was confused because gandi and 101domains did not explicitly state the phase. And gandi took my money and deducted it from my account but apparently did not actually obtain the domain yet.

I noticed this too. Has the domain actually been registered with Gandi yet?

Maybe 13k gets you a fully registered domain, and the £650 is like buying an option or a chance to be in the running.

Gandi was super intransparent about the phase and what they are actually selling.

Indeed, Gandi did not actually obtain the domain. But merely offered to try to bid with the money once the price of the domain reached that point where it was available for that price.

In my case, that failed. The domain was purchased by someone else at a higher price.

I now have to fight to get my money back into my bank account. Gandi made their life extra hard by not being fully transparent.