NO AMEX DISCOUNT FOR DVC MEMBERS THIS IS DISNEY's POLICY and verified BY MEMBER SERVICES!

[minimahaki]

A DVC Member friend of mine returned from a recent WDW vacation. He was informed that he was no longer entitled to the American Express Discount of 20% at Downtown Disney because he is a DVC Member. Can anyone explain WHY this benefit was eliminated?

I JUST CALLED AMEX AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A MERCHANT'S POLICY AND NOT AMERICAN EXPRESSES!

I just called Member services and yes they verified the no AMEX Discount for DVC Members staying on points.
I will be calling my guide to get her input.



Lauretta
DVC Member since May, 1993
<IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

[This message was edited by minimahaki on 04-25-01 at 08:31 AM.

[This message was edited by minimahaki on 04-25-01 at 11:10 AM.]

[scottarcj]

How would the merchants know they were DVC if paying with AMEX? Did they have to show there guest ID?

Happy ºoº-ing
Alan & Cindy

1991 (Alan) - off-site
1992 - Dixie Landings
1995 - Dolphin
1996 (Alan) - off-site @ DL
1997 - Wilderness Homes & Caribbean Beach
1998 (Alan) - DL-Paris
1998 - DLHotel @ DL
1999 - All Star Sports (purchased DVC)
1999 (Alan) - Tokyo-DL
1999 - Contemporary Tower & BWV (first time as DVC)
2000 - DL-Paris
2001 (planned) - BWV

[Dean]

This has come up before and the discount should apply.

Dean

[Nanajo1]

We were told the Amex discount is only for those with "cash" stays at WDW resorts. You are asked to prove you are staying at WDW resort and then pay with the AMEX. We asked which discount was the best when we were paying, DC or Amex and were told Amex if you are staying at a WDW resort. We told them we were at BW and they rang up the 20% discount. During the conversation we mentioned we were DVC and the CMs said to be quiet because DVCs staying on points were not eligible for the larger discount even if paying with Amex. They could not explain it.I'm thinking of contact Amex. We charge everything to Amex, airfare, all chargeson our room card and I feel we should get rewarded for that

Nanajo DVC 8/98

Offsite 5/78
Contemp 11/85
BWV 3/99
OKW 11/99
BWV 3/01
OKW 11/01

[PamOKW]

This keeps coming up and with different responses. Someone here contacted DVC and was told that we were to get the discount. I agree that maybe getting an answer from AMEX may be the way to go.

[minimahaki]

I just called the Platinum division of American Express and was informed that the policy of DVC members not receiving the 20% discount is a merchant's policy and not American Express's policy. Boy this makes me upset! Being penalized because we are members! This is just not fair!
Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Members since May, 1993 :mad: :mad:

[PamOKW]

Don't get mad, yet. I know someone here (can't find the post) discussed this with DVC and was told we do get the discount. Now we know which side to deal with (Disney) to get an answer.

[DebbieB]

I thought you just had to pay with AmEx and show your resort ID to prove you were staying at a WDW resort, I always got the discount this way (I thought it was 15%, $50 min). About a year ago, I handed my AmEx and resort ID to the CM at WoD and she asked if I had charged my room to AmEX (I was staying at GF that time). I said no and she said to get the discount you have to use AmEx for your room charge to get the discount. <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused"> I then used MKC and got 10%.

[KNWVIKING]

I've plopped down on the counter my AMEX, DC, PAP, DVC card, resort key and simply asked which is best.I've never gotten the 20%, 10% is pretty easy everywhere. One shop would have given the 20% on AMEX if my purchase was over $50.00. The best and most relible discount is at Epcot,in Dec when we purchase the Candle Light Processional dinner package. On the day of your performance you wear a lanyard with appropriate paperwork and get a 15% discount,no arguments,no grief.CM's knowledge of the various discounts ranks right up there with pool hopping.

[LIDisneyFan]

I had the same experience as Debbie B. We would told at OKW 2 weeks ago that you can now only get the discount if you pay cash for your room. If you are charging incidentals to your room, and using points (like I did - by the way, incidentals ran about $1400 this last trip), the discount (Amex's White Glove program) would NOT be applied.

Is it me, or are the serious, consistant issues with communication of policies/benefits for DVC members?

[DVCajun]

I still don't see how the CM would know if you were a DVC member or not. I can see why you wouldn't be able to get BOTH discounts. I can also see why Amex would say it was the merchant's policy-- because it isn't theirs. They probalby don't know what Disney does, they are just saying that because if there is such a policy it must be Disney's and not theirs. I really doubt this is accurate. Sometimes you get a CM who doesn't know what they're talking about. Regardless, you know what discounts you are entitled to (my point is that you don't necessarily need to plop down every card in your wallet for the CM to inspect), and if Amex offers a higher discount than DVC, use it.

Pixie dust!!
http://members.aol.com/DisneyNnut/tink.gif

Audrey

[PamOKW]

Audrey, to get the AMEX discount you have to show your AMEX card and your Disney Resort ID. In the past, this has always included DVC resorts as well. When you show your ID, it is clearly marked "DVC Member". That's how the CM knows.

You are right that you only can use one discount at a time. I've had CMs help me figure out which is the best discount since they change the dollar limits, stores, etc. so often it's sometimes hard to keep track.

If they have taken this WDW resort guest perk away from DVC members, I am not very happy. I think this is more valuable than pool hopping!

[CarolAnnC]

The CM ringing up your sale knows if you are DVC because in order to get the 15% Amex off your $50 or more purchase, you must also show your room key proving you are staying at a WDW Resort. If you are staying on points, it states DVC Member on the key. Interestingly enough, my last visit I was staying a couple of nights on points and several on cash, but check in night was on points, so my room key stated "member". I had to argue the point that the day I was purchasing, I was a cash paying WDW Resort guest. They did give me the Amex 15% however. :)

<font size=4><font color=purple><font face=BrushArt>Carol</font></font></font>
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<font color=purple><font face=tahoma>Co Mod - Cruise Board</font></font>
<font color=FF0066><font face=tahoma>Co-Mod - DVC Board</font><

[LIDisneyFan]

There is some connection to your room bill. If I remember this correctly, Disney approves the discount based upon you paying your room bill with Amex. Therefore, they can deny the discount.

Otherwise, the discount could be used by ANY Amex card holder whether they paid for ANY of their vaction using Amex at all, (or were even staying at a WDW resort)

[godzilla]

<font color=green>
...just last week. We brought our purchases to the WoD cashier and presented our Amex and DVC card. We were politely told that the DVC/Amex 20% discount only is applicable if you are staying at a DVC resort as a guest and not as a member!!

Now, where did this policy come from?? I explained that we've received the discount before but our claims were shot down on all points (no pun intended! :)).

I agree that there should be a clarification from DVC, AMEX, WoD or a combination of all three as I'm getting tired of hearing a different story every time we're down there....

Just my $0.02 ... FWIW

-g
</font>

[minimahaki]

Audry
Trust me I suspected this was Disney's policy and not AMEX I made the call this morning.
Lauretta
DVC Member since May. 1993.
:(

[PamOKW]

Since we have been receiving this discount in the past, I think DVC should at least make the members aware of the change. It's ridiculous to have us arguing at the DD stores and to be unsure of what the policy truly is. If we use our AMEX as the card at check-in I don't see any reason not to be entitled to the discount. A few expensive dinners can easily surpass what someone charges to their All-Star discount rate account.

[minimahaki]

I called member services and they verified the fact that we do not get the AMEX discount when we stay at WDW on points. I feel very violated and discriminated against as a DVC member. You know , a few years after we became members (it could have been sooner), they stopped serving munchies at the Gurgling Suitcase. Another member stated on more than one occasion" They got your money now so why should they give you those little extras!" I disagreed with him at that time and told him that as DVC members we are at WDW so frequently we just begin to see through the magic. I reflect back I think of incidents that happened and continue to happen such as this discount and I wonder if this member was correct. Don't misunderstand me, I LOVE MY DVC MEMBERHIP. If it were not for this club I would never be able to travel the way I do. And if I am that unhappy I could sell my points. In fact, if I were to sell my membership I would probably make money. I used to feel special being a DVC Member now I feel discriminated against because I am a member. :(

[PamOKW]

minimahaki I don't like hearing this either. I don't think it's so much that they've got our money as that the "club" has grown so large. We truly used to be treated special but there were less than 25,000 of us then. I'm guessing the number of members is probably heading close to 100,000 these days.

I don't like that they haven't offered us a ticket discount and I really don't like that they are taking this benefit away from us as well. It hits us both as AMEX cardholders and as DVC members.

[tfranci]

We just returned from WDW. We stayed at the Poly using points and did get the AMEX discount by showing our resort ID.

[PamOKW]

Aaargh! Glad to hear you got the discount TFranci.

[LIDisneyFan]

So, if you stay at a DVC reosrt using points, you DON'T get the discount, but if you stay at a Disney Collection hotel you DO?

Is anyone else confused out there? I mean, besides Member Services and the hotel desks?

I know the number of members is getting large, but part of our dues pay for these people to be able to properly communicate to us rights/privileges and benefits.

[This message was edited by LIDisneyFan on 04-25-01 at 01:22 PM.]

[minimahaki]

tfranci
Glad you got yout discount.
My DVC Friend had a $1,500 bill and got no discount becasue he was a DVC Member. I can't wait until my guide calls me back.
Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Members since May, 1993 :cool:

[minimahaki]

LI DISNEY FAN
I realize that the club size has grown to over 100,000 but come on, how much money is Disney going to loose allowing the DVC members to have this discount. The markup on this merchandise is remarkable. Have you ever had the Privilege of attending one of the CM only sales they have so much extra merchandise and it is marked down to extremely low prices.I think they can afford to give us members this discount. Disney is a billion-dollar industry and we the DVC members should stand out as special guests when we visit WDW!

Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Members since May, 199

[LIDisneyFan]

minimahaki,

I agree - the discount probably costs Disney nothing. It should not be discontinued. My only point was that my dues money goes toward people whose job it is to communicate to us members, and I don't think they're doing that very well recently.

I am also frustrated that I didn't get the discount 2 weeks ago staying at OKW, but others did staying at the Poly. This just doesn't seem right.

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

I am the one that had the problem back in Jan. with the %15 discount with AmEx at WDW. You can look at my past posts on this subject, but in short after calls to MS and VP of DD they told me that you do get the discount as a member of DVC. The only thing you need to do is to use your AmEX card to cover any charges on your room using your room key. The VP of DD was going to get the word out but it looks like he did not inform anyone. I did go back for one day in March and went to the World of Disney and used my AmEx for a purchase of more than $50, as required to get the discount. They started to tell me that I would not get the discount but after I told them that we did and they could call about it they gave me the discount.
The discount comes from WDW and not from AmEX but I found that if you insist that they verify it you will have little problem. We are entitled to the discount and with the purchases made at DD you can save $$.

[LisaR]

Isn't there anything in writing about this so we can take a copy to show proof of the discount we are entitled to? I know, in light of the pool situation, the things in writting aren't even clear. What if we emailed MS and IF they respond that we DO get the discount, then make a copy to take with us?

When I was there in Feb, I did get the discount, however, the CM told me I wasn't suppose to but he was just in a "good mood". He was a little sarcastic and I almost started to reply in a sarcastic tone myself but I thought, why bother. I am getting the discount, be happy!

Lisa

[Mickies'Girl]

I just got off the phone with member services, I spoke to Jim, the manager on duty today. He told me in order to be eligible for the discount you have to have at least two nights being paid by cash. He said these guide lines come down from the Disney Co. and American Express and DVC has no say in the matter.

I have never used this discount but if I were making a purchase and I felt I should be getting this discount and didn't, I would cancel the purchase. Some people have posted that they spent $1,400-$1,500 and didn't get the discount. I think it may make them think twice if you had cancelled the purchase.

Just my opinion.

http://www.disneyclipart.com/Characters/Minnie_Mouse/minnie12-1932.gif

[LIDisneyFan]

OK, let me try this again now.

You DO get the discount if you pay 2 nights cash,
unless you stay at a Disney Collection hotel where you get the discount anyway, unless, of course the DD employee is 'in a good mood', then you get the discount (and sarcasm too!). Unless, of course, you call a supervisor to call the VP of DD, who can straighten this out!

Unless, of course, the store is at capacity, in which case they have the right to ask you to leave ! ;) ... oh, I'm sorry, I think I'm confusing that with another crystal clear policy.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but c'mon - this shouldn't be so hard for Disney to help us understand

[LisaR]

LIDisneyFan,

Great Response! That made my day!!

Lisa

[minimahaki]

Mickies Girl
The supervisor at members' services gave you a bit of misinformation. AMEX informed me this morning that the policies guiding the discounts made available using the American Express card are made up by the merchant in this case it is the Disney Merchants. I spoke to my guide earlier and this issue is very confusing. My guide WHO IS ABOSOLUTLY WONDERFUL informed me (again) that DVC is constantly negotiating with the Subsidiaries of Disney. For example the Disney Merchants. She also informed me about the two-day cash stay and the ability to get the discounts. I than posed the following incident to her: I am a DVC member staying at a resort with points. She is not a DVC member and booked her WDW vacation with the "JOE SCHMO" Travel agency and is staying on WDW property. We are both in the shop using our AMEX card to pay for a $100 purchase. She is eligible for the discount but I am not because I am a DVC member (am I not being discriminated against because I am a DVC member? AMEX informed me it's the merchants that make up the rules).
After I posed this question to her, I read her the posting by Denis the WDW Menace. She asked me to e-mail that page to member services and have MS forward it to her e-mail I have been out since then and will not be able to get in touch with her until possible Friday. But even she did not have the answer to this situation. She is looking into the situation.
Lauretta
Minimahaki DVC Members since May, 1993

<IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

[TampaDisneyFreaks]

We ran into this problem last fall and got so fed up with it, that we just use the DC discount (even though it is a lower discount, but the threshhold is lower as well). We stayed at BWV on points. We put down AMEX for incidental room charges. We tried to charge on our room key at DD. they wouldn't give us the AMEX discount. I told them that I put down an AMEX card for the room charges, so it should apply. The CM called BWV and spoke to them for about 5 minutes (no exaggeration on the time either). Finally, this is the answer they gave me (and it is in the tiny print on the White Glove treatment AMEX brochures that are all over Disney). The discount is only good if you paid for at least 2 nights room rates on the AMEX card. So we lost on that because we stayed on points. They went on to further explain that even though AMEX was the card used for incidental charges on the room, that did not count. It had to be the actual charge for the room that was on AMEX. At least the CM took the time to call my hotel to verify that AMEX was the card I put down for the incidentals, and then explain it to me. So at least they tried, but still didn't cut me a break. Unfortunately, all CM's do not seem to have the same knowledge of all of the programs and discounts, even though it is their job. We usually show all cards (DVC, DC, PAP, AMEX) and ask which gives the better discount, however there have been times where I happened to remember which was best and had to correct the CM. There were times where a CM flat out told us that there was no DVC discount, but once I got back to the room or home where I could look it up, sure enough a discount was listed for DVC members. Disney, DVD, DVC, etc. all need to communicate better to their CM's to explain the discounts and how they work, as well as to their PAYING customers.

[PamOKW]

Minimahaki I'm with you 100%. I don't understand why Joe Schmo (sorry Joe) who got a discount and is staying at the All-Star for $49 per night should get a discount that we who have paid to join DVC and continue to pay our dues are not entitled to. Also, why have we been entitled to this discount for the last 8 years and suddenly no longer entitled to it?

[minimahaki]

OK I have a question.
I have not had a cash stay at Disney for a few years so something may have changed. If I have the two-night stay at Disney with Cash, is it indicated on my resort ID? I hardly ever charge my shopping excursions to my room. I would take out my AMEX. The AMEX is the registered card when I check in but I opt not to charge items to my room. Will I still run into this problem?


I realize that it would be smarter to charge the items to the room in order to get the discount.
Lauretta
Minimahaki DVC Members Since May 1993
<IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

[CarolAnnC]

It does seem to be rather penny pinching of them to exclude DVC members unless paying cash for at least two nights. It brings to mind how when you book a cruise with points, you must pay a set price if you use cash for any people in your party, which in most cases is a higher price than the public is paying with cash. It is within their rights to do this much the same as some restaurants offer a Senior Citizen discount which cannot be used by people under age 65. It is not considered discrimination, but it certainly does not seem to be a fair or prudent business practice as far as DVC members are concerned! As always, an email to Member Services to voice your concerns would definitely be the way to go here!

<font size=4><font color=purple><font face=BrushArt>Carol</font></font></font>
http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/routemandan/minnie04a.gif

<font color=FF0066><font face=tahoma>Co-Mod - Theme Park Attractions and Strategies Board</font></font>
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[KKlecknerWray]

I know this thread is about AMEX, but it reminded me of another "limitation" WDW is making in terms of its discounts...

Now, instead of the Magic Kingdom Club card discount being accepted at ALL Marketplace stores, it is only accepted at FIVE stores!

I was ticked! What's the deal?!? Between AMEX and Magic Kingdom Club we're getting a raw deal. :(

-Kara

http://www.russellwray.com/kara/donald.gif

[SueOKW]

for me to stay on track with my latest (1 year old) rule...

go to the parks as little as possible and buy little or NO souveniers....

Please don't think I am telling anyone what to do, I'm not.... I'm just glad that I started thinking this way a year ago. If Disney doesn't want to give me an incentive to get into the parks and buy their merchandise, then I will be a little more cautious in how I spend my money.

I've already lost the MKC card, now the AMEX deal, and the new park pass offer is not for me either.... so, more $$ to take home... OR - use to buy Universal Tickets!

OKW is so nice to just lounge around and play tennis or swim who needs to spend 6 days in the parks? 3 days of parks for me - and 5 just RELAXING!!! (but no pool hopping, and NO Downtown Disney!!) Two days cash can get you the discount - I suppose if it's October and full moon I get a better discount?

phew - I feel better now. thanks.
Sue

<img width="200" src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/disstuff/cleveland.gif">

[minimahaki]

KARA
The MK Card is exactly why I questioned the AMEX discount. As of I think, June our current MK Cards will no longer be accepted. You must now purchase the card (I think the fee is between $35-$50 I am not sure of the price). I always got them from my place of employment. Disney has now stopped this benefit.
I think we should understand they are only a billion-dollar industry I think they are shooting for the trillion-dollar mark.

Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Members since May, 1993 ;)

[Timon@BWV]

Ok! I'm going to be at BWV for 5 day and then transfer over to AKL for 2 days!

I paid for the 2 days with AMEX, already done. Will I get the discount at DD the entire stay, or can I only shop on the last 2 days? <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

Minimahaki, I'm glad to see that calls are being made to MS and AmEx to question this discount. When I pushed the issue back in Jan. I would not leave without some resonable answer. When I called WDW and registered a complaint I followed it with a letter and E-Mail to get an answer. AmEx said that it's Disney and Disney said that it is a agreement between both companies. When I did get a call from WDW Merchandising in March and a follow up call from a man who identified himself as the VP of DD operations, they told me that this problem will be corrected and that the written agreement with AmEX just says that you must present your AmEx card and Resort ID card to get the discount. He told me that this would be relayed to the CM's at DD.
I just told AmEx that their card is not essential for me to survive and that if WDW is no longer offering the discount to DVC members who are staying at WDW that I will cancell the card. AmEX told me that the discount is to provide incentive to use the card at the parks, and I told them with my last bill for room charges for $1,500 wasn't incentive enough for them then I really do not have any use for AmEx. The conversation ended with AmEX looking into the WDW policy and calling me back.
While I realize that it may seem trivial to some to get this discount, I have in the past purchased over $500 in merchandise at World of Disney and 15% can add up. My problem is not as much with Disney as it is with AmEx. I had switched one credit account to them thru Costco because they told me that I would get this discount at WDW.

[KAMLEM]

I am so angry hearing all this. I went out and got an AMEX card solely for this purpose (I am going down 5/19-5/27 for my first visit on points). All that and now I won't even get the discount!! One question - I thought the discount was 15%. Where does the 20% come from?

[BethA]

We just returned from WDW and had to show our resort id. We paid for 2 nights and had to have a new id made. The cast member said to get the discount you had to use amerex for 2 nights.It's impossible to keep track of the discounts and embarassing when you get it wrong

[sconstantz]

The next time your in a shop buying a large purchase amount, present your id and amex card. When the discount is denied, ask to speak to the manager, when they still continue to say the discount doesn't apply.......Walk Away.

Leave the merchandise at the register, and, with a smile, say I won't be purchasing this $100 or $500 or $1500 worth of merchandise then. Tell them everyone has choices. They have the choice to deny you the discount, you have a choice not to shop in their store.

If enough people do it, the merchants may rethink their policy. As DVC members, you have choices as to how and when you spend your money. and make sure the merchants know that your are chooding NOT TO spend your money with them.

Shellyy

[sconstantz]

I might remind the manager how many times you visit disney IN A YEAR!!! versus how many times the regular Joe visits IN A DECADE.... just a thought. But always with a smile ;)

shelly)

[This message was edited by sconstantz on 04-25-01 at 11:04 PM.]

[DisneyMim]

I am confused about the percentage of the discount. I thought it was 15%. We were there last week and stayed at a non-DVC resort on cash, charged our room to AMEX and were able to get the discount (15% not 20%) at the World of Disney. I didn't even realize there was a 20% discount.

[SueOKW]

Shelly! That sounds kind of fun... shopping, but not buying. That may even get me my spending ya ya's out without spending! :D

Sue

<img width="200" src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/disstuff/cleveland.gif">

[mikek]

As I started to read these posts- I thought- man Disney ripping us members again. We really hardly get any discounts- no cheap tickets, only a few stores or restaurants- it just keeps getting worse.

Then it reminded me a of a situation I saw a couple days ago. I was at the store checking out and there was a senior citizen in front of me at the check out. SHE WAS MAD!

Basically the situation amounted to she was purchasing a dozen plants. They were like a dollar each or discounted for $10 if you buy a dozen. SHe wanted to also recieve here senior citizens discount along with the dozen price. THe check out girl told her sorry you cant have both discounts at the same time. The lady was screaming at the manager who came over to attempt to help the situation. She used words like unfair, rip-off, entitled, and said something also like 'thats not right, anyone can get the 12 for 10 price, seniors should get something more.'

At that time it seemed perfectly reasonable to me that the store only permitted one discount at a time.

I definately need to say that I would really love it if Disney could throw us a few bits every now and again in discounts, but when I think of the HUGE discount I already got by buying dvc in the first place- I get a big ol smile and think- well I got a gigantic break already, so maybe they arent being too unreasonable. We've been using our membership for years, but as recent other threads have shown- the cost per point seems to increase at or faster than the rate of inflation. So the initial investment is actually worth more (if I ever got nutz and wanted to sell it)- we've basically gotten all our great vacations for the mere pitance of paying dues each year- i dont have time for the math here at work, but i'm sure thats one large discount.

DO I wish we could get some extra special treatment- SURE. Would I like to save some money- YUP. Do I think disney's communication as a whole stinks- ABSOLUTELY. DO I get completely annoyed that they have so many discounts that are constantly changing and have different hurdles all the time- More than I can say!

But then I think back at how awesome it is to own dvc and get great cheap vacations and it calms me down a bit. Just hope this makes some of you smell the roses and fell a little better.

(in other words- no need to argue and flame me- just trying to help)

:D

[ckr]

Think about it.... The White Glove is a negotiated agreement between AMEX and Disney. Seems that (from the info posted regarding the "fine print") that part of this negotiated agreement is at least 2 days lodging charges on AMEX. Good for Disney and Good for AMEX, but bad for DVCers. DVCers (who -- let's face it -- can and will spend money!) complain to deaf ears at Disney. Disney is still getting a good deal out of this from their non-DVCers, or even better, they get DVCers to start staying on points for part of their stay and paying cash for 2 nights just so they can get the AMEX discount. From Disney's perspective, no changes to the negotiated agreement are needed.

BUT.... (and this is where Dennis's brilliance shines through!) DVCers start complaining to AMEX that without this discount, their THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS that they normally charge to AMEX will be getting moved to another card -- maybe one with miles or other rewards -- and that we now have no need for AMEX. NOW you've got one of the negotiating parties motivated to make a change. If AMEX were to push for getting this exclusion lifted from the agreement with Disney, we've got a chance. Would Disney want to risk losing their relationship with AMEX over this?

Now, you may say that we are a drop in the bucket and our wishes wouldn't even sway AMEX, but look at the numbers. I would say that with 100,000 members (how many then when you add in family members?) and multiple trips to WDW per year and (for many) large disposable incomes and the "spoiled factor" (yeah, c'mon, we gotta face that truth someday)... We do have some leverage. I think Dennis may have hit on something here......

Just a thought.... :0)

[minimahaki]

I just had another thought....
When I check in after my cruise in May, I am going to request that one of my cards does not indicate the word MEMBER.
They will have to print this up for me
When I shop I present the resort ID without the word MEMBER and all the aggravation will be done with it. I just hung up with member services and asked if this would be possible. She said I would have to check with the front desk at check in.
She than asked me why I didn't want to be recognized as a member and I informed her that I am being discriminated against in the shops. If I didn't have the word member on the card, I would be entitled to discounts at the shops.

I will be making this request in May I only hope that I don't have to make to big of a scene to get this done.
Lauretta
Minimahaki DVC MEMEBRS SINCE MAY, 1993
;)

[minimahaki]

MIKEK
I understand where your coming from......
If I was that nuts I could always sell and probably make some cash I have 400 points and another 150 I share with my daughter (well my name is on her deed too). I also purchased some time down in Mexico because I don't want to use my DVC points to exchange. I love doing the Disney Cruises! I LOVE MY MEMBERSHIP! However as I stated in one of the above posts, I used to feel special now I want to get the word member off my card! Didn't you ever hear of a Disney Comp story? Something like maybe a free drink or a reduction in a check for poor service. Well tell me a DVC COMP? Few and far between.
Hey good thought for a new thread!
Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC MEMBER SINCE May 1993.
;) ;) ;)

[nuthut]

I do not understand why you should recieve the discount. The requirements for the discount says it is available when staying in a Disney resort. When you are staying at Disney on points you are not at a Disney resort, you are staying at your own home. Remember when you took the deduction for taxes and interest on April 15?

You can not have it both ways.

[invalid_character]

so, what a DVClubber to do when Disney begins to discriminate between them and other guests on the basis of where/how they stay at WDW? is there an official point of contact within DVC mgt or at WDW itself? (I'd think that 100K guests would have some clout.)
it's not so much the specific issue of AMEX discount as it is worrisome that this might be the tip of a much larger iceberg... it would be bery nice to get assurances real fast that 2-tier status was not going to be SOP going forward.. :mad:

[minimahaki]

NUTHUT
Call me greedy, call me what every you like....
BUT I WANT AND EXPECT THE SAME DISCOUNT THAT A NON DVC MEMBER GETS WHEN THEY USE THE AMEX CARD.....
I am a DVC Member, this is NOT my home, It is a VACATION HOME AWAY FROM HOME, and that is why I should be treated as everyone else and not expected to give anything up because I am there so frequently.....
And by the way any tax deductions have nothing to do with Disney....This discount does.....
Lauretta
Mininimahaki
DVC Members since May, 1993
:cool:

[PamOKW]

My real concern is that this is a change in the policy for this discount. Previously, DVC members always received the discount. I would like to know why this change was instituted.

[minimahaki]

Invalid Character
I guess your second class citizen analogy is exactly what I feel now as a DVC member. I used to feel special now I want to hide it!
Good analogy
Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Member Since May 1993
:cool:

[pentex]

I always take advantage of this discount, show my resort ID, and never have had a problem doing so. The last time I did it was Dec. 2000....

[Renee']

I'm sorry you have to make an a?# of yourself. You have no email address on your profile so I'm unclear what all these posts are pertaining to. Wouldn't it be easier to email Pete?

<FONT COLOR=Green>Renee'</FONT>
<FONT COLOR=Blue>DVC at OKW '98</FONT>
<img height="165" src="http://www.jessicasweb.com/content/about/smooches.gif">
<FONT COLOR=Green>"Life's too short not to have fun!"</FONT>

<FONT COLOR=Blue> Vow Renewal October '01 at the Happiest Place on Earth

[This message was edited by Renee' on 04-27-01 at 08:28 AM.]

[This message was edited by Renee' on 04-27-01 at 08:30 AM.]

[minimahaki]

Pentex
When you took advantage of the discount did resort ID Have member inscribed?

WE are neighbors I am from Perth Amboy

Lauretta
Minimahaki DVC Members since May 1993
:cool:

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

I just got a E-Mail from AmEx and it is one line. "To receive this discount you must pay for your hotel stay at Disney with AmEx." I guess that AmEx does not want me to use their card while at WDW. I'm going to cancell it because that was the main reason that I got the card in the first place. I like going to WDW and staying at OKW, BW, and now WL and we will continue to do so. However, we will make it a point to buy less Disney merchandise while at WDW. We will also make a *** of ourselves with any Disney official and inform them of this whenever possible. I am very disappointed with DVC and Disney and will not be as supportive in the future. I guess that they want all of those $49 per nite people to use their AmEx to buy much less in merchandise than the DVC people who constantly go to WDW.
AmEx you can take your card and put it where the sun never shines.

[minimahaki]

Dennis
Don't be to quick to cancel. According to the individual I spoke with at AMEX the MERCHANT sets the policy on discounts... That means it is Disney's Policy and not AMEX. Give AMEX a call....
Keep us posted
Lauretta
:rolleyes:

[WebmasterDoc]

I certainly have no inside information about the Amex program but, it would seem to me that Amex is the real beneficiary with this program.

The impetus here is to get people to use the Amex card. By requiring that the card be used to pay for 2 nights at a WDW resort to qualify for the store discounts, AMEX is the one who benefits....not Disney and certainly not DVC. The guests were going to use a credit card for the room anyway- this program is designed to entice them to use the AMEX card instead of another.

As suggested above, I believe the way to make an impression with this is to let the merchants know why they have lost a sale and to let Amex know of our displeasure with the mechanism.

Amex may insist that it is the merchant's decision to accept this program, but I'll bet that Amex is somehow making it worthwhile for the merchants- or the merchants have no real incentive to accept it at all.

Bottom line is that this is NOT a DVC perk in any way and has never been presented as such. It is an AMEX program, with the cooperation of WDW resorts. (Notice there is no discount offered on the room charges though.)

Doc DVC Board Co-Moderator
doc@wdwinfo.com

[baileybrad]

a jerk or anything but we go to WDW/Orlando twice a year. Sometimes we go more. We have been "giving" less and less of our money to Disney for quite sometime now. This is the only way that I can show my displeasure with the policies that I disagee with. Do they miss my money? No, of course not, but it is all I can do.

I agree with PAMOKW, why the change in policy. Also, as many others have voiced why the confusion from one cast member to another and from one visit to the next. To me this is the third thing in the recent months that Disney has found a way to nickel and dime folks on. The change in the AP renewal, the removing of the MKC card from complimentary status, and the way the AMEX/Disney discount Program is being handled. As a company, it is their call (as a stockholder I would like to know when I might see some improvement in their bottom line with all of these creative new business ideas) to do as they wish with their organization. My brother who used to swear by Disney has really soured on the company. He joined DVC in '93 and at one time was up to over 400 points with various add-ons. He wrote an 11 page type written letter to Eisner when he got jerked around by the new and improved Disney Club. He travels to FL/Orlando frequently on business and used to always to stay at Disney hotels using the MKC discount whenever possible. It now is a hoop jumping exercise to do this, so he just stays somewhere else. He also sold 170 or so of his points just keeping his orginal 230. Like I said he used to defend anything Disney did, now he just shakes his head. I laughed him after I read his letter pointing out that it would never be read by anyone but he said at least he said his peace.
I just don't understand why some of the most loyal Disney visitors (DVC folks) are now rated below folks who sometimes pay as little as $49 dollars a night for a room. I wonder if things were really going well for the company if they would be resorting to wholesale prices for their low end rooms. I don't understand the need to be singled out from all of the other people who are staying at Disney. I, too, use an AMEX card for my room charges and most of my meals at the sitdown restaurants. It is all that I can do to satisfy Disney and AMEX because like many of you planned ahead and purchased my room thru the DVC ahead of time and if I remember correctly was not given/allowed the opportunity to pay for (the DVC membership) with the AMEX card. Go figure. If I am to be discriminated against then I will no longer use the card for my Disney stays on other things. Doc is correct in that your spending is one way to voice your opinion. I have 2 other ccards that I can use to pay for the few things I rreally need at Disney. As someone, said previously in this post, it used to be fun to be treated kind of special as DVC members. Maybe the DVC group could get off of their duffs and reach an agreement that everyone understand that allows us the same discount that others receive when charging their rooms to the AMEX. I, too, like others believe that we represent as a group a lot of buying power. Sorry for the ramble.

[This message was edited by baileybrad on 04-27-01 at 11:39 AM.]

[TampaDisneyFreaks]

Minimahaki, sorry it took me so long to reply (work got busy and didn't have a chance to get out here). It looks like your questions was pretty much answered by everyone else.

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

The confusion seems to be caused by both Disney and AmEx. In all of my calls to both companies it came down to the fact that it is AmEx who offers and benifits from the use of the card to purchase anything at WDW and it is Disney who is setting the policy concerning it's use. I called AmEx and cancelled the card and told them that my disappointment was that when I signed up to use the card, paying a $37 fee per year, I was told that I would get the discounts at WDW if I showed my resort ID and the AmEx card. I was even told this last March by Disney officials that as long as I use my AmEx card fro room charges that I do get the discounts. Now we do not get the discount because we must pay for two nights at WDW with the card, I bought into DVC so that I could use that to pay for my hotel stay.
The object of the program is to provide incentive for people to use the AmEx card while at WDW but it is in the application of a irrational decision by Disney that limits our, DVC members, use of the card at the parks. DVC could push the issue but we know that they will not, even though DVC members do have an obvious fininacial base that indicates that they would use AmEx to purchase a substantial dollar amount at WDW stores.
I do not understand why Disney put such limitations on something that puts money into their pockets, it does not make good business sense. The only option for me is to express my displeasure with this policy with both Disney and AmEx, which I have done, and to cancell the card because AmEx did not live up to their agreement made to me when I purchased the card.

[DebbieB]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I called AmEx and cancelled the card and told them that my disappointment was that when I signed up to use the card, paying a $37 fee per year, [/quote]

I have used my American Express Optima card and got the 15% discount (non-DVC stays). The Optima card does not have an annual fee.

[pentex]

Nice to see a neighbor on the boards!

Yes, we did have to show our room pass, which says "DVC Member" on it.

Maybe it's all in the luck of the draw as to whom checks you out at the register? Maybe some cast members don't follow the rules so strictly and don't want to cause a scene, so they let it go?

[baileybrad]

good tip on the availability of "free" AMEX cards that are avaiable. We have ours thru Hilton Honors program. But the main source of income for most credit cards is the cost that is charged to merchants for handling the tranactions and the interest that some pay on their accounts. If the "Menace" is not using his card anymore 100% of nothing is nothing for old AMEX.

[SueOKW]

innocent question - nuthut -if we really considered ourselves as being "at home" - then we shouldn't we be able to get the Florida Resident passes????

:D

what the heck... i still like the shopping, and if you don't get it, leaving the stuff at the counter idea...

have a great weekend everyone!
Sue

<img width="200" src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/disstuff/cleveland.gif">

[minimahaki]

Great comment Sue....
Like you said if this was our home not only should we be eligible to receive discounted passes but all of the other Floridian discounts such as the Food Society Card entitling you to 20% off al food and drinks at most WDW restaurants and the great deals on the Cruise lines....
Lauretta

:cool:

[minimahaki]

Great comment Sue....
Like you said if this was our home not only should we be eligible to receive discounted passes but all of the other Floridian discounts such as the Food Society Card entitling you to 20% off al food and drinks at most WDW restaurants and the great deals on the Cruise lines....
Lauretta


;)

[sconstantz]

I'm glad you like my idea. And I'm serious. The best way to change this policy is by affecting the merchant. They want to sell their stuff, they don't like re-stocking, and they need to know that you will change your buying habits. They can't blame it on the "economy", but on their decision to allow the discount or not. And if AMEX has anything to do with the policy, believe me the merchants will take it up with them, and they have more clout with AMEX than you or I do.

Good Luck with this. I'm not a member (YET), so I feel a little self-concience replying to some of the postings here (not entitled?) just my feelings, nobody has made me feel that way. But, this is an area that I feel I could contribute to.

shellyw

[ckr]

Although the 'leave it at the counter' approach may give us immediate satisfaction, I really don't see it making a difference. I doubt the CM behind the counter, or the one having to restock your stuff, will be sitting around the negotiating table with the powers that be at AMEX. 'Susie from Syracuse' will probably just chalk it up and go on, as she should, since she has ABSOLUTELY no control over this policy. Furthermore, there probably isn't even documentation that this occurred and/or why and/or what you said. So, your protest may not even make it to the shift supervisor, or the store manager, and most doubtfully the powers that be at Disney.

However, any time I've cancelled a credit card, I've been asked why and it seemed like the Customer Service Operator (another one not likely to be sitting around the negotiating table) documented my reasons in the computer.

I still think the way to change this policy is to cancel your AMEX and specifically state that it is due to the fact that you "Cannot get the WDW White Glove treatment as a DVC member". I would bet that the power people (one's who would be sitting at that negotiating table) get reports on cancelled cards and why they were cancelled. If they started to see a number of these SAME REASONS, then there may be some change AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, which is really the outcome we're looking for, isn't it?

I'm sorry, but although I'd like the instant gratification of leaving my stuff at the counter in protest, I just don't see it as being very effective in bringing about a change in the policy.

JMO....