Loews Hotels

[AaronX]

Hello,

My name is Aaron Myers. I currently have reservations with Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios. I booked these reservations thru Universal Studios. As most of you know, this resort is located on the Universal Studios property, and has some partnership with Universal Studios.

They ask you to book with Universal Studios and try to tell everything to book their full vacation on Universal Studios Vacations (http://www.univacations.com). Once you make this reservation and tell Universal that you want to add your Loews number, that say that they will add it. I'm not 100% sure that its even there.

I understand that other people have had problems in the past with Universal Studios, and Loews First. Universal Studios Vacations says that it can be added to the account, and then Loews says that it cannot be added to the account because I booked with Universal Studios (which is where the property is located, there for you would think that they had some type of partnership, and would honor awards.)

Does anyone know what I can do? Has this happend to any of you? :scratchin - Below is the e-mail reply that I received from Universal:

Hello,
Thank you for selecting Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations. If you booked the Stay and PLay packjage, you will need to e-mail us your Loew's number. We will add your Loew's number to your reservation, and if at the time of your check in the hotel has a room upgrade available they will give it to you.

Bethena
Internet Specialist
Universal Park and Resort Vacations
Phone: 1-800-711-0080
E-mail: reservations@universalorlando.com
www.univacations.com

Revenge of the Mummy(sm)
A Psychological Trill Ride
The wraps come off Spring 2004 at Universal Studios (r).

Below is the e-mail reply that I received from the Loews Hotel Group:

Hello Mr. Myers,

I found your reservation coming in July. The confirmation number is XXXXXXX and is under the name of XXXXXXXXXXX. I see that you booke your reservation thru Universal under a package. To qualify for the Loews benefits you must book thru them and pay a qualifying Loews rate. I hope I have answered your questions and if you need to make any changes to your reservation please refer to this number when calling the hotel.

Thank you for your business and we look forward to your visit in July.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tina De Leon
Admin Assist to
Rooms Division Director
Hard Rock Hotel
Phone: 407-503-2005
Fax: 407-503-2010
tdeleon@loewshotels.com

A few hours after I received this e-mail:

Hello again,

I did come across a form here that states Loews members are entitled to a comp upgrade at the time of check in. I show that you have a garden view booked, so at check in you can request if avilable to be upgrade to a pool view room. Can you let me know what your membership number is and status so that I may put this information on your account.

Thank you so much

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tina De Leon
Admin Assist to
Rooms Division Director
Hard Rock Hotel
Phone: 407-503-2005
Fax: 407-503-2010
tdeleon@loewshotels.com


Then of course I replied to this e-mail with all of my information, and then I get e-mail later that said something like this "I'm alittle confused as to the rewards you are inquiring about" like she had no clue what was going on. I'm sorry, but that isn't much for support. I'm already pissed off, and I haven't set foot in the hotel yet. Sorry for it being so long, I have so much to say -- its helping me vent though! :hyper:

[damo]

You are only eligible for the Loews benefits if you book rack rate or AAA rate. If you book with the annual pass discount or fan club discount, etc. you are not eligible for the Loews benefits.

Sometimes, however, depending on who is serving you, you will still get the welcome gift and if there is a lot of vacancy, they will offer you an upgrade.

Perhaps she was confused as to whether you were inquiring about an upgrade or the welcome gift or the free exercise room benefits or the air miles.

[AaronX]

Alright, well.. What I don't understand is why are the Univeral People telling everyone that you can recieve these benefits, if you really can't?

[damo]

Where did you read that. Perhaps if you can show me the link I can help to explain.

[damo]

Are you perhaps confusing the front of the line benefit (that everyone who stays onsite receives) with the Loews benefits (welcome gift that only Loews first members receive)?

Did you book the stay and play package? That package does give you Loews First benefits. The first replay e-mail doesn't say whether you booked the stay and play package or not but does say that if you did, you are eligible.

If you booked a different package it may not give Loews first benefits.

[AaronX]

Look up in my orignal post from the people at Universal. It states that they need my Loews First number so they can apply it.

[damo]

No, it states that if you booked the Stay and Play package, then you are eligible. Is that the package that you booked?

[AaronX]

No, I'm not confused. I'm talking about Loews First, and I'm a current member. This post is about getting the welcome gift/upgrade/fitness center/etc.

[AaronX]

Yes, I booked the "Stay and Play" package. The thing is that the people at Universal Vacations say that I get the rewards -- The people at Loews say that I don't get the rewards.

[damo]

I would contact Universal Vacations and tell them what Loews said. If Loews doesn't give the benefits with the Stay and Play package, then Universal Vacations should not be offering it.

Loews doesn't usually give benefits with packages but maybe this one is an exception. E-mail or call Universal Vacations and take it up with them.

You could also call the 1-800 Loews number and ask them if the Stay and Play packages give the Loews First benefits.

I know in the past, when I have made reservations directly with Loews, I have been told that only rack rate and AAA are eligible for the benefits.

You are right that Universal Vacations shouldn't be offering things that aren't true!!! After all, Universal does not own these hotels and can't make the rules.

[AaronX]

Well, they didn't "offer" it. What I did was I e-mailed them asking if I could apply my Loews First number to my account/trip, and the first e-mail is what they replied back with. Then to confirm I e-mailed the Loews people and they acted like they had no clue.

[AaronX]

Well, yes they do not own them. They are located on their property though, and they have the right to alter reservations, therefore -- I'm guessing they can apply loews membership numbers. I have the e-mails printed out from each place, its just like "well, which one should I believe?"

[damo]

Well, Universal can offer deals ( and they do) but they can't offer Loews benefits. Only Loews can offer Loews benefits.

I would believe the Loews e-mail but this is what I would do. Upon arrival give them your Loews number. You may get the welcome gift, you may not.

If you go to the Loews first site you will see this disclaimer at the bottom of the page. Benefits are only available for qualified stays.

"A qualified stay is any published rate. Group, negotiated, third party and advanced purchase rates do not apply. Not valid with any other discount program, coupon, complimentary or promotional offer."

[AaronX]

Right, but Loews also offered the upgrade. This is stated in the 3rd e-mail. Which makes me believe that no one really knows what is going on. Would you e-mail them and see what they tell you?

[AaronX]

You'd think that they would work together, and not be a "third-party" as stated. I'm not sure.. When I get there, I'm going to get in the Loews First Check-In.

[damo]

I will try e-mailing Loews directly instead of the hotel. The hotel doesn't usually know all the ins and outs. That is why there are so many discrepancies. I don't think that the hotel really cares one way or another and will offer anything if the hotel has lots of space.

Loews, itself, is trying to get people not to use the discounts but use the higher rates and then get the welcome gift (which is worth all of about $10) and possibly an upgrade. I can understand their plan.

I'll let you know what response I get!

[AaronX]

What is your e-mail address? E-mail me (aaronmyers@bellsouth.net) or PM me your e-mail address. Thanks for this.

[AaronX]

Sorry, this just bothers me not knowing that is going to come of it. I'm really not sure how it will work -- you know if they didn't want to give us the rewards -- then cancel the program. Don't sit here and fight over if I get rewards or not, right?

[damo]

They want you to pay the big bucks for a room and then they will offer the rewards. If you are getting a heavily discounted room, they don't think you should be getting the benefits that others had to pay the big bucks for.

In my opinion, the Loews benefits aren't worth worrying about. If you are getting a really good deal, then you should be happy with that.

We've stayed at the Universal resorts many, many times and have only gotten the welcome gift twice. It doesn't really matter anymore. I would rather book with the cheaper rate and forego the welcome gift.

[AaronX]

Well, I'd like the chance at the free room upgrade. Also, I'd like to use the Fitness center for free. I mean -- I know it isn't that important, but I just want them to know that people are confused.

[RescueRanger]

Originally posted by AaronX
Well, I'd like the chance at the free room upgrade. Also, I'd like to use the Fitness center for free. I mean -- I know it isn't that important, but I just want them to know that people are confused.


You will get to use the fitness center for free regardless of your room rate if you are a Lowes member. The upgrade will really depend on how busy they are. Normally, if they have an upgrade available, they will give it to you. I personally don't think that the difference between a garden view room or a pool view room is that big of a deal. As long as they give me FOTL, I am happy:D .

[AaronX]

True, but thats only if they honor my stupid rewards number. Do you think that I should get in the "Loews Members Check-In" line even though i'm not sure if they have my number on there.

[Eclpz314]

Aaron, I booked through Universal Vacations last year and assumed that since I was staying at RPR which is a Loew's hotel on Universal property that I would be entitled to the Loew's benefits and "qualified" stay for our 7 days. Turned out not to be the case. I was new to the whole Loew's thing and was really surprised to find out that Univ. Vac. aren't connected with Loew's at all...even though they make it sound like it. I did end up getting Loew's "qualified" stay credit which upped me to Gold member. but only after our vacation was over and I contacted Loew's. I had to fax them a copy of our confirmation info and an explanation of how I erred. Really ridiculous stuff to go through but that's how it worked. We did get the cookies/milk and I went through the Loew's member check-in line with no problem. You're going to find working between Loew's and Universal that you will get different answers to the same question depending on who you talk to. Even the fine print on the Loew's site can be a little confusing and be interpreted different ways. I sent email questions before I booked this year's vac. and Loew's sent back answers as well as phone #s to call at Royal Pacific to see what their policies were. .....and I'm still not sure about a couple of answers but will just wait and see what happens when we check-in.

[AllieKat]

Aaron,

Yes, you should go through the Loew's member check-in even if you have reason to believe that they don't have your membership number in their records. Just show them your membership card when you get there.

I just got back from RPR on May 1st. I booked my standard room through Universal and paid Entertainment rate. I mailed them a letter giving them my Loew's membership number, room preference, etc. When I arrived, I went through the Loew's check-in line. I handed the gentleman my Loew's card even though I figured they already had my membership # on file since I mailed it to them. He took a printout of my reservation and my card to the back and came back telling me they had an upgrade available. I could either upgrade to the Presidential Suite for $35 extra a night or upgrade to a pool view for no additional charge. He also asked what welcome gift I wanted and told me I could use the fitness center at no charge. I didn't ask for any of this stuff. I had booked at Entertainment rate ($144 a night) and wasn't expecting to receive Loews membership benefits.

It seems like every employee at either Universal, Loews or the hotels has a different story. Yes, it's frustrating. I do wish they'd all get on the same page but I can't make that happen so I'm not going to worry about it. I was treated very well at the hotel and would stay there again in a heartbeat. I'm sure everything will turn out good with your vacation. :D

[AaronX]

Hello,

Its me again. This time I talked with this very nice young lady named Patty at Universal Vacations. She told me that she contacted the hotel reservations department, and they confirmed the information below in the e-mail she sent me:

Hello Aaron,

Thank you for your response. In order to note your Loew's number on your reservation I would need the reservation number. As a Loew's member you are entitled to certain benefits, which you will receive so long as there is availability to accommodate your upgrades, no matter how you reserve the hotel accommodation. I have contacted the hotels reservation line and they verified this information. Please email back with your reservation number and I will note your Loew's number so you can receive your members benefits during your stay. Thank you for your attention and we look forward to hearing from you.

Patty
Internet Specialist
Universal Parks & Resort Vacations
www.UniVacations.com

[ruthshobby]

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE?!?!?! FOR $35 A DAY? Wow-- did you jump on this? We were given an upgrade to poolview only. When I asked about upgrading to Club-- I was quoted a $100 a day upcharge.

[AaronX]

Yeah, i know. I'd be all over that Presidential Suite! :hyper:

[AllieKat]

Nope, I didn't take the Presidential Suite upgrade. Although, after I got home and looked up pictures of the suite online, I kinda wished I had taken them up on their offer. I had mailed them a letter prior to my arrival with way too many requests regarding the room. I figured the room I was originally supposed to be put in (standard) would be what I requested. And it was, it was perfect. :D We were there for 6 nights so the upgrade would've cost an additional $210. We weren't even in our room all that much, not an additional $210 worth. :D

[AaronX]

Dang! I wish that they would have upgraded me to the Presidential Sutie.. :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Also, for you guys that are following this forum, I got yet another e-mail from Loews today. First it went from "I can't get the benefits" to "I think you can.." and when I got pissed off, it got all right..

Hello Mr. Myers,

I added your Loews number to your reservation so that you may enjoy your benefits. We look forward to your visit and if there is anything I can assist you with feel free to give me a call.

Tina