Package with $50 gift card or A la Carte?

[dynasty22]

So I have finally committed to taking the trip to Universal from May 11 to May 15. We're planning on staying at the RPR, with an average night at $207. This sounds pretty fantastic to me. I know the general recommendation is to stay away from the packages, since you can't alter your hotel reservation prices, but would it be worth it with the $50 gift card they are now offering as a promotion? I don't know how much lower the RPR would get, so I'm just curious. The gift card would easily be spent in full on food while at the parks.

 

[patster734]

How many in your group? How many adults? Is the $207 rate pre-tax or does it include taxes? Checking the APH Rate for the dates you entered, I get:

Standard 2 Queen Room Full room description Rate Info
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoy 335 square feet of tropical paradise in one of these inviting standard guest rooms. Each room offers two queen beds and all of the modern amenities.
Cost for room
Room Avg. Nightly Rate Cost of Stay Taxes/Serv. Charge Sub-Total
Type: Standard 2 Queen Room $170.00 $681.00 $85.13 $766.13
Rate: Annual Passholder Special
Sat May 11, 2013 $189.00
Sun May 12, 2013 $164.00
Mon May 13, 2013 $164.00
Tue May 14, 2013 $164.00

Total Cost: (USD) $766.13
Amount charged on credit card for deposit: $212.63
Remaining Cost of Stay (Total cost less deposit): $553.50

Cancellation Policy: CANCEL BY 6PM 06-MAY-13

If there is a significant difference in the total price between what I quoted and that you found, it may justify purchasing a preferred annual pass.

 

[damo]

So I have finally committed to taking the trip to Universal from May 11 to May 15. We're planning on staying at the RPR, with an average night at $207. This sounds pretty fantastic to me. I know the general recommendation is to stay away from the packages, since you can't alter your hotel reservation prices, but would it be worth it with the $50 gift card they are now offering as a promotion? I don't know how much lower the RPR would get, so I'm just curious. The gift card would easily be spent in full on food while at the parks.

Do you have a link to this promotion?

If you are talking about the "suite seasons" promotion, it isn't good at the Orlando hotels.

 

[dynasty22]

There are only 2 adults in my group including me (so 1 other person). The annual pass option does actually end up being about $64 cheaper (or only $14 dollars if you include the $50 gift card). You need to get at least the "preferred pass" to get hotel discounts, correct?

Would you recommend just booking through the universal website or calling directly? I feel like calling would allow me to get the best deal, since they are experienced with getting people the best prices. I would like to see if I can book a package with the annual pass, as well as the $50 gift card. By the way, the promotion doesn't seem to be advertised. I'm just seeing it when I select a package.

 

[patster734]

There are only 2 adults in my group including me (so 1 other person). The annual pass option does actually end up being about $64 cheaper (or only $14 dollars if you include the $50 gift card). You need to get at least the "preferred pass" to get hotel discounts, correct?

Would you recommend just booking through the universal website or calling directly? I feel like calling would allow me to get the best deal, since they are experienced with getting people the best prices. I would like to see if I can book a package with the annual pass, as well as the $50 gift card. By the way, the promotion doesn't seem to be advertised. I'm just seeing it when I select a package.

Yes, you would need at least the Preferred AP to qualify for APH rates.

It definitely doesn't hurt to call. However, the $50 gift card would probably be available only through Universal Vacations, which is a travel agency with typical agency restrictions (cancellation fees, full payment prior to trip, etc.).

The other calling options is to call the Loews reservation line. Although you probably wouldn't get the $50 gift card from them, they should be able to check AP rates, and AAA rates (typically don't display on the website) if you're a member. There's also no cancellation fees if cancelling more than 5 days ahead of your visit when booked through Loews.

 

[dynasty22]

Yes, you would need at least the Preferred AP to qualify for APH rates.

It definitely doesn't hurt to call. However, the $50 gift card would probably be available only through Universal Vacations, which is a travel agency with typical agency restrictions (cancellation fees, full payment prior to trip, etc.).

The other calling options is to call the Loews reservation line. Although you probably wouldn't get the $50 gift card from them, they should be able to check AP rates, and AAA rates (typically don't display on the website) if you're a member. There's also no cancellation fees if cancelling more than 5 days ahead of your visit when booked through Loews.

Thanks for all the information! I'll go a la carte with the annual pass then. Just one more question, would you recommend buying tickets right now or waiting until later? In particular, I read there's a 15% discount when purchasing multi-day tickets at the front gate with the AP, which seems worthwhile. Do AP prices changes, or do they remain pretty consistent throughout the year?

 

[LMichelleee]

We will be at RPR the 11-15th too!!

We are upgrading one of our APs to the preferred so we can take advantage of the room discount. Plus the other discounts you get with the AP help too!

In October we purchased a package and I asked if we could just upgrade our park ticket option to APs and still take advantage of the package and they let us do it. It turned out 1 week before we left the price of the hotel dropped $100 and the only way to get the difference back was to completely cancel and rebook. It wasn't going to be worth it since there would be $2500 hold on our card and we would have lost our requested room.

 

[dynasty22]

We will be at RPR the 11-15th too!!

We are upgrading one of our APs to the preferred so we can take advantage of the room discount. Plus the other discounts you get with the AP help too!

In October we purchased a package and I asked if we could just upgrade our park ticket option to APs and still take advantage of the package and they let us do it. It turned out 1 week before we left the price of the hotel dropped $100 and the only way to get the difference back was to completely cancel and rebook. It wasn't going to be worth it since there would be $2500 hold on our card and we would have lost our requested room.

Oh interesting. That's too bad about the $100 lost. I guess staying away from the packages is a good idea. I didn't know the price could drop so dramatically.

 

[damo]

Thanks for all the information! I'll go a la carte with the annual pass then. Just one more question, would you recommend buying tickets right now or waiting until later? In particular, I read there's a 15% discount when purchasing multi-day tickets at the front gate with the AP, which seems worthwhile. Do AP prices changes, or do they remain pretty consistent throughout the year?

Remember that the 15% discount for multi-day tickets is off gate prices, not the online prices. It is cheaper to buy them at undercovertourist.com than use the AP discount.

 

[LMichelleee]

Oh interesting. That's too bad about the $100 lost. I guess staying away from the packages is a good idea. I didn't know the price could drop so dramatically.

I thought so too, especially since it was during HHN. From now on we book everything separately.

 

[dynasty22]

Remember that the 15% discount for multi-day tickets is off gate prices, not the online prices. It is cheaper to buy them at undercovertourist.com than use the AP discount.

Oh true. Didn't even think of that. Thanks! My planning is all set now!

 

[BrerNashville]

How many in your group? How many adults? Is the $207 rate pre-tax or does it include taxes? Checking the APH Rate for the dates you entered, I get:

Would those rates be similar for the week before? I'm arriving on Saturday, May 4 for two nights. And would the discount be similar for the other hotels? I'm debating whether to get an AP for this trip.

 

[damo]

Would those rates be similar for the week before? I'm arriving on Saturday, May 4 for two nights. And would the discount be similar for the other hotels? I'm debating whether to get an AP for this trip.

You can check AP prices by entering APH in the code box when you go here...

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR