40% off Email code used by someone else

[puzzles]

This was weird

My brother received an email with a discount code for 40% off. Since my family is already planning a trip I talked them into going too. So he called and they wont let him use the pin code because it was already used. He did not use it yet, and his wife had not used it, so how could it already be used? Do they give the same pin code to more than one person and then only the first one to call and reserve a room gets to use it? He spent over an hour on the phone and was basically told he could not use the discount. So he hung up and now they are not going with us. It bothers me that they send out these codes and either there are no rooms available for the discount (that happened to us - I had to call about 10 times before a room was available), or they wont let you use the code that THEY SENT YOU.

Anyone have any insight? Should he call back? Can his wife call, or since it was sent to him does he have to call? I think his wife would have more patience.

 

[baj0505]

I would definitely call back and if they again said the code had already been used - I would ask by whom and when. Codes that are assigned to an individual are not transferable according to Disney policy--I least the ones that I have received in the past. If they didn't have an answer, I would ask to speak to a supervisor. Be polite but persistent.

 

[Sammie]

I would call again, his wife can call. Make sure they repeat the PIN back to her, it might simply be he misquoted the numbers or the agent entered them wrong.

She needs to make sure the code has not expired also, as they do this and yes discounts on rooms are always subject to availiblity just as are all discounts on rental cars, planes, etc.

They do not discount their entire inventory.

 

[Karlzmom]

This was weird

My brother received an email with a discount code for 40% off. Since my family is already planning a trip I talked them into going too. So he called and they wont let him use the pin code because it was already used. He did not use it yet, and his wife had not used it, so how could it already be used? Do they give the same pin code to more than one person and then only the first one to call and reserve a room gets to use it? He spent over an hour on the phone and was basically told he could not use the discount. So he hung up and now they are not going with us. It bothers me that they send out these codes and either there are no rooms available for the discount (that happened to us - I had to call about 10 times before a room was available), or they wont let you use the code that THEY SENT YOU.

Anyone have any insight? Should he call back? Can his wife call, or since it was sent to him does he have to call? I think his wife would have more patience.

This makes no sense, as anytime you try to use a pin code that is "not yours" its denied as non-transferable. Call back. Good Luck!

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[Allison]

He probably got a poorly trained CM. I would just call back and try again.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I would call again too and speak to Guest Services or a supervisor to get the full story if it was again denied.
He could say since it is his pin, he wishes to cancel the booking that is against his pin and rebook his vacation! See how far that would go and if they still say it was he who booked the other res.

And I did not know there was a limited number of times to use one code. I thought the guests could book as many different vacations against it they wanted.

 

[puzzles]

update:

his wife called back today and they said the pin number was invalid. So she pushed the issue and offered to forward the email to them. The gave her to a supervisor who was nice enough to honor the 'invalid' pin code but alas there were no regular rooms available at any of the deluxe resorts (all they had was a 2 bedroom suite at the Beach Club, which even with 40% off is way beyond their price range). So they did not make a reservation after all. I doubt they will call back and try again. I am bummed.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Wonder if it had expired? Did he receive the e-mai for the offer recently? Seems very odd. It would make more sense if it was at the end of the code usage, as availability would be very limited by then too.

 

[puzzles]

Wonder if it had expired? Did he receive the e-mai for the offer recently? Seems very odd. It would make more sense if it was at the end of the code usage, as availability would be very limited by then too.

They just got the email within the past 2 weeks or so. SHe said there are no expiration dates or dates that you have to book before. Just certain time periods that have the discount & the dates they want fall between them. The whole thing seems weird to me. Im hoping they try again in a few days and something will open up. They've never been to WDW and I really want them to come with us.

 

[Luv2Roam]

All offers have expiration dates. Maybe the offer he wants to use and rec'd has blocked out arrival dates. Just as an example, say he has an offer that covers an arrival time of multiple months. However maybe this offer has block out dates within that time frame where guests cannot arrive on that offer.
Just using made up dates, maybe an offer is for May 30 - September 20, with a week or whatever here or there blocked off not to cover arrivals.
Meaning guests can arrive prior to the block out date, and stay during the block out period. They can't use the offer by arriving in a block out period.
Maybe that is part of their issue.
It is all very confusing.
Hope it works out eventually.

 

[G&J's Mom]

I am confused because didn't all the 40% off discounts expire at the end of March?? Or is there indeed a new one? Interesting.

 

[puzzles]

They forwarded the email to me and here is what it says about the 40% off portion (the top part offered value resort for $82 from Aug-Oct):

— OR —
If your vacation dates are flexible,
Save 40%**
off the nondiscounted price for stays most nights
8/10–9/27/08, 10/19–11/1/08, 11/9–11/15/08 and 12/7–12/13/08.

**The number of rooms available for this discount is limited. Minimum
length-of-stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Additional
per-adult charges apply if more than two adults per room. No group rates or
other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Offer is nontransferable.

Then they have the pin code and then here is the small print from the bottom of the email:

Number of rooms available at this rate is limited. Minimum length-of-stay requirements may apply for Friday and Saturday arrivals. Additional per-adult charges apply if more than two adults per room. No group rates or other discounts apply. Offer is nontransferable. Advance reservations required.


To ensure the delivery of emails concerning Disney Destinations, LLC to your inbox, please take a moment to add DisneyParks@email.MyDisneyParks.com to your email address book or safe list.

Please do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us, click here to access our online feedback form.

This email is a commercial advertisement or promotion event sent to: XXXXX

If you do not want to receive future commercial emails at this email address from Disney Destinations, LLC or other Disney entities, advertising or promoting Walt Disney World® products or services, click here.

Disney Destinations Marketing
Attn: Email Compliance
1375 Buena Vista Drive
P.O. Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Nowhere does it say that you have to book by a certain date, it just says you have to stay during those designated time slots. It does say rooms are limited, which indeed they ARE!

The invalid pin part is the part that bugs them, and I completely understand. Why send a promotional code to someone and then have it be invalid.

They received the code on July 1.

 

[waytoomanywebkinz]

just curious- what was the title to the email? I just ask because I get Disney Destination stuff to my junk email addy and when I've checked them, they haven't been a code and I may have just ignored a crucial one - LOL! Wanted to go check through my old emails - not planning a trip now, but I'm prepared to kick myself anyway.

 

[3darlings]

just curious- what was the title to the email? I just ask because I get Disney Destination stuff to my junk email addy and when I've checked them, they haven't been a code and I may have just ignored a crucial one - LOL! Wanted to go check through my old emails - not planning a trip now, but I'm prepared to kick myself anyway.

The title to the recent email I got with a PIN (20% off not 40%) was Disney Destinations. I agree those are usually junk mail but this time it wasn't!

 

[wndrlandcat]

I got that same e-mail, I also called for more info and I was told that the days I was staying was during a blackout period. But some of my days were during the time period as stated in the e-mail. who really knows. i hate having to be a pain and force an issue but we it seems that we really have to.

 

[disneygirl 17]

I got this same thing in January. Mine came in the mail. I used it to book our December trip. My grandparents also used the code to book their room for the same time. We got AKL for $135/night.

That is really strange.

 

[Eeyoresfriend]

How do pin codes work?? Are they just for room only or can you add a package with them??

 

[m&n's mom]

Here's more discouraging news about PIN codes....we received a PIN code via our email (last visit Jan 08, visited WDW 10+times) in July 08. We have tried repeatedly to book a five,four or eight day vacation (hoppers, DDN, deluxe hotel) with NO availability. I have been on the computer and there is availability for August - Sept Magic Your Way which also is applicable for our stay and again told "false availability". Initially week #1 told no availability at yc, changed plans to week #2 (which is earlier) and now told no availability for that week. The have the various room(s) we want for the time period but are unable to apply PIN or Magic Your Way Special (even though this is during the posted dates, not black out dates). My husband was furious after call #6 to WDW and changing our travel dates back and forth (airfare, his work schedule) and spoke with Guest Services and was told that the computer is showing false availability and there is nothing that can be applied to our PIN or current special. It would appear this is false advertising, using the old "shell game" changing availabilities for resorts and dates at a whim....the original dates we looked at are now open but we have changed our travel plans...beyond frustrating!! We have sent an email to Disney asking for nothing more than the PIN code discount which is 20% - it is the principle of the matter to pay additional $400.00 is wrong.

 

[puzzles]

another update:
my sister-in-law has called every single day this week, at different times of the day, to try to get a reservation with the discount and NOTHING at all was available ever.

She looked online and there were rooms available at many resorts but those are not available with the pin code. She finally did get to talk to a supervisor or someone who did have some authority to change things because he finally gave them a room, with a small discount (I think its about 20% vs. the 40% on the code). They are going to stay at the Coronado Springs, which was not one of their top choices but at least they are going now. My brother is refusing to go, but she and the kids are going. My brother is so mad about the whole 'bait' thing that he is refusing to go. He doesnt want his wife and kids to go either.

I must admit, I think its wrong for them to send out the pin codes when they know there is no availability. Its frustrating for people to sit on hold forever, to waste days of their time stressing over it, trying to use the offer that they were sent. The odds seem like trying to win the lottery to get a discount on a room.