Advantages to buying tickets through website versus undercover tourist

[mya1k9]

My husband is afraid that undercover tourist is a scam and wants to buy our tickets through the website. Any thing I can show him to prove they are a legit company or is there any benefit for buying tickets through the UO website? What about if I want to buy dining or photopass (not sure yet)? Do the tickets need to be purchased through the UO website to obtain these add ons?? Thanks for answering my daily questions that pop up, I really appreciate it! !!

 

[bumbershoot]

People have been buying from UCT for years and years. The company has gotten involved in the WDW side when CMs are doing the wrong thing in terms of upgrades and have settled issues. They have been in business since at least 2010 (when we first considered using them for universal (went with maple leaf tickets instead because they had a once in a lifetime sort of deal that I've never seen since)) and have many many satisfied customers.

The photo thing stands alone. Dining isn't hooked to your ticket.

 

[coasternut22]

Undercover is a legit company. We bought tickets last month with no problem. Right now they are running a buy 2 days get 2 days free at Universal. We just printed our tickets on white paper and used them for our trip. They are also cheaper than universal and the tax is included, so you know the price upfront. I liked them so I just bought our Disney tickets from them for our January trips and they linked just fine. Saved about a hundred bucks.

 

[nighttowll]

I've been buying from UT and Mapleaf for years. Never any issues. They usually have the best deals. You get the best rates through UT if you sign up for the Mousesavers newsletter which contains a link to the site you can use to get even lower prices than the current advertised discounts.

If your husband is concerned, show him the Better Business Bureau rating of A. BBB doesn't rate scams only legit companies and A is a good rating.

 

[Mom3girls]

I've been buying from UT and Mapleaf for years. Never any issues. They usually have the best deals. You get the best rates through UT if you sign up for the Mousesavers newsletter which contains a link to the site you can use to get even lower prices than the current advertised discounts.

If your husband is concerned, show him the Better Business Bureau rating of A. BBB doesn't rate scams only legit companies and A is a good rating.

I receive the mousesavers newsletters. When I looked for a special link to get even better discounts I only see WDW mentioned, not Universal and if you know where to find the extra discount on Universal let me know. I'm buying (4) 4 day p2p tickets one day this week

 

[cassie58]

Bought our WDW tickets through them for our first trip in 2008 since we were only on property for 2 nts before joining my in-laws in their timeshare, so didn't need a package. Had no problems and saved money! They even had a great return policy, which also made feel more comfortable. They came in the mail quickly so I had them in hand. I had read about them in Unofficial Guide and on Mousesavers, so felt they were reputable. The only reason I have not used them again is because we have been able to take advantage of free dining packages. I am helping friends plan now, and am having them buy their Universal tickets through UT - can't beat saving money!

 

[mya1k9]

Thanks, I will have him read this thread!!

 

[perditax]

Does anyone have any recent real-world experience with upgrading UT tickets to annual passes? Particularly the ones with bonus days.

 

[buckeev]

Undercover Tourist is absolutely legit. Been using them for many years and never any problems. Just bought a child's USO ticket last week and rec'vd in the mail within a few days. Free shipping!

 

[wookiebeck]

I'm pretty sure my first purchase from them was back in 2010. That is many years of continued purchases with no problems and really great service. As legitimate as you can get!

 

[WVMomof3]

I receive the mousesavers newsletters. When I looked for a special link to get even better discounts I only see WDW mentioned, not Universal and if you know where to find the extra discount on Universal let me know. I'm buying (4) 4 day p2p tickets one day this week

Click on the link for WDW tickets. All the tickets are listed there. Make sure you see the Mousesaver logo while logged in to the UT site. I ordered some on Tuesday morning. I decided I wanted tickets instead of print at home. They promised to be here by Thursday Nov 17. I received them yesterday, Nov 10th. Great service!

 

[WVMomof3]

Does anyone have any recent real-world experience with upgrading UT tickets to annual passes? Particularly the ones with bonus days.

From my understanding the 2+1 can be upgraded, the 2+2 can not. I have seen mixed reports on whether you actually save money by doing it. One poster recently said that they were charged the difference in the AP and what she paid UT for the ticket even with using it first. Another poster said that she was just charged the difference between the gate price of a 3 day and the AP. I guess it depends on the person helping, which is not much of a help to the rest of us wondering! I will be upgrading mine in 2 weeks. I have the UT buy 2 get 1 free. I will post back on how it goes.

 

[georgina]

The second option was me - in September I upgraded my buy 2 days get 1 free UT ticket (it just says 3 day park to park ticket on the back) to a seasonal AP at the guest relations office inside the Studios. Went perfectly, he knew exactly what to do, and I paid $35 which is the difference between the gate prices of a 3 day and a seasonal AP. That is how it is supposed to go. If someone in guest relations can't do this transaction properly, just as sometimes happens at Disney, say no thanks and try again later with someone else.

 

[bumbershoot]

FWIW the mousesavers link saves only dollars, and that's for WDW tickets. I've never seen much if anything for universal. And the extra discount is so paltry with WDW that it's barely worth it if you have to scramble to get the newsletter for the link to UCT.

 

[perditax]

From my understanding the 2+1 can be upgraded, the 2+2 can not. I have seen mixed reports on whether you actually save money by doing it. One poster recently said that they were charged the difference in the AP and what she paid UT for the ticket even with using it first. Another poster said that she was just charged the difference between the gate price of a 3 day and the AP. I guess it depends on the person helping, which is not much of a help to the rest of us wondering! I will be upgrading mine in 2 weeks. I have the UT buy 2 get 1 free. I will post back on how it goes.

Thanks. My situation is I need to buy/upgrade at least one ticket to an AP of some flavor because the math works out for a hotel discount. I don't know if my BF will enjoy it enough to want to upgrade from a P2P to AP (his first time) but he might. After running the numbers a couple of times (and remembering to account for tax), the savings don't seem significant enough for the risk of not being able to upgrade if we want.

I'm leaning towards just buying us two seasonal APs straight from UO. Although then I run a different risk--there is some concern that the seasonal passes will not permit USF access on days there is a Mardi Gras concert that night, even if a blackout is not in place. I suppose I should just call. And stop rambling.