Air Miles Personal Shopper - How long?

[ElCray]

Hi all! Wondering about everyone's experiences with Air Miles personal shopper. How long has it taken to get the transaction done? We're hoping to get them to buy an Annual Pass for us at Universal, and we'd want to pick it up Sunday, March 13th. Wondering if it's even in the realm of possibility? (And yes, I am kicking myself for only realizing today that that's our best strategy.)

 

[bababear_50]

Hi Hon
Sorry I don't have an answer but I was wondering if you would share how many Airmiles did they want for a AP Annual Pass for Universal?
(Via Personal Shopper).

I hope someone has an answer to your question and Best wishes on your up coming holiday.
Hugs Mel

 

[ElCray]

Hi Hon
Sorry I don't have an answer but I was wondering if you would share how many Airmiles did they want for a AP Annual Pass for Universal?
(Via Personal Shopper).

I hope someone has an answer to your question and Best wishes on your up coming holiday.
Hugs Mel

Thanks Mel! I will for sure let you know as soon as we get a quote. I'm crossing my fingers for that negative covid test next weekend. My daughter turns 11 during March Break and wanted a Harry Potter birthday theme with a butterbeer cake. We are surprising her by taking her to Universal to celebrate immersed in Harry Potter world.

 

[youngdeb12]

I can't speak for recently but pre-COVID it took about 5 business days from when we received our initial contact from the Personal Shopper to when we received our tickets. If you can't get it in time, have you thought of redeeming for Universal Tickets via Redtag and then upgrading them when you get to Universal?

 

[bababear_50]

Thanks Mel! I will for sure let you know as soon as we get a quote. I'm crossing my fingers for that negative covid test next weekend. My daughter turns 11 during March Break and wanted a Harry Potter birthday theme with a butterbeer cake. We are surprising her by taking her to Universal to celebrate immersed in Harry Potter world.

Well
I think this is so totally the best Birthday gift ever!!
Your a great mom!
Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

I can't speak for recently but pre-COVID it took about 5 business days from when we received our initial contact from the Personal Shopper to when we received our tickets. If you can't get it in time, have you thought of redeeming for Universal Tickets via Redtag and then upgrading them when you get to Universal?

Deb
Hi
Can you upgrade at Universal hotel resort?
What exactly does an AP get you?
Sorry I've never bought one.
Thanks
Mel

 

[ElCray]

I can't speak for recently but pre-COVID it took about 5 business days from when we received our initial contact from the Personal Shopper to when we received our tickets. If you can't get it in time, have you thought of redeeming for Universal Tickets via Redtag and then upgrading them when you get to Universal?

I did think of that... That was my original plan but there are two reasons why I'm reluctant to go that route.

One is the stories I've heard about the glitch in that system where the tickets don't show up and you have to call everybody to get them reissued. I'm not really up for that stress.

The second is that from my understanding, the tickets are for a specific date with Universal and (edit: I'm not sure how easy they are to change with a 3rd party seller). We can't test until Friday at 12 a.m. and there is the risk we test positive and can't go. I'm so afraid to be out that many Air Miles. My travel insurance would cover any fees we have to pay for late cancellation etc., but not Air Miles.

Using the Personal Shopper to buy the Annual Passes means they will be there waiting for us whenever we show up. And they only get activated on our first real day in the parks. It feels safer to me with my risk tolerances.

Of course I should have figured this out a couple weeks ago... womp womp. There's not really anything lost if we can't use the Air Miles on the passes... We would use them for flights or hotels on other trips. We'd just prefer to not pay for the Annual Passes out of pocket if we could get them with the Personal Shopper.

 

[ElCray]

Deb
Hi
Can you upgrade at Universal hotel resort?
What exactly does an AP get you?
Sorry I've never bought one.
Thanks
Mel

It depends on the tier but for the Premium Pass:
- no block out dates
- hotel discounts
- free parking
- early entry
- express passes (once per ride) after 4 p.m.
- 15% off food

Here is the link with a chart that explains:
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/annual-passes/promo
The hotel discounts can be pretty lucrative. I found an AP rate for a date in May when we are hoping to go - $300 instead of $419 for the Royal Pacific and it comes with unlimited express passes on both the date of check in and check out.

It's my understanding that you can easily upgrade your ticket to an AP.

 

[bababear_50]

https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/orlando-annual-passes-guide/
Thanks guys
When I finally decide when to go back it will be to Universal .
Lots to learn.

Hugs
Mel

 

[Aug2020distrip]

Ugh are the really use it or lose it? That was my fear. So if we can’t go on the day we buy we are out of luck? I was hoping it would just be like Disney tickets where they might expire but you can just upgrade when you do go. Ugh now I’m not sure what to do. The airmiles route would save us hundreds, but I’m so worried if we can’t make it for whatever reason.

 

[ElCray]

Ugh are the really use it or lose it? That was my fear. So if we can’t go on the day we buy we are out of luck? I was hoping it would just be like Disney tickets where they might expire but you can just upgrade when you do go. Ugh now I’m not sure what to do. The airmiles route would save us hundreds, but I’m so worried if we can’t make it for whatever reason.

Here are the terms on the Universal website. I will post the terms from the Air Miles tix next!

Q: Do tickets expire?

A: Unused tickets that are not date specific generally do not expire. However, tickets may be subject to specific expiration conditions based on first use or ticket type. Please refer to the Complete Ticket Details for your desired ticket type for details.

Q: Can I get a refund on tickets?

A: Generally, all purchases are final and no refunds are available. If your vacation plans change, please remember that unused tickets do not expire unless otherwise noted. Upon first use, specific ticket expiration conditions apply. Special event and other date specific tickets are valid for entry on specified date only. Check the ticket description for expiration conditions for your given ticket type. Universal Studios reserves the right to change online ticket prices without prior notification. Universal Studios will not be held accountable for lost or stolen ticket orders once they have left our fulfillment center. If you have questions about this policy or special circumstances, please contact our customer service department at 1-407-224-7840 or via email at onlinestorehelp@universalorlando.com

 

[ElCray]

Here are the Air Miles Universal Orlando ticket terms. I could call Universal ticketing in the morning and ask what would happen to our Air Miles voucher if we got Covid and couldn't go. I hope I'm wrong and that they would still recognize the value...

***

The 2-Park 4-Day Park-to-Park Ticket Dated entitles one (1) guest admission to BOTH Universal Studios Florida, AND Universal's Islands of Adventure theme parks on the same day. Ticket is valid for any four (4) calendar days during a seven (7) consecutive calendar day period which commences on and includes the date selected. This ticket also includes seven (7) consecutive calendar days of admission to select live entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk which commences on and includes the date selected. The ticket will expire in full on the expiration date printed on ticket. Unused days shall be forfeited.

 

[ElCray]

Also I will call tomorrow morning and report back!!

 

[ElCray]

Ok I just got off the phone with Universal Ticketing!

If we get covid prior to departure and need to change the date of the tickets, she said:

1. Because the tickets weren't bought from Universal, the first step is to contact the 3rd party seller to ask for help. (She said she couldn't be any more specific because she didn't know any of the terms between Universal and Red Tag/Air Miles.)

-if the third party seller won't help-

2. Call Universal ticketing and they will see what they can do. She couldn't give me any guarantees about any type of resolution because it depends on the situation.

 

[ottawamom]

Sorry to hear you didn't get a more positive result. After the whole Covid thing I have decided to get tickets and flights directly from the provider. I'll use AM for hotels and car rentals moving forward as they have the best return policies cancellations/refunds and AM will give me the AM back once they get their money back.

Once I've used up my stash of Dream miles it will be Cash miles all the way and cashing those out to be used as I see fit (on holiday expenditure). There are way too many constraints to the AM program these days. It was great when no one had to cancel/change plans but this is the new normal and it calls for a new approach.

 

[ElCray]

Sorry to hear you didn't get a more positive result. After the whole Covid thing I have decided to get tickets and flights directly from the provider. I'll use AM for hotels and car rentals moving forward as they have the best return policies cancellations/refunds and AM will give me the AM back once they get their money back.

Once I've used up my stash of Dream miles it will be Cash miles all the way and cashing those out to be used as I see fit (on holiday expenditure). There are way too many constraints to the AM program these days. It was great when no one had to cancel/change plans but this is the new normal and it calls for a new approach.

Agreed!!

 

[ElCray]

Updates!

Made the request on Saturday.

Personal Shopper sent an email first thing this morning when they opened (Monday) confirming the request for the Premier Annual Pass. We confirmed right away.

Just received quote at 2:30 pm. The quote for one Annual Pass is 10,725 Air Miles. Giving the go-ahead now with the qualifier that we need to be able to pick it up in person rather than having it mailed.

Will report back!

 

[youngdeb12]

Updates!

Made the request on Saturday.

Personal Shopper sent an email first thing this morning when they opened (Monday) confirming the request for the Premier Annual Pass. We confirmed right away.

Just received quote at 2:30 pm. The quote for one Annual Pass is 10,725 Air Miles. Giving the go-ahead now with the qualifier that we need to be able to pick it up in person rather than having it mailed.

Will report back!

That's great news! Hopefully all works out!

 

[ElCray]

Another update! We managed to make contact with the Personal Shopper yesterday through emails and thanked them profusely for taking up our request so fast.

They said that once the transaction is done, we'll receive the Annual Pass by email. They also confirmed they understand we need it this weekend.

Air Miles have not yet been deducted from our account! Will keep you updated.

 

[ElCray]

Air Miles were deducted this afternoon and we got our Air Miles receipt!

Now just waiting to receive the Annual Pass by email!