Another Best Rate for AP question!

[karebear1]

If you book through the AP site and get a "best rate" for a resort that is not an AP rate, but an AP discount is announced later, will they automatically apply the AP rate to your existing ressie?

 

[SuzEm]

Not sure what you are asking - if you get a "best rate" it is an AP rate because they only give it to AP holders. If you get rack rate, then it's not a "best rate." When I was trying to make my reservation I got several different rates come up, but only the lowest said it was the "best rate." All the other rates said "Best Rate not available for this time period, try other dates/resorts" or something to that effect. It took several tries to get the "best rate" back again; but in the process I noticed that only those discounted rates had the wording at the top about being a "best rate." Only the "best rates" qualify for the automatic discount if other public rates are lower. If you booked a room on the AP site that didn't have the "best rate," then no, they won't automatically lower it. But if you did book a room on the site that wasn't "best rate" then you should be able to cancel without a penalty. Only the "best rate" has the non-refundable deposit. If you booked, check your paperwork they email you - it says whether it is "best rate" or not. Does this answer your question? There are still a lot of unknowns about this whole thing. Bottom line - don't book it if you aren't willing to pay the price they are showing you - don't count on any further discounts. I got a rate that was substantially less than my AAA rate, so I was willing to live with it even if no further discounts happen.

 

[karebear1]

OK- I booked a room at "best rate" on the AP site, but I called CRO because there was a big discrepancy between the room I booked and a much better upgraded room. To make a long story short- the situation was rectified, but the CM said that the "best rate" I booked was NOT an AP rate- so I am under the impression that these are 2 different rates. She said that AP rates hadn't even been released for my November date.... that AP rates had only been released until early October. This would also make sense because when you compare to last year AP rates, the "best rate" I got for my Nov. date was almost double the AP rate for the equivalent room.


I'm so confused!

 

[Luv2Roam]

As long as an AP guest books with the "Best Rate" on-line package and a lower rate is given for their timeframe, then the lower rate will be the new rate for the guest. Clear as mud?
The AP rate is guaranteed to be the lowest (best) rate available for the travel dates.
I would assume that means for the guests specified time of travel and the room/resort they have booked.

Now it will be interesting to see if there is a limted number of rooms and there are more guests lined up for what rooms are offered. Wonder what will happen, or if the quanity is already figured at the initial bookings.

It will be interesting to see how this all falls together.

 

[Santa]

If I am understanding this "BEST RATE" thing then my dates 11/12/05 - 11/19/05 at POR comes out to be $166 a night for a standard view room.

I can get just about any room off site for a lot less $$$$.

 

[SuzEm]

If I am understanding this "BEST RATE" thing then my dates 11/12/05 - 11/19/05 at POR comes out to be $166 a night for a standard view room.

I can get just about any room off site for a lot less $$$$.

That doesn't sound like "best rate" but rack rate. Sometimes when you put in your dates and resort preference it will come up with rack rate and say something to the effect that "best rate" is not available for your date/resort, try another date/resort. If it is "best rate" - it will say it is the "best rate." I think most have been getting a best rate at moderates around $109 plus tax for standard (don't hold me to that - but it's something like that). Keep trying and you may come up with an actual "best rate." Sometimes you have to log out and log back in to get it again.