Anyone ever get Costco to move a PIF?

[Seamama]

We're booked for Aug 2020 (Alaksa) and are waiting it out/hoping it will still happen. We used Costco Travel. In their great prudence, our PIF date is end of March, even though the actual PIF isn't till mid-May. They said they do this in case there are any snags with payment, etc. and I'm usually cool with that but given the current situation (coronavirus), I'd love to push out the date Costco runs my credit card to something like beginning of May. Has anyone every done gotten Costco to move out their PIF date? (Not the real PIF, but the earlier one that Costco uses). Thanks!

 

[fdefulvio]

I also have an August cruise booked with Costco. My question is if we do pay our PIF date with Costco, can we still cancel before the formal Disney PIF date and get all of our money credited back? It would seem that the Disney refund policy should only apply to their date.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Has anyone every done gotten Costco to move out their PIF date? (Not the real PIF, but the earlier one that Costco uses)

I don't know about that, but isn't the difference just one day? Costco has to at least honor Disney's policy.

My question is if we do pay our PIF date with Costco, can we still cancel before the formal Disney PIF date and get all of our money credited back?

Yes. I clarified that with Costco before using them. The cancellation policy is exactly the same as working with DCL directly.

 

[Seamama]

I don't think so. Once you've PIF it's a done deal. Total commitment. (Unless they extend their current special cancellation policy.)

I also have an August cruise booked with Costco. My question is if we do pay our PIF date with Costco, can we still cancel before the formal Disney PIF date and get all of our money credited back? It would seem that the Disney refund policy should only apply to their date.

 

[Seamama]

My PIF date is 3/29/20 for a cruise that starts 8/10/20. I'm pretty sure the real PIF is not till 5/11/20. I don't think Costco has to abide by DCL's date, though. But that's a guess on my part.

I don't think I can Cancel without penalty (unless special rules apply) once I've PIF. On DCL's end it would appear as PIF and they'd figure I paid early, as some people do. I think once you PIF you're locked in.

I don't know about that, but isn't the difference just one day? Costco has to at least honor Disney's policy.
Yes. I clarified that with Costco before using them. The cancellation policy is exactly the same as working with DCL directly.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I don't think Costco has to abide by DCL's date, though. But that's a guess on my part.

DCL automatically cancels and refunds any cruises that aren't PIF on their PIF date. That's why Costco keeps our credit card info and sets an earlier date. If they tried to use a no longer valid credit card on the last day and couldn't get reach us for a new credit card on that last day, the cruise would be canceled by DCL.

 

[SteveMouse]

Costco, or any agency, could set whatever date it likes.

If it set a date closer to the cruise date than the cruise line's PIF date, Costco would need to advance the money and then seek reimbursement from the prospective passenger (probably not a good business approach).

They could also set a due date before the cruise line's date to ensure that the agency has the funds from the passenger to pass along to the cruise line.

If the agency sets the date the same as the cruise line's PIF date, and the prospective passenger pays on the last date, it could be a scramble to get everything straight if there were an issue.

 

[Disneypeach]

A couple of cruises ago I asked Costco about their pif date difference and was told it was 2weeks earlier to make sure no issues would accidentally cancel my cruise. But it was just 2 weeks early, not two months.

 

[LAX]

I don't think so. Once you've PIF it's a done deal. Total commitment. (Unless they extend their current special cancellation policy.)

That's not true. It's the PIF with DCL that counts. As long as DCL is willing to refund (and I don't see why not if it's prior to DCL's official PIF date), Costco won't charge you anything. In fact, I have had Costco moved back its own PIF dates twice because I needed time for some Disney GCs I had ordered to arrive in the mail.

LAX

 

[lanejudy]

DCL automatically cancels and refunds any cruises that aren't PIF on their PIF date.

This is not true. Yes, DCL will automatically cancel any reservation not paid by the PIF date. But cancellation penalties kick in so there may not be a refund.

@Seamama - I believe you can work something out with Costco if you need a little more time. But I suggest you check your dates - I’ve never heard of Costco PIF date being that far ahead of DCL’s, it’s usually about 2 weeks. Isn’t DCL’s PIF due at 120 days out? Wouldn’t that be in April, not May?

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[fdefulvio]

Since Costco is just making the payment to Disney on our behalf, I would like to believe that if we were to cancel after making a full payment by Costco’s PIF date that we would still get a full refund as long as we cancel before the Disney PIF date. Obviously we would still have to go through Costco to request the cancelation.

My Costco PIF date is 4/3 for a 8/15 sailing. I think this will be over with by my sailing date, but I really don’t want to tie up $10K for another year if I don’t have to. An extra couple of weeks to make that decision could make a big difference. This is just starting to get real.

 

[Seamama]

Ah! That’s probably right. I miscalculated (counting only 90 days instead of 120). I couldn’t find the DCL date on any of my paperwork. Mid-April makes way more sense and isn’t that much different from my scheduled auto-pay date of 3/29. Although these days, things are changing my the hour! I may try to ask about it but we’ll see. Don’t way to tie up the phone lines over there since my question isn’t urgent.

This is not true. Yes, DCL will automatically cancel any reservation not paid by the PIF date. But cancellation penalties kick in so there may not be a refund.

@Seamama - I believe you can work something out with Costco if you need a little more time. But I suggest you check your dates - I’ve never heard of Costco PIF date being that far ahead of DCL’s, it’s usually about 2 weeks. Isn’t DCL’s PIF due at 120 days out? Wouldn’t that be in April, not May?

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Seamama]

I feel like I read on this board that once you pay the last penny owed, you’re PIF. So, like, you’re locked in as soon as you’re paid up. But maybe that’s wrong and it’s really based on actual PIF date.

Since Costco is just making the payment to Disney on our behalf, I would like to believe that if we were to cancel after making a full payment by Costco’s PIF date that we would still get a full refund as long as we cancel before the Disney PIF date. Obviously we would still have to go through Costco to request the cancelation.

My Costco PIF date is 4/3 for a 8/15 sailing. I think this will be over with by my sailing date, but I really don’t want to tie up $10K for another year if I don’t have to. An extra couple of weeks to make that decision could make a big difference. This is just starting to get real.

 

[Mommb]

I feel like I read on this board that once you pay the last penny owed, you’re PIF. So, like, you’re locked in as soon as you’re paid up. But maybe that’s wrong and it’s really based on actual PIF date.

No, I don’t think it’s correct that you are locked in once you make a full payment.

I agree with LAX that as long as you cancel before the DCL penalty date stated in the cruise contract (typically 89 days for 1-5 night cruises, 119 days for longer cruises) you can get a full refund of anything you have paid.

 

[Seamama]

Thanks, that makes sense, too. I don’t know why I thought I heard that somewhere ...

Ok, thanks everyone for your replies!

No, I don’t think it’s correct that you are locked in once you make a full payment.

I agree with LAX that as long as you cancel before the DCL penalty date stated in the cruise contract (typically 89 days for 1-5 night cruises, 119 days for longer cruises) you can get a full refund of anything you have paid.

 

[lanejudy]

DCL’s cancellation policy is by date. You can pay the full amount at booking a year out, it will all be refundable until the official PIF date.

Various TA’s may charge a cancellation fee regardless of when you cancel. Be aware of your TA’s policy. I’m not saying Costco does this, but for anyone reading along who may have booked through a different agency.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[mmouse37]

DCL automatically cancels and refunds any cruises that aren't PIF on their PIF date. That's why Costco keeps our credit card info and sets an earlier date. If they tried to use a no longer valid credit card on the last day and couldn't get reach us for a new credit card on that last day, the cruise would be canceled by DCL.

Nope....if you fail to pay your reservation by Disney's PIF date and not cancel officially, DCL will auto cancel your reservation but KEEP YOUR DEPOSIT. This just happened to my friend 10 days ago. They thought as you did and decided not to go but didn't officially cancel the reservation. They got an email saying the reservation was canceled but the deposit would not be refunded.

Please don't just let reservations expire without officially canceling or you will lose your deposits

MJ

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

They will take off the early PIF date without question. They did it for me when I questioned it.

 

[EllinK]

Sounds like Costco is hoping to get people to fully commit sooner than normal. Their PIF date is typically 1-2 weeks ahead of DCL. I have gone past the Costco date (because I didn't know it was earlier and did not get any communication) and they did not cancel my cruise. Just make sure you don't have a credit card on file or they will process the charge. Also, ask Costco to put a note on your file that you are planning to pay closer to the DCL PIF date.