We recently returned from a trip to the Portofino.
We had a slight problem with the $100 credit. When checking in, we were sure to ask where we could use it, and we were told that we could use it at the spa and any restaurant in any of the resorts. We were sure to ask because we didn't want to splurge on a nice meal and then have to pay due to some restriction we didn't know about.
So, we go and make reservations for Emeril's Tchoup Chop, which we'd been dying to try for years (and now had a great excuse to!). Again, when we made reservations at the Portofino concierge, we casually (and purposefully, to double check) mentioned that we were planning to use our credit at Tchoup Chop. No one seemed to think that was odd or out of the ordinary, so we felt sure that the credit would be applied.
Well, I'm guessing you see where this is going... On checkout day, we get the bill, and, low and behold, the Tchoup Chop charge is on there.
So, we go to the front desk. The same lady who checked us in was there (and she was very kind and helpful and we greatly appreciated her help!). We then explained the situation (we even kept our receipts, just in case...) She then went to speak with a manager, and then came back and said that the credit was good for any restaurant at the hotels which are
owned by the hotels themselves. Therefore, Bice, Palm, and, Tchoup Chop (and perhaps more that I don't remember right now) were not valid restaurants to use the credit.
Well, we reminded her that we asked specifically when we checked in and she stated it could be used at any restaurant at the resorts, and then even stated that the concierge never corrected us as well. We also pointed out that there is no way for us to know which restaurants the resorts own themselves. She then went back to speak with her manager. It took a couple more trips back and forth for her, but they finally agreed to give us the $100 credit. She then reminded us once more, that, in the future, the credit is only good at restaurants owned by the hotel. We thanked her and went on our way.
So, overall, they did correct the problem. And, we felt quite bad that the check in lady had to keep going back and forth to speak with the manager. We are a little upset that the manager didn't come and speak with us personally and instead had the check in lady keep acting as a messenger. We think that this problem is a problem with the management. It was quite clear that management had not trained the front-line employees about the new changes, and we hope they correct this soon. If they don't want people spending the credit at specific restaurants, they should have a handout which specifically states which restaurants the credit is and isn't valid for.
Sorry for the long post, but this is the first time I've had a chance to vent about this. Overall, this was a wonderful trip and, now that we know more about the rules, we know we will be putting that $100 credit to good use (at the proper venues) in the future! I just hope that the management realizes that this new program is different and people need to be trained about it so what happened to us won't happen to others!
So, in short, be sure to use the credit
only at the restaurants owned by the resorts themselves.
We didn't like that we had to fight for the credit and it did put a bit of a damper to the end of our stay at Universal. However, we've had years of wonderful trips there, so we still love the Portofino and know we'll be back soon (possibly for
HHN!)