APH Discounts?

[Tank]

I purchased an anual pass last August when we went to Universal and recieved the room discount. I just tried to book 2 rooms for July and they said that I could not get the discount even though the hotels have rooms available. Does anyone know why this is? The whole reason I bought the AP is for the room discounts. I live in PA and only get to Orlando for a few days a year. It looks like I wasted my money.

 

[pixeegrl]

They are probably all sold out for July. They only allow so many at that discount. Also if they don't need to fill the hotels they may not offer the discount. I know they had a few in June and there are some in August. When I look on the website I see availability still at PBH. What are your dates and which hotel are you looking to book? You got a discount last time so at least you saved some money last year Also, forgot to add did you enter APH in the promotion box?

 

[Bluer101]

So far for July PBH has a few. But HRH and RPR has not had any.

Discounts are based on availability. Also they have blackout dates. July is one of the busiest months. If the rooms are filling without the discount why would they release a discounted rate.

I was waiting for the AP or Florida resident discount for our trip also, but it's not happening. Glad I booked months ago at the Stay more save more.

 

[macraven]

most of the time i use the promo hotel rates as the ap rates go quickly for the dates i need, when they come out.

this year i have a few nights of the AP rate for early october.
the rest of my stay is the smsm promo rate.

there was only a $12 difference between them.


i never plan my hotel stay with the idea i'll land the ap discount.
those ap dates are not always predictable.

i've had my ap for years and only used it twice for the hotel discounts.

 

[Tank]

Thank you for the replys. My dates are the in the 2nd week of July between the 5th and 13th. I will be in FL that week and wanted to spend a few days at Universal. I understand not offering the discount if the hotels are full but they all have open rooms. What really bothers me is that we are a family of 6 and I need to get two rooms. Not getting the discount really hurts and we will probably avoid Universal this trip. It seems to me to be bad business turning away people that want to stay in their empty rooms. If it was slow season I would stay offsite but not the second week of July. Long lines and 4 kids do not make a vacation.

 

[macraven]

when rooms are not filling up, that is a time when you can see ap rates available.

last year and the year before, ap rates become available 2 weeks before my october stay.

it's a hit or miss situation.

by the time they do appear, i miss out on them.
i book 12 months out for my room.
eventually, i quit checking for rates then.

it's usually on the dis where i read about ap rates being released with short notice.

with your dates of july 5-13, there is always the possibility of ap rates appearing at the last minute.
don't think there would be any released for the 4th july period, but the next week possibily.

check frequently if you don't mind booking at the last minute.

wish you the best on your vacation no matter where it is spent.

 

[Bluer101]

Thank you for the replys. My dates are the in the 2nd week of July between the 5th and 13th. I will be in FL that week and wanted to spend a few days at Universal. I understand not offering the discount if the hotels are full but they all have open rooms. What really bothers me is that we are a family of 6 and I need to get two rooms. Not getting the discount really hurts and we will probably avoid Universal this trip. It seems to me to be bad business turning away people that want to stay in their empty rooms. If it was slow season I would stay offsite but not the second week of July. Long lines and 4 kids do not make a vacation.

Just because they have empty rooms now does not mean they wont fill up. Trust me, all three hotels will be at capacity. We try to go every July 4 th for a week or longer. Ever since Potter the discounts at busy times are few and far between. Last year they were realeased late for July. When I mean late, it was May 15th and now we are past that. Only PBH this year had some released. Maybe being the larger more expensive hotel they were not booking as fast.

As for bad business it's not, its supply and demand. Also it's not the hotels fault you need two rooms. I understand where you are upset though. There have been plenty of trips where we needed two room with extra kids that joined us. We just put it in the budget and stay shorter or don't go at all. Not sounding mean it's just the way it is.

 

[jedi jen]

I have an AP discount rate at PBH for July 18-22. Perhaps your dates are so close to July 4, and are in peak summer season.

 

[Tank]

I enjoyed being able to rant on these boards about the unwillingness of Universal to offer a discount to AP holders. Once I got that out of my system I took a look at all my options. I prefer Universal to Disney because of the more relaxing pace that we can tour the parks. With FOTL passes it was easy to see everything and still relax at the pools. BUT this year we decided to go back to Disney. I booked four nights at a Disney resort with 2 connectings rooms and it was much cheaper than just two nights at Universal. I just need to readjust my touring and not try to see everything. I might be back to Universal next year or I might like my new Disney strategy. We will see.
Only time will tell if Universals policy of turning away loyal fans works out for them.

 

[Melanie230]

Tank...I can understand your frustration...however if you are truly concerned about long lines with 4 kids doesn't make a vacation....I don't think Disney in July is the answer.

 

[Tank]

I agree Disney in July is not my idea of relaxing. But I am going to try something new this year. Not seeing it all. We always do rope drop even at Universal for Harry Potter and RRR at the Studios side. So we will do rope drop ride just our favorites, get some FP and do those when they come up. When it gets crowded we will head to the hotel pool and relax. I have seen all the nightime shows many times so I won't feel the need to see them again. If we want to head back to the parks and just walk around and take in the sights and get something to eat we will. By not getting the AP discount at Universal it would cost me and extra $400 for two rooms for two nights. I will take that money and treat ourselfs to some extra's at Disney that we don't usually get to do.

 

[bumbershoot]

BUT this year we decided to go back to Disney. I booked four nights at a Disney resort with 2 connectings rooms and it was much cheaper than just two nights at Universal. I just need to readjust my touring and not try to see everything. I might be back to Universal next year or I might like my new Disney strategy. We will see.
Only time will tell if Universals policy of turning away loyal fans works out for them.

For the future, know that you should start looking early and KEEP ON LOOKING for the APH rates. I mean, check every day if you have the time. They can pop up as you get closer.

In case you don't have this site, go here to be able to check all three hotels at once.

 

[pigby]

For the future, know that you should start looking early and KEEP ON LOOKING for the APH rates. I mean, check every day if you have the time. They can pop up as you get closer.

In case you don't have this site, go here to be able to check all three hotels at once.

We had all but given up for our June dates but they did show - eventually. You bever know - I was checking Universal's website every day

 

[damo]

Orlando Universal Hotels are having some sort of deal happening on June 7. There are no details, but might be worth it to check it out on June 7 and see if there are some good summer deals.

 

[Tank]

Thanks Damo, I have been checking at least every other day but nothing so far. I will keep a look out on the 7th. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Bluer101]

Orlando Universal Hotels are having some sort of deal happening on June 7. There are no details, but might be worth it to check it out on June 7 and see if there are some good summer deals.

If you are referring to the Summer Of Loews deals, that will probably not include the 3 onsite hotels. If you go to Loews website and click the images left or right on the sale banner, you will see all the other location of hotels except the Universal ones. They had this promotion last year and excluded Universal hotels.

Here is the thread where we discussed about it last year.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2715258

Sorry to burst you bubble Tank, but still check incase I'm wrong.

 

[macraven]

i received that summer of love Loews hotels email on May 30th.

it states that on one day only, June 7th, you can book online for discounted rooms.

the orlando resort hotels are on that list.

i pulled it up and since i didn't know Tank's exact dates, i put in July 5-13.

the Best Rate of $195.30 came up.

AP rates did not come up as i would have to put each date in separately.


i have not had enough coffee to take the time to do that..............
i don't function well without my pot of coffee........

that is the one special they have out there right now.


Tank, go to the Loews site and try each day in your vacation period with the APH code.

the best rate special is an online booking on June 7th only.

 

[Bluer101]

i received that summer of love Loews hotels email on May 30th.

it states that on one day only, June 7th, you can book online for discounted rooms.

the orlando resort hotels are on that list.

i pulled it up and since i didn't know Tank's exact dates, i put in July 5-13.

the Best Rate of $195.30 came up.

AP rates did not come up as i would have to put each date in separately.


i have not had enough coffee to take the time to do that..............
i don't function well without my pot of coffee........

that is the one special they have out there right now.


Tank, go to the Loews site and try each day in your vacation period with the APH code.

the best rate special is an online booking on June 7th only.

I'm surprised that the 3 resorts are on your list. Normally it excludes those in the past. .

That's why I questioned it since none of the onsite hotels are in the photo slide show on the Summer of Loews deal page and last years deal.
We will see.

 

[macraven]

I'm surprised that the 3 resorts are on your list. Normally it excludes those in the past. .

That's why I questioned it since none of the onsite hotels are in the photo slide show on the Summer of Loews deal page and last years deal.
We will see.

they were on the list but are excluded from the daily $25 beverage/food credits each day of the stay.

 

[Bluer101]

they were on the list but are excluded from the daily $25 beverage/food credits each day of the stay.

I will keep an eye out then. But I don't think I can change my rate now since I was upgraded to a king suite due to issues on my last stay. I'm at the SMSM rate, so I don't know how they can change it. I first booked the standard room with gold upgrade to water view. Then management called and upgraded me to the suite. So now my reservation says king suite at the garden view price.