Applying AP Discount to Existing Reservation

[Mom2JoeyandBen]

I'd like to find out how everyone on here has fared regarding this issue.
It was my understanding that if I book at trip for a group of dates well in advance whether at rack rate or AAA discount, then when the AP discount is released, there is NO GUARANTEE they can just apply that discount to my existing reservation. It was my understanding they have to check and see if there are any discounted rooms available for that time frame at my hotel of choice, and if not, I would be stuck with my existing rate.

However, when I called on Aug. 13th this week, I was told by the CM that I was speaking with that I should call well in advance(before the AP discounts come out), and book my reservation at rack rate or with AAA. Then when the discounts are released, call up and they would just apply that discount code/rate to my existing reservation since I would already have the room booked. I explained to her that I was told otherwise by other CM before and didn't think that was the case. She said if someone tells me that, to ask to speak to a supervisor...

Anyone ever heard of this actually being true, where it's a "guaranteed discount" as long as you have the room booked and a discount is released for the dates you are traveling???

 

[Cinderumbrella]

hmmmm... interesting....

I am currently booked at the CR for Nov 2009 with AP plus deluxe dining (but have no hope of actually getting an AP rate. I just want the DxDDP!) Wouldn't that be wonderful if it was true!

 

[Maxie86]

I'd like to find out how everyone on here has fared regarding this issue.
It was my understanding that if I book at trip for a group of dates well in advance whether at rack rate or AAA discount, then when the AP discount is released, there is NO GUARANTEE they can just apply that discount to my existing reservation. It was my understanding they have to check and see if there are any discounted rooms available for that time frame at my hotel of choice, and if not, I would be stuck with my existing rate.

However, when I called on Aug. 13th this week, I was told by the CM that I was speaking with that I should call well in advance(before the AP discounts come out), and book my reservation at rack rate or with AAA. Then when the discounts are released, call up and they would just apply that discount code/rate to my existing reservation since I would already have the room booked. I explained to her that I was told otherwise by other CM before and didn't think that was the case. She said if someone tells me that, to ask to speak to a supervisor...

Anyone ever heard of this actually being true, where it's a "guaranteed discount" as long as you have the room booked and a discount is released for the dates you are traveling???

It has never worked for me. That CM was wrong. It wouldn't make sense to give everyone with a room already booked the AP rate once they came out. AP rates are only offered when a resort has a number of unsold rooms. Why would they discount all the rooms that are already booked? There is a limited number of rooms available for the AP discount. If they are available for the room type that you already booked, the AP rate can be applied, if not you do not get the discount.

 

[rie'smom]

The discount is not guaranteed. However, if you keep posting on the DIS, I can tell you that you have a very good chance of getting the discount.

CInderumbrella, you can book the dining package with an AP discount. What happens is the room is discounted but the DDP is regular price. It still is a pretty good savings.
I just had the discount applied to my existing reservation yesterday

 

[raven69david]

I didn't get the AP rate applied to my room at POP (standard view), but I was able to switch to CSR for $15 more per night with the AP rate. I was hoping they would have applied the rate at POP, but they said they didn't have any more rooms available with the AP rate, and that's because I called 20 minutes after they opened.

So it seems they may have a specific number of rooms that they can apply the code to. Once those rooms are gone, then it seems that nobody else can apply a code at that hotel. So if i were to have called before the number of rooms were sold out at POP with the AP rate, then i could have simply just applied the code to my reservation.

 

[rie'smom]

I didn't get the AP rate applied to my room at POP (standard view), but I was able to switch to CSR for $15 more per night with the AP rate. I was hoping they would have applied the rate at POP, but they said they didn't have any more rooms available with the AP rate, and that's because I called 20 minutes after they opened.

So it seems they may have a specific number of rooms that they can apply the code to. Once those rooms are gone, then it seems that nobody else can apply a code at that hotel. So if i were to have called before the number of rooms were sold out at POP with the AP rate, then i could have simply just applied the code to my reservation.

That is correct. For some reason, the value and deluxe rooms (not all deluxes get the discounts) go first.

You need to keep your eyes open a few days before this code expires-Dec. 23. The code usually goes into effect at 7 am eastern time. Read here and on mouse savers to get the latest news.

 

[disneyfan55]

I called this morning to have the AP code applied to my ASMu reservation, no problem. Over the years I have done this, had a reservation at rack rate and then called when the discounts came out and have always been lucky to get them. In the more distant past it was moderates and deluxe resorts. The past 2 times a Value. I guess I have been very lucky according to what others have said. I would be very flexible if my particular resort wasn't available though. Our main thing is to get a room for the best rate possible to go a few times with the AP. Actually a week and a half ago I received the rate of 69 per night with a code I had eamailed to me for Sept 28 onward. The AP was much better at $54 for the first 4 nights and $74 for the final 2 nights. We saved overall over 200 for an 8 night stay in Music. I think that's a great savings for a Value Resort.