Best Rate Program is the pitts!

[5kwallace]

I have finally decided where I was going to stay for my 12/1 trip. I am going to stay at PO-R. I few weeks ago I thought about booking thru the Best Rate but wasn't sure where I wanted to stay. I was not comfortable with the $50 change fee. I called spoke to a CM about the fee, she said it could be waived etc... but I didn't book. I went to book today for 12/1 & cannot! The system says I am to late for the 120 window time frame. It says to call for my ressies. I called & the CM was very nice & he couldn't get me an AP rate either. System was giving him the rack rate. He tried everything he could to help me. He agreed that the Best Rate Program may not be the best thing. He said he wasn't sure when AP or FL rates will be out for that time frame now. This program is the pitts! Not everyone is 100% sure of their travel that far in advanced, especially us Floridians who are passholders & frequently like to go for long weekends! I did get my MVMCP tickets so I knew my dates, just wasn't sure of hotel. If the rates do not come out, I will not pay rack rate. I will stay offsite before paying that. Disney needs to come up with a better Best Rate Program!

I booked the Polynesian for late November/early December using the best rate program. I was fortunate enough to know my exact dates. I do not like the no cancellation policy. I wish that it could be done after the 120 day window also. It would make it great for those quick, unplanned trips that someone might wish to take. I hope that they release the traditional AP rates for you real soon!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

What I meant was that it is not a requirement to use the program.

With this explination, it is a requirement if you want to get an AP rate.
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A very clear reflection of the fact that travel and tourism is booming -- demand is at a high point, and so there is no need to discount offerings.

This isn't exactly true. Disney is not up to what they thought they were going to be. As a matter of fact, just about 2 weeks ago they lifted the black out dates for the Florida Resident Seasonal Passholder. The only time they do that is when the influx of expected guests do not pan out. I know several CM's & they have all said the same, Disney is down compared to what they expected (they aren't meeting the numbers)
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As you pointed out, the availability of discounts in a year when travel and tourism is booming is very small, so anything that guarantees that you're not going to end up paying more than the best public rate is worth something to many people.

Yes, this is true, something is better than nothing, I agree 100%. But that bargin will not be much of a bargin if you had to forfit your deposit or in my case have to pay a fee of $50 for the change. On the value resorts, I think the savings is only like $18 for the time I am going. I am staying for 3 nights. That makes it a savings of $54. If I had to pay the $50 fee to switch, what am I saving $4? That isn't worth it.
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US Airways didn't give me a discount when my wife got sick keeping us from flying to see my mother last month. Non-refundable deposits are a very very common aspect of many travel and tourism offerings.

Non refundable deposits are not common in hotels & that is what I was comparing it to with Priceline & Hotwire. I do not know of any hotel that will not give you a refund when you book directly with them. They usually have some form of policy, be it 24 hours or 45 days, but not 120 days.
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You're highlighting just how valuable the program is.

How is it not "fair"??? Again, there is no requirement to use this program. It is not compulsory. You, as the customer, have full veto power over the offering: You can just decide to not purchase it.

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It isn't fair to it's loyal frequent guests that have been coming for years (with nearly all planned less than 120 days out). It isn't fair to guests that cannot find out about vacation time that far in advance. The way they have it set up (as of now without regular AP or FL Resident Rates), it is a requirement if you want the discount. There is no other way. And yes, you are correct, one can decide just not to purchase it. If enough of us do that, Disney will have to change the policy. At least have a 30 day prior to check in cancellation policy, not a flat "no refund".

 

[DeirdreTours]

To change what is available to AP holders with no notice seems like a poor business practice. We had APs several years ago when we were visiting Disney more often and were always able to get really good room discounts (45% off). Had I purchased a pass for that purpose and then found myself unable to use it I would be very disappointed. The key issue here is customer expectations--Is it reasonable to expect the benefits to remain stable througout the duration of the pass? With Disney, I am sad to say, that is looks like this isn't a realistic expectation anymore.

 

[TDC Nala]

As I recall, the only real "benefit" of having an AP is yearlong admission to the parks. Anything else is subject to change and always has been.

I'm like everybody else, got used to the AP rates. I will be staying at Pop Century a lot now, when I'm not using DVC.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Well, to a business, the most loyal customer is the one willing to pay a premium for their products or services -- not the one willing to purchase their products and services at a discount. Discounting optimizes asset utilization; folks paying the premium represent the riches source of a business' success.

The only reason why there wouldn't be traditional AP discounts available would be if there were enough AP holders happy to commit to the non-refundable discount.

The guarantee is that the Best Rate will be better than any publicly available rate offered. The guarantee doesn't include restricted rates, such as AAA or AP rates.

A "loyal customer" isn't just the one willing to pay a premium for their products or services ..... a loyal guest is a returning guest, one that frequents the business, not one that may come once a year and pay the premium price. Remember, the more the guest goes, the more they spend. They may be getting a discount on the room, but they are still spending in the parks, shops, food.... and trips every 6 weeks (with stays anywhere from 3 nights to 14 nights) will add up to a decent amount of money. That is a loyal guest (and guest is using Disney terms). If a customer stops in a store once a year, pays top dollar for an item, how is that loyal compared to the one that comes in when ever there is a sale, say once a month Remember, spending the all mighty dollar doesn't automatically qualify you as a "loyal customer", it only counts if you keep returning frequently

 

[johnnyr]

Well, I have to say as a loyal AP holder, I do feel abondoned by this whole new program. I'm going to use our AP one more time for a trip in December, but will not renew. I already have plans made for next summer that will take us to the Caribbean (non-Disney). This is the first time in 7 years we chose an alternate plan for a vacation. I've learned an expensive lesson. As much as I and my family love Disney World, I think they have pushed too far this time. I've put up with $8.00 mixed drinks at the resorts, $70 breakfasts, paid $2.50 for bottled water in the parks, and bought my kids just about every stuffed plush aninmal on property for 3 times the cost as if I got it from a Disney Store in our local mall. Yes, you can say I'm upset with this new program, and I too think it's "the pitts"! It's a real slap in the face!

 

[Seahunt]

Sorry but I guess I'm a little dense about any problems with the Florida Res AP rates We also like to go on short notice trips, and haven't had any trouble still getting FL Res rates....

DH and I used the Florida Passholder Summer Rates (available for dates 7/23 through 8/27) for our latest last minute trip to the YC, and have booked the GF for 9/3 under the Florida Passholders Fall Rates plan (available 8/28 - 10/4/05), because we booked too close to use the Best Rates "120 days" out dates.

I did get to use the Best Rate plan for our 10/29 BWI ressies for the F&W though, mainly to see exactly how the plan will work if more FL Res rates come out for Winter. (I booked those back at the last of June, so had the 120 days out).

Maybe the other FL Res on the board didn't realize those discounts are still there, and available, in addition to the Best Rates Plan?

 

[yooperfan]

I don't really have a problem with the program. I booked my Jan. trip with BR and got a pretty good rate (around 30% off mod.) I would much rather book and know if I'm getting a decent disc. 120 days out than have to wait until I'm almost on the plane like when you call in. I wouldn't be finding out if I could get a discount for months yet with the phone in system. Sorry, but I can't understand being angry with Disney for not considering the FL residents more, since they get discounts on tickets, dining and room rates because they live in FL. I think residents should get these perks, but I don't see where Disney is ignoring your needs.

 

[TDC Nala]

I believe these are the persons planning trips after 10/4. There are currently no AP or Florida resident rates past 10/4 outside the Best Rate plan. The Best Rate plan took effect 10/8 so everyone is waiting to find out if Disney actually plans to release any further AP rates for this year that can be booked within 120 days. The main concern is that there will not be any more rates like that at all.

 

[DMRick]

I"m still confident they will. Last year it was the end of August before the next set of AP rates came out. If we go back and look at old messages, we'll see that just before they were due, the past couple of years people would start saying they would no longer have them. So I think I'll wait until the date they came out last year, before I deep six them.

I think you did good...but I'm still confused...does anyone believe they will ever release regular AP codes ever again? I'm new at this and I don't see it happening. Why should they bother, in their opinion, they've offered AP rates through Best rate and if the train leaves the station without you...too bad. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[DMRick]

but as mentioned earlier, there really is very little need for discounting this year.

Is everyone sure about this? If the rooms were so booked, why extend the free food program? A filled resort wouldn't have to give about free food.

 

[shellybaxter]

I'm an AP holder who first was upset with the best rate program. I think just because everyone else was, and because change is hard. Then I started planning my December trip. I knew when I was going, bought airfare, got AAA discounted ressies all before the 120 day mark. I then checked the AP best rates and I could save another $200.00 from the already discounted AAA rate. I booked the best rate program and canceled my AAA ressies. I'm fine with the terms of the program. I like to plan at least 4 months in advance. I like that Disney wants to reward me for planning early and being willing to commit to my plans.

 

[WishinOnaStar]

Well, to a business, the most loyal customer is the one willing to pay a premium for their products or services -- not the one willing to purchase their products and services at a discount. Discounting optimizes asset utilization; folks paying the premium represent the riches source of a business' success.

Working in retail since I was 16 it has been pounded into me that the repeat customer is the most valuable customer we could ever have. If they are willing to pay a premium, more the better. However in this day of fierce competition for the consumer dollar a better deal can always be found elsewhere. That is why there are sales to help bring those loyal customers back in. Service and convenience has a lot to do with it also. If the customer feels they are getting their moneys worth, it is convenient to shop there, and they experience good service, they will continue to patrionize our establishment. Retailers know it takes more money to attract new customers than to keep the loyal ones they already have. Disney will always attract the once in a life time vacationer, but it is the repeat vacationer that will keep them in business.

 

[bicker]

does anyone believe they will ever release regular AP codes ever again?

I think it will really depend on how many people who are happy to participate in the Best Rate Program. If there are enough that are, then perhaps they won't need to offer regular AP rates again. I doubt that will be the case. I think that Best Rate will appeal to folks who don't have the time to spend battling on the telephone for AP rates when their announced, and who really would have visited regardless. Except perhaps is boom years like this year, that won't fully cover the number of AP discounts typically offered.

It isn't fair to it's loyal frequent guests that have been coming for years

I don't understand why you think it is unfair. There has been no guarantee every expressed or implied that AP holders were entitled to a room discount. As Nala said, "As I recall, the only real "benefit" of having an AP is yearlong admission to the parks. Anything else is subject to change and always has been."

And yes, you are correct, one can decide just not to purchase it. If enough of us do that, Disney will have to change the policy.

Well, no, not really. As I mentioned above, they can just continue the policy for the folks who don't want to battle on the telephones, and then fill the remaining capacity with regular AP rates.

A "loyal customer" isn't just the one willing to pay a premium for their products or services

Customers and businesses define loyalty differently, of course. Repeat, discount customers will surely wish to consider themselves loyal, while businesses will consider repeat, premium customers far more loyal. Customers who always only come in for your loss-leaders aren't contributing to the success of the enterprise.

 

[lillygator]

I hate to point it out to you, but there is a requirement to use the Best Rate Program, you must be an AP holder. They may be "rewarding" those that can make a commitment that far in advance, but they are punishing those that are paying the taxes for all roads leading to Disney in the state of FL! I would love to "focus" my attention on other programs Disney offers but they aren't offering any at this time. I don't mean to sound harsh to you & I can see your point, however; I don't think that you saw mine judging from your response. As far as it being a "fine program", I have to disagree. What "fine" program takes your 1 day deposit 120 days out & will not give a refund! What happens to those that find 60 days out that they cannot go, they lost their job, they have an illness etc... they aren't going to get a refund. I don't have a problem booking 120 days out, as long as I know there is a window to cancel & with this program there isn't. I just booked with Universal for the RPR (at a lower rate than what Disney can give me PO-R for) for my stay the week prior to Christmas. I gave them my credit card. I have all intentions of going, but in the event I must cancel, I will get a refund as long as it is done 5 days prior to arrival. The only places that I can think of that do not give refunds are like Priceline & Hotwire. They deeply discount rooms & that is there reason. Disney's Best Rate Program isn't a deep discount. I know we are entitled to our own opinions & yours is that it is a fine program & my isn't. Like I said, I understand your point, but you didn't understand mine.... there are no other current offers (besides rack rate) for me to turn to, AP & FL rates aren't released & I am not a member of AAA. I just don't think this is fair for Disney to do. I live less than 3 hours away & don't always plan that far in advance. I can't speak for all of us Floridians, but I would think that most of us this close to Disney that are passholders do as I do. Also just to let you know, I couldn't make my mind up not knowing if I would be a party of 4 or 5. My husband wasn't sure if he could go with us. He found out yesterday that he could. I wasn't going to book a room & pay extra if he wasn't going. Should we put the blame on his job since they are the ones that just told him he could have off those days? If he wasn't going, I was going to book one of the values to save the money. We go about every 6 weeks, so staying at a value saves us money. In this year alone (since Jan), I have gone: Jan, Feb, March, April/May, June & just came home last week from an off property stay because there was no availability for me. I am also going Labor Day & the begining of Oct for sure (have my ressies & made them less than 120 days out). May also be going for Veterans day in Nov (not sure if there or Universal so I haven't booked anything yet) Please don't tell me that program is a "fine" program, it may be for you, but not for me and many others like me. Maybe they should start rewarding their "frequent guests" instead of punishing us?

We also live less than three hours away and can plan that far in advance so I have booked two stays, one in Oct and one in Dec already. I certainly don't feel punished.....and you can change your reservation with a $50 fee if lower than your original reservation or it is waived if your new booking is more $$$. I know WDW has offered many discounts to us Floridians and AP holders....but now it seems we are all coming to expect these on a regular basis and feel somewhat punished if we don't get one.

If something happens regarding illness, job security, etc - that is life and I will deal with it at the time. Life happens...I don't plan my vacations worrying if I have to cancel - but many others do. If I was really worried then I probably wouldn't be booking vacations at all.

So, as a Floridian and an AP holder - so far, I think this is a great program and plan to use it in the future.

 

[LtlTee]

I just want to see if I am understanding something correctly....

I'm an AP holder. I already have a week selected in August of 2006 that I would like to go and a resort at which I would prefer to stay. Obviously, the AP rates aren't out yet for August of 2006. So, if I book online with the Best Rate program, when the AP rates are released for my dates, do I still have to call to have those rates applied to my reservation? I thought the whole purpose of the Best Rate program was to be able to make your reservation and not have to constantly watch for rates to be released and call to have them applied.

The other part of the new Best Rate program that throws a monkey wrench into things for me is only being able to book one room with a discount per AP. I book two rooms as a family of 5, but I now won't be able to do that because I am the only AP holder in the family.

 

[CarolMN]

I just want to see if I am understanding something correctly....

I'm an AP holder. I already have a week selected in August of 2006 that I would like to go and a resort at which I would prefer to stay. Obviously, the AP rates aren't out yet for August of 2006. So, if I book online with the Best Rate program, when the AP rates are released for my dates, do I still have to call to have those rates applied to my reservation? I thought the whole purpose of the Best Rate program was to be able to make your reservation and not have to constantly watch for rates to be released and call to have them applied.

The AP website will not yet allow you to book anything under the Best Rate Program for August 2006 - you'll have to wait a while to do that. The MM said you can book AP rates under BRP through mid-Feb. Not sure if the web site has been updated to allow that yet - last time I checked (last week), it was still only accepting through December 2005.

The other part of the new Best Rate program that throws a monkey wrench into things for me is only being able to book one room with a discount per AP. I book two rooms as a family of 5, but I now won't be able to do that because I am the only AP holder in the family.

You might have to make two separate reservations, but others have reported being able to book more than one room with just one AP. If I were doing that, I'd call afterwards to get the ressies "linked" or cross referenced somehow. Would also request connecting rooms in the space provided for that at end of booking process.

Best wishes -

 

[dcgrumpy]

The other part of the new Best Rate program that throws a monkey wrench into things for me is only being able to book one room with a discount per AP. I book two rooms as a family of 5, but I now won't be able to do that because I am the only AP holder in the family.

You can book up to 3 rooms with one AP. You would just have to make 2 separate reservations. When you get towards the end of the online booking process, they ask if you are travelling with other people and their names. You can then check if you want connecting rooms or just rooms nearby.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Sorry but I guess I'm a little dense about any problems with the Florida Res AP rates We also like to go on short notice trips, and haven't had any trouble still getting FL Res rates....

DH and I used the Florida Passholder Summer Rates (available for dates 7/23 through 8/27) for our latest last minute trip to the YC, and have booked the GF for 9/3 under the Florida Passholders Fall Rates plan (available 8/28 - 10/4/05), because we booked too close to use the Best Rates "120 days" out dates.

I did get to use the Best Rate plan for our 10/29 BWI ressies for the F&W though, mainly to see exactly how the plan will work if more FL Res rates come out for Winter. (I booked those back at the last of June, so had the 120 days out).

Maybe the other FL Res on the board didn't realize those discounts are still there, and available, in addition to the Best Rates Plan?

There are no Fl Resident rates for past Oct 4th as of now. I, like you, had no problem booking them for my Sept & Oct stay. The stay that I am upset about is for Dec 1st. (I am OP). After finding out that my husband can go when I was going was about 3 days too late to get the AP Best Rate rate. If there are any FL resident rates out for Dec 1st, the CM didn't know about them last night???!!

 

[LtlTee]

dcgrump and CarolMN ~ thanks for clearing that up for me!
I feel a little better knowing that I can at least still book more than one room!