Best Rate Program

[yooperfan]

Is the best rate program gone?

 

[shopgirl72]

Yes!!! They did away with it!

 

[n2mm]

Yes it went away, however I liked the program, though a minority. I liked being able to make my reservation 4 months in advance, especially when buying airfare. It would've been nice if they kept both programs. I think alot of folks who are now waiting for last minute AP rates would appreciate the BRP now. I used it to book my Feb. 2006 rate at Pop for $59 a night, and was surprised when they lowered my rate to $49 before I arrived. It worked great for us.

 

[Tink10]

They lowered my rate as well.......

I loved the BRP and was very vocal about it because it allowed AP holders to make their plans in a very fair way. It's a shame that people were too thick to understand the benefits of it.....

While I understand why the last minute travellers didn't like it, it seemed that a good number of people who took issue with it were those who would hold rooms & cancel them.....(those who took advantage of the system)

Like I said on the June/July/Aug Code watch thread......The complainers got what they wished for & look what happened.....No rates for June & very limited rates for July & August.

It'll be interesting to see what the future brings (or doesn't bring)

 

[n2mm]

Well Tink10, that makes 2 of us as I thought I was alone on this issue. If the BRP had still been in effect, folks would have been able to make their June reservations back in February before the resorts were sold out....go figure. However, I certainly understand folks wanting to book last minute trips, but now I'm reading threads where folks can't even book last minute trips at full price. I guess Disney taking away the BRP was a good idea for Disney not AP holders, because they managed to book most of the resorts at full price and made more money than had they offered AP rates back 120 days ago.

 

[schumacher]

Here is another fan of the now defunct BRP. I personally liked the fact that I could book and plan in advance. Being from PA, its not really in the cards for us to jump in the car for a weekend trip so it was great for us. My biggest gripe with the AP thing is that EVERYONE becomes an AP holder now. What I mean by that is since you are not required to prove that you have an AP or a voucher the FRENZY, as I refer to it, of the rate release has everyone booking these rates, AP or not. As we have seen in the past many of these rooms will be cancelled before the date and those that were planning had given up. I hear Disney say that they will require you to produce the AP but I still have doubts if all of the CMs are requiring it. I did witness a young lady from NY have a huge meltdown last year at the WL when she could not produce one but after watching that episode I'm not sure if Disney will do that on a regular basis. For the actual AP holders, I certainly hope that Disney decides to clamp down on this abuse.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[n2mm]

I also saw a meltdown at the BC last July. We were checking in and the family next to us was also checking in. When the CM asked the man for his AP, he just stared at her. He looked like a deer in headlights. The CM nicely said, I will be adjusting your room to rack rate, and as soon as you can produce your AP, just stop by and we'll honor your original rate. I was floored as it was the first time I've ever witnessed a CM doing exactly what should be done. We were using my husband's Cast discount and as always we were asked to produce his CM ID, which the CMs are very good at asking for that ID (unfortunately he's no longer a CM--so have to stick with AP discounts (10 year AP holder for me) and using points as we are now new DVC members). Personally I think we will be seeing less and less AP discounted rooms in the future. I believe this is the first summer I've seen such limited AP discounts. But right before my husband stop being a CM (August 2005), Disney was also cutting back on CM discounts for resorts too and almost eliminating their dinner dining discounts.

 

[Tink10]

While I would never wish anything bad on someone else, I would have LOVED to have been there so see that!!!

 

[schumacher]

Tink 10, I felt the same way but the display I witnessed was somewhat surreal. I was thrilled that people abusing the program were being called on it but this woman was absolutely ripping the poor CM who was simply doing her job. The language flowing from this "dear" lady's mouth was atrocious, not to mention her volume. My youngest DD's jaw was on the floor. Basically this lady was accusing every guest checking in of getting over when she was the one that had no AP or voucher. Like I said, I was thrilled to see some enforcement but such a stink was made by the guest I have to wonder if Disney would continue to enforce the policy due to these outbursts.
BTW, I did give the CM an 'atta girl' after I checked in.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[sue1013]

Count me as another one that misses Best Rate. I was very happy with being able to book early. We can't take last minute trips DH has to schedule his vacation time in January for the entire year. Disney is losing money on us since they got rid of BR we have been renting points from DVC owners. Renting points I can get a good price and know months in advance that the resort is taken care of instead of waiting to see if AP rates come out and if they will be available for the resort I want. I would be thrilled if Best Rate came back!

 

[shoes99]

We also loved the BP program. That $109 Animal Kingldom Lodge rate that I got for January was wonderful, even got an upgrade to a Savannah view.
This year I'm renting points for Oct and in Aug will pay rack rate at Pop to get dining.
Michele

 

[jenjersnap]

The BRP worked out great for us in December. I have been away from the Disboards because I have no trip to plan right now but I am sorry to hear it's gone. I have to say that I was a bit nervous about the "no cancel" policy of it - the trip planned before that (in May 2005) was cancelled last minute because I had to have emergency surgery. I kept worrying something would go wrong but it worked out. I assume from the comments that they are back to the old phone-frenzy-taking-ressies-from-anyone-claiming-to-have-an-AP ways?

 

[DaisyD]

I miss the BRP too! I have even written them hoping to have something similar. Those that complained have shot themselves in the foot. Now they get nothing! LOL!

 

[schumacher]

I assume from the comments that they are back to the old phone-frenzy-taking-ressies-from-anyone-claiming-to-have-an-AP ways?

I believe you are correct jenjersnap. The part that will be ironic is that soon we will be hearing, if it hasn't happened already, that " I called and there is nothing (AP rooms) available for my dates". What was a plus with the BRP was that not only were you REQUIRED to actually have an AP or voucher but, you could readily see what was available online.
I think with occupancy being back up AP rates may become fewer and fewer but I truly think that Disney needs to rethink their policeing(sp.) of the AP program. I really believe that, if it is made clear that you WILL pay rack rate if you book an AP rate and don't/won't purchase the AP then the frenzy will subside and limited offers may become a bit more prdeictable. Just my opinion, for what its worth.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

I guess I'm a tad confused. My AP expired before the BRP was introduced, so I never took advantage of it.

Some of you are saying that you can't be last minute trip takers due to work schedules and such. Can't you just book the room when you know you can take a vacation and call back closer to the time of the trip to add an AP discount?? I know I would do this!

 

[planning06]

I am a first time AP holder. I know I was shocked when I was never asked for my AP when I checked in when I went in January. I agree with the others and think they should be more strict about seeing your AP or voucher at check in.

I think I would have liked the BRP program too. I am a planner and I cannot leave things to chance. I can't wait until a month before I plan to go to know if I'll get a room, where it will be, and if there will be decent airfare (or available flight) to go with it.

 

[tjmouse]

With BRP at least you knew ahead of time if you were getting a discounted rate. Now, I doubt very seriously I will get an AP rate for October for CSR. Granted, I have other options and I will change if I can get a good rate at another resort, but with BRP last December, I saved $600 over rack rate between POR and Poly - and I knew I was saving that much in May when I made my reservation!

 

[n2mm]

Some of you are saying that you can't be last minute trip takers due to work schedules and such. Can't you just book the room when you know you can take a vacation and call back closer to the time of the trip to add an AP discount?? I know I would do this!

Actually this method causes alot of problems. Booking a room at rack rate in no way guarantees you a AP discount on that room once the AP discount is released. There actually has to be a room identical to your reservation in order to get a discount. It hurts you to hold a room at rack rate, because Disney assumes that is what you plan to pay, so if everyone is holding rack rate reservations, why would Disney feel the need to offer a discount at a resort that is sold out. Note for example, no AP discounts for June because the rooms are booked up....makes you wonder how many folks booked a room in the hopes of "applying" an AP discount. And other than the few discounts they have released for DVC locations/EPCOT resorts, there are hardly any AP discounts for June or July this year. Again, the method of booking a room and applying a discount later did not work out for ALOT of folks. I, however, would book a room at the rate I was willing to pay at rack rate (usually a value resort) and IF there is a discount later, either apply it if there is availability and stay put, or upgrade to a higher level resort if the discount is what I'm willing to pay.

 

[sue1013]

MisunderstoodLilo yes I could do it the way you said. But with BR I didn't have to make many phone calls to see if rates came out. My plans were made and I knew I was going to pay the lowest rate available. Those that complained so much they got rid of BR must have lots of free time to make those constant phone calls.

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

It hurts you to hold a room at rack rate, because Disney assumes that is what you plan to pay, so if everyone is holding rack rate reservations, why would Disney feel the need to offer a discount at a resort that is sold out

I never thought of it that way. Makes sense. I knew BRP had its advantages and disadvantages, and that seems to have been an advantage. Only time will tell what Disney plans on doing next!

Thanks for the info!