Beware Booking Passholder Rates Online!

[StrwLady]

Last night after CRO closed I decided to change to the Contemporary for my December trip. Seeing CRO was closed and I didn't want to risk losing the passholder rate I booked the Contemporary and planned to call today to cancel the Pop reservation I was already holding.

Well I called today and I'm told that there will be a one nights cancellation fee. That when booking the passholder rate online you are subject to a fee if cancel 45 days or less. I told them that I have booked in the past and never had a fee for cancellation. After holding a long time for a supervisor the CM came back and said they would not charge me a fee this time. But know that any future an online passholder booking would be subject to the 45 day cancellation policy.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I wondered as I always book on-line I do know about the 45 day charge but wondered why.

Maybe that talking to a CM they can see what else is booked under your name where the On-line would not catch multiple bookings then just canceling what you didn't need.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, I had some trouble with an online AP reservation as well. It seems that when you book with CRO with an AP rate its a regular room only reservation. When you book via the website it goes through as a package. So, not only do you have the cancelation issue but you can't pre-pay. I now book my AP rates via telephone with CRO.

Another heads up will be helpful to many ~

Hope you get things worked out.

TJ

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

This is a prime example why the DIS is awesome. I will be upgrading to an AP next week. Thanks for the info.

 

[dawgsgirl]

Never book online. Besides the package thing, their whole site is a mess. Always call!!

 

[kath1210]

Never book online. Besides the package thing, their whole site is a mess. Always call!!

What problems have you had booking online? We have gone 5 times in the past two years and booked every trip online. We've never had a problem.

I like being able to see exactly what I have booked. Almost every time I have called in a reservation, they have added insurance that I did not ask for, and/or screwed up other details. I don't find out about the mess-ups until I get something in the mail.

I will make passholder reservations on the phone because of the 45-day issue, but we've otherwise had great experiences booking online.

 

[Santa]

When you book online it is through the Walt Disney Travel Company. The WDTC has a different set of rules regarding cancellations/changes.

I believe there is a notation on the confirmation of a reservation made online or through WDTC stating the 45 day cancellation/change policy.

 

[WDWFUN]

This happened to me yesterday. I cancelled a ressie I had for 10 nights @ WL. I booked it online because they were closed when I found it and it was with an AP discount.

I never read or knew about the 45 day cancellation BUT the times that I called to make changes I was told by the cm's that I had 6 days prior to arrival to cancel NOT true! and the cm's guaranteed this.

Anyways after being on the phone with a cm yesterday for almost an hour...They refunded my money but only this time.

Lesson learned..."Always Read The Small Print"
AND make ressies over the phone.

 

[BrianD]

To me, booking online is fine if you are booking anything other than an AP rate or other room only rate (because of the 45 day cancellation). For packages & rack rate room only reservations, I think booking online is fine. I, also, have had no problems booking online. I even made room requests online (at the time of booking) and they were honored!

 

[TiggerAllie]

Hmm... I just booked 2 AP room ressies online. When I called CRO twice, they assured me that it was 5 day and not 45 day cancellation penalty. When I finally went through and booked the reservation, the confirmation page that I printed out specifically says 5 day cancellation policy, not 45 day. The previous pop-up boxes said 45 days, but apparently they are generic, and the website is mainly set up for packages.

For the first reservation I was able to call and remove the first 2 days and still get the passholder rate, no problem, even though it wasn't available online or by calling. This was within the 45 days.

It looks like I am going to have to cancel the second reservation now. I don't anticipate having any trouble with this, as it is more than 45 days out anyway.

I think if you aren't getting the answer you know is correct, the best option is to say, leave my reservation alone, and call back and talk to a different person. If after 2 or 3 people you still can't get it, then go to a manager.

 

[tjmw2727]

What problems have you had booking online? We have gone 5 times in the past two years and booked every trip online. We've never had a problem.

I like being able to see exactly what I have booked. Almost every time I have called in a reservation, they have added insurance that I did not ask for, and/or screwed up other details. I don't find out about the mess-ups until I get something in the mail.

I will make passholder reservations on the phone because of the 45-day issue, but we've otherwise had great experiences booking online.

I won't book online because I don't like the restrictions. I can call CRO, get exactly what I need and then still pull everything up online to keep track of it.

TJ

 

[shoes99]

I booked a room at Pop online with the AP rate for Dec 12th. I just changed from Pop to Sports because I wanted to stay longer and Pop was not available to add on dates at the AP rate of $59.00. CM said my on line reservation would be cancelled and my cc refunded, not applied to my new reservation. No problem, I just used my Disney Visa to book the one day deposit at Sports and will wait for my refund to my card. I must have asked the CM several times if there was any penalty and she said NO if changes are made 5 days prior...