Booking at RP just a few questions

[orlandonewstarts]

Just a bit nervous the hotel will be full before I book a room so going to place a reservation today. But I have a few questions since this is our first stay.

Royal Pacific Booking a standard 2 bed room requesting tower #3 for 4 days in late Jan 2014. Considered staying at club level but opted for the meal deal instead.

I am considering getting the AP so can I state AP holder when I book? What happens if I don't end up getting the AP? Also they don't have rates available yet that far out for APH so I am booking standard rate.

If I find a better rate --- like a Pin Code or APH rates come out..... Will they lower my reservation fee? Rate right now is $183.20 per night. If I find say 160.00 will they adjust the rate or do I have to cancel this reservation and try to rebook later?

If something happens and I opt to cancel this room when do I have to do so for a refund assuming I pay 1 night today when I place the reservation? Can't see this changing as I already have my airfair paid for and booked but you never know I guess.

And sorry last question. I do not have a credit card. Just a Mastercard Debit Card through my bank. Can I place the reservation and pay the deposit with that? Also will I need a credit card at check in? I would be paying off the room in full before we go. Sorry a bit nervous about that and being so far from home what happens if I lost my debit card. Would just feel better having it all paid off in advance.

Do they offer AAA discounts on rooms there? Not a member but would it be worth it to get a membership for 4 nights? Also already a Loews First Member I signed up last week. Thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

AAA rates you need to call Loews Hotels about. No way to do it online (unless you are booking through the AAA website).

Book at a rate that's decent to you. Keep checking for the AP rates through the website using APH (as I believe you know, just trying to be clear). If/when the rate is released for your dates, you can call and have it switched over.

I booked in April, paid the one night deposit fee, and I have found two lower rates. Each time I called and just had it switched to the new rate, and kept the deposit. So now I have WAY more than just one night's worth on my account.

Mastercard-logo debit card should be just fine. If everything is paid off and you don't want to charge back to your room, you don't need a CC at checkin.

As you book the website or Loews employee should be able to tell you the cancellation policy. My most recent booking states "By 6:00PM EST 5 days prior to arrival".


Oh, and don't get an AP unless/until they have an APH rate and you KNOW you are going. Sounds like you're a little unsure. You can just order one online for kiosk/will call pickup the day before you go, if you are that unsure. They will let you know when you need to show it to them. Not sure what would happen if you booked APH and then didn't get an AP.

 

[damo]

Make sure you get an AP rate before you buy an AP. You don't need the AP at the time of booking.

 

[orlandonewstarts]

Thank you both. I am going to go ahead and book after work tonight. Excited!

I can't imagine we wont go since flights are paid for. But we all know stuff happens and while being out airfare of $300 would not be fun.... Loosing $800 on hotel expenses on top of that if we had to cancel would be enough to make me cry.

 

[Redbudlover]

There was a time a number of years back when I didn't have a CC either but had to travel. It was always a pain because there were cars I couldn't rent and hotels that put a hold on my funds. My answer was to get a prepaid CC for $500. It was enough to handle any car rental and worked like a charm at hotels. I never lost the ability to access that money and every time I used the card I built better credit. Credit scores are partially built on how long you have had different kinds of credit. I was surprised to learn that the length of time I held that prepaid card counted just as much as a regular one. I had it 3 years before I got a regular one and having it that length of time helped me get the regular one. Be careful if you do get one to check it will be recognized as a regular CC. Some are and some are not. Comparison sites on line will tell you which are.