Can Universal gift cards purchased at the Giant Eagle be used for room charges?

[klfrech]

I'd like to pay the balance with gift cards. Any experience with this?

 

[macraven]

i know the new UO gift cards can be used for the hotels.
they came out this year and info is listed on the UO website.


the ones that are bought elsewhere, i don't know.
if they are the new current ones, that would not be an issue.

older gc had to be exchanged at guest services at the parks.
the new ones are valid as it is for the parks, hotels and some city walk.

 

[peaches00]

Ok...officially confused. I called # re universal giftcards. Lady told me I cannot use cards I buy in grocery store to pay for my room. She said if I buy the universal orlando resort gift cards online I can use those. She said the ones in stores I can trade for universal dollars but I can't use the money to pay for hotel. Ok? Ok. But then today I happened to look at the gift cards in store and guess what...they are new 2012 and now say universal orlando resort And they say they cannot be used for universal dollars!!! So I'm thinking these WILL be able to pay hotel??? Anybody?????

 

[Metro West]

Ok...officially confused. I called # re universal giftcards. Lady told me I cannot use cards I buy in grocery store to pay for my room. She said if I buy the universal orlando resort gift cards online I can use those. She said the ones in stores I can trade for universal dollars but I can't use the money to pay for hotel. Ok? Ok. But then today I happened to look at the gift cards in store and guess what...they are new 2012 and now say universal orlando resort And they say they cannot be used for universal dollars!!! So I'm thinking these WILL be able to pay hotel??? Anybody?????

As Mac stated...the new gift cards can be loaded and reused w/o having to exchange for Universal dollars. The old ones had to be exchanged for the UDs so they could not be used for much of anything except in the parks. If you are determined to pay room charges on a gift card, why don't you just get a VISA gift card? That's the easiest thing to do and you won't have any issues paying for stuff.

 

[macraven]

As Mac stated...the new gift cards can be loaded and reused w/o having to exchange for Universal dollars. The old ones had to be exchanged for the UDs so they could not be used for much of anything except in the parks. If you are determined to pay room charges on a gift card, why don't you just get a VISA gift card? That's the easiest thing to do and you won't have any issues paying for stuff.

sounds like a plan......


check by calling the hotels if they have an issues with accepting visa gift cards in advance.

 

[cbsnyber1]

The OP mentions Giant Eagle, a grocery chain here in western PA and eastern OH. They have a "fuel perks" program, ten cents off per gallon for every $50 spent. You can buy the Universal gift cards at GE and get the fuel perks, so that's likely what OP is after.

I'd like to know the answer as well - a thousand dollar gift card would provide up to a $60 savings ($2.00 off a gallon, 30 gallons max per fuel up), for basically no cost assuming you pay off the gift card right away.

 

[peaches00]

As Mac stated...the new gift cards can be loaded and reused w/o having to exchange for Universal dollars. The old ones had to be exchanged for the UDs so they could not be used for much of anything except in the parks. If you are determined to pay room charges on a gift card, why don't you just get a VISA gift card? That's the easiest thing to do and you won't have any issues paying for stuff.

i get the difference betweeen the gift cards...i just wonder why person on phone number i called said i absolutely can not use them to pay for hotel. i think i can. maybe i will call again. different cast members, different answers right? and i like getting fuel perks from giant eagle if i buy cards there.

 

[minnie4me]

I'd like to know too. Just got 60 gallons of free gas (total) from our Disney trip. Probably a little more. Thinking of a fall trip to Universal...

 

[mechteach]

Did anyone ever figure out the answer to this? Thanks!

 

[damo]

Yes, Universal gift cards can be used for room payment. Here is the link...

https://www.universalorlando.com/Gift-Card-FAQs.aspx

 

[mechteach]

Yes, Universal gift cards can be used for room payment. Here is the link...

https://www.universalorlando.com/Gift-Card-FAQs.aspx

Excellent - thanks!!

 

[keishashadow]

The OP mentions Giant Eagle, a grocery chain here in western PA and eastern OH. They have a "fuel perks" program, ten cents off per gallon for every $50 spent. You can buy the Universal gift cards at GE and get the fuel perks, so that's likely what OP is after.

I'd like to know the answer as well - a thousand dollar gift card would provide up to a $60 savings ($2.00 off a gallon, 30 gallons max per fuel up), for basically no cost assuming you pay off the gift card right away.

$4 off a gallon is even better, wait until double perks. Tends to pop up in the spring and fall in time for the holidays. Don't forget to run the purchase thru a CC for a double dip on rewards.

I had no issue using one that was gifted to me @ Xmas by my son to purchase an AP @ the park gate past June.

 

[peaches00]

I paid for my entire hotel stay at portifino in gift cards from giant eagle in november...we got a few free tanks!!!

 

[mechteach]

Thanks for the experienced reports, too! I grabbed one $100 GC during the back-to-school double rewards (figured we'd spend that much on meals/souvenirs), but then it later occurred to me that I could have bought even more if I used them to pay for my room. Hopefully GE will run another double fuel perks promotion before our trip!

 

[mechteach]

So, another followup question (sorry!). I'm booked directly through the hotel (with a PIN), so they have taken a deposit for the room. Does anyone (maybe peaches00?) know if I have the option of having that deposit refunded when I am there, and paying it with a gift card instead?

In other words, say the total with tax is $400, and I have a deposit of $150 charged on my card. Can I pay $400 with Universal GCs and get the $150 re-credited, or am I limited to just paying $250?

Thanks!