Cash pricing - MS vs. CRO

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am working on our plans for next summer. We will use points for 7 nights, and likely pay cash for the other 2 or 3 nights. I called MS to get the pricing for the different categories of studios at AKV - both Jambo and Kidani. Then I went to Mousesavers (because the WDW site keeps locking up) to get the CRO prices. The CRO rack rates are lower than the MS rack rates! So if I can get an AP rate through CRO my room will be WAY cheaper than booking it on the member cash discount through MS!

Does it always work like that? The lady from MS said there might not be a member discount for the nights I need, so the rack rate on a standard studio (in either building) would be $380. If I book through CRO their rack rate is $335. Supposing I don't CARE if the ressies are linked, why would I NOT book through CRO?

Insights, anyone?

 

[CarolMN]

The rack rates should be the same. Are you sure you were looking at 2009 rack rates on Mousesavers? Also, did both sources include (or not include) the taxes? If so, are you sure both you and MS were looking at the same dates? ($335 and $380 are the rates for value & regualr season. Depending on the dates, "Summer" could be either).

If you book the cash portion through MS, you will not have to change rooms between the points and cash portions of your stay.

If you book the cash portion through CRO, you may have to change rooms. At a minimum, you will have to check out and back in again between the points and cash portions of your stay.

Only you know if the savings you could get booking through CRO would be worth the chance of changing rooms in the middle of your stay. Sometimes it is, sometimes, it isn't.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The rack rates should be the same. Are you sure you were looking at 2009 rack rates on Mousesavers? Also, did both sources include (or not include) the taxes? If so, are you sure both you and MS were looking at the same dates? ($335 and $380 are the rates for value & regualr season. Depending on the dates, "Summer" could be either).

If you book the cash portion through MS, you will not have to change rooms between the points and cash portions of your stay.

If you book the cash portion through CRO, you may have to change rooms. At a minimum, you will have to check out and back in again between the points and cash portions of your stay.

Only you know if the savings you could get booking through CRO would be worth the chance of changing rooms in the middle of your stay. Sometimes it is, sometimes, it isn't.

I think the rack rates are different! But maybe it's the seasons that are throwing it out of whack.
I was definitely looking at 2009 rack rates on Mousesavers. Neither source included taxes. I was looking at Value season. I was pretty sure MS was looking at Value season, but maybe she was looking at regular?

I know we paid WAY more for a night at SSR through MS than we would have through CRO (we paid $240, would have been $190 through CRO) but it was precisely like you said - smack in the middle of our points nights, hooked in with the dining plan, and not worth messing with.

We would likely be changing rooms regardless of who we book through because we probably won't do the same category for the cash nights that we do with points. Might as well get the cash nights as cheap as possible!