Change to holiday drops free dining?? - UPDATED

[steve_rob]

A couple of weeks ago, we booked five nights at Saratoga Springs for Sept 2011, which is during the free dining period, with the intention of then moving on to another (off-site) hotel for the rest of our stay. We've since changed our mind and want to make it a six night stay instead and so rang up Disney to see if we could get an extra night added. However, the lady on the phone told us that if we do change our booking, then we lose the right to the free dining package.

Does this sound right? I can't see any reference to something like this in our terms and conditions. There's plenty of bits about how you can't change a booking made at full price to a special offer one, but nothing on altering one booked under a special offer, especially as that offer is still being sold on the website.

She did offer to make a separate one night booking for the extra day, but I said I'd have to think about it. If we did this, I assume we'd still keep our room and wouldn't have to move?

Anyone else had this experience?

 

[wayneg]

Doesn't sound right at all. Many of us have changed dates or added extra days and kept free DDP. This trip we are on now I originally booked 8th-28th (20 nights) but after booking flight home on the 29th I rang up and added the extra night(which is tonight) Just cost the £100 room rate with no fees and includes free DDP.

 

[DjdBrit]

I would call back and see if you can add the night, I am sure it will be a new booking but FD is sill a current promotion so I can't see the issue. If you pay for the odd night as a seperate booking you could have to change rooms.

 

[2Tiggies]

Yep, definitely sounds like you spoke to someone who didn't know the facts. You are only penalised for lowering the cost of your holiday (which clearly you are not) or if you actually changed your dates so that they no longer coincided with FD. But FD is offered right through September so this looks very wrong. If you get the same story again, ask for a supervisor. Once they drop free dining you won't get it added back on again.

 

[pixiepower04]

Similar thing happened last time we went, I changed dates but it was still within the free period. I was upset so DH phoned back and the guy was completely nonplussed at us being told that, he said no problem and sorted it out straight away.

Phone back and ask again.

 

[2Tiggies]

Let us know what happens. Reports back on these kind of issues are enormously helpful to all who read these boards.

 

[wideeyes]

This is common, I think it is a glitch in the system. We had it happen to us and just had to phone up and ask them to add the DDP back on. It is sometimes easier to email though as customer service is usually better. I find things get sorted out much easier by email.

 

[mollies_mum]

I changed my whole holiday with Virgin Holidays from October 2010 to October 2011 and was still able to keep my free DDP as it was still on for when we re booked.
I would definitely phone back and speak to someone else, if no luck ask to speak to a manager
That just doesn't sound right at all...

 

[Eliza32]

I'm still in discussion with Disney about whether I should get the FD as we apparently booked 'too early' to qualify. Virgin have washed their hands of it, but Disney are looking into it for me. I'm not hopeful, but I gotta try. As I said in a different post, looks like we get a bum deal in the Uk as far as Disney bookings go. Next time I'm booking the hotel direct with Disney and getting a fly-drive!!

 

[2Tiggies]

Next time I'm booking the hotel direct with Disney and getting a fly-drive!!

Not through free dining, but with other aspects of booking from the UK I am almost certain to be doing the same thing (no fly drive though, but still a much better deal and better T&Cs direct with Disney for me).

 

[cove61]

I'm still in discussion with Disney about whether I should get the FD as we apparently booked 'too early' to qualify. Virgin have washed their hands of it, but Disney are looking into it for me. I'm not hopeful, but I gotta try. As I said in a different post, looks like we get a bum deal in the Uk as far as Disney bookings go. Next time I'm booking the hotel direct with Disney and getting a fly-drive!!

when i booked our holiday for next October it was before the free dining was announced that it would be continuing onto my travel dates. i called my travel agent and the called thomas cook and i paid £50 extra and got my dining plan added on to my package, so they can do it if they want, i would call and ask back saying other have gotten it why cant you

 

[steve_rob]

Well I rang up Disney UK this morning and decided not to mention that I had rung yesterday and the conversation I had about whether or not I was entitled to free dining. I just asked for the extra night and waited for them to say anything.

And they changed it without a problem. Didn't lose my dining, didn't have to pay an amendment fee, no issues whatsoever! I've even checked my booking online and it's already showing the new amount of days, the new balance to pay and that dining is still in my package.

Thanks for all the advice people have responded with on here - had it not been for the DISboards, I would have probably not bothered phoning up and trying again and so would have missed out on the extra night.

 

[2Tiggies]

That is what is supposed to have happened to begin with. It sounds like you got a CM who knew what they were talking about today. If for any reason you find yourself in that situation again, rather than lose free dining, just book the extra night as a standalone reservation without making any reference to the exisiting one.

Thanks for all the advice people have responded with on here - had it not been for the DISboards, I would have probably not bothered phoning up and trying again and so would have missed out on the extra night.

As you can see by the responses on here, DISers take their role of support very seriously. I am so pleased you have it sorted out. It is awful sitting for a few days wondering what to do.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Yay!! Good to get that sorted.

 

[mollies_mum]

That's great news, was definitely worth another phonecall