CM Answer True or False RE: changing bounce back ressie

[ateam79828592]

We have a bounce-back free dining reservation for September. I called to try to add one day at the end of the reservation. The CM said there was no availability in this promo rate category for that date. Then he said even if someone else cancelled for this promotion, the room would go back into the rack rate category and not the promo category. Basically saying that if there is no availability now, there would never be a chance of availability to extend our promo stay. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I don't need to keep calling back to check for availability if there is no hope.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

We have a bounce-back free dining reservation for September. I called to try to add one day at the end of the reservation. The CM said there was no availability in this promo rate category for that date. Then he said even if someone else cancelled for this promotion, the room would go back into the rack rate category and not the promo category. Basically saying that if there is no availability now, there would never be a chance of availability to extend our promo stay. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I don't need to keep calling back to check for availability if there is no hope.

I'm not sure if it's true or not but I'd call back and if you got the same answer I'd ask to talk to their supervisor. They maybe able to help you since you are trying to stay longer.

 

[Sue M]

I just changed the dates slightly for my BB without a problem. I'd phone to speak with another CM. Let us know how it went.

 

[Rachaelt]

True. Only so many room nights are set aside for every promotion per room category. When they're gone, they're gone. If someone cancels a room booked on a promotion, it gets released back to general availability. Rarely does revenue management release a few back with the promotion, and never on one where the offer is expired. If the promotion is not sold out of allotted room nights even after offer is expired, then it is available for modifications.

 

[ateam79828592]

True. Only so many room nights are set aside for every promotion per room category. When they're gone, they're gone. If someone cancels a room booked on a promotion, it gets released back to general availability. Rarely does revenue management release a few back with the promotion, and never on one where the offer is expired. If the promotion is not sold out of allotted room nights even after offer is expired, then it is available for modifications.

Bummer. Any chance of a supervisor or higher up able to override this or are we just out of luck?

 

[kakiegirl]

Also, it is my understanding that to get the Bounce Back rate any changes must be made while you are still checked in at the resort.

 

[ateam79828592]

Also, it is my understanding that to get the Bounce Back rate any changes must be made while you are still checked in at the resort.

The CM was able to change the reservation to add a day at the beginning of the trip. He indicated he would have been able to add the day at the end of the trip as well, if there had been any availability.

 

[Rachaelt]

Bummer. Any chance of a supervisor or higher up able to override this or are we just out of luck?

Sorry, you're out of luck.

 

[mickeynut1]

True. Only so many room nights are set aside for every promotion per room category. When they're gone, they're gone. If someone cancels a room booked on a promotion, it gets released back to general availability. Rarely does revenue management release a few back with the promotion, and never on one where the offer is expired. If the promotion is not sold out of allotted room nights even after offer is expired, then it is available for modifications.

If this true, then why can a certain room category and/or resort be "sold out" for 2 or 3 months (under a promo), but then miraculously have availability one day under that same promo? I have booked under several bounceback offers as well as PIN codes in the past and I have made many changes after the fact, even after the promos have expired. My changes were either adding a night that I wasn't able to get in the beginning or changing my room category (again, not able to get in the beginning). So my question is if rooms don't go back into the "promo" category, how have I been able to add nights or end up getting my resort of choice (that was not originally available) after constantly calling back?

 

[mickeynut1]

Also, it is my understanding that to get the Bounce Back rate any changes must be made while you are still checked in at the resort.

Changes can be made to a BB offer just like any other ressie (even when you are back home), as long as there is availability under that promo. Sometimes Guest Services has to check availability and/or make the change so you don't lose the discount, but it can be done .

The CM was able to change the reservation to add a day at the beginning of the trip. He indicated he would have been able to add the day at the end of the trip as well, if there had been any availability.

If you really want it added at the end, I would keep calling back. I have had some luck with getting just what I wanted (with a discount), even if what I wanted wasn't available at the beginning .

 

[tiger4me2]

Also, it is my understanding that to get the Bounce Back rate any changes must be made while you are still checked in at the resort.

As long as you book at the resort you can change it when you get home as long as they have ava. Just can't book another trip

 

[ateam79828592]

Changes can be made to a BB offer just like any other ressie (even when you are back home), as long as there is availability under that promo. Sometimes Guest Services has to check availability and/or make the change so you don't lose the discount, but it can be done .



If you really want it added at the end, I would keep calling back. I have had some luck with getting just what I wanted (with a discount), even if what I wanted wasn't available at the beginning .

thanks for the input. i guess i will keep trying.

 

[Rachaelt]

If this true, then why can a certain room category and/or resort be "sold out" for 2 or 3 months (under a promo), but then miraculously have availability one day under that same promo? I have booked under several bounceback offers as well as PIN codes in the past and I have made many changes after the fact, even after the promos have expired. My changes were either adding a night that I wasn't able to get in the beginning or changing my room category (again, not able to get in the beginning). So my question is if rooms don't go back into the "promo" category, how have I been able to add nights or end up getting my resort of choice (that was not originally available) after constantly calling back?

You missed the part where I said that revenue management will rarely, but sometimes release it back. They won't do that on an expired offer though.

 

[mickeynut1]

thanks for the input. i guess i will keep trying.

You're welcome . It can't hurt to keep trying.....Good luck .

You missed the part where I said that revenue management will rarely, but sometimes release it back. They won't do that on an expired offer though.

No, I didn't miss that part. If it's not normal practice and is rarely done, then I must have the best luck and hit it at just the right time because I have done it on numerous occasions with expired promos, pin codes, and bouncebacks.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

We have been able to change our bb offers once home without a problem. The initial cast member normally can't do it for us but will get a higher up to take care of the problem. I think all 3 times the offer had expired when we had to make a change... it has never been an issue.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Also, it is my understanding that to get the Bounce Back rate any changes must be made while you are still checked in at the resort.

Not true I changed my BB offer twice. You just have to book something before you check out. You can make as many changes as you like.

 

[ateam79828592]

I thought I would go ahead and post my results. I don't remember when I made all these calls, but they were all made in less than 1 week's time.

Call #1 - no availability to extend stay regardless of room category.
Call #2 - could extend stay by one day if changed to garden view room category
Call #3 - could extend stay by one day at current standard view room.

 

[Daisy-J&D]

If you need that extra day and can't get the promo rate, why not just add a room only reservation? We did that on our last trip. We had booked to stay at the airport the night before our early departure but decided that we'd rather stay at POP the last night. We added 1 night on but did not get Free Dining and any remaining dining credits expired at midnight (I think, maybe 11:00 pm) the day we were supposed to depart originally. We were able to stay in our room and we had new room only KTTW cards delivered to us.