Connections vouchers- Some up-to-date info, please?

[crazymomof4]

A while back there was quite a bit of info being posted on the meal vouchers from connections. I thought I'd wait until our trip got closer, and the new vouchers (exp 4/03) were released to decide whether or not to get them. Now that I'm ready to consider it again, has there been any changes to the vouchers since the new ones came out? What food do you get with the Q&C vouchers? How much do they cost? Do they really save you money? Any problems getting them from Connections? How about billing screw-ups from Connections? This was a problem that many posted a few months back. Has it been resolved?

Thanks for any replies from recent buyers/users.

 

[4greatboys]

This is a copy of a reply I left you on another thread incase you didnt see it:
Hi again crazymom! Looks like we are hitting the same threads. Im not a member of Connections but I do belong to Simple Escapes--just like Connections. There are many benefits other than just hte Disney vouchers. They have retail vouchers like Toys R Us--you pay $25 for the card and get a $5 rebate back. Last Christmas I bought $200 worth to get an x-boy for the boys and after my rebate ($40) I ended up paying $160 total.
For our last Disney trip we bought $60 worth of Planet Hollywood restuarant cards $10 (you get a $2 rebate back) so we ended up paying $48 for $60 worth of the cards and I used my DC discount for an additional 10% savings!
We also bought $60 worth of HRC cards to use at Universal and we had a $5 coupon off for that place too. There are quite a few savings to be had if you use the services.
As for the Q&C vouchers you could save if you kids share a meal. And if you go to Pepper Market at CSR for dinner they have a Ribeye that is $15 and then you still get a drink and a dessert--and a side if it doesnt come with the ribeye. So you end up paying $11.25 for a dinner that would probably come out about $20.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

All of the above mentioned perks are also available with Connections. Plus if you join thru Lillian Vernon (800-545-5426) it is only $8.50 a month and you can cancel whenever you like. They will also give you a $20 dining rebate. It's a pretty good deal.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by SAWYERMAW1
They will also give you a $20 dining rebate. It's a pretty good deal.

I joined through L.V. once before and rec'd a gift cert. toward L.V. merchandise, but what is a "dining rebate"?

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

The dining rebate is new with Lillian Vernon. All you do is go out to eat at your favorite restaurant (Disney or not) and send in your receipt. You will receive a rebate up to $20 of your cost.

 

[crazymomof4]

Thanks! That sounds great. If they offer me a different incentive when I call, I think I will ask for that instead. It can't hurt to try.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

That's the only incentive they are currently offering for Connections.

 

[MsDisney]

I'm just curious, I just registered at Lillian Vernon's website (I'm really not familiar with them) and I was trying to find info on their connections "association" Do they have info on the website somewhere? I tried a search to no avail. I just like to read about what I'm getting into before I get into it, ya know?

Also, what is the normal annual charge for connections?

Thanks!

Karen

 

[4greatboys]

Last year when I looked into Connections the membership was $89. Im not sure what it is now. If you join through Lillian Vernon its $1 for first month trial membership then $8.50 monthly.
There is no info on the website, you have to call their 800# to ask them about the membership and benefits.

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by 4greatboys
Last year when I looked into Connections the membership was $89. Im not sure what it is now. If you join through Lillian Vernon its $1 for first month trial membership then $8.50 monthly.
There is no info on the website, you have to call their 800# to ask them about the membership and benefits.

Ok, thanks for the info!

We live down here in the Orlando area and I'm thinking that I should look into joining. I know we'd use alot of the other restaurants too like Olive Garden, etc.
We have the Disney Dining card which gives us 20% off most sit down restaurants, but the vouchers sound like a good deal if used at the right places!

I'll have to do some studying!

Thanks again!
Karen

 

[4greatboys]

I belong to Simple Escapes which is like Connections and believe me those other benefits come in handy. We like Olive Garde, Reb Loster, Bennigans and I also buy atleast $50 worth and keep in my purse. Many times there will be a coupon in the paper for $5 off so combining the $5 off and 20% savings you are getting from your rebate I think its a great deal.
At Christmas time I bought $200 worth of Toys R Us cards to buyt an x-box for the boys. my final price after my rebate was $160. I just dont think you can beat that.
I havent had any billing problems thus far (knocking on wood!) lol.
Also when we joined I was going to just do the trial like everyone else and when I wanted to cancel they offered me utility vouchers. I got $100 for SE--it cost more to join than Connections.
They give you 4 coupons--you can use one every quarter. Say you coupon is for $15, you mail it in with a receipt for groceries or whatever $15 or more and they send you a check for $15.
LOL--sorry to be long just wanted to give you some money saving ideas on their benefits.

 

[weluvdizknee]

Hello,
We joined Connections last year, and paid $89.00 membership. Sounds like lots for membership, but we saved over $224.00 on 7-6 day hopper passes. We also invested in the Q&C vouchers that were $11.25 at the time. We ate our dinners at resort restaurants, and saved $170.00 on three meals for 7 adults. So the savings for us were worth the membership, and more.

I just received my Connections renewal form in the mail yesterday, and the membership price went up to $139.95/year. We were alittle surprised at the big increase. We aren't planning a trip to WDW this year, and the savings you get on other restaurants and stores, for us, will never add up to the cost of the membership fee. So we're not going to renew.

Our next trip to WDW, we plan to invest in the AP, and Connections doesn't offer discounts for them.

So, the benefits are great if you know ahead of time what your vacaton plans are. Otherwise, the membership fee will eat a hole in your vacation budget.

As for ordering, etc., we ordered all our tickets and vouchers via Connections web site. If you call to place an order, be prepared for the Connection operators to have difficulty handling your orders and answering your questions. We figure 92% of them are in training.

And our deliveries were always three days later. Always on time, and always correct, if ordered on the web site. The one order we placed via the phone operator was missing an Outback Steakhouse certificate. They did replace it within four days.

Hope this helps alittle.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

From my experience with Connections, if you call them and tell them that you will not renew because of the increase, they will make an adjustment. They seem very negotiable.

 

[doc428]

Another great option on Simple Escapes is the 20% off on Target and K-Mart gift cards. Being that I buy almost all my day-to-day items at those 2 stores(especiallly Target), this is a nice option. They only let you buy 20 25$ cards a year, but if you buy the maximum you save $100/year at each store. I also pay for the cards on my AmEx card and receive rewards points. Which in turn I save on Character Meals at WDW.

 

[wdwstar]

anyone have the connections website?

 

[lopo]

www.connections123.com

or

www.dealpass.com

 

[Gemm01]

You might want to read what Mary has to say about Connections.


http://www.mousesavers.com/mealvouchers.html