Disadvantages to booking with Costco?

[xavier2001]

If you have a placeholder, then yep, this is true. (though you have to call DCL if you have a placeholder anyway). But if you don't have a placeholder, you can book online, then transfer your reservation to Costco within 30 days. Same benefits.

Whoa, I didn't know you could do that. How does that work? I just booked a room for my parents today without a placeholder, they would be thrilled if it could be transferred to Costco.

 

[lilsonicfan]

Whoa, I didn't know you could do that. How does that work? I just booked a room for my parents today without a placeholder, they would be thrilled if it could be transferred to Costco.

You have to fill out a form and email it to DCL. Here's a link to the form. Costco can also email it to you, I believe. You may need to call them to get some of the details to fill in.

 

[xavier2001]

You have to fill out a form and email it to DCL. Here's a link to the form. Costco can also email it to you, I believe. You may need to call them to get some of the details to fill in.

Thanks!! You just saved me a TON of legwork!!

 

[Dug720]

Disadvantages? See the thread about people trying to book today.

Sometimes bigger isn't better.

 

[MillauFr]

Disadvantages? See the thread about people trying to book today.

Sometimes bigger isn't better.

Could those problems be eliminated if Disney upgraded their reservation system to eliminate the need to talk to a live person?

 

[LAX]

Disadvantages? See the thread about people trying to book today.

Sometimes bigger isn't better.

I am currently experiencing this huge disadvantage. I might rethink where to send my placeholder next time.

LAX

 

[Dug720]

Could those problems be eliminated if Disney upgraded their reservation system to eliminate the need to talk to a live person?

I have no clue. My guess is the sheer number of people Costco allows (ie: seemingly unlimited) to book through them is part of the issue as well. The agency the TA I work with works for (and other ones that friends work for) limit the number of active clients a TA will have so that you can actually get personalized service and they can actually help people on the day of releases - even having to call in on the TA line. (I'd guess that Costco not being a specialist in Disney has an effect also - they may not have access to all the contact ways Disney specialist agencies do.)

 

[BrandyMcD]

Could those problems be eliminated if Disney upgraded their reservation system to eliminate the need to talk to a live person?

Especially when you consider that their (Disney) website was a hot mess today. There were probably more people clogging the Disney phone lines, which slows everything down. Once I finally got a Costco rep on the phone, he was on hold with Disney for 45 minutes.

 

[MillauFr]

I have no clue. My guess is the sheer number of people Costco allows (ie: seemingly unlimited) to book through them is part of the issue as well. The agency the TA I work with works for (and other ones that friends work for) limit the number of active clients a TA will have so that you can actually get personalized service and they can actually help people on the day of releases - even having to call in on the TA line. (I'd guess that Costco not being a specialist in Disney has an effect also - they may not have access to all the contact ways Disney specialist agencies do.)

Agreed. Not sure why Disney even allows Costco to book cruises. It is basically a loophole that allows people to book discounted Disney Cruises. Costco collects a commission from Disney for basically providing no service. I don't think anyone books with Costco for the service they provide. The Costco reps are pleasant but have no clue about Disney Cruises. 100% of people booking with Costco do so just for the 8 - 9% discount that Costco gives them. If you have an executive membership and their credit card you can save 12-13% by booking with Costco.

 

[LAX]

Agreed. Not sure why Disney even allows Costco to book cruises. It is basically a loophole that allows people to book discounted Disney Cruises. Costco collects a commission from Disney for basically providing no service. I don't think anyone books with Costco for the service they provide. The Costco reps are pleasant but have no clue about Disney Cruises. 100% of people booking with Costco do so just for the 8 - 9% discount that Costco gives them. If you have an executive membership and their credit card you can save 12-13% by booking with Costco.

That's essentially the tradeoff for booking through Costco. I don't mind minimal to no service from Costco as I do most of the planning on my own, but this booking process is making me rethink my next placeholder with DCL.

LAX

 

[Seamama]

Yep, same here! I don’t mind doing all the work. I’m cheap and I can afford the time to spend researching/learning.

What I can’t afford is having my reservation sit in a pile until tomorrow morning because Costco didn’t assign enough agents to book it when I called. (This, in combination with the fact that DCL has an antiquated booking system.) So when reservations are open TO THE WORLD tomorrow, my request will be out there in the mix even though I’m a Silver CC member and should’ve been able to get this booked today.

And separate from this whole Costco fiasco, I really don’t like how placeholders can only be booked by calling in. So basically, for the benefits of a placeholder, I’m potentially giving up the rooms/dates I want. That’s a DCL issue, I know, just calling it out here.

That's essentially the tradeoff for booking through Costco. I don't mind minimal to no service from Costco as I do most of the planning on my own, but this booking process is making me rethink my next placeholder with DCL.

LAX

 

[CM Dad]

And separate from this whole Costco fiasco, I really don’t like how placeholders can only be booked by calling in. So basically, for the benefits of a placeholder, I’m potentially giving up the rooms/dates I want. That’s a DCL issue, I know, just calling it out here.

I use a TA, so I let her deal with the being on hold when booking on opening day, but we did have one agent in the past that converted a placeholder to a specific future cruise (cheapest one) shortly before platinum opening day. When opening day came around, she was able to modify that cruise to the one we wanted online, rather than on the phone. Kind of like the old pre-placeholder days.

 

[LAX]

Whoa, I didn't know you could do that. How does that work? I just booked a room for my parents today without a placeholder, they would be thrilled if it could be transferred to Costco.

Do remember you need to do that within 30 days (I believe) of booking. Plus, it usually takes a few days for it to get processed.

LAX

 

[DizneyLizzy]

When do you get your cash card? At the time of booking or sailing? Once you're past the cancellation date? I'm looking at booking an August 2020 cruise, and that $380 cash card would do me better now than a year and a half from now. I rent cars frequently through Costco, and I think those cash cards come after I've returned the car. So probably the same thing with the cruise?

 

[LAX]

When do you get your cash card? At the time of booking or sailing? Once you're past the cancellation date? I'm looking at booking an August 2020 cruise, and that $380 cash card would do me better now than a year and a half from now. I rent cars frequently through Costco, and I think those cash cards come after I've returned the car. So probably the same thing with the cruise?

You should get it in the mail a couple of weeks AFTER you have completed your sailing. You can't get one at booking because you can cancel without penalty.

LAX

 

[DizneyLizzy]

You should get it in the mail a couple of weeks AFTER you have completed your sailing. You can't get one at booking because you can cancel without penalty.

LAX

That's what I figured. Wouldn't make sense otherwise. Same as the rental cars. Thanks!

 

[Seamama]

Ohhhh, so is this the best workaround? I still have to call to move a reservation, though, right? But is it easier/quicker for the TA this way? Thanks!

[QUOTE="CM Dad, post: 60345213, member: 4625 I use a TA, so I let her deal with the being on hold when booking on opening day, but we did have one agent in the past that converted a placeholder to a specific future cruise (cheapest one) shortly before platinum opening day. When opening day came around, she was able to modify that cruise to the one we wanted online, rather than on the phone. Kind of like the old pre-placeholder days.[/QUOTE]

 

[Seamama]

3-4 wks after sailing is what the Costco agent just told me.

When do you get your cash card? At the time of booking or sailing? Once you're past the cancellation date? I'm looking at booking an August 2020 cruise, and that $380 cash card would do me better now than a year and a half from now. I rent cars frequently through Costco, and I think those cash cards come after I've returned the car. So probably the same thing with the cruise?