Disparity in APH vs. AAA rates

[swanwed6206]

Tell me if this seems right: (5 nights)- 1/11-1/16
RPH:
AAA Discount with 3 early Bird Passes ~ $1212.09

APH Discount with 2 early Bird Passes and 1 AP ~ $1054.95

PFH:
AAA Discount with 3 EB ~$1482.08

APH / 2EB and 1 AP ~$1229.95

HRH:

AAA- (didn't check)
APH- ~$1154.95


I guess the question is, can you utilize the APH discount this way by purchasing just one, or is there something I am missing?

 

[goofy!]

I guess the question is, can you utilize the APH discount this way by purchasing just one, or is there something I am missing?

You are not missing anything. You only need 1 AP pass per room.

And you get all the benefits of the AP pass in the parks/city walk too, such as discounts off meals and merchandise.

 

[swanwed6206]

cool! Thanks so much!

 

[goofy!]

cool! Thanks so much!

Just make sure you buy the Preferred Pass and not the Power Pass.

The AP rates are not valid with the power pass.

 

[Lizziejane]

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but something caught my eye and has me worried!

I booked 2 rooms on one reservation at HRH using an APH rate. I only intended to purchase one APH, as I'm paying for both rooms (one room for us, one for the kids).

Do I need to purchase a second APH for the second room? Or will one suffice?

Booking hotel rooms shouldn't be so complicated...!

 

[yourgoingagain?]

I think you can book up to 3 rooms using a single AP but the safest bet is to call the universal phone number. I have never been asked to show an AP or my AAA card so I doubt they would check regardless.

 

[goofy!]

The official line is 1 AP per room. Or at least that is what Loews has told me every time I have booked rooms. I have booked large family gatherings and have had to do some creative maneuvering of our family so that each kid (who all have the PAP's) was in a different room with the extended family, so as to adhere to the 1 AP per room rule. Of course, we rearranged (with the blessing of Loews) who was staying where when we got there.

However, that said, when you are booking a second room just for your kids, many here have reported that Loews allows you to do that with just one AP pass.

We usually travel about 3x per year to Universal, and I have had about a 75% rate where they don't ask to see it. So, at least in our case, we bank on a 25% chance they will ask to see the AP pass upon check-in.

I would call the HRH directly and double check the AP requirements. Make sure you note the name of the person and the date and time you talked to him/her. Better yet if you can get them to put it in an e-mail. It sometimes seems the AP rules are discretionary upon who is checking you in.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I asked this on another thread. I'm going next week with a business associate and we need 2 rooms or her husband might get suspicious.
We will have about 2 hours of park time if we attend the meetings we are supposed to. I'm reserving both with APH. I'll take one of my kid's cards if needed and have her list them as in the room with her.

 

[Lizziejane]

...and I'm thinking it won't help that my kids are 18 and 20 year old males, who tower above me?!?! lol

What's strange is that I read all the info available online about the APH and no where does it mention a limit of one room per AP.

I guess I'd better call and not wait for an arguement at the front desk!
Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

[Motherfletcher]

It has been mentioned on several threads that they hardly ever ask to see your APH. They would never check to see if it is expired or fuss unless you bring it up first.

 

[binkjes]

They did not ask to see ours.

We bought 1 pass, used it everywhere, it was worth it.

 

[Lizziejane]

I did phone - they said one AP per room. How come they don't say that on the website when you book? It let's you book two rooms at once and simply states that AP must be presented at check-in. If I hadn't read it here on these boards, I would never have known!

So now I have a dilema. I have 2 reservations - one with APH rates, the other with AAA rates. If I have to purchase two AP's, it's dead even in terms of total cost (hotel and passes). From what I understand, both AAA and AP get me other discounts - restaurants, etc. Is one better than the other or are the savings comperable?

Unfortuantely, the AP doesn't do anything further for us beyond this trip - we are unlikely to return within the next year. I'm terrified of purchasing only one AP, with my luck, they'd ask to see two!

 

[yaytezIOA]

I would just roll the dice and give it a try. If they give a hassle just tell them it wasnt on the website and you had no idea. Since the reservation is in your name and you have the AP they should have no problem with it.

 

[damo]

I did phone - they said one AP per room. How come they don't say that on the website when you book? It let's you book two rooms at once and simply states that AP must be presented at check-in. If I hadn't read it here on these boards, I would never have known!

So now I have a dilema. I have 2 reservations - one with APH rates, the other with AAA rates. If I have to purchase two AP's, it's dead even in terms of total cost (hotel and passes). From what I understand, both AAA and AP get me other discounts - restaurants, etc. Is one better than the other or are the savings comperable?

Unfortuantely, the AP doesn't do anything further for us beyond this trip - we are unlikely to return within the next year. I'm terrified of purchasing only one AP, with my luck, they'd ask to see two!

What is the difference in prices between the AP and the AAA rates that you are being quoted? Maybe do one of each. Do you currently have AAA or will you have to purchase that as well? The discount difference is about 5% at the restaurants.

I have never been asked for ID for my rates, but I can understand your concern. The people at the front desk don't really seem to care.

 

[Lizziejane]

Damo, the AAA rate, room and tix would be $1551. The AP rate, purchasing 2 APs would be $1482. HOwever, the AAA rate includes me having to purchase AAA membership, which I don't have right now. Even though that option is more expensive, I'd have the 12 months membership, vs. the AP which is basically useless to me after our trip in January.

Hmm...think I just answered my own question - go with AAA!

 

[damo]

Damo, the AAA rate, room and tix would be $1551. The AP rate, purchasing 2 APs would be $1482. HOwever, the AAA rate includes me having to purchase AAA membership, which I don't have right now. Even though that option is more expensive, I'd have the 12 months membership, vs. the AP which is basically useless to me after our trip in January.

Hmm...think I just answered my own question - go with AAA!

Make sure you get your Loews First Card because AAA gives you qualifying stays where APH does not. Continue to keep an eye on the AAA prices after you book because they sometimes go down. If they do, call reservations and have them make the change. Make sure they email you confirmation.

 

[macraven]

do what someone posted here earlier.

keep both rooms in your name in the ap discount.
if questioned on the validity of using the same ap for both rooms, do what you were told earlier by a poster here. say you didn't see any disclaimer about that ruling.

also, you have to be 21 to rent a room at that hotel.
your kids are not 21, you are so you believed you could apply your ap for the discount of both rooms.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Can you book an AP room, check in, then buy an AP at the park gate? If asked for proof of AP at checkin would they make me buy at least 1 AP right there at the desk?

BTW, I've never, at any hotel, been asked to show proof of my AAA card. I belong just in case I need roadside assistance but the discounts help too!

 

[macraven]

Can you book an AP room, check in, then buy an AP at the park gate? If asked for proof of AP at checkin would they make me buy at least 1 AP right there at the desk?

BTW, I've never, at any hotel, been asked to show proof of my AAA card. I belong just in case I need roadside assistance but the discounts help too!

yes, you can book a room at the ap rate or the aaa rate.
you do not have to have the card to book the room.

you are supposed to have the card when you check in. some have posted they have not been asked to show it.
only once in 17 stays at hrh have i had to show cards. at that hotel it was the entertainment card when the rates were discounted to $125 a night.
wow, remember those days......

i had to show my aaa card at rph last month as i booked the stay with a aaa discount.

if you are asked to show our ap card, then you must buy one and show it to the front desk before you check out. if you don't, you will pay rack rate.

i wouldn't mess around with that thought. each hotel only allows a certain number of rooms on a discount card. meaning only so many rooms are set aside for ap holders and aaa holders. once the quota is gone, it is gone.

if you are planning to buy the ap and use kiosk pick up, that is fine.
you won't have any trouble providing that info for the front desk at the hotel if you are asked to see proof of the ap.