Does anyone miss the BRP?

[lilstint]

Last year I booked through the BRP and I was all set for my mid Feb (value season) vacation by this date. The price was very good, not GREAT like the year before, but I was happy. By the time SWA opened up their schedule for Feb I was able to book my flights knowing I could afford to go.

Now we have to wait until possibly November or Dec? to see what (and if) an AP code will be released. I can't book my flights (since they are non-refundable) if I don't even know If I will want to go if an AP rate is not released.

Soooo....what is everyone doing? Booking at rack and then trying to apply codes if the come out??? I've never had to do this before...is it a problem?I'm afraid to wait much longer since president's day weekend is involved. Any advice would be greatly apppreciated. Thanks

 

[darlene9947]

Ok, I went to the abbreviation page to see what BRP is, but it's not there.

Curiosity is killing this girl...what is BRP???

 

[Foladar]

BRP is Best Rate Program i think ... you had to book it X days out.
(edit: i dont know my holidays lol)

 

[Mineu]

I think it was Best Rate Program. AP holders were able to book the "best" available rate. Most people didn't care for it as it was pretty "rule heavy" and had to be done on the internet only. No more "last minute" deals either! I'm glad it's gone!

 

[n2mm]

I am one who misses it. I liked being able to book 4 months before my trip and be able to coordinate my airfare with it. I too booked last November for my early February trip and got the rate of $59 a night at Pop and to my surprise I got an email from the BRP CMs to tell me they were dropping the rate to $49 a night and credited my cc. The BRP worked great for us and we miss it. I didn't think the rules were any different than what the airlines impose on us--like non-refundable prices, but you were able to move the deposite to another vacation is you had to cancel. Right now we are booked at the WLV for 5 nights, and if there is an AP discount we will add a couple of days on prior to our arrival. If not, we will go when we are suppose to. Actually I got a survey last year after using the BRP and it asked would I have taken this trip had I not gotten an AP rate and I answered no. Just wanted them to know, that if you give me a good price I will travel extra days to WDW.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaated Best Rate with a firey passion. (Come on, Crystal, tell us how you really feel! ) I did a little dance when they changed back to the regular way. I *do* wish they would hurry up and come out with AP rates for January, though, so I can book!!

 

[annej]

I loved it! Booked our stay at the POLY last year and didn't have to worry again if I was getting the lowest price on the room. i am booked now and will pay the rate whether a discount comes out or not. I like to plan ahead and be done so the BRP was great for me. Peace of mind is worth so much! Now I feel like I am on pins and needles not really knowing what I will end up paying for the room. Planning on the regular rate but hoping for an AP descount.

 

[Gary M]

I also loved the BRP. I plan ahead and it was great for me.

 

[BunsenH]

I only used the BRP once, but it worked out well for me. I booked January rate for the YC at $235 and was pleasantly surprised a few weeks later to be informed that the rate had dropped to $209. No effort or worry on my part and a tidy savings.

 

[schumacher]

Another fan of the BRP here. Our family live in PA so last minute trips were not in the cards. I know having to book 30-60 days out was a big turn off for most folks but it worked well for us and, as others have stated the trip planning could be done over a few months (hotel, air, meals and budgeting).
My biggest gripe with the standard AP rate releases is two fold. First people who do not have APs, and have no intention of buying them, book AP rates and "hope" or play ignorant if a CM questions to see their pass, that they can fool the system. Yes, I witnessed a now famous meltdown (with our family anyway)at the WL last November when a dear lady (NOT) from NY could not produce an AP at check in. The BRP required you to log in and prove that you had a pass or voucher thus putting an end to my second gripe which is the absolute "frenzy" created by the AP releases. These frenzies have people booking rooms just because they feel they have to because it is "too good of a deal" and then never following through with deposit etc.. I know the rooms go back into inventory after 14 days but there is a window that is not available for planning when this occurs. I was able to snag an AP rate for our October trip but it was sooooooo much easier for me last year frankly. I realize many of the DISer's live for these frenzied code releases but I am not one of them.

I would take the BRP back in a heartbeat. Just my honest opinion.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[n2mm]

Another fan of the BRP here. Our family live in PA so last minute trips were not in the cards. I know having to book 30-60 days out was a big turn off for most folks but it worked well for us and, as others have stated the trip planning could be done over a few months (hotel, air, meals and budgeting).
My biggest gripe with the standard AP rate releases is two fold. First people who do not have APs, and have no intention of buying them, book AP rates and "hope" or play ignorant if a CM questions to see their pass, that they can fool the system. Yes, I witnessed a now famous meltdown (with our family anyway)at the WL last November when a dear lady (NOT) from NY could not produce an AP at check in. The BRP required you to log in and prove that you had a pass or voucher thus putting an end to my second gripe which is the absolute "frenzy" created by the AP releases. These frenzies have people booking rooms just because they feel they have to because it is "too good of a deal" and then never following through with deposit etc.. I know the rooms go back into inventory after 14 days but there is a window that is not available for planning when this occurs. I was able to snag an AP rate for our October trip but it was sooooooo much easier for me last year frankly. I realize many of the DISer's live for these frenzied code releases but I am not one of them.

I would take the BRP back in a heartbeat. Just my honest opinion.

Cheers,

Schuey

I agree, some of the folks who did not like the BRP were not AP holders. You had to have an AP or voucher in hand to log into the AP website to book the reservation. I too witnessed a meltdown last summer at the BC when the CM asked the man standing next to us for his AP. He looked like a deer in a car's headlights. She smiled and said, "I will place your room on rack rate and when you "get" your AP just stop by and your rate will be honored." I was floored that I witnessed a CM abiding by the rules. She was so calm and relaxed when she told the guest what she planned to do. He didn't say a word!

 

[schumacher]

I agree, some of the folks who did not like the BRP were not AP holders. You had to have an AP or voucher in hand to log into the AP website to book the reservation. I too witnessed a meltdown last summer at the BC when the CM asked the man standing next to us for his AP. He looked like a deer in a car's headlights. She smiled and said, "I will place your room on rack rate and when you "get" your AP just stop by and your rate will be honored." I was floored that I witnessed a CM abiding by the rules. She was so calm and relaxed when she told the guest what she planned to do. He didn't say a word!

Man, I would love to have seen that one. The CM at the WL was very calm but the lady I witnessed started with the "F this and F that" and "how dare you". I found it all very entertaining until I turned to see my 10 yo DD in absolute amazement with the language. It was at this point that I asked the lady to watch her language and I got the glare of all glares. About this time a desk manager hustled the lady away somewhere as I was about to lose my temper with her. I always thought the CMs could see all of the AP information on the screen. Lord knows they want to know everything about you when you purchase an AP.
Why do some people always try to get over?

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[lilstint]

Man, I would love to have seen that one. The CM at the WL was very calm but the lady I witnessed started with the "F this and F that" and "how dare you". I found it all very entertaining until I turned to see my 10 yo DD in absolute amazement with the language. It was at this point that I asked the lady to watch her language and I got the glare of all glares. About this time a desk manager hustled the lady away somewhere as I was about to lose my temper with her. I always thought the CMs could see all of the AP information on the screen. Lord knows they want to know everything about you when you purchase an AP.
Why do some people always try to get over?

Cheers,

Schuey

I know they can see the AP on their computer sreens b/c I asked my CM why she didn't want to see my AP and she turned the screen slightly and said "Because it's right here!"

For those who fly, waiting to book resort rooms 2-3 months before arrival is just not doable. So, as I've said, you end up just booking what you think you can afford at rack rate and take a shorter vacation.

 

[shoes99]

I loved the $109 BRP rate I got at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in January. I am an AP holder and don't mind booking in advance.

 

[sue1013]

I also miss the BRP. It was so much better than having to check all the time to see if AP codes are out. DH has to have his vacation in for the whole year in January so we had no problem planning ahead. As another poster said I think it was those that didn't have AP that were complaining about BRP the loudest.