Ebates 20% back for Orbitz tickets

[kristenrice]

1. If Orbitz gives you a confirmation/voucher number that you can successfully link to MDE, I would assume that your "ticket" is in the system and that your actual travel dates shouldn't matter. The 60-day FP+ window is tied to the dates of your RESORT reservations, not any dates that may be on the ticket. So, to that end, I would assume that if I put in travel dates of March 10-17, I should be able to link those tickets to my MDE account and then pick them up in October, which is when my resort reservation starts. Does this make sense?? I believe that CheshireFigment posted that these tickets/vouchers are stored in Disney's system and that there are no actual dates attached to them. They are stored until they are picked up at will-call. I hope someone can confirm this because this is how I understand it.

2. EBates has their policies regarding payment, but I don't understand why you should be forced to wait until after your travel dates in order to receive your rebate. It is a NON-REFUNDABLE transaction so they have your money either way. Are they trying to take advantage of folks who have to change their plans or cancel altogether? I understand the policy when you book through a hotel or car rental chain where you can cancel without penalty. That makes sense since you aren't paying anything up front. When you pay for something up front and it is non-refundable, I believe they should credit you the same as any other purchase. Just my $0.02...(FWIW, I love EBates. I received a full credit from them for an item that I returned and I contacted them to let them know that my credit had not been reversed. They said, "Thanks, but we already credited you so don't worry about it.")

3. In regards to FP+, there have been recent reports that there is plenty of availability, right up to same-day times. My thought is that even if I couldn't get ANY FP+, it is still worth it to me to save $300+ on my tickets. To put it another way, it is NOT worth it to me to PAY $300+ to have the 60-day FP+ window. Just something to think about...

That's all...these are just my random thoughts..

 

[disfanforlife]

Wow!!! I have been thinking about buying tix from orbitz ever since I saw a post that there was a20%discount through the Canadian ebates site. I didn't want to try that and go through the hassle of converting money etc. but then tought even the 10% discount great. Still a little hesitant just because I never ordered through orbitz before, but this 20% did it for me. Ordered 5 tickets! We are going next month to Disney so I will pick them up at that time but already have AP's for this trip. So these will be saved for our next trip after that! Thanks for posting about the 20% discount today!!!

 

[Marionnette]

1. If Orbitz gives you a confirmation/voucher number that you can successfully link to MDE, I would assume that your "ticket" is in the system and that your actual travel dates shouldn't matter. The 60-day FP+ window is tied to the dates of your RESORT reservations, not any dates that may be on the ticket. So, to that end, I would assume that if I put in travel dates of March 10-17, I should be able to link those tickets to my MDE account and then pick them up in October, which is when my resort reservation starts. Does this make sense?? I believe that CheshireFigment posted that these tickets/vouchers are stored in Disney's system and that there are no actual dates attached to them. They are stored until they are picked up at will-call. I hope someone can confirm this because this is how I understand it.

I can only go by what is in my Orbitz voucher. There isn't a separate code for each of the two tickets purchased. There is a single will call number. As of right now, that will call number does not bring up any ticket information in MDE. I plan to try again over the next few days to see if it eventually works. Disney does have the option to enter will call numbers in MDE. I am assuming that Orbitz just hasn't communicated my purchase to Disney yet.

2. EBates has their policies regarding payment, but I don't understand why you should be forced to wait until after your travel dates in order to receive your rebate. It is a NON-REFUNDABLE transaction so they have your money either way. Are they trying to take advantage of folks who have to change their plans or cancel altogether? I understand the policy when you book through a hotel or car rental chain where you can cancel without penalty. That makes sense since you aren't paying anything up front. When you pay for something up front and it is non-refundable, I believe they should credit you the same as any other purchase. Just my $0.02...(FWIW, I love EBates. I received a full credit from them for an item that I returned and I contacted them to let them know that my credit had not been reversed. They said, "Thanks, but we already credited you so don't worry about it.")

Ebates has their own rules and whether we like them or not, that's just the way it goes. If you get your credit right away, then good for you. If you have to wait, then don't say you weren't warned. I agree that it doesn't make sense to make a customer wait for so long after travel has been finished when the transaction itself is non-refundable, but Ebates' rules don't have to make sense to us. It's possible that they don't get paid by Orbitz until 'X' number of days after your tickets are picked up.

. In regards to FP+, there have been recent reports that there is plenty of availability, right up to same-day times. My thought is that even if I couldn't get ANY FP+, it is still worth it to me to save $300+ on my tickets. To put it another way, it is NOT worth it to me to PAY $300+ to have the 60-day FP+ window. Just something to think about...

That's all...these are just my random thoughts..

Have you read the recent posts from President's Weekend? There were a lot of very unhappy offsite people who stood in line at rope drop to get FP+ for the headliner attractions only to learn that there were none available for the entire day! As more and more people get comfortable with MDE and the new FP+ system, I think that you're going to see the 60-day rush to book FP+ for the headliners that rivals the push to get CRT ADRs at 180 days!

 

[kjs1976]

Ebates first-timer here, looking for guidance.

So, if I buy park tickets with this deal, I need to:
1. Put in my anticipated travel dates (or a general window) of when is pick up the tix/redeem voucher at WDW on the orbitz site?

2. And my 20% back of $821.86 is $164.25, which should get back to me/credited to my account 40 days after I travel and that is cash, like made out to me and I can request it and get it back? Like in pay pal?

Thanks for your help and patience with a new-be!!!!!

 

[Marionnette]

Ebates first-timer here, looking for guidance.

So, if I buy park tickets with this deal, I need to:
1. Put in my anticipated travel dates (or a general window) of when is pick up the tix/redeem voucher at WDW on the orbitz site?

2. And my 20% back of $821.86 is $164.25, which should get back to me/credited to my account 40 days after I travel and that is cash, like made out to me and I can request it and get it back? Like in pay pal?

Thanks for your help and patience with a new-be!!!!!

1. Yes, Orbitz has you enter travel dates on their website when you search for activities. The voucher that I got in my email from them does not have travel dates on it. It only has the purchase date.

2. Ebates' policy is that your account is credited within 40 days of the completion of your travel. You don't "request" payment from Ebates. They automatically issue "Big Fat Checks" four times per year if your account has more than $5 in it. The next "Big Fat Check" will be issued on May 15, 2014 for amounts credited to your account during Jan 1 - Mar 31, 2014. Ebates will send your money via check or Paypal. If you don't have at least $5.01 in your account at the end of March, your balance will carry over and you will have to wait until the end of the following quarter, which will be at the end of June with the Big Fat Check for that period being issued on Aug. 15, 2014.

 

[kristenrice]

Ebates has their own rules and whether we like them or not, that's just the way it goes. If you get your credit right away, then good for you. If you have to wait, then don't say you weren't warned. I agree that it doesn't make sense to make a customer wait for so long after travel has been finished when the transaction itself is non-refundable, but Ebates' rules don't have to make sense to us. It's possible that they don't get paid by Orbitz until 'X' number of days after your tickets are picked up.

From the eBates website:

Special Conditions for Orbitz
Exclusions: Cash Back is not available on insurance.
Special Terms: Cash Back may not appear in your Ebates account until up to 40 days after travel has been completed. Using coupons not found on Ebates may void Cash Back. Retail Hotel = customer pays at check-in. Pre-paid Hotels = customer pays at the time of booking the room.

Since these are the special conditions for Orbitz, I wonder if the "may not" wording applies to the Retail Hotel bookings (customer pays at check in) since those are the reservations that can be cancelled. Since there are people here who have received their rebates before their travel (and some that have received it after travel), I sent an e-mail to EBates to see if they can clarify. I will post back when I get a reply. I certainly agree that they have their terms and if I choose to purchase through them, then I have to accept them.

Have you read the recent posts from President's Weekend? There were a lot of very unhappy offsite people who stood in line at rope drop to get FP+ for the headliner attractions only to learn that there were none available for the entire day! As more and more people get comfortable with MDE and the new FP+ system, I think that you're going to see the 60-day rush to book FP+ for the headliners that rivals the push to get CRT ADRs at 180 days!

I honestly have not looked too closely at the posts regarding the holiday weekend. I know that MDE and FP+ is still technically in the testing phase so I would think things would change by October. We are almost "over" the whole rides/attractions thing anyway so even if we didn't get any FP+, we'd still find plenty to do. We've been there enough times (and we have many more trips ahead of us) that I am not willing to pay an extra $300-$400 just to secure a few FP+'s to attractions we have done many times already. I'd rather take that money and try something new...like a fireworks cruise, backstage tour or a wagon ride. Obviously, others have a completely different need for FP+ (my sister's family, for example, will have a 2yo and 6yo with them so minimizing line time would be far more important to them) so they have to weigh their cost/benefit a little more carefully. DH and I used FP+ back in November when it was just the two of us and it worked out well. I was able to change a few times on the fly, but with the improvements and refinements to the program, I expect it to be more difficult. I am going in with an open mind and I will not let the presence or absence of FP+ deter from our vacation.

 

[Melany502]

I wish I knew if free dining was being offered! I would definitely do this otherwise.

 

[kjs1976]

Thanks, Marionette!!!

 

[Marionnette]

From the eBates website:

Special Conditions for Orbitz
Exclusions: Cash Back is not available on insurance.
Special Terms: Cash Back may not appear in your Ebates account until up to 40 days after travel has been completed. Using coupons not found on Ebates may void Cash Back. Retail Hotel = customer pays at check-in. Pre-paid Hotels = customer pays at the time of booking the room.

Since these are the special conditions for Orbitz, I wonder if the "may not" wording applies to the Retail Hotel bookings (customer pays at check in) since those are the reservations that can be cancelled. Since there are people here who have received their rebates before their travel (and some that have received it after travel), I sent an e-mail to EBates to see if they can clarify. I will post back when I get a reply. I certainly agree that they have their terms and if I choose to purchase through them, then I have to accept them.



I honestly have not looked too closely at the posts regarding the holiday weekend. I know that MDE and FP+ is still technically in the testing phase so I would think things would change by October. We are almost "over" the whole rides/attractions thing anyway so even if we didn't get any FP+, we'd still find plenty to do. We've been there enough times (and we have many more trips ahead of us) that I am not willing to pay an extra $300-$400 just to secure a few FP+'s to attractions we have done many times already. I'd rather take that money and try something new...like a fireworks cruise, backstage tour or a wagon ride. Obviously, others have a completely different need for FP+ (my sister's family, for example, will have a 2yo and 6yo with them so minimizing line time would be far more important to them) so they have to weigh their cost/benefit a little more carefully. DH and I used FP+ back in November when it was just the two of us and it worked out well. I was able to change a few times on the fly, but with the improvements and refinements to the program, I expect it to be more difficult. I am going in with an open mind and I will not let the presence or absence of FP+ deter from our vacation.

When I contacted Ebates about not getting my credit for last year's Orbitz ticket purchase within the usual and customary time for retail purchases, Ebates' response was that Orbitz purchases do not credit until after travel has completed. When I contacted them again after my trip was over, they told me that if it did not credit after waiting an additional 40 days, then I should contact them again.

So the answer is, YES!, it can take up to 40 days following the completion of your trip for your ticket purchase to credit to your Ebates account!

As for FP+, I'm in total agreement with you. We don't go to Disney with the expectation of doing every headliner and no longer have "must-do" attractions. But I know that there are a lot of people for whom this is a very big issue and not having the ability to book their FP+ as soon as their 60-day window opens is a deal-breaker. If you cannot link your tickets ahead of time, you cannot make FP+ reservations.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I can only go by what is in my Orbitz voucher. There isn't a separate code for each of the two tickets purchased. There is a single will call number. As of right now, that will call number does not bring up any ticket information in MDE. I plan to try again over the next few days to see if it eventually works. Disney does have the option to enter will call numbers in MDE. I am assuming that Orbitz just hasn't communicated my purchase to Disney yet.


Ebates has their own rules and whether we like them or not, that's just the way it goes. If you get your credit right away, then good for you. If you have to wait, then don't say you weren't warned. I agree that it doesn't make sense to make a customer wait for so long after travel has been finished when the transaction itself is non-refundable, but Ebates' rules don't have to make sense to us. It's possible that they don't get paid by Orbitz until 'X' number of days after your tickets are picked up.


Have you read the recent posts from President's Weekend? There were a lot of very unhappy offsite people who stood in line at rope drop to get FP+ for the headliner attractions only to learn that there were none available for the entire day! As more and more people get comfortable with MDE and the new FP+ system, I think that you're going to see the 60-day rush to book FP+ for the headliners that rivals the push to get CRT ADRs at 180 days!

The voucher number was explained to me as being under a different system than their regular will call tickets. The first time I went through Orbitz we asked at check in and the cm said she could not find it in the system. She then explained it is a separate system so we had to go to a ticket window or guest relations to turn in the voucher.
The second time I had a voucher I went to will call. They couldn't find the reservation. Guest Relations couldn't either. After some explaining, the cm called tech support and found it.

Since someone up thread mentioned being able to link by calling tech support, that is probably the only way to do it. The voucher number is not part of their regular ticketing system.

 

[Heidi K]

When I went to E-bates (and THANKS for the info on this, BTW!!), it says UP TO 20% cash back at Orbitz. So does anyone know if it is definitely 20% on the Disney tickets?

 

[kristenrice]

When I went to E-bates (and THANKS for the info on this, BTW!!), it says UP TO 20% cash back at Orbitz. So does anyone know if it is definitely 20% on the Disney tickets?

Yup! The 20% rebate applies to "Activities" and that is the category you search to find the WDW ticket deal.

 

[AliceandAriel]

I am hopeful they can be added. Someone above states they were able to link them after 7-10 days.

You typically cannot add them, as they are will call tickets, and require you to pick them up at a ticket counter in the parks prior to linking them and utilizing FP+.

Ultimately, you will want to look at the cost of Undercover Tourist versus the cost of the Orbitz tickets with their cash back.

UT tickets will save you less money, but you'll physically get them in the mail and you can link them ahead of time to select FP+.

Orbitz tickets will save you more money, but you will be unable to link them up to your account for FP+ selections until the day you arrive.

Decisions.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Thanks, Marionette!!!

Yes, Thank you!! You have answered so many questions today, many of them over and over. Very much appreciated!

 

[Heidi K]

Yup! The 20% rebate applies to "Activities" and that is the category you search to find the WDW ticket deal.

Thank you! Great deal!

 

[AliceandAriel]

3. In regards to FP+, there have been recent reports that there is plenty of availability, right up to same-day times. My thought is that even if I couldn't get ANY FP+, it is still worth it to me to save $300+ on my tickets. To put it another way, it is NOT worth it to me to PAY $300+ to have the 60-day FP+ window. Just something to think about...

That's all...these are just my random thoughts..

That's exactly how I've viewed it. To me, it makes more sense to save more money which can be used in the parks for food/souvenirs, then have the ability to pick rides 60 days ahead of my trip...

 

[kristenrice]

(I'm really tired and my brain is having trouble processing at the moment...)

Please clarify...

I understand that the DATES do not matter in regards to pick up because the voucher that gets redeemed has no dates on it...that I am clear on. Here's where I am a little fuzzy...my rebate may not credit until after my travel has been completed. Now, does Disney report to Orbitz and then Orbitz to Ebates when the vouchers are redeemed? Or does the credit just appear up to 40 days after the dates I submit as my travel dates?

In my previous experience with rebate sites, the credit typically appears either 7-10 days after a purchased item has shipped (and then stays as "pending" for another 30-60 days) OR, for travel services that are paid for at time of travel, it is typically 30 days after completion of travel(i.e. when payment is received) that the credit will appear. That is when the merchant (Orbitz, in this case) reports to the affiliate (EBates) that the purchase has been paid for and can no longer be returned or refunded.

So, if Orbitz reports to Ebates that my travel dates are May 1-7, and my tickets are paid for on February 20, does Orbitz even care if I pick up the tickets???

Sorry if I'm sounding "crazy"...I think this is a great deal and I plan to take advantage of it. I guess it would just help my planning if I could figure out if I can use the extra $270 on this trip or if I have to wait until my next one in May 2015. I was thinking about just putting in that my trip dates are in May 2014. That way, if the credit comes 40 days after that, I will still be able to use it for the trip in October. Either way, I'm happy to get the rebate. I would just like to figure out which trip I will get to use it for. The budget is tighter for the October trip so the extra $$$ would be a big help.

 

[rbauman86]

I have a question for everybody. How do you know exactly that you are going to get 20% back? It says up to 20% cash back. What if it turns out being like 5%?

 

[Spacecase1]

For ebates, I got a tracking number, made the purchase. How do I know it actually logged that purchase at ebates? Should I contact them and ask?

 

[supersnoop]

Just an FYI: It looks like they've mis-priced the 10-day no-expiration + water park tickets. They're the same price as 10-day no-expiration without the water park option. With the 20% cash back, that just looks like a great deal.