Ever gotten an AP rate after told none available?

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Have you ever called to get an AP rate but told none was available, booked the room at another rate & then called back & found the AP rate to be available?

I thought this was something I could do, but when I called to check if any AP rates had opened up for the dates/room I had reserved, the CRO agent told me that once the AP rate quota is met, when there's a cancellation it doesn't mean it is now available for use.

The only way it would become available is if a significant number of AP rate rooms were cancelled & marketing determined that rate should be available once again.

I guess I just figured is someone canceled a reservation at AP rate, it would automatically be available to the next person who called to book it.

Not complaining ... still got a good rate. But as you know, every little bit helps.

What has been your experience?


Mickey & Minnie Mom

 

[Penny12]

I've heard of someone <i>once</i> who got an AP rate later on after being told initially there were none available. The comments about the cancellations may be true as I've heard that before, however there may be some courtesy holds for a rate which when expire without a deposit would go back to inventory (I'm guessing).

 

[tar heel]

Several times actually. My experience is that new rooms open up all the time. I never consider my resort plans to be firm until we're within the 5 days cancellation period -- and actually they will let you change to something more expensive during that time. Twice I have made an AP reservation so close to our trip that the confirmation came while we were gone (credit card deposit was required) and, in both cases, I had been trying to get those nights for a long time.

 

[Gary M]

A couple of years ago we had an AP room rate at the GF, but wanted to switch to the WL. I phoned CRO and was told no rooms were available at the WL at all, even at rack rate. A couple of weeks before our trip, I phoned CRO and like magic, AP room rates were available at the WL. When checking into the WL I mentioned it to the CM at the front desk and she said a Japanese tourist group had booked over one-half of the rooms at the WL and some had been cancelled. The WL was full of Japanese visitors during our visit.

 

[seashoreCM]

I have had AP rates open up later after being told earlier that they were sold out. Since I do not use Unlimited Magic Prrk Hopper passes* and am able to make multiple deposits, I have split reservations to get AP rates on one night at a time if needed.

The airlines sometimes do the same thing, designate more cheap seats every once in awhile after the allotment was sold out.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

* When ressies are split, each stay for which you purchase Unlimited Magic starts with a "first" park admission day again, where the second day costs less than the first, the third day costs les than the second, etc. It is easy to have them start the second stay's UMP (aka UPH) a day later to prevent overlap, but it is difficult although possible to have them make one UMP span all the days of separate stays.

 

[cinmell]

Yes, I've received AP rates after I've been told they were sold out (once).

 

[punkin]

Yes, I did. I got the AP rate for some of my dates and not others. I called back every day for 3 weeks and finally got APs for every day. Good Luck.

 

[OhMickey]

Same here. I was told that there were only AP rates available for the first few days of our stay. I called daily and eventually I was able to get AP rates for all but 3 days (in the middle) of our trip. I continued calling and a very nice CM told me that my situation was ridiculous. She told me to hold and then went to talk to a supervisor. When the CM got back on the line she told me they were giving me the AP rate for the entire trip and that I didn't have to call anymore!

Keep calling.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Sounds like IF an AP rate is canceled it very well may be available. I think it is worth at least a couple more tries! Maybe it never will be though with a total of 5 nights. I see what you're saying ... it may be for one night & not the others.

The price difference of $10/nt may not be worth multiple resv if that's the case.

But, based on your all's luck in getting APs later on, I think I will at least give them a few follow up calls.

Your help & feedback is appreciated.

Mickey & Minnie Mom