Free Upgrade to Grand Villa

[Sammie]

Someone posted on the resorts board about receiving a free upgrade from a 2 bedroom to a Grand Villa in October.

Knowing how hard it is to book them, does this bother anyone other than me? I am sure there is nothing that can be done about it, but as a member it just did not seem fair.

Do they only offer them to paying guests or has any members received free upgrades?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=370360

 

[SuiteDisney]

I think those people paid cash and are not DVC members. If the villa was empty at the time, why not give someone an upgrade. It keeps the guests happy and coming back and doesn't take anything from anyone else. Look at the publicity Disney has gotten out of it just from the posts.

 

[Merilyn]

We once had a GV at OKW booked and they called the day before we were to check in. It seemed they had over booked OKW GV's and would we mind staying at BWV in a GV. We had never stayed there and knew it cost more points. We didn't have to pay more points and they gave us free park passes for our entire group. That was several more than we should have gotten even for a GV.
It was great having the opportunity to stay there and it was very nice. We have since stayed in a 2 bedroom but just can't bring ourselves to use all those points for a GV.

 

[SlyHubby]

If the GV is not reserved by a DVC member, do you understand what the rules are as to what they can do with it? Read your offering statement and what DVD's rights are. It is available for them to rent out on a cash basis. If they happen to decide to offer a DVC member an upgrade for free in the event that they don't get it rented out, that's their choice.

I am continually amazed that people bring up these non-issues as they always feel that things are not fair for them or someone is getting a better deal.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If it was a cash purchase and going empty, why not? If it was a member upgrade because of overbooking, again, why not? If it was a reservation made and members wanted the GV and could not get it, then I might have an issue with it, but, would need to see all the facts first.
All I ask for in life is to receive what I have requested, if others get something more, than that is great, if I get what I have requested, equally as great, if I get more, well then it is fantastic, but, I refuse to get annoyed if I don't and someone else does.
It is the luck of the draw.

 

[Sammie]

I have no problem with this person getting the upgrade, thrilled for them. I am glad the member who was relocated due to overbooking was well taken care of, as they should have been.

I am just not sure they would do the same for a member staying on points just because the unit is empty.

Next time someone staying on points checks in ask them if the Grand Villa is empty and see if they will let you have it for no extra points used.

I am equally continually amazed at how many people will pick apart posts and analyze why you even ask a question.

I appreicate Gail's response in that she explained how she felt about the situation without degrading me for even asking. Thank you Gail.

 

[FreeTime]

I agree that if someone is given an upgrade it is no big deal-good for them. I always get what I ask for and the resort always bends over backwards to help. For example, on our last trip our 3yo got sick on the way down (what a smelly ride ) and we arrived at BCV early on a Sunday morning. We explained the situation and they gave us a room immediately. To me this was better that being upgraded as she was able to get some rest. I've also been given every view that I've ever requested and ms was able to secure me a room over a holiday weekend with 1 day notice. Me I don't need upgrades-just the excellent servcie that I expect. If they want to upgrade my 2-BR to a GV, then I won't complain (that is until after I get home and complain to my dh that I need more points so that I can stay there again! )

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Sammie
...(snip)....I am just not sure they would do the same for a member staying on points just because the unit is empty.

Next time someone staying on points checks in ask them if the Grand Villa is empty and see if they will let you have it for no extra points used........

My understanding is that this doesn't ever happen at the DVC resorts (upgrading a points stay just because a larger unit would otherwise go empty). I would be shocked if it did.

Personally don't have a problem if an upgrade happens due to overbooking, maintenance issues or employee mistake no matter how the room is paid for.

There isn't enough information in the Resorts Board thread to know why the upgrade to the GV happened. My guess is that the 2 bedroom units were overbooked for some reason.

 

[SlyHubby]

I have no problem with this person getting the upgrade,

does this bother anyone other than me?

Which is it? It bothers you, or it doesn't? Isn't that why you posted to begin with - because it bothered you?

Next time someone staying on points checks in ask them if the Grand Villa is empty and see if they will let you have it for no extra points used.

Why? Based on all of the responses, nobody seems to care but you.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I know they will charge more points for a GV, even if it is empty.
Last year we had a cottage at VB for two days before we were scheduled to move to a 2br. On the morning of our move, the front desk called and asked if we wanted to stay in the cottage instead of moving. They said it will be empty, and they would charge me the difference in points. We certainly did not ask for, nor expect a free upgrade, but it did cross my mind. We were sort of doing the system a favor by staying in the cottage, because it saved a full cleaning for the 2br.

Oh well, we were just happy to be in the cottage......

 

[Boardwalk4me]

We had two non smoking studios booked for health reasons at the BWV, this was done 11 months out. When we checked in all they had were 2 smoking studios. I refused to stay in them and we all ended up in the vice presidential suite at the Board Walk Inn. Granted it was for one night but was a really great time. For the trouble of having to move to the 2 non-smoking studios the next day, my DH asked for park hopper passes for all 7 in our party for the duration of our stay of 6 days. The manager did not hesitate to accomodate our request. I felt that because we were DVC members the BW management went out of their way to ensure we experienced a little Disney magic.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

That certainly proves the the old saying that it never hurts to ask!