Heads Up! Paying for room charges with rewards?

[leebee]

We just returned from three wonderful, too-short days at WDW, where we spent 4 nights at POP Century. We charged incidentals (food&wine fest snacks, tips, minor purchases) to the room, which I intended to pay with my gift card and visa rewards money at check-out. However, when we got up on check-out day, they'd already been posted to my credit card! I went down to the front desk, pronto, and everything was straightened out. The CM told me the computer automatically rolls the charges to the credit card on record during the overnight period before checkout. It wasn't a hassle to get the charges adjusted, just a time-eating pain to have to do it. Therefore...

IF you are paying your room charges with gift cards, rewards credits, etc., I recommend doing it the day/night BEFORE you check out, so you don't have one more thing to do when you are trying to pack, get to the airport on time, etc.!

 

[Dacky619]

I'm sorry you didn't know this before, but like you found out, if you want to take care of room charges with gift cards or disney rewards, you have to stop down at least 1 day before checkout. Glad everything worked out ok for you though!

 

[leebee]

Yeah, I just figured I'd "pay" using the card and rewards when I checked out. I should have asked about this at check-in, or online here. It wasn't a hassle, just a shock when I got the bill that last morning! I immediately went into frantic mode (NOT as bad as panic mode) because my rewards dollars would expire before we go to Disney again, and who wants to lose $48 in rewards money? Yes, I'd already planned the time for check-out, but I'd thought we'd have a calm morning on our own terms instead of that adrenaline jolt I got when I looked at the bill!! I posted thinking I could save someone else from having the same "surprise!"

 

[angwill]

Heck there is no need to even check out at the counter so just pay the night before and have a hassle free morning. Actually I thought there was a way to give them the gift card at check in to be added as credit to the room? Then there would be no need to stand at check in again.
Maybe someone who has done it or tried will post.

 

[NCRedding]

The last time I used a rewards card at WDW (which was a few years ago), they wouldn't let me apply it at check in to be billed against. I went down a few days into the trip, after we had charged several things to the room and had them apply it to the balance.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The last time I used a rewards card at WDW (which was a few years ago), they wouldn't let me apply it at check in to be billed against. I went down a few days into the trip, after we had charged several things to the room and had them apply it to the balance.

I did something similiar. Three days into the trip I knew I'd charged enough to the room that would use up my Disney gift card that I brought with me so I stopped by guest relations and had them apply it to the account. Then I didn't have to try and remember it later in the trip when I was tired.

I also pack most of my stuff the night before we check out and only leave out what we need for the morning. It lets me finish packing faster so we can head to a park or DTD on that final day.

Thanks for the heads up, OP. That's one of the things no one thinks to mention often on the boards so new Diser's wouldn't know about it.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I have never had a problem putting a GC on file for charging and I have also done cash. I stop frequestly anyway to check my balance, so I can add to, or either cash out the last morning.

 

[LisaNJ25]

The last time I used a rewards card at WDW (which was a few years ago), they wouldn't let me apply it at check in to be billed against. I went down a few days into the trip, after we had charged several things to the room and had them apply it to the balance.

I had to do the same ting last year with the rewards card and gc's. They would not take them on check in.

 

[plutolovr]

When you check-in, tell the CM you don't want expedited check-out. You won't get the bill on your door and you'll have to go down to the desk to check-out. You can then pay your charges how you want.