Help Clarify Transferring Placeholder to Costco (before opening day Hawaii cruise booking)

[southerngirl528]

Hello All!

I apologize for asking MORE placeholder questions as I really have read most all of the recent threads/posts about placeholders. I have never transferred a placeholder to a TA. I have always booked my own cruises, including one placeholder in the past. Here's my current scenario:

** Just booked a placeholder toward the end of our 9/08/18 to 9/15/18 Fantasy sailing. Wasn't sure when or what I would book, but I have promised myself that whenever DCL goes back to Hawaii, I want to be back on the Wonder for it! Soooooo, the announcement has been made and I plan on using my placeholder from 2 weeks ago to book opening day for Platinum CC. Do I need to transfer FIRST to Costco or book with DCL on opening day and THEN transfer to Costco since I will be within the 30 day TA transfer period???

Thank you in advance for your expert input on this!!!

 

[lilsonicfan]

This is an interesting one. Let's say your placeholder is dated September 13, 2018. I believe the answer is that if you book on say October 3 by contacting DCL, you should still have up to October 13 (or whatever 30 days is from the placeholder date) to transfer the reservation to Costco. I don't see any reason why you couldn't transfer a reservation to Costco as long as you are still within the 30 days of the original placeholder date.

However, since you must call in for all placeholders, I wonder whether it isn't more advantageous, time-wise, to transfer it to Costco first since they will be the ones dialing/re-dialing DCL. Just musing though, as I'm not sure!

 

[southerngirl528]

This is an interesting one. Let's say your placeholder is dated September 13, 2018. I believe the answer is that if you book on say October 3 by contacting DCL, you should still have up to October 13 (or whatever 30 days is from the placeholder date) to transfer the reservation to Costco. I don't see any reason why you couldn't transfer a reservation to Costco as long as you are still within the 30 days of the original placeholder date.

However, since you must call in for all placeholders, I wonder whether it isn't more advantageous, time-wise, to transfer it to Costco first since they will be the ones dialing/re-dialing DCL. Just musing though, as I'm not sure!

Thanks so much for the good info, lilsonicfan! I just double checked and looks like they processed my placeholder on Sept 12th (2018). And you bring up some of the very questions I have!

Opening day is Oct 1st for Platinum CC, yes? And another question I should know, but I do need to CALL DCL to transfer the placeholder to Costco Travel, yes? I see no way to do that online. Again, thanks so much for all the help!

 

[Maplered]

Transferring to Costco takes a couple of days. You call them they send you an email with paper work to fill out, you fax it back to them and three days later you call to make sure it is processed correctly and etc.
My two cents, you book on Monday with DCL, and than call Costco later in the day to transfer it. Again just my two cents.

 

[southerngirl528]

Transferring to Costco takes a couple of days. You call them they send you an email with paper work to fill out, you fax it back to them and three days later you call to make sure it is processed correctly and etc.
My two cents, you book on Monday with DCL, and than call Costco later in the day to transfer it. Again just my two cents.

Thanks, Maplered! Since opening day is just a couple of days away, I think I may have to do it that way.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Transferring to Costco takes a couple of days. You call them they send you an email with paper work to fill out, you fax it back to them and three days later you call to make sure it is processed correctly and etc.
My two cents, you book on Monday with DCL, and than call Costco later in the day to transfer it. Again just my two cents.

There's nothing stopping you from calling Costco now and getting the paperwork. Then, book on Monday and you'll have the papers you need to send back to Costco (who then has to send them back to DCL for processing).

 

[lilsonicfan]

I believe the form you need is actually a Disney form and this may be the form. But yes given the proximity of opening day and being Platinum I would maybe not waste time doing this at the moment.

 

[dcassetta]

Hello All!

I apologize for asking MORE placeholder questions as I really have read most all of the recent threads/posts about placeholders. I have never transferred a placeholder to a TA. I have always booked my own cruises, including one placeholder in the past. Here's my current scenario:

** Just booked a placeholder toward the end of our 9/08/18 to 9/15/18 Fantasy sailing. Wasn't sure when or what I would book, but I have promised myself that whenever DCL goes back to Hawaii, I want to be back on the Wonder for it! Soooooo, the announcement has been made and I plan on using my placeholder from 2 weeks ago to book opening day for Platinum CC. Do I need to transfer FIRST to Costco or book with DCL on opening day and THEN transfer to Costco since I will be within the 30 day TA transfer period???

Thank you in advance for your expert input on this!!!

Because the transfer to Costco will take several days, you are correct that you should go ahead and book your placeholder yourself, and then transfer that booking to Costco. Unlike some TAs, at least up until now, there's been no difference in the cash card that you receive from Costco whether you book it directly through them, or transfer it from Disney.

This is an interesting one. Let's say your placeholder is dated September 13, 2018. I believe the answer is that if you book on say October 3 by contacting DCL, you should still have up to October 13 (or whatever 30 days is from the placeholder date) to transfer the reservation to Costco. I don't see any reason why you couldn't transfer a reservation to Costco as long as you are still within the 30 days of the original placeholder date.

However, since you must call in for all placeholders, I wonder whether it isn't more advantageous, time-wise, to transfer it to Costco first since they will be the ones dialing/re-dialing DCL. Just musing though, as I'm not sure!

It's important to remember, the Costco will not just call Disney for you. You have to be on the line with Costco, the agent will then put you on hold, well they get Disney on the line. So, you're correct that the Costco agent is the one that is redialing Disney, but they're doing that while you are on the phone. They will not book it for you on their own.

 

[southerngirl528]

There's nothing stopping you from calling Costco now and getting the paperwork. Then, book on Monday and you'll have the papers you need to send back to Costco (who then has to send them back to DCL for processing).

Thanks, FigmentSpark!

I believe the form you need is actually a Disney form and this may be the form. But yes given the proximity of opening day and being Platinum I would maybe not waste time doing this at the moment.

Wow, thanks for that form link! Good to know what the needed form will look like.

Because the transfer to Costco will take several days, you are correct that you should go ahead and book your placeholder yourself, and then transfer that booking to Costco. Unlike some TAs, at least up until now, there's been no difference in the cash card that you receive from Costco whether you book it directly through them, or transfer it from Disney.



It's important to remember, the Costco will not just call Disney for you. You have to be on the line with Costco, the agent will then put you on hold, well they get Disney on the line. So, you're correct that the Costco agent is the one that is redialing Disney, but they're doing that while you are on the phone. They will not book it for you on their own.

Really good info & details, dcassetta. Thank you. That's what I was thinking.... so let me see if I have this correct on the steps I should follow:

1) Call DCL first thing Monday (platinum opening day) to use my placeholder from 9/12/18 & book my desired Hawaii sailing.

2) Do I tell DCL right after booking my placeholder that I will be transferring to Costco Travel? Or should I request the TA transfer another time or way?

3) To clarify #2 above, & I don't know why I'm still so fuzzy on this, but do I call COSTCO to tell them I want to transfer a booking to them? Or do I ask DCL to transfer to Costco? Is it the chicken or the egg that comes first?


Again, my apologies for being so dull on this (I'm usually reasonably sharp... LOL). Sincerely, THANK ALL of YOU for helping me to get this right!!!

 

[LAX]

As far as transferring a booking to Costco, you call Costco for the form, on which you fill out with the booking info. Then, you submit the form to Costco, who should take care of the rest. You should call Costco a few days after you submit the form to make sure the transfer has occurred.

LAX

 

[southerngirl528]

As far as transferring a booking to Costco, you call Costco for the form, on which you fill out with the booking info. Then, you submit the form to Costco, who should take care of the rest. You should call Costco a few days after you submit the form to make the transfer has occurred.

LAX

Thanks very much, LAX! So is there no need to mention I will be transferring the cruise to a TA when I call DCL on Monday to book my placeholder? Thank you again!

 

[LAX]

Thanks very much, LAX! So is there no need to mention I will be transferring the cruise to a TA when I call DCL on Monday to book my placeholder? Thank you again!

There is really no need to inform DCL of your intention, but it shouldn't change anything whether you do or not. Would this be your first booking through Costco after it gets transferred? If so, you might want to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

LAX

 

[southerngirl528]

Would this be your first booking through Costco after it gets transferred? If so, you might want to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

Yes, this will be the first time EVER I will be handing over or booking a cruise with a TA. I have always done it myself, which I do prefer, but the Costco cash card is a huge bonus and money saver (and I'm a Costco junkie. I do book rental cars and hotels with them often).

If you have any tips or details, I would be most grateful. I have read on the forums lots of posts from folks that have used Costco Travel.

 

[LAX]

Yes, this will be the first time EVER I will be handing over or booking a cruise with a TA. I have always done it myself, which I do prefer, but the Costco cash card is a huge bonus and money saver (and I'm a Costco junkie. I do book rental cars and hotels with them often).

If you have any tips or details, I would be most grateful. I have read on the forums lots of posts from folks that have used Costco Travel.

I am certainly no expert and know what you probably have read on other threads. The cash card is certainly a big draw and it's likely worthwhile to upgrade to Executive membership if you are not already. The 2% (calculation is not based on entire cruise fare) rebate you will be getting on the cruise would likely more than cover the difference (although more likely to cover at least a year or two of Executive membership fee). The best drawback to many about Costco is the lack of control and assistance. You have to be comfortable planning most things on your own. Plus, you have to be okay with going through a third party (Costco) with changes related to the cruise. It's definitively not for everyone despite of the lucrative kick back.

LAX

 

[southerngirl528]

I am certainly no expert and know what you probably have read on other threads. The cash card is certainly a big draw and it's likely worthwhile to upgrade to Executive membership if you are not already. The 2% (calculation is not based on entire cruise fare) rebate you will be getting on the cruise would likely more than cover the difference (although more likely to cover at least a year or two of Executive membership fee). The best drawback to many about Costco is the lack of control and assistance. You have to be comfortable planning most things on your own. Plus, you have to be okay with going through a third party (Costco) with changes related to the cruise. It's definitively not for everyone despite of the lucrative kick back.

Thanks for those insights! Yep, we've been Executive members at Costco for about 10 years. As for planning most stuff myself, that is what I actually PREFER to do! Just completed my 11th DCL sailing a couple of weeks ago, and have booked and planned to the nth degree each one. I'm a bit of a details freak.

Going through a 3rd party will definitely be different for me, but I can deal with that for the 7% Costco cash card back since I am a diehard Costco fan, I will have no problem spending it. And the extra 2% back with my Costco Visa/Executive membership will be icing on my DCL Hawaii cruise cake!

I sincerely appreciate your input, LAX! I like to have all the facts & input before making such a big decision!

 

[lilsonicfan]

There is very very little downside to using a TA especially Costco. The only “control” you really give up is to make any changes, because you have to call Costco to do it. But Costco has excellent hours, and they pick up the phone sooner than DCL, so it’s really not much at all. I made one “change”, and it was dining request. Everything else you do on your own anyway- PAT, onboard activities, check in, etc. I agree you won’t get much assistance but that for me was no downside at all, and is exactly the same if you book with Disney directly. I do all my own vacation research anyway.

We do a biweekly shop at Costco and get SO much stuff there.

 

[southerngirl528]

There is very very little downside to using a TA especially Costco. The only “control” you really give up is to make any changes, because you have to call Costco to do it. But Costco has excellent hours, and they pick up the phone sooner than DCL, so it’s really not much at all. I made one “change”, and it was dining request. Everything else you do on your own anyway- PAT, onboard activities, check in, etc. I agree you won’t get much assistance but that for me was no downside at all, and is exactly the same if you book with Disney directly. I do all my own vacation research anyway.

We do a biweekly shop at Costco and get SO much stuff there.

Sounds like you and I may be distantly related, lilsonicfan! But seriously, I really appreciate hearing your personal experiences using Costco Travel for DCL cruises. I very much LIKE that I will be booking all the usual onboard activities, etc., as I always have and prefer to do myself. Thanks for that! Looking forward to seeing what those prices are tomorrow morning for the Hawaii sailing for 2020! Thanks again!

 

[southerngirl528]

I believe the form you need is actually a Disney form and this may be the form. But yes given the proximity of opening day and being Platinum I would maybe not waste time doing this at the moment.

Because the transfer to Costco will take several days, you are correct that you should go ahead and book your placeholder yourself, and then transfer that booking to Costco.

There is really no need to inform DCL of your intention, but it shouldn't change anything whether you do or not. Would this be your first booking through Costco after it gets transferred? If so, you might want to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

Okay, the DCL site shows a few different phone numbers to call. WHICH phone # would you call in the morning if you're a Platinum trying to book their placeholder for the Hawaii sailing??? Thanks!!!

 

[dcassetta]

Okay, the DCL site shows a few different phone numbers to call. WHICH phone # would you call in the morning if you're a Platinum trying to book their placeholder for the Hawaii sailing??? Thanks!!!

You can use the CC number 1-800-449-3380, but I am not sure it matters. When you first call in, you're going to have to put in your castaway number, if the phone system doesn't already recognize you. That will identify you as a platinum cruiser, so whoever answers the phone should be able to assist you. Calls into the Disney reservation center, slot into a general queue. The cast member that answers your call will be able to see which line it's coming in from, but using one general number or another will not allow you to skip the line.

 

[southerngirl528]

You can use the CC number 1-800-449-3380, but I am not sure it matters. When you first call in, you're going to have to put in your castaway number, if the phone system doesn't already recognize you. That will identify you as a platinum cruiser, so whoever answers the phone should be able to assist you. Calls into the Disney reservation center, slot into a general queue. The cast member that answers your call will be able to see which line it's coming in from, but using one general number or another will not allow you to skip the line.

Just the info I needed, Dcassetta!!! Many thanks!!! We shall see how it goes (and how the prices are!!).