Help with Airline discounts

[klfrech]

Has anyone been able to get a room with an airline discount without having the 45 day cancellation policy? Last year I was able to get a great deal at the Poly with Disney's 5 day cancellation policy. This year I'm told that such discounts are only available through WDTC with a 45 day cancellation policy. As airline employees traveling standby, 45 days is a little tough. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[bridgettesmom]

I'm sorry I don't have the answer to your question,but, as an airline employee I am also shocked that they decided to do this.There's a few airline employees in this board and I believe this new policy will affect us all.I'm leaving tomorrow and originally I had planned to stay at CSR or AKL for 4 nights,but, of course I needed to check the flights and could risk losing my reservation .Guess what? CSR did not have the airline discount available anymore ,not only that WL,AKL,Poly,CBR,BWI and BC were all out of the discount.I called two weeks ago and again 3 days ago and they all had availability .I ended up booking 2 days at Asmu and 2 days at the Dolphin with the airline discount.FYI ,Dolphin and Swan still offer the 5 days cancellation policy.Due to the nature of our jobs I believe this policy is highly unfair.For our next trip this december I'm booking the Dolphin and Hard Rock who have a more flexible cancellation policy.I would really love to stay on disney property,but, they are making it harder.Sorry,needed to vent,I'll get off my soap box now .

 

[DNSDisney]

I first called about 2 mths ago and actually got the cro 5 day cancelation policy for our room only but I think that was a fluke. From what I have heard on these boards I may be the only one. I then upgraded to a pkg so I had to go with the 45 day out policy.
If you can drive instead of fly . We are in GA so that isn't a big deal to us, just 6-7 hrs. If you have to fly, most carriers have more than one flight a day to orlando or you could try to go through tampa. A bit of a longer drive (about an hr) but may be an option. Also there is Melbourn airport close by as well. Sometimes it just takes some flight creativity to get where you are going on standby. We have done this a few times going from GA to Maine. You might want to take a flight to an airport that isn't as busy and go to Orlando from there. in short instead of going from point A to point B you may need to go A to C to D to get to B. I think we are lucky to get such a great discount as we do (usually 50%) I think they see it as our problem as to how we get there standby or not. If you don't make a certain flight you can always call the resort and they will hold your room until you make it there. Good luck and sorry I didn't have much help for you.

 

[Misti]

As of 2003, all travel industry discounts (airline, travel agent, etc) are booked through WDTC (room only, too). What a major disappointment!