Hotel rate help

[koquinn]

I'm so confused... We've never stayed at Universal before so I'm clueless. I looked at their rates on the website for Portofino for 10/3-10/6/09. It's $10 CHEAPER than the rates on the AAA website! Am I doing something wrong? I'm in WI if that matters for the AAA stuff. The AAA website had like 5 different choices for type of trip but none of them meant anything to me, I didn't know which one to pick. We don't really need to do the package cuz I got one of the free Superbowl tickets so we just need one more adult and one kid ticket. Can someone tell me the best way to go about comparing rates? Thanks!

 

[macraven]

call and talk to a TM in reservations.

you can sometimes find a better deal that hasn't been released yet to the booking website

if you have booked and see a drop in the rates, call and have your rate modified.

i do that a lot when i book with AAA or AP.

 

[koquinn]

if you have booked and see a drop in the rates, call and have your rate modified.

i do that a lot when i book with AAA or AP.

So like at Disney I can book at one price and then just get the $$ back if I find a better deal later? Is that true if I book through AAA instead of directly through Universal? Who do I call then if the rates drop, the place I originally booked with or...??

 

[MagicJunkie]

Call the hotel directly. They are so friendly and helpful. I let them know what dates I need and special rates I qualify for, AAA, Annual Pass, Fl resident, etc. You can also ask if there are any other special rates for that time. They will help you find the best deal. I just booked two connecting rooms for the end of April. I was able to book an Annual Pass Holder rate which was much cheaper than AAA.
After you secure your reservation, just check back here regularly as your trip gets closer. There are amazing people on this board that keep up to date with discounts and specials that you may be able to use.
Good luck.

 

[macraven]

So like at Disney I can book at one price and then just get the $$ back if I find a better deal later? Is that true if I book through AAA instead of directly through Universal? Who do I call then if the rates drop, the place I originally booked with or...??

i never book through AAA........
i always book thru universal orlando resorts vacations.

if you do the booking, you own the reservation.
if you do a third party booking, such as have the AAA agent, then they own the ressie and need to call for modifications of rate.

your rate does not automatically decrease if the aaa goes down.
you have to call and request a modification to the lower rate.
you don't get any money sent back to you but your rate will drop.
at the universal hotels, all you have to do is pay a one night stay as your deposit. you pay the rest of the bill when you check out of the hotel.
you can cancel up to 5 days prior of arrival and still get your deposit back.


booking is done the same way as when you book with disney.

the AAA rate will be the same if you book it or an agent for aaa books it.

if you are a loews member and have their card for you first, it does not honor 3rd party bookings. aaa is acceptable booking but do it yourself for the loews credit.

you will not necessarily see any AAA rates on the hotel cost website.


always call and ask the TM/team member, what is the best deal out there for you and your dates.


unlike disney, they will tell you the cheapest way to book.

 

[francie57]

We always book through AAA and have never had a problem with getting changes made to our reservations. If you book a room only through AAA (we do this each year) you don't have to put down a deposit. We just pay for the hotel when we check out.

 

[koquinn]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm hoping to have some time tomorrow to make some calls.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

How much of a discount do you usually get with an AP? I imagine you have to have better than the cheapest AP, right?

 

[SoarinMom]

How much of a discount do you usually get with an AP? I imagine you have to have better than the cheapest AP, right?

Bumping I would like to know which ap you need for the ap rate

 

[patster734]

You can only get the AP rate if you have either the Preferred AP or the Premiere AP. The Power Pass AP doesn't have hotel rate discounts.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

How much of a discount do you usually get with an AP? I imagine you have to have better than the cheapest AP, right?

It varies but in the past 2 years I've gotten HRH for $144/nt (Obstructed view), RPR for $139/nt and PBH for $169. These were all midweek prices in low season, Jan/Nov/Sept. Weekend rates we've gotten HRH at $174 (obs. view) and RPR $169.
Considering we bought our APs at Costco with a special, Buy One Year, Get 2nd Year Free back in 07, our hotel discounts have definitely paid for the cost of our APs. Even if we didn't get the 2nd yr free, renewals are much less than the reg. AP price, like $109 + tax, I think.
Still a bargain!

The only downside is that AP rates don't qualify for You First perks. I can live with that.