How do Entertainment rates work?

[ead79]

I have seen lots of discussion about Entertainment rates on this board. How do these discounts work? I understand that I would need to purchase the Orlando Entertainment book, which I can do online. Their website says that it's 50% off rack rate, is this always the case? Are the discounts hard to get, or do they have a large number of rooms that you can get at this rate? Do they discount only standard view rooms with the Entertainment card, or do they discount them all by 50% (standard, water, club level, suites, etc.)? Are discounts out yet for the whole year? If not, when do you expect them out for November? Thanks so much!

 

[JOC]

I have seen lots of discussion about Entertainment rates on this board. How do these discounts work? I understand that I would need to purchase the Orlando Entertainment book, which I can do online.

Just call either Loews reservations (1-800-563-9711) or Universal reservations (1-888-322-5541) and ask if the Entertainment rate is available for your dates. Also, you don't have to purchase the Orlando Entertainment book; you can purchase one for the city you live in so that you can use the restaurant coupons locally. Make sure to take the card that comes with the book with you as they may ask for it at check-in. If you're going in November you'll have to wait for the next Entertainment book to come out (in August I believe) as the card in the current Entertainment book expires on November 1.

Their website says that it's 50% off rack rate, is this always the case?

Not necessarily, although the discounts normally do come close to 50% off rack rates.

Are the discounts hard to get, or do they have a large number of rooms that you can get at this rate?

It depends on your dates of travel; your best bet would be to call and ask for your specific dates.

Do they discount only standard view rooms with the Entertainment card, or do they discount them all by 50% (standard, water, club level, suites, etc.)?

They don't discount Club Level at the Entertainment rate; you can use Fan Club, AAA or AP rates to get Club Level discounts.

Are discounts out yet for the whole year? If not, when do you expect them out for November?

The Entertainment rates are already available for November; however, certain dates may already be booked up.

Good luck!

 

[ead79]

Thank you so much, JOC! What a HUGE help! Can I ask a few more questions?

1) What is the Fan Club?

2) What are the Fan Club and AAA discounts usually like (what percentage do they usually get you off)?

3) Does is cost money to join the Fan Club and how would I do it?

 

[JOC]

What is the Fan Club? Does it cost money to join the Fan Club and how would I do it?

Fan Club is a card usually offered through your Human Resources Office; however, some workplaces don't "subscribe" to this program. There is a very kind woman named "Tinkerbarb" who posts on this forum; e-mail her or post on the "Fan Club Card" thread at the top of the Universal Discussion forum page and she'll send you a card.

What are the Fan Club and AAA discounts usually like (what percentage do they usually get you off)

Fan Club discounts are promoted as "up to 30% off," but I think it may be more. AAA rates are usually not as good a discount as Entertainment or Fan Club, but sometimes AAA rates are the only discounts available during peak holiday times (Thanksgiving, Christmas, News Years).

Hotelkingdom.com sometimes has good prices for the Universal resorts during peak holiday times; you should also check them out if you can't get discounts using the other methods.

P.S. Call Loews or Universal reservations and ask for the different rates; most of the customer service reps are friendly and will compare the different discounts for you.