How many hotel nights pays for AP?

[Lucky'sMom]

Hi,

I am considering getting an AP solely for the hotel discount for one trip if it would pay off. We have 7 in our family (5 kids) so we need 2 rooms. We would probably only stay for 2 or 3 nights. I'm looking at August of 08 right now. Can you book 2 rooms with one AP (since the other room is just for kids)? How much off would you typically get per night? I'd probably go with RPR since we need the 2 rooms. Also, do you need to have the AP purchased yet to make the reservation with the AP discount? How far in advance do AP rates come out, and is it alot better than the AAA discount?

Thank-you!

 

[bubba's mom]

Hi,

I am considering getting an AP solely for the hotel discount for one trip if it would pay off. We have 7 in our family (5 kids) so we need 2 rooms. We would probably only stay for 2 or 3 nights. I'm looking at August of 08 right now. Can you book 2 rooms with one AP (since the other room is just for kids)? How much off would you typically get per night? I'd probably go with RPR since we need the 2 rooms. Also, do you need to have the AP purchased yet to make the reservation with the AP discount? How far in advance do AP rates come out, and is it alot better than the AAA discount?

Thank-you!

IIRC...you need an AP per room and an adult "registered" in each room...doesn't matter where you sleep once you get checked in and such. Don't quote me, but I am pretty sure it's 1 AP per room (altho, I could be wrong....you can ask the hotel if you call...they will let you know). Sometimes the AP rate isn't as good as AAA or the Supersaver they may advertise closer to your travel date (the SuperSaver is to help fill rooms). AP is supposed to be 30%, AAA 20%...but take this past June however....We had booked RPR last Sept. for this past June. I called to get the AP rate and was told the hotel was almost full, no AP rooms/rates left available. I was getting $191 with my AAA. Now this is the "kicker"...PBH was $189/nite on the AP rate for my dates! I ALMOST switched, but didn't...for reasons I won't bore you with. You don't "need" the actual AP in hand, but they will probably ask to see it. If you show them your voucher and/or receipt, and explain you are on your way to the parks to pick it up, they will usually be okay with that (they may ask you to stop back to show the actual AP, but I've never heard of anyone having to do that). AAA rates are the first to come out and should be out within a couple of weeks. APH usually shows up 3-6 months prior....

Hope this answers your questions...

 

[Mikelly1221]

So, if we go late June 2008 for 2-3 nights, would it be worth it to purchase at least 1 AP for any discounts? I know I'm asking everyone to predict the future but I'm just trying to get an idea..I'll take all the help I can get-thanks!

 

[damo]

I wouldn't get the AP before I booked the room just in case. You can probably get a Florida residents' rate just as cheap.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Good thought. How hard is it to apply discounted rates (AAA, AP, FL Resident) to existing room reservations? I know at Disney they only have a block of discounted rooms, and if they are gone, even if you have a pre-existing reservation, they won't discount them. Does Universal have the same policy?

 

[bubba's mom]

You can switch your reservation rate...as long as there are rooms available

 

[bubba's mom]

I wouldn't get the AP before I booked the room just in case. You can probably get a Florida residents' rate just as cheap.

Unless she wanted to get the buy 1 yr get 1 free AP...THAT is a deal

 

[Mikelly1221]

Yes, the BOGO is quite a deal! Don't think I can talk DH into it, though!

Bubba's mom, what do you mean when you say "rooms available"? If I've made and confirmed a reservation, I have my room. So, MY room is available-can't they just change the rate? Or do they take out a block of rooms for AAA, block of rooms for AP, etc. Sorry for my denseness-thanks for your help!

 

[bubba's mom]

Yes, the BOGO is quite a deal! Don't think I can talk DH into it, though!

Bubba's mom, what do you mean when you say "rooms available"? If I've made and confirmed a reservation, I have my room. So, MY room is available-can't they just change the rate? Or do they take out a block of rooms for AAA, block of rooms for AP, etc. Sorry for my denseness-thanks for your help!

Tell your DH you only need 1 AP to get the discounts

AAA and AP DO block out a certain # of rooms...when sold, rate is no longer available. If you already have your room booked, as soon as AAA rates come out, call and switch it to that rate. If you wait too long, and they sell all their AAA rate rooms, they won't let you switch the rate. (Happened to us w/ AP rate this year...had room booked using AAA rate...when AP rate was released, wasn't anything for my date (well, a king i think was available, but we wanted standard room)...so, I guess I should say there may be rooms available, but not one you want (like a higher priced room would be left available for instance....) Did I totally confuse you or do I make sense? (Been long day for me)

 

[Mikelly1221]

Actually, you made perfect sense! This helps me a lot-thanks!

 

[bubba's mom]

good...I'm glad. The important thing is to get the room booked...that way it is yours one way or another. Then you can switch the rate (and it will most likely work out for you).

 

[macraven]

the ap discount is only 10% off food and merch this year.
the same 10% is valid for AAA cards also.

i have both ap and aaa.
for the time periods i go, the aaa rate has always been greater than the ap rate for the hotel rooms.

this year i was lucky and was able to get the super saver rate. i had booked in january for the aaa rate for the october stay.
when the ss rates came on the loews site, i was able to modify my ressie.

only a specific number of rooms are alloted for the different discounts.
so many for ap, super saver, and aaa rates. the room numbers are limited for each discount.
aaa rates are out way before aph rates.
if the rates go down for ap and you have booked with aaa, you can modify your ressie. you do not need to have the ap card in hand when you book.

when the discounted rooms are booked up, you are left with rack rates.

 

[macraven]

bubba's mom is correct.
you can only book one room per ap.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Very helpful!

This is such a great website-all of you have been a big help! I think I have a gameplan now: book the room, get AAA discount when it comes out, then watch for AP/FL resident rates. Are Fl resident rates better or worse than AP rates usually?

 

[bubba's mom]

Very helpful!

This is such a great website-all of you have been a big help! I think I have a gameplan now: book the room, get AAA discount when it comes out, then watch for AP/FL resident rates. Are Fl resident rates better or worse than AP rates usually?

I believe they are usually better

 

[macraven]

for this year, the florida rates have been better than aaa/ap

sometimes when rooms have not been booked up, the ap rate will drop and you can get a sweet deal.

 

[damo]

The other good thing about using AAA is that it is a qualifying rate for your Loews status.

 

[Mikelly1221]

The other good thing about using AAA is that it is a qualifying rate for your Loews status.

So, if I use an AP rate or FL resident rate, I can't use the Loew's First card, for complimentary upgrade, etc.?

 

[macraven]

So, if I use an AP rate or FL resident rate, I can't use the Loew's First card, for complimentary upgrade, etc.?

correct

 

[Mikelly1221]

OK, got it (for now)! Thanks a lot you guys-very helpful!