How to get discounts...

[ChisJo]

Either than AAA and the Entertainment card, is there any way to get a great deal on the hotels in USO? Do they have specific codes that you can use?
And of all the discounts, what is the one that gives the best rate?
Thanks,
Jo

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

If you are looking for discounts for 2005 . Most of these discounts are not available yet. However, when they do become available These are the codes that will be available. APH Annual Pass Holders (must have an annual pass to get this code FAN must have a fan club card. These are passed out usually through company's to their employees. AAA must have AAA card to do this. ENT must have entertainment card to get. Ocassionally the loews hotels will have specials for the hotels. In the past they have had the code BED with this rate you will get bed and breakfast this is 5 dollars above rack rate. No real savings there. And 2Tix This was slightly below rack rate with a length of stay ticket for 2 included. This is not available right now but might be available later. I have called several times and have been told that the discounted rates will not be available til november for 2005. Before you go buying an annual pass or AAA card make your reservation first. Ask for the best available rate. if they only quote you with AAA or rack rate. Then ask about FAN, APH, or ENT

 

[lovetheparks]

If you are looking online you can use AAA or ENT for the codes. For me, the annual pass holder discount has been the deepest (APH). Right now for 2005 the only discount I've seen available is AAA. HTH!

 

[Hilary]

If you are looking online you can use AAA or ENT for the codes.

Does that mean APH and FAN rates are never available online, only by phoning?

TIA

 

[rlduvall]

Actually, only APH and FAN codes work on line (at the universal website). I don't know about AAA, but I know the ENT code does not work online. You can get that by calling.

 

[wintermom]

AAA
This codes works online as well at the Loews site.

Wintermom

 

[cepmom]

rlduvall-

About the ENT code - I know they have not released discounts for ENT for 2005 yet; I have been checking every day for two weeks online so it does not surprise me when the rate it shows is rack rate. When they finally do release ENT discounts, the code still will not work online? It's so much easier to check online rather than calling each day. I have found that depending on the person you talk to , you will get different answers about different discounts available. When I called a couple of weeks ago about AAA discount, I was told that they are not available yet for 2005, (I already knew they were) then I spoke with a different person and was told there was a two night minimum for AAA discount and a third person told me AAA discount rooms for my date were already sold out at RP. I ended up with a reservation at HRH for 1 night, AAA discount. I am hoping to get the ENT discount for RP once it is available.
I never know who to believe!! Good thing for DISboards - I know this is the best place to find out the real story!!!

 

[rlduvall]

cepmom:

Understand your frustration about misinformation. I also don't like to call checking on rates. ENT will not show on-line, but what I do when I am just beginning to check for rates and times to go (i.e. the beginning stage of my trip plan) I go online and I put in code APH - check rate and then FAN - check rate - for all three hotels. This will give you a general idea of what type of discount rates they are quoting, if any are available. Also, like Disney, the rates can fluctuate and change at anytime; show no longer available, then show available again at a later date. (Am I confusing you worse???) I don't want to invest in the APH, so ENT is the best way for me to go. Actually, I have seen ENT even be lower than the APH (all these acronyms are giving me a headache ) Hope I have helped, not hindered. I am very anal retentive about my vacations and if I don't think I got the best deal available I don't enjoy it as much. Then again, we are all anal retentive or we wouldn't be on this board, right????? One more thing, about the FAN club; the consensus is that it should be through your employer, but if you sign up to be a member of "themouseforless.com" and get accepted, you are supposedly a legitimate member of the FAN club. Check out their website. I did become a member for that perk, but then I went under the ENT rate.

 

[Hilary]

Is phoning the resort the only way to change a rate (subject to availability) once you've booked? Does it make any difference whether the original reservation was made via the USF site, Loews site or with the resort direct?

 

[cepmom]

rlduvall

thanks for the infomative explanation! Definitely a help, not a hinderance!! I will keep an eye open for news about ENT discount dates being released (I have heard not until November) and now I know that I will need to call daily, instead of checking online daily. (Oh - they're gonna love me over at Universal !)

I will also be checking into the mouse for less FAN club idea. Do you just need to sign up for thier email list or is there a certain membership application you need to fill out?

I totally agree with you about getting the best deal. I have been obsessing about this trip for months now and it's not until next August. I keep telling my husband that everyone on DIS is anal - he thinks it's just me!!