So it would be better to get them from UCT? Or would it be better to use URs to get them through chase? I’m not sure what the best option is since we’ve never done universal APs and I don’t exactly know how it works upgrading normal tickets
I think UCT vs URs via Chase will just come down to if you want to use points or cash (unless you have a travel eraser type card like Cap One with lots of points, I think you got one for Japan?).
I actually just ran all of the numbers on UCT tickets for upgrading. I was just comparing to Seasonal APs, but it would be the same pretty much for any level. I was just looking for whatever was the least OOP. The best savings on OOP costs from UCT is the 5 day 3 Park to Park ticket... about $46. On the other hand, buying from Chase with URs... you'd probably want the most expensive ticket no matter what so your cash OOP on upgrading is the least possible. That would also be the 5 day 3 P2P ticket.
You can upgrade a 3 park ticket to a 2 park AP as long as you haven't used your ticket at Volcano Bay, if you aren't interested in VB. You want to go in to the park with your ticket and then upgrade at guest services.
Either option here would give you a ticket valued at $436. If getting a 3 park Seasonal Pass, those come to $430ish so last year when we did that we got a refund on a Universal gift card for the difference. If you'd want a 2 park Seasonal Pass, you could get either the 2 days + 1 day free from UCT or a 3 day 2 Park to Park ticket from URs, both are the same cost as a 2 park seasonal pass, so no worrying about paying a difference or refunds.
I'm not familiar with the higher tier AP pricing, so it would just be the difference from the ticket you buy to the AP price. Don't forget tax when you figure it out!
A thought too, you could do one higher level for the discounts and one lower level, depending on what you think will work for you dates for when you'd go. DH and I have talked about that if we would move to FL, maybe doing a Seasonal or Power Pass for one person and the Preferred for the other for the discounts and free parking. I believe if you do say, the seasonal AP and then decide you want to go during a blackout you can upgrade in person, you just pay the full difference between the pass types - no pro rating, expiration will not change. I did find out that when you get to renewal time, you can switch between tiers and also if you want a 2 park or 3 park pass.
ETA: We are going to do Seasonal Passes again... I think I am just going to let ours expire and then get tickets and upgrade again, so I can buy the tickets with URs instead of paying OOP or cashing out URs at 1cpp for the renewal price.
Thanks for that link!
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