Loews First Black-out dates ... anyone else?

[AlexandNessa]

I know, I haven't been on here forever .... But I am wondering if anyone was ever given the "black out" spiel for refusing to grant an upgrade, even though the upgrade shows available online?

In March we booked PBH for 10/5-10/10. Had the stay more, save more rate. Got the upgrade from GV to Deluxe.

This morning, I called to change to the APH rate. Got the upgrade, no problem.

Except when I got the e-mail confirmation, it said FL resident discount; must show FL ID on checkin. So I called them back to let them know, it's an APH discount, not FL resident. I got a different reservationist than earlier, and she told me no upgrade. I was going during black out dates. They could give me the upgrade 10/5-10/6, but I'd have to move rooms or change rates because 10/7 and 10/8 are black out dates.

I asked what was the deal with my previous (2) reservations at this point since the upgrade wasn't a problem with them, and she firmly told me I had been misinformed. They would put in a request on the reservation that I receive my upgrade, but it was in no way guaranteed and I would have to ask at the front desk at check in. She claimed she even spoke to a supervisor. Then she pretty much told me that if I didn't like it, I could call Loews First.

Anyone else run into this? This is the first time ever for me. I've even gotten an upgrade over NYE before ...

 

[Bluer101]

Yep, this was discussed a fewbmonths ago. I guess with WWOHP they are filling up more but this is a Loew's thing. Right from the terms and condition page:


Loews reserves the right to modify or limit the availability including, among other things, imposing blackout dates and limiting special offers, guaranteed availability, or upgrade benefits. Free fitness center access where fees apply. 50% off resort fee where applicable. Food & Beverage credit not valid at restaurants in Universal Studios® Theme Parks.

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/youfirst/terms

 

[AlexandNessa]

I couldn't find the list of actual blackout dates, other than loews reserves the right to impose them. Seems arbitrary. I don't get an upgrade over coulmbus day but the poster after me in the date and rate thread gets one for the 4th of July? I got one last year over NYE. Just don't get it. Im just saying ....

 

[damo]

I spoke to a manager once about it the last time it was brought up on the boards since I didn't know if it would affect my vacation. I was told that certain things got blacked-out but others didn't. Things such as the upgrades could get blocked out but you still got your food and beverage credit and free internet if you booked a normal room. It seemed very arbitrary to me too and might be occupancy related.

 

[yourgoingagain?]

The last couple of years they did not enforce any black out dates but with increased occupancy they started enforcing the blackout dates in 2011. Thanksgiving week is a blackout date this year. I booked the reservation last year before blackout dates came back so for existing reservation I am safe. I wanted to add a night to the existing reservation and was told I could not do so. Any change (lowering rate) will result in the loss of upgrade.

2012 blackout dates are not yet out but qill probably the 2 weeks around Easter, Thanksgiving week, and some portion of the weeks around Christmas.