not sure what i'm doing wrong - can't get portofino on expedia?

[DVM]

first timer for universal, trying to go in january 14-15, just one night.

I tried to find rates for portofino on expedia because mousesavers said it was potentially cheaper. wierd thing is that it doesn't come up at all. i've even tried several other one night dates in the following months (not that i would go then, but just to see if it comes up) and nothing comes up for portofino.

what am i doing wrong?

thanks in advance

 

[horseshowmom]

You might be interested in doing what I just did.

I wanted one night during the week that we have a house rented (the week leading up to Christmas). I decided on the the 21st so I could use FOTL for the 21st and 22nd.

I checked a lot of sites and talked to Universal as well. I had decided on a AAA rate at PBH of $293 and actually made a reservation (just cancelled it).

I decided to check Priceline at the last minute since they now have where you can see the hotel. They had RPH for $219 (they also had HRH and PBH for a little more). My total with taxes for PRH was around $245 (no resort fee).

The charge is completely refundable up until just a few days before the trip (something like 5 days).

While when you bid on PL, you are only guaranteed a room for two people, this is different. You select your room type (mine guarantees room for 5 adults). I made my reservation on the phone, they contacted the reservationist at the hotel (recorded the conversation) to guarantee that everyone would get a room key. The PL agent also gave me a phone number to contact them if I had a problem when I got there.

 

[damo]

Those priceline rates are the same as annual passholders' rates (just as an fyi for anyone who might be interested).

The Universal resort hotels aren't always available on expedia. If they are selling to priceline now, they might not sell to expedia.

 

[Dreamer24]

If you book a room on one of these sites, do you still get the benefits like FOTL pass?

 

[damo]

If you book a room on one of these sites, do you still get the benefits like FOTL pass?

Yes, you still get FOTL. You don't get any of the youfirst credits or benefits though.

 

[horseshowmom]

Those priceline rates are the same as annual passholders' rates (just as an fyi for anyone who might be interested).

The Universal resort hotels aren't always available on expedia. If they are selling to priceline now, they might not sell to expedia.

Just wanted to add that I wound up canceling my reservation due to conflicting statements. While Priceline verballing guaranteed my rate for 4 adults (put me on hold and guaranteed it with the Universal reservation agent and told me the conversation was recorded so I had nothing to worry about), my email confirmation still said 2 adults, and Priceline's "fine print" still stated that they were only obligated to provide a room for 2 people.

When I called RPH, the first person said that the rate I paid Priceline is all I would be charged. I called back the next day, asked the same question, and was told I would be charged an extra $50 for the other two adults. Since I had previously been given two different answers by Universal agents regarding parking charges, I decided this was a risky venture.

I think you would be fine if you had two adults and two children though and could save some money on Priceline (particularly since it's refundable).

I wound up booking a AAA rate for about $225 that includes 4 adults (I'm still waiting for my confirmation email from Universal on that though ).

 

[damo]

Just wanted to add that I wound up canceling my reservation due to conflicting statements. While Priceline verballing guaranteed my rate for 4 adults (put me on hold and guaranteed it with the Universal reservation agent and told me the conversation was recorded so I had nothing to worry about), my email confirmation still said 2 adults, and Priceline's "fine print" still stated that they were only obligated to provide a room for 2 people.

When I called RPH, the first person said that the rate I paid Priceline is all I would be charged. I called back the next day, asked the same question, and was told I would be charged an extra $50 for the other two adults. Since I had previously been given two different answers by Universal agents regarding parking charges, I decided this was a risky venture.

I think you would be fine if you had two adults and two children though and could save some money on Priceline (particularly since it's refundable).

I wound up booking a AAA rate for about $225 that includes 4 adults (I'm still waiting for my confirmation email from Universal on that though ).

If you don't get a confirmation email, make sure you call back and get one. Sometimes they don't send them out until a week or so before you go. Universal rooms at Priceline is a brand new thing, so it is going to take a bit before all the wrinkles get ironed out. I don't believe the reservationists would be hearing much about it but the people at the hotel would be somewhat more familiar.

 

[horseshowmom]

If you don't get a confirmation email, make sure you call back and get one. Sometimes they don't send them out until a week or so before you go. Universal rooms at Priceline is a brand new thing, so it is going to take a bit before all the wrinkles get ironed out. I don't believe the reservationists would be hearing much about it but the people at the hotel would be somewhat more familiar.

I got my email from RPH with a reservation in my name. Usually, the confirmation states the number of adults and/or children, but this one doesn't say anything about that at all. I'm getting more and more confused!