Orbitz Questions from a Novice

[dmunsil]

The $25 cancellation fee is listed on Orbitz's payment page, as the second bullet point of "Rules and Restrictions." This is a very recent change in policy.

I don't see it. Perhaps they made a mistake, and have now changed it back. It says FREE Cancellation all over the place on the payment page, and the entirety of the hotel policies is below (for a sample booking arriving 3/21):

Cancellation:
Plans change, we understand. Orbitz doesn't charge a fee when you cancel your reservation. However Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside may charge change and cancellation fees.
FREE cancellation!
Free cancellation before 12:01 AM local hotel time on 3/16/16!
If you cancel or change your reservation after 12:01 AM local hotel time on 3/16/16, the hotel will charge you $332.
If you cancel or change your reservation after 12:01 AM local hotel time on 3/21/16, the hotel will charge you for the total cost of your reservation.
All times mentioned are in local hotel time. If you need to change or cancel this hotel reservation, please do so through Orbitz rather than through the hotel directly.

 

[trying2photo]

For what it's worth, I have been playing around with dates and resorts for March and April. Every time I use a value resort, it shows the cancellation fee. When I use a moderate, several of the dates show that is has free cancellation but some dates show that there is a fee for it as well. Doesn't make much sense.

 

[dmunsil]

For what it's worth, I have been playing around with dates and resorts for March and April. Every time I use a value resort, it shows the cancellation fee. When I use a moderate, several of the dates show that is has free cancellation but some dates show that there is a fee for it as well. Doesn't make much sense.

Could you share a specific booking in terms of resort and dates where you've seen this? I keep trying different sample bookings at value resorts and moderates, and I have yet to see this $25 fee. I think it must have been a copy-paste error by someone at Orbitz or something similar.

 

[Pkltm]

It seems to depend what hotel you look at, ASMU had no cancelation but sports came up with this:

• We understand that sometimes plans fall through. We do not charge a cancel or change fee. When the hotel charges such fees in accordance with its own policies, the cost will be passed on to you. Disney's All-Star Sports Resort charges the following cancellation and change fees.

• Cancellations or changes made before 4:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time (US & Canada)) on Mar 18, 2016 or no-shows are subject to a $25.00 hotel fee.

 

[dmunsil]

It seems to depend what hotel you look at, ASMU had no cancelation but sports came up with this:

• We understand that sometimes plans fall through. We do not charge a cancel or change fee. When the hotel charges such fees in accordance with its own policies, the cost will be passed on to you. Disney's All-Star Sports Resort charges the following cancellation and change fees.

• Cancellations or changes made before 4:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time (US & Canada)) on Mar 18, 2016 or no-shows are subject to a $25.00 hotel fee.

Can you share the specific dates, room type, etc.? I just tried March 23-25 at All Star Sports. 2 adults, standard room. Still shows free cancellation.

 

[Pkltm]

Can you share the specific dates, room type, etc.? I just tried March 23-25 at All Star Sports. 2 adults, standard room. Still shows free cancellation.

1 Room: Standard View Room

Check-in: Mar 23, 2016
Check-out: Mar 30, 2016
7-night stay
Room 1: 2 Adults avg./night

 

[trying2photo]

I tried Port Orleans for 3/21 and it shows free cancellation until 3/16. I also tried it for 4/18 and it shows free cancellation until 4/13.
I tried ASSports for 3/22 and it shows a fee. I tried it for 4/5 and it shows a fee.

 

[dmunsil]

1 Room: Standard View Room

Check-in: Mar 23, 2016
Check-out: Mar 30, 2016
7-night stay
Room 1: 2 Adults avg./night

I'm not seeing it. I wonder if they're A/B testing a cancellation fee to see how it affects bookings?

Here's what I get for the same booking:

 

[Pkltm]

I'm not seeing it. I wonder if they're A/B testing a cancellation fee to see how it affects bookings?

Here's what I get for the same booking:

Possibly a test, if it is not they certainly have one glitch site

 

[dizzyinwdw]

I am showing a $25 cancellation fee for a travelocity booking through their app for Yacht club this April. Tempted since I could stay there for same price as AOA suite which we currently have booked through Disney. I booked AOA-LM last year on the Expedia APP for a trip in Nov--it had the same $25 fee noted. I did not cancel the ressie so not sure if the fee is enforced. Maybe it is an App specific fee?

 

[dmunsil]

I am showing a $25 cancellation fee for a travelocity booking through their app for Yacht club this April. Tempted since I could stay there for same price as AOA suite which we currently have booked through Disney. I booked AOA-LM last year on the Expedia APP for a trip in Nov--it had the same $25 fee noted. I did not cancel the ressie so not sure if the fee is enforced. Maybe it is an App specific fee?

Aha! I finally see it on Travelocity for an April 25-April 26 booking at Yacht Club! Thank you!

Fascinating. I don't see it on a direct booking with Disney, or with a booking for the same night on Orbitz. I wonder if this is Disney's mistake, and it's taken this long for it to completely shake out of the system. It could also be an issue with the middleman that goes between Orbitz or Expedia and Disney. I believe they're connected via a GDS system like Sabre or Amadeus, though I have no idea which one.

 

[trying2photo]

I'm not seeing it. I wonder if they're A/B testing a cancellation fee to see how it affects bookings?

Here's what I get for the same booking:

I just tried the exact same dates and resort and mine does not show free cancellation. I wish someone knew the reasoning because I would like to book but am holding out due to the fee confusion.

 

[dmunsil]

I just tried the exact same dates and resort and mine does not show free cancellation. I wish someone knew the reasoning because I would like to book but am holding out due to the fee confusion.

If it's an A/B thing, you might try a different browser, or different device. Try the app if you've been using the site or vice-versa.

 

[shoreward]

If it's an A/B thing, you might try a different browser, or different device. Try the app if you've been using the site or vice-versa.

When searching on website, the $25 cancellation fee comes up. When searching on the app, there is no $25 cancellation fee, if cancelling with more than a five day notice (same as Disney travel site). I booked on the app, which also awarded a few more Orbucks, than the website.

 

[dmunsil]

I suspect the $25 fee is a mistake. But it might be a test to see how it affects bookings. Certainly either way, don't book any hotels where the fee is showing; try a different route or a different device or something.

 

[MBradley12]

I have booked through Orbitz and Cheaptickets many times and have occasionally cancelled (usually to modify or add dates) with no fee. Just cancelled a reservation yesterday and was charged the $25. Sure enough, it was spelled out in the booking confirmation and I just didn't notice. This was for check-in on Feb. 26th.

Check-in

• Check-in time starts at 4 PM
• Your room will be guaranteed for late arrival.

Important Hotel Information
Although CheapTickets does not charge a fee to change or cancel your booking, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village may still charge a fee in accordance with its own rules & regulations.

• Cancellations or changes made before 4:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time (US & Canada)) on Feb 15, 2016 or no-shows are subject to a $25.00 hotel fee.
• Cancellations or changes made after 4:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time (US & Canada)) on Feb 15, 2016 or no-shows are subject to a hotel fee equal to 100% of the total amount paid for the reservation.

• View your online itinerary for additional rules and restrictions.

 

[soniam]

I have booked through Orbitz and Cheaptickets many times and have occasionally cancelled (usually to modify or add dates) with no fee. Just cancelled a reservation yesterday and was charged the $25. Sure enough, it was spelled out in the booking confirmation and I just didn't notice. This was for check-in on Feb. 26th.

Check-in

• Check-in time starts at 4 PM
• Your room will be guaranteed for late arrival.

Important Hotel Information
Although CheapTickets does not charge a fee to change or cancel your booking, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village may still charge a fee in accordance with its own rules & regulations.

• Cancellations or changes made before 4:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time (US & Canada)) on Feb 15, 2016 or no-shows are subject to a $25.00 hotel fee.
• Cancellations or changes made after 4:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time (US & Canada)) on Feb 15, 2016 or no-shows are subject to a hotel fee equal to 100% of the total amount paid for the reservation.

• View your online itinerary for additional rules and restrictions.

I just noticed this after booking. It's really annoying, because the policy was not clearly stated before booking. I assumed (I know) that it was the same policy as before, no fee I would not have booked if I had known that there is now a cancellation fee. When I tried the live chat to get my MDE code, the woman said that I had booked on the new platform, so I needed to call customer service. I see stuff all over the support pages about "if your code starts/does not start with xxxx". So, I guess they have changed or are changing their reservation system. I guess the new fee is part of this. I have used them for Universal before, but I think I might be regretting using them for Disney now. Like someone else said, you can no longer change a reservation, you have to cancel it first. I wonder if this applies to adding a person for a total of 2 adults. That shouldn't affect anything, but I bet they are going to try to eek out every bit of money that they can

 

[rhiansmom]

I just booked 3 reservations thru cheap tickets and saved about $30 a night on value resort rooms. The $25 fee showed for all three.


I have also been charged this fee from Expedia for a reservation I changed last November.

 

[Jawa Livin]

I am also trying to cancel a reservation through Orbitz and am being hit with a $25 cancellation fee which was NOT disclosed when I originally booked. I am quite frustrated by this because I have been using Orbitz for years to book Disney trips and NEVER had a cancellation fee. I tried contacting Disney and they said they can't help me, I have to contact Orbitz. I contacted Orbitz and spoke to an extremely uninformed and unhelpful representative. I will be putting a claim through my credit card as this was not disclosed when I originally booked. I will be thinking twice before booking with Orbitz in the future.

 

[bcbmommy]

I just booked 3 reservations thru cheap tickets and saved about $30 a night on value resort rooms. The $25 fee showed for all three.


I have also been charged this fee from Expedia for a reservation I changed last November.

Do you have to book each room separately? I'm finding that for the 20% code to work, it would need to be done separately (we need 2 rooms). Also, if I book our first night through a site like this and the rest through Disney, will DME still pick us up and take us to the resort? (the one booked with one of these sites)