Other outlets for meal vouchers?

[DisFlan]

Not sure anyone can answer this, but... Why is Connections the main source for meal vouchers? With all the complaints about Connections, it would seem that more brokers would be offering a wider selection of vouchers for the same discounts. I know that some of the vouchers are available from a few ticket brokers for higher costs. Anyone know of any other major source comparable to Connections, but with a better reputation?

I'm not including EBay in this. I figure those are probably just Connections resales.

 

[FoodLover]

Connections is selling them at cost, so you're not going to find other dealers that can offer them so cheaply. Connections is making its money off the membership fees... particularly from people who don't pay close attention to their credit card statements and therefore fail to notice the $139-$149 Connections automatically charges them for the second year of membership!

The only other place you can get vouchers for prices similar to Connections is through Disney's Group Sales, and that's only if you are the organizer of a group with a contract to purchase a certain number of hotel rooms, etc.

Everyone else has to make a profit by marking the vouchers up.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[DisFlan]

Thanks, Mary. That explains a lot. The $79/$139 membership fee was the second reason I didn't want to join Connections. It would take quite a few vouchers to make up that cost and come out ahead.

I might feel differently about Connections if there weren't so darn many complaints about them.

 

[germanbini]

Somewhere else in these boards they mention that some voucher places only charge $1.00 for the first month trial period. Maybe you could join, buy your vouchers, and then cancel when you get back (before the additional charges kick in). Does anyone know if the turnaround time on this is feasible?

Sabrina

 

[CarolA]

I called to cancel my Connections a few weeks ago. It was a riot. The girl would mention some great benefit and I would say just cancel. This went on for at least 10 minutes. I never responded to her questions. Every time she said "How often do you eat out, go to the movies etc...? " I just said, please cancel my membership. I was actually laughing. I know she was just doing her job so I did not get onto her.

 

[wdwstar]

the membership for connection vouchers, for the $1 membership and $8.50 a month afterwards until you cancel is

lillian vernon

i cant find the phone # right this minute but will post as soon as i track it down.

in the mean time maybe someone else can help out

 

[crazymomof4]

Another source for the month to month membership is Hotwire.com. There are several threads about this here on the B. Board. Hotwire sends your enrollment info to the Connections company much the same as Lillian Vernon does. (I just recently learned this myself) Anyway, I just KNEW I would be one of those double-billed, Connections-nightmare people if I joined the annual membership so I joined through Hotwire last Thursday. It was simple, I did everything online. I hope to have a happy ending to my story (when my vouchers are actually in my hot little hands) soon!

 

[wdwstar]

i had no problem with lillian vernon and i was not doubled billed or i recieved my vouchers in 3 days it was great, but you do have to be home to sign for them from ups.

 

[DisFlan]

Thanks, everyone, for the input, but I think I'll just pass on the vouchers from Connections. I don't want to join Connections long-term, but I feel uncomfortable doing the trial membership and ordering stuff when I know I'm going to cancel.

 

[hulabird]

I used connections for 2 years and spent over $2,000 with them and had not one single problem and saved tons of money on not only vouchers but WDW pHP's and Sea World passes. I will use them again next year for our next trip.

 

[germanbini]

Originally posted by CarolA
I called to cancel my Connections a few weeks ago. It was a riot. The girl would mention some great benefit and I would say just cancel. This went on for at least 10 minutes...

Sounds just like when I tried to cancel AOL!!!

 

[dorisdvu]

Originally posted by hulabird
I used connections for 2 years and spent over $2,000 with them and had not one single problem and saved tons of money on not only vouchers but WDW pHP's and Sea World passes. I will use them again next year for our next trip.

What kind of discount do you get with PHP and meals?

 

[Kaitysmom]

bump

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by crazymomof4
Another source for the month to month membership is Hotwire.com. There are several threads about this here on the B. Board. Hotwire sends your enrollment info to the Connections company much the same as Lillian Vernon does. (I just recently learned this myself)

Just posting to correct my previous post. I had read the above on another post but today I found out differently-- Hotwire Savings Club IS operated by the same company that runs Connections, Dealpass, Simple Escapes. This company is called Memberworks Inc. (MWI).