Pay more ahead to charge to your room?

[Kristentheangel]

HI,
After you're done paying your room, do any of you pay more ahead of time, so when you get down to the Mouse, you can charge using your room key?

This just seems so much easier, instead of paying with a CC, that I like to keep a zero balance on... I love the idea of paying for everything ahead of time, going down with a few hundred in DDollars for my DD and just having fun...any opinions?
Ty
kristen

 

[chipnwendy]

Last I remember, you present a credit card to the front desk folks at the time of check in to use as a deposit on your room card when charging throughout the world, then at the end of your trip, everything you charged is added up and either charged to your card, or you settle up with them at checkout.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

From other threads I've read here, people do this all the time! My room for our upcoming trip is paid off too, but I'm waiting for AP codes to come out so I can have a credit on my room. Need more spending money!

 

[Sunkissed]

One tip I heard and plan on using, is to divide your trip into segments and pay off your bill that way. For example, I am arriving on a Thursday, will pay off any charges on Saturday and then on Tuesday, the day I leave.

Many posters have referred to using bank envelopes to keep track of your spending, as well. Cash can be kept in your in-room safe.

 

[keith-atl]

Originally posted by Kristentheangel
HI,
After you're done paying your room, do any of you pay more ahead of time, so when you get down to the Mouse, you can charge using your room key?

This just seems so much easier, instead of paying with a CC, that I like to keep a zero balance on... I love the idea of paying for everything ahead of time, going down with a few hundred in DDollars for my DD and just having fun...any opinions?
Ty
kristen

You can also just give them cash when you check in to add to your room key, that is what I did gave them 1000 when I checked in, I also hate having a balance to pay off after a trip, Im pretty sure you could do the same with travelers checks as well.

 

[blowinbubbles]

Hmm, this is an interesting thread! I think I would just rather carry my travelers checks with me, as opposed to paying them on my room key at the hotel. Kind of a control issue, I suppose.

Reason being, . . when I was at WDW a couple of weeks ago, we had purchased our 4day passes over the phone. I was to pick up the tickets at guest relations on my first day. *Well*, when I went there to do so, the computers were down and I was told I had to *purchase* my tickets on my room key and it would be refunded later. Fine and dandy, but when my h went to the front desk he was told they couldn't do that!

The only reason they finally did refund the money was because my h has the dubious talent of being a *real* jerk when he wants to, and told the poor desk clerk that either they would refund the $$ and issue his tickets, or he was coming across the counter. (At least that's what he told me).

Either way, I prefer to have control over my money.. . I would hate to give it to the front desk and have it mysteriously disappear!

 

[Kristentheangel]

Hi,
I think a few people lost me...LOL... I'm not planning on paying the money when I get there... I've been reading a lot about this on the resorts boards...I'm thinking overpaying the room by about 800 dollars..sending checks to WDW and then having that 800 credit when I get there..so when we do sitdowns and buy merchandise, we can just easily use our room key... I'm going to do this, and still bring a couple hundred in DD..
kristen

 

[CTrumble]

This just blows my mind. Sending $800 ahead of time vs. getting points for $800 worth of spending on my credit card....Hmmmm.....

I also think they are going to want a credit card on file in case you go over the $800 credit.

 

[Kristentheangel]

I prefer not to use credit cards..I do have one with a high limit to put on file with them, just in case...but, I don't use my credit card that often and it doesnt have a points program...I also don't want to get one, just for the sake of having one for WDW with points, because if I apply for a CC they check my credit, and that's not such a good idea when you're going for a house!!! But, thanks for the idea..
Kristen

 

[prncess674]

I personally wouldn't send them the money in advance. I would save the money in an envelope or a savings account or in Disney Dollars and then when you check in you can give them the $800. What if your trip is cancelled or something happens along the way that you god forbid don't make it to WDW. Do you really want Disney holding onto your money? I realize you can get a refund but it could takes weeks or months if there is problem. It's your money, don't give it to the mouse until you absolutely have to.

Why not just use your CC to check in and then settle up for your Disney purchases at the end of your trip at the check out counter. That way if you don't spend the entire $800 you won't have to worry about getting your money back. Since you will be "paying off" your charges before checking out nothing will go on your CC.

 

[canwegosoon]

I understand the CC thing Kristentheangel, but I think agree with prncess674. If poss I would leave in Checking and earn intrest instead of Disney earning intrest...but if no intrest I would go Disney Dollars, just so you have control, and the extra $$ to spend with dd. Love the idea!

 

[Kristentheangel]

thanks for all the info!