Phone Rates

[SlyHubby]

We were just at OKW and as always it was a great trip.

Not that we would ever use the phones with the rates they are charging, but, does anyone believe that the rates they're posting (something like 55% surcharge on the operator assisted rates) are a bit out of line with reality these days?

What is a bit annoying is that the rates they are charging are not a function of what their costs are. What's the most anyone would pay these days for long distance charges - maybe 10 cents a minute? 20 cents at the absolute top of the line? What do you think DVC has to pay for phone service?

The rate cards in the rooms are the exact ones you find in hotel rooms. If DVC wants to charge those kind of rates to non-DVC members that's fine. However, to charge owners those rates is unacceptable - just another way to profit from us. Does the profit off the phone charges go back into DVC accounts in essence offsetting expenses and ultimately DVC dues or is it profit to Disney/DVC?

Many hotels are dumping their old phone rate structures and gradually, they are all upgrading and providing free Wi-Fi access in every room. We stayed at a Residence Inn last month and couldn't believe there was free Wi-Fi in the rooms.

When will DVC get with the program here?

 

[DebbieB]

DVC gives members a break by only charging 35 cents for local calls rather than 75 cents for non-members. 800# calls are no charge for members, 75 cents for non-members. My guess is long distance calls are charged through a central service and it might be difficult to charge different rates for members and non-members. Buy a phone card for your long distance calls. I've have a 500 minute AT&T Card that I got from Sams Club for $20 over a year ago and I've been using it for long distance calls when I'm away from home, still have over 300 minutes left, they don't take alot of minutes away for connection fees.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I simply bring my cell phone with me. I have Verizon, which I can use virtually anywhere in the country, so I don't have to use the DVC phones.

I pay $39.95 a month for unlimited service. Heck, I rarely use the main phone in my own home.

 

[AJKMOM]

We used a Sams phone card at BWV and had to pay a fee each time we connected with the outside world. I think it was 75 cents.

 

[SlyHubby]

I think you are all missing the point of what I am getting at. Yes, anyone could use their cell phone, anyone could use a prepaid card, and so on.

the issue is that as members, we should not be a profit center. who is making the money off the phone charges being billed? it is a sure thing that they are charging more than what the cost is for the phone calls - that is certain. why are members staying in their property billed no differently than a hotel guest staying at any other Disney property?

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by AJKMOM
We used a Sams phone card at BWV and had to pay a fee each time we connected with the outside world. I think it was 75 cents.

Were you staying on points? Non-members do have to pay 75 cents per call, local or 800#.

Slyhubby - maybe e-mail member services and ask this question.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't see a problem...they give a discount on local calls, and free 800 access...most people these days use calling cards or cells anyway. Especially "regular" travelers, as most DVCers are. I just don't think it is a major issue. If I was really concerned, I could use a pay phone.

 

[garettdoyle]

Long distance and access charges at one time was a profit center for hotels but in general that is no longer the case. Calling cards (pre/post paid) slowed down this revenue stream and then cell phones came along. Most hotels are lucky to break even. I doubt that DVC makes any money as the typical hotel phone user is the business travelers and DVC are leisure travelers. It is rather expensive for hotels to install a phone system and all the local outside lines to support the hotel. Even though local calls and/or toll free numbers don't cost the hotel a per call charge, they do need some way to recoup the fixed costs.

Free and/or low cost High Speed Internet seems to be demand and the direction most hotels are going (and I couldn't be happier!). There have been several previous posts dealing the schedules and sites where Disney intends to install high speed internet.