PIN Magically Appeared :)

[ThanksForNoticingMe]

I called the other night to check resort prices for our upcoming Oct. Food and Wine trip. I asked if I had any PINS attached to my name...and the reservationist said, "sorry you have no PINS for that time frame". I told her I would call back.

i called back 10 minutes later...and said I would go ahead and book even though I lacked a PIN. That is when the reservationist said I had a 20% off PIN..that would work for my dates

20% isn't the best PIN...but at least it is something

The reservationist said she didn't understand why the discount wasn't offered when I called 10 minutes earlier. Weird huh?

 

[wacowgirl]

Congrats! That must be exciting! 20% is 20%... better than 0%

That is weird though. Perhaps they quickly added one on for you since you said that you would call back?

 

[Sue M]

Very strange but congrats!

 

[brdlyleon]

how exactly do these pins works? I keep hearing about them but I have no idea how you get them or what they really are....help? lol that sounds great though! Me and my family are also planning to attend for the Food & Wine festival

 

[dmband]

i don't think it is strange - old marketing trick, not sure disney would use it but...
i think they offered you the 20% to get you to book
everytime you call they have it on record, when you inquire and don't make a ressie they don't know if you ever will
so for them to offer you 20% and "seal the deal" is better then having you hang up and poss never calling back.

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

i don't think it is strange - old marketing trick, not sure disney would use it but...
i think they offered you the 20% to get you to book
everytime you call they have it on record, when you inquire and don't make a ressie they don't know if you ever will
so for them to offer you 20% and "seal the deal" is better then having you hang up and poss never calling back.

See, that's something that I have been wondering about. Do they keep a record of how many times you call to inquire about rates/PINs?

 

[havoc315]

i don't think it is strange - old marketing trick, not sure disney would use it but...
i think they offered you the 20% to get you to book
everytime you call they have it on record, when you inquire and don't make a ressie they don't know if you ever will
so for them to offer you 20% and "seal the deal" is better then having you hang up and poss never calling back.

Good point. There are online retailers that do this as well.. if you check the same item multiple times.

If is quite possible that if you call.... hesitate to book due to price... then they automatically put you into the system to receive a PIN for those dates.

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

I'm such a noob... does this also work when you "save for later" when going through booking online or only when you call? I've never called but get online to mess with packages daily... if only those who call get pins then I'm going to start calling... lol

 

[let'sgo]

See, that's something that I have been wondering about. Do they keep a record of how many times you call to inquire about rates/PINs?

Yup, they keep a record of when you call and what it is about. I even had a CM remark that she noticed that I had been on the website quite a bit.

 

[dmband]

I'm such a noob... does this also work when you "save for later" when going through booking online or only when you call? I've never called but get online to mess with packages daily... if only those who call get pins then I'm going to start calling... lol

i have read where people say they had a saved online reservation and got pins in the mail later

 

[havoc315]

Disney has done a good job of preventing people from deciphering an exact pattern.
And remember.... if Disney thinks you are eventually going to book at full price, they don't have a reason to send you a PIN.
Of course, PINs are essentially still mass mailings..... so computers are ultimately compiling a list.

There are likely some factors outside of your control in terms of getting a PIN --
Good example, your zip code. I can't speak speficially about Disney. But some company promotional offers will target certain zip codes (often wanting more affluent guests, who are likely to spend more).

I wouldn't be suspect they examine your past visit history -- Though hard to say how they use it. If you have made several visits over the past few years... they may suspect you will return even without a PIN. Or, they may want to give a PIN to repeat visitors, to "seal the deal." Their system may even be sophisticated enough to see that you booked a future trip by June of ever year... But this year, you haven't done so..... So then send out a PIN.

I'm sure they also consider whether you have used PINs in the past. If they know you use a PIN, every year.. for the last 3 years. Then they can basically control your behavior this year -- If they know you wait for a PIN discount -- then they can target the PIN discount around a slow time of year, where they want you to book.

Other things are in your control --- Basically, contact with Disney. Making sure they have your email and home address.

I've gotten PINs in the regular mail before, though haven't seen one in a long time. My wife has gotten a few in her email (under her maiden name actually), but I haven't gotten any in email. And she hasn't gotten any in a while.

So I'm hoping to get back into PIN good graces....

 

[havoc315]

So wondering whether anybody else has tried this "call back" strategy?

 

[KayMeg'sMom]

I tried calling back yesterday... I must not of had the pixie dust of me to get a pin. So I wait.. like everyone else hoping to see some discounts come out for the fall.

 

[kris.c]

And remember.... if Disney thinks you are eventually going to book at full price, they don't have a reason to send you a PIN.

I would normally agree to this statement but have been proven wrong. I had saved some vacations online a few months back, and like many, hadn't received any pins. Just recently I decided to bite-the-bullet and book at rack rate. Shortly after doing so, I started to receive pins. We've received 2 so far (but they were nothing to get overly excited about). But that's still more offers than I had prior to booking!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

OP - congrats on the 20% off PIN!

My DH, DD & I have been to WDW several times since 2000 and we had never received a PIN code until 2009.

In late 2009 I made a reservation for an October 2010 trip and paid the package deposit. About a month after making the reservation DH & I decided not to take the October 2010 trip so I called to cancel the reservation. Wouldn't you know it, less than 2 weeks after cancelling I got a 40% off PIN code in my email! And yes, we used the PIN code and ended up going to Disney in October 2010 afterall!

 

[ThanksForNoticingMe]

OP - congrats on the 20% off PIN!

My DH, DD & I have been to WDW several times since 2000 and we had never received a PIN code until 2009.

In late 2009 I made a reservation for an October 2010 trip and paid the package deposit. About a month after making the reservation DH & I decided not to take the October 2010 trip so I called to cancel the reservation. Wouldn't you know it, less than 2 weeks after cancelling I got a 40% off PIN code in my email! And yes, we used the PIN code and ended up going to Disney in October 2010 afterall!

WOW! That is so cool 20% off is great...40% off would be FABULOUS. Call me greedy but I am hoping that I get a even better PIN....lol