Please help a newbie with a Loews reservations

[IluvmyRott]

I made a reservation for two rooms on the Universal Orlando web site, the reservation was under Loews, I received a confirmation #, BUT when I called the RPR reservation line to request that these two rooms be as close as possible, they told me the confirmation # wasn't one of theirs. I told them I had made them over the internet and he said he couldn't help me with the confirmation # I was given from the net.

Also, they immediately take out something like $236 on your credit card(can't remember exactly, I've already put the paper up and I'm too lazy to go get it. ), but they didn't say when the final payment is due.

One more question I have been lurking around here for several weeks and about three weeks ago I applied for my loews account (learned that from tips here on the board ) and they sent me my account # in an email, but do you get a card as well?

 

[IluvmyRott]

I'm getting worried now, seems like a lot of people have read this, but no replies! Has anyone used the internet to book their Universal Hotel?

 

[Holly Goheavy]

Yes, you'll get a card in the mail for the Loews First membership, but just having the number will work just as well when you call or at check in.

I'm not sure what the deal is on the confirmation number. If you booked through Universal Vacations that isn't Loews, that's another agency entirely. If you want the rooms close together, your best bet would be to call RPR directly.

 

[damo]

Did you go to www.universalorlando.com and book your hotel or did you go to www.univacations.com and book your hotel?

Maybe you wrote the number down incorrectly?
Did they check using your last name? Your name should be on their reservation list unless you made it very recently.

There are some ways you can check your reservation on this page if you actually booked through www.universalorlando.com or Loews: http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_how_to_book.html

 

[IluvmyRott]

Thanks, I'll check that out, I just made the reservation yesterday evening.

 

[Patita]

I booked RPH in univacations.com and I recibed a confirmation email.

My question is: I used the mastercard deal , and I know that the Loews card doesn`t apply but Can I use the separate check-in line ?

 

[goofy!]

IAlso, they immediately take out something like $236 on your credit card(can't remember exactly, I've already put the paper up and I'm too lazy to go get it. ), but they didn't say when the final payment is due.

The balance of your stay is due at checkout. You will have to present a credit card at check-in where they will run the card, but actual payment isn't until check-out.

Make sure they do actually take that first night's deposit off your credit card so you are not surprised with an extra $236.00 at check-out. It has been our experience that when booking online through Loews, they rarely, if ever charge that first night to your card.

 

[Patita]

Asking again:

My question is: I used the mastercard deal , and I know that the Loews card benefits doesn`t apply but Can I use the separate check-in line ?

 

[damo]

Asking again:

My question is: I used the mastercard deal , and I know that the Loews card benefits doesn`t apply but Can I use the separate check-in line ?

Hmmm. Since you still get to use the gym and those facilities, I would assume you could still use the dedicated Loews First line.

 

[bubba's mom]

you're right damo....she can use the LF check-in because she IS a LF member...it's just the 'rate' isn't qualifying is all

 

[Patita]

thanks Damo and bubba's mom

Saludos desde Mexico

 

[IluvmyRott]

Is the Loews check-in desk clearly marked? Also, when you check in is that when you tell them your preference for your food basket (or whatever it's called?)???

 

[damo]

Is the Loews check-in desk clearly marked? Also, when you check in is that when you tell them your preference for your food basket (or whatever it's called?)???

You can tell them then or you can fill it out online with your Loews First profile. Remember that only certain rates are qualifying and will get you those amenities. If you pay through a third party or use an annual pass, you will not get your welcome gift.

 

[disney's daughter]

So..I'll only get my gift basket if I go directly through Loews...not through the (on site) hotel themselves? What about my AAA membership? We have our park tickets already...(won't be going until February 2008) Which way should I be looking into...for the better price?...AAA? Loews? Directly to one of the on site hotels? Whew! I am new at Loews...AAA....and Universal...

 

[bubba's mom]

if you book your hotel using AAA rate, that IS qualifying and you will get your welcome gift (fill out preferences online at home in advance and it "should" be waiting for you when you get into your room)

if you book rack rate , THAT qualifys too.

APH rate, does NOT qualify....as usually the 'deals'...ie: mastercard, stay "X" nites, get "X" free, etc....(altho some have been lucky to get these approved)

you want to be sure your rates/stays "qualify" because not only do you get your "gifts/perks", you are earning your way to higher status on Loew's. You start at Blue, then gold and then platinum....the higher the status, the better the perks

hth

 

[disney's daughter]

So..what you are saying is that I can go directly through Loews or the hotel...and get both my Loews and "possible" AAA discount (if it applies at the time...Gee...We are going the Wednesday evening before President's day and coming back on that Monday, President's Day...Probably won't get any AAA discounts for such a busy time?) Do you think I will have to pay the rack rate..for then? I also saw on the forum that probably nothing would come out before July for booking in February....We will have four different rooms...four different credit cards...four different Loew's and AAA memberships...and I will making all the arrangements...I am so glad I have these forums!

 

[bubba's mom]

So..what you are saying is that I can go directly through Loews or the hotel...and get both my Loews and "possible" AAA discount (if it applies at the time...Gee...We are going the Wednesday evening before President's day and coming back on that Monday, President's Day...Probably won't get any AAA discounts for such a busy time?) Do you think I will have to pay the rack rate..for then?

Loew's recently "re-did" their website and the AAA rate doesn't always show up. If you call the hotel directly (there is a toll free number listed for it thru the Universalorlando website (go to UO website, click on "hotels" and click on the hotel you want...look for info, and you should find the "free" number) just tell them you are looking to book at the AAA rate, what is it? AAA is not a rate offered "periodically".....it is usually available most of the year...should be available when you are going. (i've heard maybe not the week between Christmas & New Years tho)....

When booking, tell the reservationist you want the AAA rate and make sure to give her your Loew's First number (if you don't have it, tell her you applied and are waiting to receive your number). LF will be applied to your res, and they will look it up and see what your "preferences" are that you have filled out for your gift.

The LF peeps who work the 3 hotels at Universal are very nice and very helpful. They will even check the other hotels there for you if you ask. For instance, I was checking a rate at RPR and she volunteered to check something at HRH for me...... they will do their best to help you out....they have much better customer service than Disney IMHO......

If you want, you can call early June and just ask if February is available to book yet. If they say no, and don't know when, call back in a few weeks. It's a free call and never hurts to ask.

btw, make sure to let us know how you make out!

 

[disney's daughter]

Thank you so much for your information! I really appreciate it!!!!

 

[bubba's mom]

you're welcome....good luck!

 

[goofy!]

And just to make it more confusing, according to the LoewsFirst people I spoke with:

The supersaver rate and the stay-and-play rates are LoewFirst accepted rates IF (and that is the big if) you book online through the Loewshotels.com website.

They may not be accepted if you book through Universalorlando website, as Universal is considered a third party booking agent and then the rates don't apply for your loewsfirst perks.

Now, you may say - but both forward you to the same reservation system,so what is the difference?

According to several LF people I confirmed with via the LoewFirst dedicated phone number -

The reservation system can log where you link from. So, if you link from the LoewsHotels website - you are booking through the Loews Hotels. If you are linking through from anywhere else - it may be considered a third party reservation and you may or may not get the perks.

The rule of thumb the LF person told me to determine if a rate is LF compatible - if it is available to all including specials, without special codes (such as APH), through the Loewshotels website, then it is a LoewsFirst rate.

So, if I go to loewshotels.com and click on Check Availability and it comes up with a supersaver rate for my dates - this is a LoewsFirst rate as I did not have to enter any special rate codes.

AAA rates can also be booked through the aaa.com website. You do not need a membership number to just check prices. And AAA is the only "special code" rate that is routinely accepted for LoewsFirst perks.