Please help a newbie with a Loews reservations

[bubba's mom]

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.

actually....that is LESS confusing and makes perfect sense!

Thanks michele

 

[goofy!]

actually....that is LESS confusing and makes perfect sense!

Thanks michele

Who knows if it is 100% accurate. Much like other themeparks we know, the info is only as good as the person you are talking to

The problem I have sometimes encountered - is convincing the front desk people that I booked through Loews and am entitled to those cookies. Oh well, as long as I get my points towards my platinum - that is the only thing I care about

-Michele

 

[bedogged]

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.

This is surprising to me because I had quite a time paying for my rooms in advance. They would not take my credit card over the phone. They sent me a form to fill out. I had to send copies of my credit card (front & back) and a copy of my driver's license. It was a BIG hassel! All in order to get those special dollars offered by their competitor.

 

[goofy!]

This is surprising to me because I had quite a time paying for my rooms in advance. They would not take my credit card over the phone. They sent me a form to fill out. I had to send copies of my credit card (front & back) and a copy of my driver's license. It was a BIG hassel! All in order to get those special dollars offered by their competitor.

You are absolutely correct that Loews does not have an easy prepay policy like WDW. You make a reservation, you pay a deposit, you check-in, you pay at check-out. No sending in monthly payments before check-in.

The only thing I was cautioning the OP about is that even though it is Loew's policy to charge you a one night deposit at reservation time, they rarely actually do it - making the entire balance of your stay due in full at check-out. For some, who make last minute reservations and haven't checked their monthly statement before leaving, this can sometimes cause a bit of confusion as to what you think you owe at checkout to what you actually owe at checkout.

 

[IluvmyRott]

I have another question, I booked 2 rooms through Loews, will both rooms receive the welcome basket?

 

[damo]

I have another question, I booked 2 rooms through Loews, will both rooms receive the welcome basket?

No, you will only get one basket if you are the cardholder and you are paying for both rooms.

Are you paying rack rate or are you getting a discount of some kind?

 

[damo]

This is surprising to me because I had quite a time paying for my rooms in advance. They would not take my credit card over the phone. They sent me a form to fill out. I had to send copies of my credit card (front & back) and a copy of my driver's license. It was a BIG hassel! All in order to get those special dollars offered by their competitor.

They will not accept full prepayment over the phone but they need your credit card number to secure your room. If you don't show up and don't cancel by the required deadline, you will be charged one night's stay.

I'm not sure why they don't accept total prepayment. There must be some reason.

 

[IluvmyRott]

No, you will only get one basket if you are the cardholder and you are paying for both rooms.

Are you paying rack rate or are you getting a discount of some kind?

I'm staying four nights and getting 2 adult tickets free (for each room) so will that negate my welcome basket? When I applied for the Loews card one of the questions was what you'd like as a welcome basket, I choose the bottled water and the fruit, I figured that was the healthiest choice!

 

[bubba's mom]

I'm staying four nights and getting 2 adult tickets free (for each room) so will that negate my welcome basket? When I applied for the Loews card one of the questions was what you'd like as a welcome basket, I choose the bottled water and the fruit, I figured that was the healthiest choice!

no....it shouldn't ..... the Loew's First is a separate 'thing' from ordering tickets.....you are getting a "package", if you belong to LF, you still should receive your gift/perks

 

[goofy!]

I'm staying four nights and getting 2 adult tickets free (for each room) so will that negate my welcome basket? When I applied for the Loews card one of the questions was what you'd like as a welcome basket, I choose the bottled water and the fruit, I figured that was the healthiest choice!

Again, it depends from whom you book your package through.

Third parties, such as Expedia, Orbitz, Universal Vacations are 3rd party packages and not qualifying stays for the LoewsFirst perks, including the welcome basket.

If the package is booked through Loews Hotels, it does count as a LoewsFirst qualifying stay and you get your points and welcome basket.

The confusing thing is that the same package will often show up at Universal Vacations, Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and through Loews Hotels. Only the package booked through Loews Hotels is eligible for Loews Perks.

Here is the paragraph from LoewsFirst Terms and Conditions: (bolding mine)

2. LoewsFirst benefits and mileage or points awards are based upon completion of a qualifying stay at any Loews Hotel. A qualifying stay is any rate published by the hotel. Group, negotiated, third party, government, Universal Passholder and Universal Florida residents rates do not qualify. Not valid with any other discount program, coupon, complimentary or promotional offer

I have been told several times by LoewsFirst people that the above bolding means the rate has to be available on the Loewshotels website and it has to be booked through the Loewshotel website or via the first call to Loewshotels phone number (although they do then forward you to Universal reservations).

However, I do have to say that I have always received my welcome basket and had my points accumulate when I made phone reservations directly through Universal using the 1-800-beastar number.

 

[damo]

Someone on these boards had a problem with that rate and getting his Loews First perks at Hard Rock. Who was that and I wonder whatever happened there?

 

[bubba's mom]

Not sure who it was damo....i reserved thru UO website the HRH for our last trip (Feb). Booked it AAA....just before we went, switched it to AP. Ended up with gift (so, i'm guessing we qualify) Someone told me it's how you book the original res (that's how it goes into Loews' system) ...doesn't matter if you switch it later ..I dunno...the whole thing confuses me if i think about it too much!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We finally made it to gold, after so many non-qualifying Fl. resident stays. When booking through the Loews site, how do you get the free upgrade? We also have 1/2 off one night, from our last stay at HRH. I'm sure we'll have to arrange that, by calling the hotel directly. I've been holding off on booking, because I really don't know where to start.

 

[goofy!]

We finally made it to gold, after so many non-qualifying Fl. resident stays. When booking through the Loews site, how do you get the free upgrade? We also have 1/2 off one night, from our last stay at HRH. I'm sure we'll have to arrange that, by calling the hotel directly. I've been holding off on booking, because I really don't know where to start.

I have always booked through Loews then immediately called with the reservation number to have the upgrade added.

However, on my last reservation, I was in a hurry, so didn't call immediately after. I had included my Loews number on the reservation. The system must have checks and balances on what numbers are what levels, because when I received my confirmation e-mail a few hours later, I got two - one for the room I booked and one for the parlor attached (the platinum upgrade).

And FWIW - to go back to getting perks and non-qualifying rates - I got my first platinum status on all APH stays. Was I ever surprised to get that card in the mail as all the stays were booked APH. But that was awhile ago. I think they have tightened the reins a bit now. Now we always book supersaver or AAA to keep the platinum.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I have always booked through Loews then immediately called with the reservation number to have the upgrade added.
However, on my last reservation, I was in a hurry, so didn't call immediately after. I had included my Loews number on the reservation. The system must have checks and balances on what numbers are what levels, because when I received my confirmation e-mail a few hours later, I got two - one for the room I booked and one for the parlor attached (the platinum upgrade).

And FWIW - to go back to getting perks and non-qualifying rates - I got my first platinum status on all APH stays. Was I ever surprised to get that card in the mail as all the stays were booked APH. But that was awhile ago. I think they have tightened the reins a bit now. Now we always book supersaver or AAA to keep the platinum.

Thanks I'll try that. You were lucky to get Platinum status using APH rates. We never got anything with FLO rates. Like you, we're going to start booking qualifying rates from now on.

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks I'll try that. You were lucky to get Platinum status using APH rates. We never got anything with FLO rates. Like you, we're going to start booking qualifying rates from now on.

Our next trip (this time next month ) will bump us to "gold" status.....



(not tootin' my horn or anything Tammy)

 

[calgarygary]

I don't know if Loew's understands how their system works when giving Gold and Platinum status or LF gifts. We had a one night stay at the RPR in 2005 booked through Universal and then we had a 5 night stay in 2006 on a APH rate. We were then upgraded to Platinum status and have a suite upgrade for our upcoming stay. No matter how you work the numbers we should still be blue or at best, Gold, but I'm not complaining, just glad that we somehow got lucky.

 

[damo]

I don't know if Loew's understands how their system works when giving Gold and Platinum status or LF gifts. We had a one night stay at the RPR in 2005 booked through Universal and then we had a 5 night stay in 2006 on a APH rate. We were then upgraded to Platinum status and have a suite upgrade for our upcoming stay. No matter how you work the numbers we should still be blue or at best, Gold, but I'm not complaining, just glad that we somehow got lucky.

I just think that sometimes the check-in person makes mistakes.

 

[calgarygary]

I just think that sometimes the check-in person makes mistakes.

Or maybe it was my KP like smile that got me upgraded to platinum.

 

[disney's daughter]

OK....So...when I am booking....for my very first time with my Lowes membership..(already have that and AAA)...and I want to stay at one of the three on site hotels for Universal...and I already have our park tickets...I should... (walk me through it please..)