Poly Nightmare or Almost had to dance for $!!! UPDATE

[tiggersmom2]

Oh Lord.....the GM at the Poly would have been giving me anything I wanted because he would have wanted the CRAZY WOMAN that was freaking out and bringing down the wrath of god out of his lobby.

 

[WDWBetsy]

OMG....I would of made an *** out of myself from my temper....now I know if they have a problem with my Mastercard at all I'm going to ask....Did you put in the right expiration date? I'm scared to use my card now, even though I'm in good credit standings. This is on the lines of a few other posts I have heard about on here. All dealing with disney and credit cards.

Definitely! On our first trip together to WDW in 2001, my DH and I were pretty frazzled when our Amex was declined after eating at LTT (we were staying at the Downtown Disney Courtyard so no onsite charging). The CM came out and told me it was declined - I was so scared because I had left our other credit cards in the room safe and didn't have enough cash on us to pay the bill. I asked him to double-check because we don't have a pre-set spending limit. He came back and said he had accidentally punched in the "member since" date instead of the expiration and so that's why it declined. Boy, was I relieved!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Definitely! On our first trip together to WDW in 2001, my DH and I were pretty frazzled when our Amex was declined after eating at LTT (we were staying at the Downtown Disney Courtyard so no onsite charging). The CM came out and told me it was declined - I was so scared because I had left our other credit cards in the room safe and didn't have enough cash on us to pay the bill. I asked him to double-check because we don't have a pre-set spending limit. He came back and said he had accidentally punched in the "member since" date instead of the expiration and so that's why it declined. Boy, was I relieved!

My heart would of sank....wondering who around me is watching and thinking that I have a credit problem. Did he come back and comp you any free dessert or anything?? Did he at least say sorry? I hope so. Wish us luck...we are using our card in 13 days.

 

[swilshire]

Just for future reference, I've never had a credit card that didn't have a 24 hour 7 day toll free customer service number. You should have been able to turn your card over and see the number and call right then.

One of my credit card issuers, Bank One, is particularly agressive about declining a charge if they suspect fraud. It's a bit of a pain, but I appreciate their reasons. DH got a call this week asking if he had spent nearly $500 in England that day. He was on this side of the pond, so the answer was NO. The card was cancelled immediately.

When we travel, DH and I carry different credit cards on us. That way if his wallet or my purse goes missing or there's any other problem with a card, we just use the other one. I actually carry a couple, because Sams only takes Discover, which I seldom use otherwise.

Good luck in getting some sort of satisfaction for your grief. Keep us posted.

Sheila

 

[WDWBetsy]

My heart would of sank....wondering who around me is watching and thinking that I have a credit problem. Did he come back and comp you any free dessert or anything?? Did he at least say sorry? I hope so. Wish us luck...we are using our card in 13 days.

Yes, my heart was beating pretty fast! I think he said he was sorry - but he had told me it was declined without anyone hearing.

I personally think the best advice is to call your credit card company (or bank) to let them know you'll be traveling to Disney World so they don't decline any suspicious charges away from home (out of your regular charging pattern). Of course, you can always tell them to watch for outrageous amounts but that you expect to spend a certain amount while there.

You should be fine. I wouldn't worry about it. If it would be declined, just firmly but politely make sure they used the correct expiration date or ask them to run it through again. I always carry an extra card with us now just in case. Have a great trip!

 

[poohbear2]

I only use one credit card because it is my debit card and I like to spend cash.

I was in Florida for a week prior and was using TChecks. I figured when I got to WDW I would use my MC/Debit card because I knew I had two big checks that got deposited. I worked major overtime for this extra spending money.

WHen I talked to my Credit Union the rep told me that they only have two messages: Decline or Accept. She said that they never tell companies to "Keep the Card".

Lucky for us we were on the Dining plan.

The credit union said it takes 2 weeks to receive a new card. I guess thats the breaks for dealing with a small, but friendly, "bank".

I also have to figure out which bills I automatically use this number for when making payments!!! Another pain in the neck.

Did I mention this was a birthday trip for my son and mother??? I am in the process of writing ..I will keep you all posted.

 

[imatoad]

SorcerorMickey is right, when I worked as a cage cashier in the casino's, people would take cash advances for large sum's of money not available at ATM's. There were occasions when we would recieve a message to confiscate the card, and simply tell the customer to contact their bank. The card is indeed the property of the financial institution, not the customer. However, they shouldn't have destroyed it if they said they wouldn't until they heard from you. Also, your bank should've contacted them to tell them directly that it was indeed good, and the CM made a mistake inputing the exp. date. It is a great inconvenience, but that's why I always have another CC from a different bank as a backup.

 

[Mainestreetpixie]

First, I just want to say that the Poly is truly a beautiful resort and worth every penny. We were actually put in Samoa room 3601 facing the pool! I couldn't have asked for better, really.

Ok now the nightmare part...

We had two reservations: First night AAA and then the last three nights with the free dining. When I went to check out of the first reservation, I had some charges to my cc. The CM was taking awhile putting my card through, she was training so I was patient, however her trainer told me that the card was not working and they had to take it from me! Of course I was puzzled since I had just purchased gas the night before with the card. Being a Sunday, I could not get in touch with my credit union until the following day. I told the front desk this and the CM told me that they won't do anything with the card until they hear from the bank or me.

The next morning I called the bank and to make a long story short they told me it was the CM fault. SHE PUNCHED IN THE WRONG EXP DATE. I asked her to call the desk and I went down to get my card. Of course I was upset because a day went by and I did not have access to my funds. When I got to the desk the CM told me the card was allready destroyed or sent away!! They did not know where it was !! I was so upset!! NOW I did not have access to my funds for the rest of the four days!! I only had a few hundred dollars in TC. But the biggest kicker was no manager or anyone came out to say sorry...It was like or Nothing we can do..next customer.

I will be writing to the company. My bank had to cancel the card, I have to wait two weeks for a new card and now I have to also tell the other companies that use my old cc for withdrawal payments that the number is no longer any good! Thank goodness my rental car was taken care of! I would have been in a real pickel.

OMG..how horrible! What gets my goat is that the card was taken from you based on the CM's error. Yes, if they are told to confiscate the card, and it does happen, they are required to do so, but the inexperience of the CM combined with an overzealous supervisor caused the card to be confiscated!! And to be blown off is adding insult to injury! I am usually quite supportive of the Disney staff, as I feel they do try their best, but this is just inexcusable!

 

[CamColt]

Oh Lord.....the GM at the Poly would have been giving me anything I wanted because he would have wanted the CRAZY WOMAN that was freaking out and bringing down the wrath of god out of his lobby.

ROFL!

I do hope everything works out for you. Keep us updated.

 

[swilshire]

I only use one credit card because it is my debit card and I like to spend cash.

This is great, but I would still have one credit card for emergencies. Just buy groceries on it four or five times a year and pay it off when the bill comes. That will keep it active.

We were driving back from Florida once when the transmission went in our van. We probably didn't have enough money in our account to cover the repair, not to mention the extra food and lodging incurred. Don't know what we would have done without a credit card.

Medical costs are another thing that might require the use of the emergency card. We went to Breckenridge once and our youngest got altitude sickness. Besides a doctor's visit at the emergency clinic, we had to rent an oxygen machine and portable tanks for the week. Nearly all medical facilities, including hospitals, take credit cards. Some require payment and then make you fight it out with your insurance.

Credit cards can be good things as long as you don't abuse them.

JMHO, of course.

Sheila

 

[poohbear2]

I only have one card with me because I want to keep my debts low. I have another card for emergencies, but it has a low limit. That's the one I put the car on. Besides, I KNEW without a doubt it was good. If my account was hacked, I would have understood and taken the blow. In fact, not having it for Sunday was "okay" considering I thought I would have it on Monday morning. Its the whole series of events that is truly unbelivable.

My CU called the front desk right away. The CM told me that she called and informed them of their error.

 

[DisneyWisher]

What is it with Poly? Last year when we stayed Poly GVC (paid the room before arrival). They called me down to say needed to see me. I had charging on the room key, when they went to submit it, it was declined. I called the CC immedietely and was told it was because I hadn't used the card in so long (hadn't used it in 6 months) and they had put a hold on it til I contacted them. When I went back to Concierge GS, they told me they used my other card. I asked what other card, I was told the one I used to book the room. Well that wasn't ok. I use that card for monthly charges (Cable, cell phones, house phone, automatic charges that occur every month). I asked can you void that charge and use the CC I gave upon when checking in. I was told no. I had to call DD to make a payment on the CC (the number they had stored) to be on the safe side. What made me the most mad was that Disney had these numbers stored. When I asked her if they had other credit card numbers on file she said 3 all together. Thats just wrong! Well when I got home I cancelled all 3 and now only use 1 card for reservations and at the resort. I should have raised the roof. How dare they do that without letting someone know first. Especially considering I didn't sign to say they could use that card. Makes me mad just thinking about it.

One of my credit card issuers, Bank One, is particularly agressive about declining a charge if they suspect fraud. It's a bit of a pain, but I appreciate their reasons.

This also happened 2 times to me with my Disney Card. I called and told them well where else would I use the Disney card besides Disney? I will be calling in 2 weeks to let them know I'll be on vacation there.

 

[Gillian]

I only have one card with me because I want to keep my debts low. I have another card for emergencies, but it has a low limit. That's the one I put the car on. Besides, I KNEW without a doubt it was good.

You may want to use this card a little more, paying off the balance right away, and work up a higher credit limit. Or just ask for one.

I have had emergencies also where I needed a credit card. Once my friend and I were driving to Disney World for spring break and our car broke down. It needed a major, time-consuming (expensive!) repair. We had to leave the car in South Carolina. Without a credit card we wouldn't have been able to pay for it, or the rental car we needed to get to Florida.

There are certainly other reasons why it's helpful to have a larger credit limit card available for emergencies. It seems like you have good spending habits and are not likely to get yourself in trouble with it.

I hope you get some answers about this soon!

 

[kimmbagley]

Under certain circumstances the merchant is required to take and destroy the card.

I can vouch for that. One time, my husband left his cc at the register of a Hallmark store. Five minutes after he returned home they called to say "so we have cut it in two." We were able to have 3day delivery for a new card.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

i'm sorry this happened to you it happened to us last year too and we were there for out wedding!! we knew we had PLENTY of money seeing as how we just arrived and we had to pay off a lot of our vendors out there! haha..sooo we stepped out of line and used a payphone while they held our card. (this was at the POP) well it was a CM error, same thing wrong EXP date typed in...Woooo...we felt so much better went back to the CM and all was well...

On a side note we were at Olive Garden with my family and my parents neighbors walked in with their friends ( a loud obnoxious group) and after they were done (we had the same waiter) they paid with a CC and the waiter came back and told them the card was declined (we only heard cause we were in the table right behind them) They demanded the waiter go back and re-check it cause they had ALOT of money there. WELLL as soon as the waiter left they all lept to their feet and TOOK OFF!!! can you believe it?!?!

 

[poohbear2]

After weeks and three letters WDW feels $250 disney dollars is a fair fix for this situation...Any comments???

 

[DisneyFans4]

PoohBear
At least after all the writing, calling, etc. you did get something. Are you happy with that? As long as your happy that is what is important. I know you probably feel all your time and aggravation was worth more but I had a problem with the Poly during our last visit with them and I felt the least they could have done was maybe a free night's stay or something. I only received $100 Disney Dollars so you fared far better than I did.
Did you already receive the Disney Dollars from them?

 

[asaj]

After weeks and three letters WDW feels $250 disney dollars is a fair fix for this situation...Any comments???

Yeah, I am surprised you are being offered anything.

My advice, take it and run. You probably won't get a better offer, and it's not worth stressing over anymore.

Good luck,
Andy

 

[d4est]

I agree. I would take it and consider myself lucky to see anything at all. Not saying your situation (time lost, stress, etc) isn't worth more....

Glad they decided to comp you in some way!

 

[lajones81]

I can't believe you left your card with them!