Question about 2005 entertainment book expiration date

[fam4jc]

Hi. I just took the link from another thread to get a $10 discount on the 2005 entertainment book. BUT it says the book expires 11/1/05. Is this the way these books normally work? I need the discounts for Dec 05 specifically. So, should I wait for the 2006 book? Can i book with this books codes even if traveling in December?

 

[sweet maxine]

Good morning!

I just checked my book, and I'd say just about all of restaurant discounts expire Nov. 1, 2005. However, the car rental coupons state they are good until June 30, 2006. The United coupon expires Dec. 31, 2005, as do several of the other "travel" type coupons---Universal, Planet Hollywood, Sea World, etc. I think if you are wanting the book specifically for the restaurant discounts, you would be better off waiting for the next edition.

Maybe someone else here knows more about the hotels. I'm reading all the pages with listings, and I don't actually see an expiration date for them. I do know the card itself shows an expiration date of November 1, 2005, so it could be that the hotel will not accept checking in with this card for a date in December.

 

[fam4jc]

Thanks!!

 

[swilshire]

Someone mentioned getting a good hotel rate by calling directly and asking for the "Entertainment Book" rate. How does this work? Do the hotels decide whether to give you a discount, and does it only apply to certain ones.

I've never had a book, but I looked at their website. It listed a few chains with (I think) a 20% discount and included a link to a search that came up with higher rates than I was finding from looking at the websites for the chains.

I would gladly buy a book if it would get me a better discount. I only need one night to go watch a son who is singing in an allstate choir about 200 miles from home. Driving home afterwards would put us through a very desolate area in the wee hours, so I'd rather stay over. I made one bid on Priceline, and may wind up going that route. Also saw a good rate on Hotwire. I sort of hate committing to a rental without knowing what the hotel will be, though.

Thanks for any advice,

Sheila

 

[sweet maxine]

According to the book, the discounts are off of the "rack rate". Honestly, I have not booked a hotel through the Entertainment program, but have called in the past for rates. I was not exactly bowled over by what I was quoted for different hotels. There is also a $25 cancellation fee (I think this may even apply to changes). As I've said, that's just my own experience, and I probably didn't ask the right questions, etc.

For any Choice hotels, you can go to the Smarter Travel website for a link to book for 20% off their rates, and it usually is a better discount than what you could get with AAA.

Swilshire, you might want to check with that state's (city's, etc.) information website for special discounts for visitors to that area. You can always check biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com for help with bidding for Hotwire and Priceline hotels. Lots of info there! Here's a wish for good luck for your son's singing group, and for a safe trip there and back again!

 

[georgina]

There is a list in the back of the Entertainment Book of specific hotels that you can get for 50% off rack rate. For example, I used it at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando. It is a very narrow list. Many of the hotel chains are only about 20% off with the entertainment rate.

 

[funcinderella]

The way I do it with the Entertainment rate is this: Call the hotel DIRECTLY! (Not the chain number, if it's a chain, but the specific hotel.)
Ask for the Entertainment rate; you don't need to have the card in hand to do this. Usually, the rates are very good, and it's just the hotel's typical cancellation policy, nothing to do with Entertainment. I just booked HoJo in Anaheim; they quoted me 89, mousesavers rate was 75 and the entertainment rate was 60, with a 48 hr cancellation policy. Then, just buy the book right before you go, and show you card at check-in. Or if you don't like the rate, no harm done, no need to buy the book.

 

[funcinderella]

One more thing. Don't look just in the book. I would ask any hotel that I'm interested in if they have the Ent. rate. They're not all listed and it doesn't ever hurt to ask.

 

[dcibrando]

you must have the Entertainment.com "card" which comes in the front of the book at the time you check in to get your discounts. This comes in handy though... very much worth the price