Questions on Upgrading to AP...

[mickeyfan0805]

My specific scenario...

Purchased discount tickets (4 days for price of 2) through UT for a 2020 trip that was cancelled. Now plan to use these in 2021. Paid $288.74 for the tickets, and I imagine that it would be advantageous to upgrade at least 1 pass in order to obtain dining and retail discounts (we are a family of 5 and will be staying onsite). Here are my questions...

1) Purchased as a special ticket through UT, am I still able to upgrade these?
2) What is the credit I get? Is it the amount I paid or the 'rack rate' for a 4 day ticket?
3) Does this have to be done onsite once I arrive, or can it be done prior?
4) Is there anything else I should know?

Thanks, much, for your help!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

1) Yes, UT tickets are upgrade-able.
2) It would be Universal's "rack rate" for that specific promo. So a bit more than you paid, but definitely less than a 4 day ticket.
3) Onsite once you arrive, since they are not purchased through Universal. (I tried to upgrade tickets to an AP prior to arrival, and was told that because my tickets were not purchased through Universal, they could not access them in their system. However it was very easy to upgrade them to APs once I arrived.)
4) Double check if there is an expiration date, often the promo tickets have them.
4B) Have you looked at AP hotel rates? You can book them before having the AP in hand.
4C) I think it is interesting that Disboards censors UT

 

[mickeyfan0805]

Thanks @CAPSLOCK. I appreciate it. As to your 4's...

4) The expiration date was extended to the end of 2021 due to Covid. Thanks!
4b) We are going in early April, so I'm not sure there is much to expect as far as discounts, but I am watching (and that's why I asked about upgrading beforehand).

But...

We are arriving late at night (well after any ticket booth would be open). With this in mind, I don't know how we could upgrade prior to checking in. Is there some way around this to still be able to access a discount if it arises?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You can upgrade after checking in. There is a ticket desk in the lobby, but it is also only open "normal" hours. You do not need the AP in hand to check in and retain the AP rate, as long as you have acquired it before the day you check out.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Piggybacking on this. The current buy two days get three days free promotion is almost the same price as a seasonal AP, so it wouldn’t really cost anything (only about $1 or so) to upgrade.

The promotion is also offered through third party sellers, and it looks like it would save me about $100 total to buy 4 tickets through that seller. Assuming I bought those third party tickets, would I also be able to do the nearly free upgrade to AP with them because I would be credited what UO charges, not what I paid?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Piggybacking on this. The current buy two days get three days free promotion is almost the same price as a seasonal AP, so it wouldn’t really cost anything (only about $1 or so) to upgrade.

The promotion is also offered through third party sellers, and it looks like it would save me about $100 total to buy 4 tickets through that seller. Assuming I bought those third party tickets, would I also be able to do the nearly free upgrade to AP with them because I would be credited what UO charges, not what I paid?

That is indeed the case

 

[hezell123]

Just thought I'd throw in our real-life example of purchasing 3rd party discounted tickets (ours were from Sam's Club) and upgrading them to seasonal passes this week. They gave us the retail value of the Buy 2 get 3 days free promo tickets. We upgraded each pass once we arrived at the hotel to seasonal passes. With tax, each ticket was $1.07 for the seasonal upgrade.

 

[mickeyfan0805]

Just thought I'd throw in our real-life example of purchasing 3rd party discounted tickets (ours were from Sam's Club) and upgrading them to seasonal passes this week. They gave us the retail value of the Buy 2 get 3 days free promo tickets. We upgraded each pass once we arrived at the hotel to seasonal passes. With tax, each ticket was $1.07 for the seasonal upgrade.

Thanks!

 

[Cottoncandylove]

I would also like to piggy back this thread please. I already have reservations and tickets for our trip. I would like to consider upgrading mine to AP. Would I be able to purchase AP before the trip or when I check in and do I get a discount for the room or just there after? Also, would I have to upgrade all tickets or just mine? Just majorly confused.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I would also like to piggy back this thread please. I already have reservations and tickets for our trip. I would like to consider upgrading mine to AP. Would I be able to purchase AP before the trip or when I check in and do I get a discount for the room or just there after? Also, would I have to upgrade all tickets or just mine? Just majorly confused.

Only 1 AP necessary per party for the AP room rate, but you have to book your hotel reservation using the AP rate. Like Disney, AP rates sometimes sell out. You can upgrade your ticket to an AP when you get there and you will qualify for the AP rate on the room.

 

[cfoxga]

I would also like to piggy back this thread please. I already have reservations and tickets for our trip. I would like to consider upgrading mine to AP. Would I be able to purchase AP before the trip or when I check in and do I get a discount for the room or just there after? Also, would I have to upgrade all tickets or just mine? Just majorly confused.

Look to see if you can book the APH rate now. As long as you buy an AP before checkout, you are fine. The savings is significant on rooms, so you will likely save quite a bit by upgrading one ticket to an AP.

 

[Cottoncandylove]

Thank you so much for the responses. I'm looking into it now!