reservation dilemma

[DizBelle]

I currently have a rack rate room only reservation. If an AP discount comes out for the time that I am going, I plan on applying that code and getting an AP.

Here is my dilemma:

It is rumored that that a new package deal will be announced this week where you get 7 nights for the price of 5. The date of this offering will cover my planned trip - it will be offered for check-in through 11/18/2004.

It is also rumored that AP discounts will be announced this week but, from what I hear, they will only cover check-in through 8/28/2004 - nowhere near my planned trip.

Should I keep the rack rate room only reservation and apply the AP code when it comes out (IF it comes out) as well as make a reservation for the package deal and hold both until I decide which is better for me?

Or should I cancel the room only reservation and make a package reservation and when and if the AP rate comes out and it turns out to be a better deal, cancel the package and make the room only reservation again?

It would not be a big problem for me to pay a deposit on the two reservations as long as the one that I cancel will be fully refunded.

How likely (or unlikely) is it that an AP discount will be offered curing my planned visit (11/13-18/2004)? Has there ever NOT been an AP discount offered during this time (November before Thanksgiving)?

If I plan on making another trip before the AP would expire (probably an 8 day/7 night), should that influence my decision and make the AP route more favorable regardless of a discount on the hotel?

Thanks!

 

[DizBelle]

Anybody?

 

[Maverick]

lfontaine,

That's a lot of questions! I'll do my best, but this is my opinion which usually isn't worth too much!

I don't know how to do quotes, so I'll copy and paste your question followed by my thoughts. (I'm changing the order of the questions.)

'If I plan on making another trip before the AP would expire (probably an 8 day/7 night), should that influence my decision and make the AP route more favorable regardless of a discount on the hotel?'

This would be the first thing I would decide. If I HAD an AP, was going back within a year and could get additional use of the AP, I would probably not book the 7/5 package deal. Since you do not yet have the AP, however, this should be considered optional. You could always consider buying the AP next time you go for a couple of future trips.


'How likely (or unlikely) is it that an AP discount will be offered curing my planned visit (11/13-18/2004)? Has there ever NOT been an AP discount offered during this time (November before Thanksgiving)?'

The concern I have with AP discounts is I often could not get the discount for a) my whole stay b) the hotel / view I wanted or c) discounts made to the general public were generally offered which made my AP discount kinda worthless. I think there will be AP discounts available during your stay, but may be few and far between if the 7/5 package is a big hit.

'Should I keep the rack rate room only reservation and apply the AP code when it comes out (IF it comes out) as well as make a reservation for the package deal and hold both until I decide which is better for me? Or should I cancel the room only reservation and make a package reservation and when and if the AP rate comes out and it turns out to be a better deal, cancel the package and make the room only reservation again?

I would book the package first (if avalable), cancel the rack rate reservation second and then wait for AP or general public discounts to determine the best deal for you.

Hope this helps.

Maverick

 

[robinb]

From http://www.mousesavers.com/faq.html#codetrends:

2003
AP rates for 10/2/03-11/24/03 and 11/28/03-12/26/03 were offered on 8/28/03 and expired on 12/26/03.

2002
AP rates for 10/3/02-12/19/02 were offered on 7/28/02, exp 12/19/02

2001
AP rates for 10/4/01-12/25/01 were offered on 7/5/01

These were the last round of AP rates offered in each year. The summer rates were offered in April or May (as appears to be happening soon!) of that year.

If you are planning another 7 night trip between November 2004 and November 2005, then I think waiting for the AP rate would be your best bet. If you went with the 7/5 package your would pay $311.00 per adult and $249.23 per child for the passes part of your package (this is the 6d/5n rate). PAPs are $531 for adults and $451 for children. You would pay $220 per adult more and $202 more per child for passes for your 2nd trip and you would probably get a deep resort discount then too.

If you're still on the fence, I would book the package (as long as you can cancel 100% ... watch out for non-refundable travel insurance!) now and wait until AP rates come out in August and then put together a quick spreadsheet.

 

[dpic]

Why not just keep the rack rate plus make the 7/5 deal? Unless there is a very restrictive cancellation penalty for the package deal, I would do that, then if the AP/Visa/room only's come out, you're handled, but if not, you've got the 7/5 deal to fall back on.

Have you tried a AAA discount? They're about 10-20% off and that's better than rack, and may even be better than the 7/5 deal depending on how much you would actually use the UPH.