Room rates and discounts

[cpbjgc]

We are looking to stay at RPR for 2 nights in January 2010 (I know, "Plan Much?"). There are not any discounted rooms showing for that time as yet (I assume it's because it is too far in advance). I was wondering a couple things, as I couldn't pick them out from the fine collection of sticky threads on this board that seem to have very good information

1. When should I start looking at discounted rooms? Is there a usual lead time for Universal to make the rooms available for discounts?
   
2. I have CAA (Canadian equivalent to AAA), so I was planning to use my card for booking. What is the normal discount on CAA for RPR during what I think will be low season?
   
3. I had read on Mousesavers about there being Entertainment Book coupons for RPR. When I looked at the Rooms and Rates thread for 2009, I didn't see any bookings using these coupons (most seem the be Annual Pass, the supersaver or AAA). Are there no coupons for RPR anymore? Or is it just not worth it?
   
4. Is there any real benefit to signing up for Loewes loyalty program? We go to Florida maybe once a year, so I don't see any benefit (other than receiving partner e-mails - how that is a benefit, I am not sure) for at least 3 years down the road, assuming they don't change the program again by then.

Thanks for any help you might be able to give.

 

[taliategan]

I was checking the rates for this past January for next January 10'. The AAA rates were 20% discount and the APH rates were approx. 41% discount and they both applied to 2 night stays. The SS rates did not apply for 2 night stays - needed to be at least 3 nights. I think it will be a while before anything comes out. Universal will first have to announce the 2009 rates. I think the APH rates will initially come out at a 10% discount, and then when it gets closer to January - possibly November - the lower APH rates may come out if bookings are low. I believe January is normally a slow month at Universal, so I would think that similar rates should apply - unless maybe Harry Potter is ready to open by then, but most think it will open later in 2010.

 

[macraven]

We are looking to stay at RPR for 2 nights in January 2010 (I know, "Plan Much?"). There are not any discounted rooms showing for that time as yet (I assume it's because it is too far in advance). I was wondering a couple things, as I couldn't pick them out from the fine collection of sticky threads on this board that seem to have very good information

1. When should I start looking at discounted rooms? Is there a usual lead time for Universal to make the rooms available for discounts?
   
2. I have CAA (Canadian equivalent to AAA), so I was planning to use my card for booking. What is the normal discount on CAA for RPR during what I think will be low season?
   
3. I had read on Mousesavers about there being Entertainment Book coupons for RPR. When I looked at the Rooms and Rates thread for 2009, I didn't see any bookings using these coupons (most seem the be Annual Pass, the supersaver or AAA). Are there no coupons for RPR anymore? Or is it just not worth it?
   
4. Is there any real benefit to signing up for Loewes loyalty program? We go to Florida maybe once a year, so I don't see any benefit (other than receiving partner e-mails - how that is a benefit, I am not sure) for at least 3 years down the road, assuming they don't change the program again by then.

Thanks for any help you might be able to give.

the entertainment books have not had coupons for the universal hotels in about 3-4 years.

you can book a room in advance and modify the rate when the discount codes come out.

the caa is the same discount as the aaa. both are valid to use for the hotels.

aaa discounted rates generally come out about 10 months in advance give or take a month.

check the website for the value season.
rates are always lower then for the rooms.

if you only do one trip a year for a loews hotel, there is no advantage in becoming a youfirst member.
if the program changes again, who knows how it will be set up for rules of membership. at this point, no one knows.

you have to have 2 visits in before reaching blue status which allows some perks at the loews hotels.


i always book 10 months out for my on site hotel room.
if the aaa rate drops, i call and modify my rate.
you generally can get up to a 35% discount off the room based on the season you are booked.

 

[cpbjgc]

Thanks for the quick responses! Looks like CAA is the way to go for us.

I have one other question related to booking. When using a discount, do you find that the on-line booking works ok, or do you really need to call? I know with Disney, I always call because of their occassional "hidden pins" (which we have never scored to date), while with every other hotel group I book on-line.

Thaks again for the quick responses!

 

[macraven]

i check over the booking sites on line but then i call.
i always ask if there are any specials available.

i always book by phone.