Stranded at AKV--need advice!

[roadtripper]

Our flight got cancelled last night (after MS was closed) due to all the snow, and we are here til Monday. We have APs, so that is great, but I need advice on how to proceed with MS. The manager at AKL last night was nice, but had little experience with DVC points, and could not borrow to make the ressie for tonight and tomorrow. So as of now, we are in a value studio, which is fine. Last night, I had to convince them not to charge me rack rates for the room. Today, I have to call MS for the next two nights, but I am reluctant to pay weekend points, since we are maxed out for the year, and for part of next year. SWA customer service is not open til Monday, so I don't even know if we will be offered compensation of any kind, and the extra days will cost us extra hundreds. Has anyone had experience with being stranded? Any advice for me re:MS and points? TIA!

 

[photobob]

If you want to save your points you may want to check Pop Century or All Stars to see if they have any rooms.

 

[toesmom]

The best choice is to check into a value or mod resort for the 2 nights and maybe SWA may refund the 2 nights' stay.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Our flight got cancelled last night (after MS was closed) due to all the snow, and we are here til Monday. We have APs, so that is great, but I need advice on how to proceed with MS. The manager at AKL last night was nice, but had little experience with DVC points, and could not borrow to make the ressie for tonight and tomorrow. So as of now, we are in a value studio, which is fine. Last night, I had to convince them not to charge me rack rates for the room. Today, I have to call MS for the next two nights, but I am reluctant to pay weekend points, since we are maxed out for the year, and for part of next year. SWA customer service is not open til Monday, so I don't even know if we will be offered compensation of any kind, and the extra days will cost us extra hundreds. Has anyone had experience with being stranded? Any advice for me re:MS and points? TIA!

I may be totally mistaken, but I don't believe that SWA is going to offer any compensation when weather is the cause. They will probably work with you on your plane tickets, but I wouldn't count on anything else.

If you don't wish to pay cash for your two nights at AKV, then see if you can move to Pop Century or a moderate for a lower rate. If it is available, the rate for a value studio with your DVC discount might be less than you think.

Good luck in working everything out, and in the meantime, enjoy those "bonus" days in the parks.

 

[roadtripper]

Thanks for the replies! l plan to call CRO this AM--last night was too late to move. I'll keep you posted!

 

[castleri]

I would definitely be looking for a value or moderate room if you don't want to use more weekend points. We stayed an extra night during a hurricane one year and they will definitely find a way to take the points from your account. I was so happy to be at Disney during that storm that I didn't care about the 54 points. This was all handled by the front desk at OKW on a Saturday. They somehow notified MS to use the points. We had been off site and wanted to get to Disney before the storm so asked if we could stay the extra day (actually check in on Sat instead of Sun). Ask MS if there are any studios anywhere with a DVC discount or call CRO and get numbers from them. Have you contacted SWA reservations since customer service is not open or are you saying you already have tickets for Monday? We had weather problems in Baltimore one time and they handled everything right at the airport. They told us that since it was a weather issue they would not charge us extra to get on the next plane out even though the ticket would have cost more. There was no compensation other than that. I would definitely look into it ASAP.

 

[Laurabearz]

First thing I would do is call swa 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) and see what they can do... That number is 24/7

 

[littlestar]

If you don't want to stay at a value or moderate - DVC just sent out a spring savings code for friends and family. If you use Code CKJ you can get a Saratoga studio for $254 a night (I think Saturday is higher, though).

 

[snowbunny]

I may be totally mistaken, but I don't believe that SWA is going to offer any compensation when weather is the cause.

Correct, that is beyond their control. But call them and get fixed up on getting home, the weather in the east is very good today unlike yesterday. I was trying to fly to Chicago yesterday and ended up not being able to make the trip with all the delays so my tix were refunded (JetBlue) but did not expect nor did receive compensation beyond that.

 

[bavaria]

I may be totally mistaken, but I don't believe that SWA is going to offer any compensation when weather is the cause. They will probably work with you on your plane tickets, but I wouldn't count on anything else.

you are absolutely correct - airlines in North America stopped compensating for weather delays years ago. Most will offer no change cancellations and/or changes during weather advisories, including allowing travellers to fly before their scheduled flights to avoid weather. They will not pay to put passengers up in hotels

As to proceeding with MS, the only option is to see if you can use points or a member discount for the additional nights.

Snowbunny is correct that neither SWA or DVC should be expected to offer any compensation in this case.

 

[roadtripper]

Thanks again for the replies--
We are in a value studio room at AKV, which is 21 points per night Fri and Sat, and 11 points Sunday for a total of 53 points. Surprisingly, those point totals are less than Saratoga or OKW--which are 29 and 27 on the weekends, respectively. Value resorts are pricing at 126 plus tax (no fridge or micro), moderates at 179 plus tax-for AAA rates. Plus, of course we'd have to buy new refillable mugs for the kids if we moved. Doing the math, it seems to make sense to stay here. Plus, our value room has a savannah view, so we are watching the wildlife as we speak. Now, if I could just find someone to call my boss...

 

[ldo]

We have flown after a snowstorm and we had seat, but 100s of people were at the airport trying to get on standby.You should call 1 800 I fly SWA and make sure that you have confirmed seats for Monday and not just "go standby" on Monday. Be tough and insist. Tell them you have been stranded all weekend, etc.
Also, concierge can log on and print your boarding passes 24 yrs in advance--DO this--it is good to have PROOF of your confirmed seats. Also, if SWA does not have a confirmed flight for the AM--ask for the rest of the day--everyone stranded wants to get out ASAP. But, if you, in advance, are willing to take the later afternoon flight, you have better luck getting it confirmed--and it is better to stay the day at AKV, eat leisurely lunch and then head to airport with a confirmed flight vs. going in the early AM and waiting hours to get on a flight.

 

[BroganMc]

Plus, of course we'd have to buy new refillable mugs for the kids if we moved.

No you don't. The refillable mugs are good for the length of your stay at any resort, not just AKV.

Good luck getting home. You're not missing much here though. Here in Mryland we haven't seen the sun in days. It's just cold, dreary and blech. Not even some nice pretty snow to make it look worthwhile like they have further north. I HATE winter!!!

 

[mikeandkarla]

Thanks again for the replies--
We are in a value studio room at AKV, which is 21 points per night Fri and Sat, and 11 points Sunday for a total of 53 points. Surprisingly, those point totals are less than Saratoga or OKW--which are 29 and 27 on the weekends, respectively. Value resorts are pricing at 126 plus tax (no fridge or micro), moderates at 179 plus tax-for AAA rates. Plus, of course we'd have to buy new refillable mugs for the kids if we moved. Doing the math, it seems to make sense to stay here. Plus, our value room has a savannah view, so we are watching the wildlife as we speak. Now, if I could just find someone to call my boss...

How do you like the Value studio with the savanna view?

 

[Tine731]

I know this suggestion is late but there are AP rates out now...

Value is $79 for Sun-Thurs

This may save you a little money. Good luck.

 

[Cee]

I would LOVE to be stranded at WDW! Enjoy!

 

[dcfromva]

roadtripper,
Are you getting free internet access?

-DC

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

I have to admit, I've never bothered with the DVC offered travel insurance. Does anyone know if this situation would have been covered by that insurance?

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

we unfortunately, were in the opposite kind of situation in january when our flight out to Orlando got cancelled. If the Buffalo airport hadn't also lost power, the gate agents would have been able to reschedule us. It was really important to get on our cell phone and call the 24/7 SWA number immediately. They have no extra planes so when so many flights got cancelled, they had trouble accomodating everyone. We were supposed to fly out on the Wed am and they couldn't get us on a flight until the Sat night ! We tried switching to a flight to Tampa but were told we would have to pay extra as we changed the destination and only same destination flights were offered. Eventually we did get help when the power returned and the airport agents allowed us to fly to Tampa at no extra charge on the Thursday. I now understand all those frustrated people you see on the TV in airports at Christmas. It is really hard to decide what to do and the lines are very long. We almost lost our entire vacation. Instead, only two days...frustrating but at least we did finally get there.

I guess that is winter travel... but I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It is slightly better being stuck for the flight home, but from experience, it is very helpful being at the airport to get your situation resolved. One airport is a comfortable as another....none are a substitute for my DVC home

 

[kda]

Glad its working out for you.

But I'm just not understanding ..... sounds like you must have already spoken with SWA and they re-booked your family for Monday (and that was the earliest flight you could get on), or you wouldn't have any idea how many nights you were staying and needing to use points.