Unhappy experience upgrading with 4/3

[maxiesmom]

I was there in May, I had a 7 day pass from undercover tourist. I paid for 5 days got 2 free. when I upgraded to my AP I was given credit for the 4 remaining days not the extra 2 free days. They were able to tell I had purchased my tickets from a discounted broker immediately. This was perfectly cool with me, I didn't pay for 7 days so I had no problems with not getting compensated for some thing I didn't pay for.
Maybe they are treating them now like stores do with gift cards. You know how you can no longer get the remaining balance back in cash.

Did you use your 7 day pass before you tried to upgrade it? If not, that was the problem.

 

[doconeill]

Thanks for the info on the Military tickets.I always wondered why Disney allowed the "bridge",but have understood it to be perfectly "legal" and a legitimate,acceptable practice by Disney.Does anyone know the OFFICIAL,CURRENT Disney policy on "bridging" or is it like a lot of things at WDW,it varies from CM to CM?

Bridging certainly WAS the policy. The "Everything About WDW Tickets" sticky thread in the Theme Parks forum is written and maintained by a CM. However, most of the time bridging only involved a small amount of money.

 

[fottafamily05]

I am so sorry for everything that you had to go through. You would not expect Disney to treat people that way

We plan on doing this for our trip in 3 weeks and was really looking forward to being AP holders. I hope someone can tell us what is going on and if I should even bother doing this???? I dont want someone telling me I am a scammer...I would probably not be so friendly.

 

[doconeill]

I am so sorry for everything that you had to go through. You would not expect Disney to treat people that way

We plan on doing this for our trip in 3 weeks and was really looking forward to being AP holders. I hope someone can tell us what is going on and if I should even bother doing this???? I dont want someone telling me I am a scammer...I would probably not be so friendly.

I'd think of it this way right now...if you are 100% intending to get APs, upgrade to the resulting base NE ticket closest to it without going over (some of my data showed that going over in a couple cases would actually still save money, but ONLY if the free days counted). You pay for three less days.

When you go to upgrade (and use the ticket at least once first, but within 14 days), one of two things may happen: the three free days count, you pay a little more out of pocket, and you still save a bunch; or the three free days don't count, you pay more out of pocket, but you still get your AP. Yes, you end up paying more, but since your original intent was to get the AP anyways, does it matter?

 

[jel0511]

I sent a PM to CF to help us clarify this issue. Hopefully we'll receive an answer soon!!!!

 

[doconeill]

I sent a PM to CF to help us clarify this issue. Hopefully we'll receive an answer soon!!!!

So did I...but he never answers my PMs

 

[seashoreCM]

sorry this happened to you on your trip. We had a similar issue once concerning a ticket (a free pass from American Express points) that they wouldn't honor and they kept sending us from one guest services booth to another. We ended up having to purchase a 5 day park hopper pass that we hadn't budgeted for (since we had the "free" Am Ex pass)

Are you sure it was a standard ticket versus a promotional or complimentary ticket.

hi There were lots of "back room" conversations.it.

A blanket policy change could be forthcoming. Either the non-expiration might be charged for at the final ticket's day count rates at ordering time, or restraints put on certain kinds of upgrades after arrival, such as to annual passes.

Note that "bridging" (bringing the value of the ticket to gate price) is a separate step that must be done proactively by the CM although it is invisible to the guest.

Also it does not cost Disney much if you get thee non-expiring days free and use them as-is. For most guests there won't be enough days left over to complete a second vacation with, and Disney will make up for most of the discount when the guest buys another ticket.

hiThey accused us of trying to ull a scam. They said we were "cheating".

It was completely humiliating. Because we thought we right, we then tried to rectify at Epcot. It was worse and they really were mad because they felt like we were trying to get around what was said at the MK.

It felt like we were treated like criminals. I still believe we were right but if we weren't, that's okay too. I just really thought I read here we could do it.

I though I saw somewhere the listing of the cost of non-expiring tickets ordered under the 4/3 plan. I forget where but was this on Disney's own site? If so it may be worth getting a print screen of that and going back to Guest Relations and pin them down on the subject of rudeness and humiliation.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/dispass.htm

 

[disneymom2one]

Okay here's the update - and a note to those who questioned why we would be upset

• we were upset because everything we had learned about upgrading led us to believe we would not have any problems.

Anyway the update is we had a very nice CM (and his lead) at MGM work with us. They actually had to call ticketing and the policy is in fact that the tickets can't be upgraded. Most cm's aren't aware of this. This CM was beyond nice to us and finally treated us with a little compassion – rather than assuming guilt. It's a unique situation and one that hasn't come up much.


We're fine now – much better actually.


Thanks everyone.

 

[Bowen9475]

So are you saying that you were unable to upgrade the tickets you got with your package at all?

 

[rie'smom]

Okay here's the update - and a note to those who questioned why we would be upset

• we were upset because everything we had learned about upgrading led us to believe we would not have any problems.

Anyway the update is we had a very nice CM (and his lead) at MGM work with us. They actually had to call ticketing and the policy is in fact that the tickets can't be upgraded. Most cm's aren't aware of this. This CM was beyond nice to us and finally treated us with a little compassion – rather than assuming guilt. It's a unique situation and one that hasn't come up much.
We're fine now – much better actually.
Thanks everyone.

I'm glad it was resolved. Enjoy the rest of your stay!!

 

[disneymom2one]

So are you saying that you were unable to upgrade the tickets you got with your package at all?

No ... apologies for the confuson. The policy is you don't get the free days upgraded. You get credit for the days you paid for. Our issue was of course that the package was way more attractive with all days upgradeable.
-
It's a confusing issue and one I honestly don't think they have a hold on yet - much like the old DDP adult/child credits.

Think about it ... could we have upgraded our nines to tens? Was it just that they were AP's? It's also not being evenly enforced. The reason given to us at the MK (rudely) was the amount of money involved (about $400) since it was three passes. Does that make sense? It's new and WDW (as usual) didn't anticipate all the issues involved with the free days.

The bottom line? I wouldn't plan on getting to upgrade free days based on what we were told today.

 

[WEDWDW]

No ... apologies for the confuson. The policy is you don't get the free days upgraded. You get credit for the days you paid for. Our issue was of course that the package was way more attractive with all days upgradeable.
-
It's a confusing issue and one I honestly don't think they have a hold on yet - much like the old DDP adult/child credits.

Think about it ... could we have upgraded our nines to tens? Was it just that they were AP's? It's also not being evenly enforced. The reason given to us at the MK (rudely) was the amount of money involved (about $400) since it was three passes. Does that make sense? It's new and WDW (as usual) didn't anticipate all the issues involved with the free days.

The bottom line? I wouldn't plan on getting to upgrade free days based on what we were told today.

Thanks for the update!Could someone in a position to do so PLEASE add this information to the WDW Ticket sticky thread?I think this knowledge will save a lot of DISERS unnecesssary embarrassment on their trip.Thanks!

 

[dawgsgirl]

This is NOT good news. I was planning on upgrading in May and this was the only reason I got the package. I would love to get a definitive answer to this!

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> The reason given to us at the MK (rudely) was the amount of money involved (about $400) since it was three passes ...
That is a bad reason.

If your upgrade is not supposed to be done with three passes then it is not supposed to be done with one pass.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I am ont surprised. If you only paid for 6 days why would they credit you 9.

Because they GAVE her 3 days free. If they take that back when they want to upgrade to AP then how is that fair? they give it but take it away if you want to upgrade your ticket? So if you get a 4/3 and you want to stay 9 days- now you have to pay for the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th day? When they SAID they were giving you 7 days? I fail to see the difference between upgrading from 7 to 9 or 10 days or upgrading to AP. Same difference. Once they give you the free 3 days it should be given, and not taken back!

What's really unfair (and I do feel they should atleast be FAIR about it- pick which side of this issue they want to be on and do it the same way for everyone!) is that I've read on other threads where others have no problem at all upgrading to AP's and that some have even upgraded to DVC AP and got a $40 REFUND because they counted the 3 free days as paid for and therefore got a refund when they upgraded the tickets to DVC AP. Now how is it fair for them to do that- but then treat the OP like this?

 

[disneymom2one]

That's the issue. Thanks everyone for the support. We're off to AK - it's cold this morning - at least for us (we live in FL).

Because they GAVE her 3 days free. If they take that back when they want to upgrade to AP then how is that fair? they give it but take it away if you want to upgrade your ticket? So if you get a 4/3 and you want to stay 9 days- now you have to pay for the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th day? When they SAID they were giving you 7 days? I fail to see the difference between upgrading from 7 to 9 or 10 days or upgrading to AP. Same difference. Once they give you the free 3 days it should be given, and not taken back!

What's really unfair (and I do feel they should atleast be FAIR about it- pick which side of this issue they want to be on and do it the same way for everyone!) is that I've read on other threads where others have no problem at all upgrading to AP's and that some have even upgraded to DVC AP and got a $40 REFUND because they counted the 3 free days as paid for and therefore got a refund when they upgraded the tickets to DVC AP. Now how is it fair for them to do that- but then treat the OP like this?

 

[frisco]

This is a perfect example of why we NEVER book any kind of package, regardless of how good it sounds through Disney. It's just not worth the potential aggrivation.

Room only is the only way we will go.

 

[HsvTeacher]

Because they GAVE her 3 days free. If they take that back when they want to upgrade to AP then how is that fair? they give it but take it away if you want to upgrade your ticket? So if you get a 4/3 and you want to stay 9 days- now you have to pay for the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th day? When they SAID they were giving you 7 days? I fail to see the difference between upgrading from 7 to 9 or 10 days or upgrading to AP. Same difference. Once they give you the free 3 days it should be given, and not taken back!

What's really unfair (and I do feel they should atleast be FAIR about it- pick which side of this issue they want to be on and do it the same way for everyone!) is that I've read on other threads where others have no problem at all upgrading to AP's and that some have even upgraded to DVC AP and got a $40 REFUND because they counted the 3 free days as paid for and therefore got a refund when they upgraded the tickets to DVC AP. Now how is it fair for them to do that- but then treat the OP like this?

I'm the one who got our buy 4/get 3 tickets upgraded to DVC APs and got a refund of $40. I feel so bad that some people are getting the full price credit and others are not. We told the CM (a manager at that) exactly what we were doing, and she said that was the way it worked. I'm not sure if they've changed the policy since March 14, but they really need to have a blanket policy so that everyone gets treated fairly.

 

[seashoreCM]

Did the OP do the upgrade to AP anyway?

THe OP has had so many run-ins with CM's that the next task should be left to somebody else. Obtain in writing the policy regarding upgrading of discounted tickets.

Now how many others of us here on The DIS would be willing to help? Only selected persons who did the same thing and got the gate price to gate price upgrade. If ten of us who succeeded (4/3 to AP upgrades only) after the date the OP had failed would send documentation to the OP, then the OP could write a snail mail letter requesting a refund.

Some upgrading of discounted tickets does not make sense. For example if someone received free water park fun ($55.) only and wanted to add hopping ($55.) it does not make sense to have to pay $110.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Because they GAVE her 3 days free. If they take that back when they want to upgrade to AP then how is that fair? they give it but take it away if you want to upgrade your ticket? So if you get a 4/3 and you want to stay 9 days- now you have to pay for the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th day? When they SAID they were giving you 7 days? I fail to see the difference between upgrading from 7 to 9 or 10 days or upgrading to AP. Same difference. Once they give you the free 3 days it should be given, and not taken back!

What's really unfair (and I do feel they should atleast be FAIR about it- pick which side of this issue they want to be on and do it the same way for everyone!) is that I've read on other threads where others have no problem at all upgrading to AP's and that some have even upgraded to DVC AP and got a $40 REFUND because they counted the 3 free days as paid for and therefore got a refund when they upgraded the tickets to DVC AP. Now how is it fair for them to do that- but then treat the OP like this?

Yeah and I am sure not that many people have done this they are closing the loop hole. I see no issue with it but I am not surprised at all. Disney doesnt reallt give anything away for free.