Using Orbitz for hotel bookings

[leebee]

When booking through Orbitz, do I pay Orbitz or the hotel? I am looking at a great rate for Animal Kingdom Lodge, but I'd like to use a Disney gift card to pay for the room. Can I book through Orbitz and then use my gift card to pay at AKL? Booking through Orbitz saves 15%, and I have a $200 Disney Gift card. This pretty much adds up to one night at AKL, cutting our hotel cost in half (only staying 2 nights). AKL savannah view has always been a dream...

 

[momto4obkids]

No, when you book on Orbitz you have to pay Orbitz at the time of booking. So no way to pay with your Disney gift card that way.

 

[amyg1975]

Orbitz asks if you want to pay now (through Orbitz), or pay at the hotel. Often they offer a deal to pay now.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I've never had a choice on Disney hotels, has something changed? I always had to pay Orbitz at the time of booking. OP, I'd grab the hotel for the 15% off and spend the 200 gift card elsewhere on your trip. Food, tips, souvenirs, etc. Anything you can charge to your room you can pay for with a gift card. I charged to my room at AKL and then at the end of each night I went up to the front desk and paid down the account charges with my gift cards (that prevents them from pushing charges through onto your credit card on file).

ETA: there has been a change in cancellation policy, Orbitz now charges a $25 cancellation fee on some Disney hotels so be sure to review the cancellation policies

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Orbitz asks if you want to pay now (through Orbitz), or pay at the hotel. Often they offer a deal to pay now.

If you wish to use a promo code, one must choose the Pay Now option.

 

[Amanda999]

Whenever I look now, Orbitz is only giving 15% off up to a maximum of $200 per booking now. (Until this started it was a great deal: you in effect stacked the existing Disney room only discount (say, summer discount) + Orbitz 15% off coupon + Orbitz Visa dollars (if you have one; no annual fee).

The change to max $200 off with the coupon - and the $25 cancel fee - really changed the math for me. Not to mention the $25 cancel fee (and inability to change dates - so, you have to cancel and rebook even if Disney had availability to let you add/subtract day(s).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Whenever I look now, Orbitz is only giving 15% off up to a maximum of $200 per booking now. (Until this started it was a great deal: you in effect stacked the existing Disney room only discount (say, summer discount) + Orbitz 15% off coupon + Orbitz Visa dollars (if you have one; no annual fee).

The change to max $200 off with the coupon - and the $25 cancel fee - really changed the math for me. Not to mention the $25 cancel fee (and inability to change dates - so, you have to cancel and rebook even if Disney had availability to let you add/subtract day(s).

True, but most of our WDW stays are short, pre-cruise visits so it works for us but I could see how this would be frustrating for a 6+ day stay.
Last time I checked, Travelocity didn't cap at $200 and if you do the same search in side by side windows with Orbitz & Travelocity, you will see it's the same exact website with different names at the top. Perhaps owned by the same company? I don't know.
Disney hotel prices are getting so outrageous it's the only way to choke it down.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Whenever I look now, Orbitz is only giving 15% off up to a maximum of $200 per booking now. (Until this started it was a great deal: you in effect stacked the existing Disney room only discount (say, summer discount) + Orbitz 15% off coupon + Orbitz Visa dollars (if you have one; no annual fee).

The change to max $200 off with the coupon - and the $25 cancel fee - really changed the math for me. Not to mention the $25 cancel fee (and inability to change dates - so, you have to cancel and rebook even if Disney had availability to let you add/subtract day(s).

200 max? NOOOOO!!!! I remember seeing that on a couple of the coupons when I was using Orbitz a couple years ago, serious bummer they made it more common.