What is the TRICK to room disounts?

[Esmerelda]

I called back in March for July for one night (7/14), could not get any discounts.

For the record; I have a Loews card, a Fan club card, and belong to AAA.

I inquired about all of these discounts back then and I called again on Monday and once again was told 'no discount' was available?

Do you have to stand on one foot, or hold your tongue a certain way to be able to get one? (teasing of course) I cannot justify spending $318 for a room/tax for one night. She did mention to me this was a room with an obstructed view...lol (what the heck, $318 a night and I can't see anything?) Chuckling here of course.

Seriously, what am I missing? We have opted just to stay off site. We only have one day to spend at Universal so as a long shot (for time purposes), I thought it might be helpful. I'm interested to hear what am I not getting.

thanks gang for all help..
E....

 

[PrincessOp]

Hi, Esmeralda -- well, my best trick for getting room discounts at Universal is being a Florida resident. Yesterday, for example, my friend who is not a FL res, was quoted a rate of $265 for Portofino Bay in Oct, where as I was quoted $165 for the same date. Some people think you have to have an annual pass to get these discounts, but not so, being a FL resident is enough. So, if you have that advantage, it makes a big difference. Probably the second most important thing is when you go. In July, they have no problem getting people into the parks, so the discounts are not plentiful. Also, I've been told by Univ. agent that Friday and Sat nights are the most expensive, Sunday is the cheapest, weeknights fall somewhere in between. Hope that was at all helpful, good luck and happy hunting.

 

[diskids2]

I got a discount because I am staying three nights...forget what it is called ...stay and play or something like that.

Then I got an even deeper discount because I have an AP.

 

[Procrastinate]

They usually do have AAA discounts. Loews First doesn't get any discounts and I think the fan club is history. Royal Pacific is available for $249 that night, but there are additional charges if you have more than two adults.

 

[damo]

The biggest trick is going on non-peak times and checking continually in the months approaching your vacation. As you get closer to your vacation, the best rates begin to sell off.

The most common discounts you can receive are Florida Residents, Annual Pass, AAA and Stay more Save more. Occasionally (very rarely) they will email out a special code.

 

[Lewisc]

You can get a king room at the RPH for your date for $249+ You can book a room with 2 Queen beds at the HRH for $289+ for your date. You have to call and see if a AAA discount is available. Others gave you the correct information, best discounts are offered for guests who want to say multiple days, have an annual pass or are Florida residents.

Harry Potter increased the demand. The Universal hotels are deluxe. Some people rate them higher then Disney deluxe hotels. Express access for all but 3 attractions is a very valuable perk. I'm surprised at the number of posters who were able to book Florida resident and AP discounted rooms this summer.

The secret is to be willing to pay (book) the AAA rate and by happy if you can rebook at a better rate.

A second secret is to understand a deluxe hotel with the amenities offered by the Universal hotels (including early entry to IOA and unlimited express access to almost all attractions) should be (a lot) more expensive then Doubletree hotels located near Universal.

A final suggestion. Take a look at betterbidding.com The Universal hotels sometimes are available through Hotwire. Sometimes the price is great sometimes not so great.

 

[mjohnson96]

Harry Potter increased the demand. The Universal hotels are deluxe. Some people rate them higher then Disney deluxe hotels. Express access for all but 3 attractions is a very valuable perk. I'm surprised at the number of posters who were able to book Florida resident and AP discounted rooms this summer.

I agree with you here, I booked our rooms in March for the opening week and got the AP and FL Resident discounts. My brother decided the night before we checked in on the 20th that he wanted to go to...yeah okay but I was surprised they still had the $159 FL Resident rate available for him. You couldn't get it online only by calling...

 

[threeshinyjs]

I'm a FL Resident and am trying to book Royal Pacific for December and what is interesting is that their "Seasonal Rate" ($219) which is available to everyone is cheaper than the "FL Resident Rate" ($287).

Will there be a new FL Resident Rate announced as December gets closer??

Thanks!!

 

[mjohnson96]

I'm a FL Resident and am trying to book Royal Pacific for December and what is interesting is that their "Seasonal Rate" ($219) which is available to everyone is cheaper than the "FL Resident Rate" ($287).

Will there be a new FL Resident Rate announced as December gets closer??

Thanks!!

Yes, once you see the rates for the stay more save more rates pop up the ones for AP and FL Res also show. You can always book now at the $219 rate and then change it if the price goes down prior to yor stay.

 

[francie57]

We are booked for HRH in Aug. and were able to get a discount through AAA. That being said, I think AAA only has so many rooms available to them at each resort and once they are booked there is no more discount. I could be wrong but that is the way it used to be. Like Disney, not every room qualifies for a discount. I would just keep trying, something may open up with a cancellation.

 

[threeshinyjs]

Thanks, mjohnson! That's what I was wondering. If I could book the $219 now and if lower FL rates come up then I can switch it. I will keep an eye out for the new rates announcement.

 

[Esmerelda]

Princess OP, thank you for your response. I am not, however, a Florida resident. We are in Ohio (ugghhh). I would rather BE a Florida resident!

LewisC...I've asked each time I've called or a AAA discount and am told that there aren't any? I don't get it, even thought it's July...we still get AAA rates everywhere? As a matter of fact, the hotel I did book, we received a AAA rate. Go figure. This is why none of this makes any sense. I forgot to mention, I've called back in between March and recently as well, and was told the exact same thing each time.

I forgot to add in my original post, that we were only going to be there on a Wednesday night. If it was a Friday or Saturday, it would make more sense to me.

Oh well...I do appreciate all the help and responses. I guess it just wasn't meant to be for us and that's ok. As I said, I just can't justify spending $318 a night for a room to sleep and shower in. Maybe some day, but not this trip.

Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate all the responses.

 

[francie57]

Have you tried any of the discount travel sites. Universal is showing all the hotels as booked for that night but expedia has all three listed. The most expensive is PBH at $304, on downf or HRH, to RPH. Not sure of your party size. As I said in my previous post, my guess would be that any rooms that were allowed a AAA discount are long gone. We made our reservations with AAA back in Oct. for Aug. My guess is that Universal is the same as Disney and not every room is available with a discount, AAA usually only gets a set number of rooms and once they are gone there is no more AAA discount at all.

 

[Lewisc]

LewisC...I've asked each time I've called or a AAA discount and am told that there aren't any? I don't get it, even thought it's July...we still get AAA rates everywhere? As a matter of fact, the hotel I did book, we received a AAA rate. Go figure. This is why none of this makes any sense. I forgot to mention, I've called back in between March and recently as well, and was told the exact same thing each time.

Did you try calling AAA to book? I don't have the answer but can speculate. It's possible there is a minimum night requirement for a AAA rate. It's possible the limited number of AAA rooms that were available for your date sold out. AAA is selling vacation packages. Maybe the hotel isn't making more AAA discounted room only available. The hotels have convention facilities. It's also possible there is a meeting on your date. It's also possible a tour group booked a large number of rooms.

One "trick" is to be flexible with your date. Another trick is to make sure you're booking enough nights to qualify for some of the discounts. You're not flexible with your date and you're only booking one night. You didn't get lucky.

 

[Procrastinate]

You can usually book AAA discounts for just one night. However, I just realized that the Harry Potter convention starts July 15, so that may be why there are so few rooms and no discounts.

 

[oct2014]

Based on some WDW discount discussions, I believe AAA discounts might vary based on your home state (the lingo might be what Club you belong to and what discounts that Club offers).

Caroline

 

[ElizabethB]

We just booked PBH for August. We got a AAA rate, which was better than the stay and play rate. We were pleasantly surprised.

 

[damo]

We just booked PBH for August. We got a AAA rate, which was better than the stay and play rate. We were pleasantly surprised.

The stay and rate price gets better the longer you stay. It is great for longer stays.

Based on some WDW discount discussions, I believe AAA discounts might vary based on your home state (the lingo might be what Club you belong to and what discounts that Club offers).

Caroline

I don't believe that is the case at Universal. They never ask where you are from until you are giving your info for the booking at the end.

 

[Lewisc]

I've never had a Disney or Universal ask for a AAA number when calling to make a reservation with a AAA discount. It's possible different clubs have different packages available but I don't think room discounts are club specific.

Sounds like a pp figured out why the poster couldn't get a discounted room. No reason to offer room discounts with a HP convention starting the next day.

 

[dbriggsq]

Hi, Esmeralda -- well, my best trick for getting room discounts at Universal is being a Florida resident. Yesterday, for example, my friend who is not a FL res, was quoted a rate of $265 for Portofino Bay in Oct, where as I was quoted $165 for the same date. Some people think you have to have an annual pass to get these discounts, but not so, being a FL resident is enough. So, if you have that advantage, it makes a big difference. Probably the second most important thing is when you go. In July, they have no problem getting people into the parks, so the discounts are not plentiful. Also, I've been told by Univ. agent that Friday and Sat nights are the most expensive, Sunday is the cheapest, weeknights fall somewhere in between. Hope that was at all helpful, good luck and happy hunting.

Do you know what proof of Florida residency Universal requires. We own 2 properties in Floida but are not permanent residents. Disney used to just require utility bills (which we have) but are now asking for Florida driving licenses or ID cards. What is the situation with Universal?