Who is the ticket expert here on the USF/IoA boards? (for tickets, AP's)

[Dan Murphy]

I know there is no moderator here anymore, since Barry left (I used to always ask him), so who is the one with the ticket knowledge here?

I usually make 2 trips a year (May and Dec) to Orlando, with one, maximum two days per trip to USF/IoA (other days are over at the other place, WDW ). In past years, I have always been able to get GREAT deals, one year was like a $99 AP (for both parks), and then I got a 2 year one for like $189. My current AP expires at beginning of Dec. Anything going good now for a USF/IoA impaired person???

Thanks much.

Dan

 

[phamton]

Anyone who had the 2 year AP and then lets it expire can purchase another 2 year AP. With this offer, you pay the full price of $189.95 plus tax which comes to a total of $202.30. The new pass expiration will start on the day you activate the AP not on the old expiration date of your old pass. If you choose to renew your current AP, you only pay $106 total for one year. So it really isn't saving you much money to pay $202 for 2 years. It is a good deal for those who have let their annual passes expire and can't pay the $99 plus tax renewal rate because their pass has been expired for more than a month. If you just pay the $99 plus tax for a one year renewal, the pass will expire one year from your old expiration date.

The power pass ( the one with black out dates) costs around $120 plus tax. The renewal for that one is the same price as the renewal for the preferred annual pass ($99 plus tax). There is also a prefered annual pass you can get for around $15 a month if you have a credit card. The payment is automatically charged each month. It is called Flex-pay. The annual pass from flex pay costs the same as buying an annual pass in full but does cost more than just paying $106 for a renewal. There are no finance charges though.

ETA: after re-reading my post it sounds rather confusing. If I didn't make myself clear, please feel free to ask for clarification.

Also the person you mentioned in your post, now posts at ioacentral.com

 

[Dan Murphy]

Wow, sounds like you know your stuff, Bev.

What I do have is a 2 year Preferred AP, with an expiry (I was wrong about Dec) back in Sept. So, what is your suggestion???


Thanks so much.

 

[phamton]

Well, you're in luck since your pass is past the 30 day renewal time. Call 1-888-331-9109. Tell them you want the 2-park annual pass 2 year renewal for $189.95 plus tax (total of $202.30) They will need your old annual pass number so find it. They can look it up by name though if you can't find it. You can do this for you and any member of your family that has also had the two-year pass in the past.

Your expiration date will start two years from when you enter the park not from when you renew. If you need more information, feel free to PM me.

Bev

 

[Dan Murphy]

And you are FAST!!!!

Very cool, I will call today. That really is a great price, and rules too, about the expiry date. Why can't Disney do that, LOL?? I like the parking benefit too. Are these the 'normal' AP renewal rules, I like how they do it?

Thanks so much.

ETA.......Oh, and if I beat you to your reply, what would have been the price, procedure if my renewal was like in Dec, whe nI will be using it?

 

[phamton]

No, normally when you renew for the $99 plus tax, your renewal starts immediately and expires one year from when the last pass expired. This is a special that Universal is offering to people whose passes expired and they didn't renew. It is an incentive to get them to return. Many people with the 2 year pass from Coke or Burger king, didn't renew because they were waiting for another 2 year deal. None was offered and so many let their passes expire. A mailing was sent out but many didn't get one. You could fill out the card they sent in the mail or call over the phone. Since you didn't get a card, you can just do it over the phone or also at any Guest Service window/lobby at either park or at Vacation Services at either park. Since you aren't going until December, who knows if the offer may have expired by then, so I suggest you do it over the phone. The advertisement that was mailed had no expiration date on it but that doesn't mean it won't expire by the time you go. Also it doesn't hurt to remind them that it doesn't start until you enter the park and activate your new AP. They should know but, just as at Disney you get less knowledgable CMs, it sometimes happens at Universal too. If by chance, they put the wrong expiration date, you can have it fixed at Guest services when you get to the parks.

ETA: in answer to your question: If you are within the 30 day window, you can renew for $99 plus tax for a total of $106. That renewal would only be for one year and would expire in September when your other card expired.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am so not current with my passes LOL. I just called, the CM said my expiry date was Dec 1, so she renewed it at the $99+ price, total $106. I guess I am all set. Sure is a great price. Thanks much, Bev.

Dan

 

[phamton]

I am so not current with my passes LOL. I just called, the CM said my expiry date was Dec 1, so she renewed it at the $99+ price, total $106.

No problem. It's hard to keep track of expiration dates as universal does not put it on the card itself, like Disney does.

The two-year deal is good if you can't get the $99 renewal rate. It doesn't save much money though if you are just renewing. What's strange is both the Power pass (with blackouts) and the Preferred annual pass both have the same price for renewal. That's why I recommend the preferred and just renewing every year.

 

[macraven]

and bev saves the day again............




bev, you are awesome

 

[Dan Murphy]

Again, Bev, thank you. Sure SF AP prices.

Hey, macraven, you coming to the Chicago meet this Saturday???

 

[phamton]

Hey, macraven, you coming to the Chicago meet this Saturday??

Macraven is really cool! I've met her. Hopefully, next time she is down this way we can hit MIB together.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Are the current AP's for two years or just one year? My parents are going in November & then again in January & February so I want to get them an annual pass. Thanks!

 

[phamton]

This is a 2 year special that Universal is offering is for people whose 2 year annual passes expired and they didn't renew.

You can only get the 2 year pass if you already had a 2 year pass and let it expire without renewing. The only annaul pass you can get for your parents is for 1 year.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I am totally bummed about this! We had the 2-for-1 APs, and I renewed for $99 thinking that if we go back once, it'll be worth it. But, since we can't get back till probably September, we've wasted all that time on our APs. If I'd known that the clock wouldn't start ticking till we activated them, I'd have renewed using this special deal, and we'd have gotten a lot more trips out of the APs. Major bummer!

 

[macraven]

Macraven is really cool! I've met her. Hopefully, next time she is down this way we can hit MIB together.

you are on phamton !!

MIB it will be.

i plan to return next october............

thanks for the kind words

 

[Laurabearz]

Great thread!! I just checked our 2 year premium passes (the $169 for 2 year deal) and they expire in May 2006.

I hope they offer the renew deal then... I would let them expire just to renew at a later date.... I'll check back in 5-6 months to see if they are still offering it! LOL