Why does the S/D . . .

[mom-2greatkids]

I've been working up the nerve to ask this question for a long time, and am feeling gutsy today, so here goes!

Why does the S/D give discounts to teachers, nurses and government/military workers? I do feel that people who work in those professions do jobs that are very important, but what about other people who do things just as "important" who aren't eligible for the discounts? Why should certain people be given discounts based on what they do?

Any opinions?

 

[Geoff_M]

This is only a extention of existing discount programs that all major hotels offer. Chains offer "corporate rates" and "government rates" because of the large amount of business such programs can give them and not out of "sympathy" for those that are given the discount. Most teachers can qualify for "government rates" at hotels if they work in public eduation. (my wife got "gov discounts" at hotels along the way during our last WDW road trip). Many publically employeed nurses can do the same. All the S/D has done is to stretch the definition of the discount to apply to teachers and nurses that aren't public employees or are retirees from those occupations.

As for being "fair", it's not about being fair... like the movie quote goes "It's not personal... It's just business." The S/D wouldn't offer the programs if they didn't think it helped their bottom line and attracts business that might go elsewhere. And in the past they have periodically offered similar rates to the general public... when they thought it was in their business interest to do so by putting some additional paying butts in their beds.

As for me, I often qualify for discounts at hotels and with car rental agencies because of my employer's negotiated corporate rate programs. Last time we rented a car in Orlando we got a good rate plus a free tank of gas because I used our corporate rate. Does this mean that Avis thinks I work harder than other people or am not paid what I'm worth? No. It's because they want the business that a Fortune 100 company can give them.

 

[Lewisc]

Really more of a marketing program. Similar discounts are available for Entertainment Card, AP and even some websites specials. S/D even puts excess inventory on Hotwire and sometimes PL.

Disney likes to try to keep their discounts secret. Special PIN numbers, postcards and even cancelling discounted reservations if the CM made a mistake and didn't give the discount to the right subset of DV cardholder. S/D is much more aggressive in promoting a variety of discounted programs. If there are discounted rooms available for the date you want chances are you can qualify for that rate (or at least a very close rate).

 

[GEM]

They probably give them to the poor teachers because, with what we pay them, they would otherwise be forced to sleep in their cars in order to take their families on vacation. They are extremely underpaid for a very important and difficult job. The least they deserve is a hotel discount.

 

[RescueRanger]

Well... lets see... everyone needs an education and teachers in most areas are underpaid. Plus, because of the kids nowadays the stress level is unbelievable. Government employees usually include Police, EMS, and Firefighters. This is another group that is often underpaid but keeps you and I safe. Military should go without saying. They are the most underpaid and they are putting their lives on the line to protect our freedom. In my opinion, their aren't enough discounts for our military. I will also say that I know a little about at least two areas of your question because my wife is a teacher and I work in law enforcement. My wife and I will never be rich but at least we know we are making a difference in our community. At least I like to think this is partly the reason they offer some of these discounts but Geoff is right in that it probably has alot to do with the economics as well.

 

[The Pluto People]

Mom-2greatkids: I totally agree with you! I am a LONG TIME fan of the S/D and have stayed there 4 times over the last couple of years. However, I think those very deep job related discounts are really not fair. Why make the judgement that certain professions are more valuable than others? Not to mention that many teachers, police officers, and other government workers now command good salaries and great, low or no cost benefits (at least in my neck of the woods). Also, the government discount that is offered at hotels had traditionally been available only to people traveling on government business - has that changed?

 

[Lewisc]

Is it possible S/D books enough governmental and educational conventions and meetings to justify the (very small) discount?

Book anything above a standard room with an AP or select webrates and you'll pass less than any of the occupational rates.

 

[Geoff_M]

However, I think those very deep job related discounts are really not fair.

Again it's not about being "fair", it's about marketing the hotels in order to try and maximize profits. All sorts of businesses offer discounts to targeted groups that aren't availabe to the general public. It's not "fair" that seniors (even wealthy ones) get discounts on plane tickets. It's not "fair" that Florida residents get deals from WDW (Does that mean I'm being judged as "less valuable" because I live in Michigan?). It's not "fair" that DVC members can pool hop at WDW. Etc., etc. etc.

Why make the judgement that certain professions are more valuable than others?

On what basis do you claim that this is the reason that the S/D offers the discounts?

Also, the government discount that is offered at hotels had traditionally been available only to people traveling on government business - has that changed?

If you call the hotel chain HQ and ask them, they may tell you it's for "official travel" only. But in reality there's no mention of, or concern about that aspect of the discount from what we've seen. For starters, how does one "prove" they are on official business? All my wife has ever been asked for is a school issued ID card at check-in.

 

[GEM]

I don't mean this to be harsh at all, but I get so tired of hearing "it's not fair" from grown-ups. Hmm . . . I went out to Denny's with my grandma this morning and she got a discount. NOT FAIR! My best friend bought the same purse as me on sale while I paid full price for mine a week earlier. NOT FAIR! My husband is a teacher and he got President's Day off while I had to work. NOT FAIR! If your spending your time worrying about what's not fair in life, you're wasting a lot of time. These hotels offer these discounts to attract business. Life isn't always fair. It doesn't have to be. It shouldn't be. That's just the way it is.

 

[The Pluto People]

Geoff: Don't get me started on those residency based discounts Disney used to offer so frequently (Florida not withstanding)... I was on the boards when the teacher discount at the S/D was originally released as a "thank you" for the great job teachers did for so little salary. My Dad, now retired, raised my sisters and I on a public school teachers salary-my Mom died of breast cancer so my Dad's salary was it. AT THAT TIME teachers were woefully underpaid. Today, teachers in my area can command a starting salary of $40000...straight out of college. Many, many teachers make $75,000 with FREE health benefits, 3 weeks off during the year, summers off and job security. My DH and I (in our late 40s) often lament how cushy life would be if we had chosen to teach - we easily would be making $150000, have our summers off, have to pay nothing for benefits, have tenure/job security and be a part of the NJ teachers great pension plan. Not to mention our eligibilty for the deep discounts at the S/D...

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Discounts AND 3 months off? I'm so jealous!

 

[Fokus17]

Ok Pluto People,
Now i am getting Hot! I am a teacher in Florida and i can tell you we are greatly underpaid. Starting salary is $30,000 and right now the max after 30 years is only $45,000 nowhere near $75,000. I have pay for a portion of my health insurance and all of my eye and dental. Teaching is a highly valued job. We help educate the future of our country. Im sorry, but that is more important than other ocupations. A discount for us greatly needed if we want to take our families on a vacation. I'm glad some hotels like the Swan and Dolphin value that. So get over it and stop whining!!!

 

[Geoff_M]

I was on the boards when the teacher discount at the S/D was originally released as a "thank you" for the great job teachers did for so little salary.

I think you need to take that with a grain of salt. That may be the way the program was publically positioned, but you can bet the farm that the final decision to go with the program was an economic one. If the program weren't viewed as a net money maker for the S/D it would be toast. They aren't going to lose money out of professed sympathy for one occupation or another.

For what it's worth, don't believe everything they tell you in commericials.

 

[GEM]

Originally posted by The Pluto People
Today, teachers in my area can command a starting salary of $40000...straight out of college. Many, many teachers make $75,000 with FREE health benefits, 3 weeks off during the year, summers off and job security.

I can guarantee you that is NOT the case in most of the country! The salaries you quoted are very high and certainly not the norm at all in most areas. Teachers in this part of the country often have to take second evening and weekend jobs at Wal-Mart, McDonald's, etc. just to make ends meet. They also must pay a good deal of their insurance costs and they don't have any job security since budget cuts are forcing schools to cut teaching positions left and right.

 

[Geoff_M]

Before this totally devolves into a whizzing contest over perceived under-employment, I'd like to point out something: No group "deserves" a deluxe Disney resort room at moderate room prices over another group. Period.

Secondly, it is perfectly acceptable for the hotels to develop targeted campaigns that are selectively used to bolster their occupancy rates and add money to their bottom lines.

If you don't qualify for any of these targeted discounts, then try Priceline. Lots of people have succeded in getting rooms at these hotels at comparable rates, or less, by doing a little homework first and then using Priceline.

 

[The Pluto People]

Geoff: I agree with you that the discounts have to be part of a profitable marketing decision... And everyone else: NJ has one of the best public school systems in the country and teachers are NOW held in very high regard, hence the high salaries( by the way teachers in my town pay $0 for great health benefits for themselves and THEIR FAMILIES). I'm really not whining (ok maybe a little bit), and please remember my Dad was a teacher, but I still think the single parent raising children on a factory worker's salary is just as deserving of a discount as anyone else.

 

[GEM]

Originally posted by The Pluto People
I still think the single parent raising children on a factory worker's salary is just as deserving of a discount as anyone else.

Sure they are. And if the Swan and Dolphin decide to offer single parents working in factory a discount, I won't say "that's not fair" just because I happen to be a married parent working on a college campus.

I honestly didn't meant to say that teahers "deserve" a discount because they are underpaid. I just hated to see anyone making sweeping statements about how teachers have huge salaries and great benefits packages, when it is completely untrue in most of the country.

If the S/D decide to offer a discount to unicycle riding midgets with red hair, that's certainly their right. As a business, they use promotions they think will bring in business. As has been said before, life isn't fair. Get over it and move on.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
Well... lets see... everyone needs an education and teachers in most areas are underpaid. Plus, because of the kids nowadays the stress level is unbelievable. Government employees usually include Police, EMS, and Firefighters. This is another group that is often underpaid but keeps you and I safe. Military should go without saying. They are the most underpaid and they are putting their lives on the line to protect our freedom. In my opinion, their aren't enough discounts for our military. I will also say that I know a little about at least two areas of your question because my wife is a teacher and I work in law enforcement. My wife and I will never be rich but at least we know we are making a difference in our community. At least I like to think this is partly the reason they offer some of these discounts but Geoff is right in that it probably has alot to do with the economics as well.

Ditto! Life is never fair. And nothing is perfect in this world. I am just thankful that my family and I are alive and well.

 

[Fokus17]

Pluto People,
I stil dont think you are getting it. The S/D can do what they want. The can offer discounts to anyone. The biggest argument here is on your remarks about teachers. We are underpaid in most fo the counrty. That is a fact!!!!!

 

[undertheradar]

For added discounts, join Starwoods Guest program. Then, call the hotel directly and ask for the "best available rate." It can't hurt to ask if the hotel can find you a better rate.