LoewsFirst card??

[hellokitty86]

Hi everyone,

I'm a little confused about the Loews card. I went to their website and joined the "LoewsFirst" program. We are staying at Royal Pacific. Don't make fun of me- but I'm not sure what it is Do you pay for it, is it a credit card or just a membership? I have a member number, so when I make the reservations (I plan to tomorrow) I'm guessing I'll tell them that number to see if I can get an upgrade. How is it determined if you get just a blue, a gold, or platinum? What other advantages is there to getting this card?

Thanks so much in advance to anybody that helps, its so weird knowing so much about Disney but knowing NOTHING about Universal!!!

ETA: I should have looked around more, I found a Sticky thread with all the info I asked Now my question is- Can I use this card if I book the stay 4 days, play free promotion? Thank in advance

 

[wicket2005]

On the Loews site it lists the benefits and the criteria for each level. Basically it is just a loyalty card that gives you more benefits the more you stay.

I will be using mine for the first time, I presume you just hand it in when you book in and the visit points are credited to your card.

 

[bubba's mom]

You can always give them your Loews number...it ties you to your benefits as morning paper, welcome gift (cookies, or beer, or fruit, etc....) plus many other benefits. Some "rates" they will tell you are not qualifying, but give them your number anyway...... For our last trip, we originally booked at AAA rate (qualifying) and closer i switched it to APH rate (not-qualifying). when we got to our room (before 4pm cuz one was ready), i called star services because our gift wasn't in our room. They said it was probably because it was early yet, and it would arrive soon. Well, by the time we returned from the parks to get ready for dinner, we had it, but the wrong one! So, i called back, and while out to dinner, they brought the correct one. So, I technically shouldn't have gotten any, but i got 2!! (cuz they left the 'wrong' one.....)
ALWAYS give your number...doesn't hurt....and i've heard of peeps getting credit to their card when staying at non-qualifying rate (after so many stays is when you get bumped up to gold membership)

 

[4greatboys]

You can always give them your Loews number...it ties you to your benefits as morning paper, welcome gift (cookies, or beer, or fruit, etc....) plus many other benefits. Some "rates" they will tell you are not qualifying, but give them your number anyway...... For our last trip, we originally booked at AAA rate (qualifying) and closer i switched it to APH rate (not-qualifying). when we got to our room (before 4pm cuz one was ready), i called star services because our gift wasn't in our room. They said it was probably because it was early yet, and it would arrive soon. Well, by the time we returned from the parks to get ready for dinner, we had it, but the wrong one! So, i called back, and while out to dinner, they brought the correct one. So, I technically shouldn't have gotten any, but i got 2!! (cuz they left the 'wrong' one.....)
ALWAYS give your number...doesn't hurt....and i've heard of peeps getting credit to their card when staying at non-qualifying rate (after so many stays is when you get bumped up to gold membership)

They wouldnt even take my number when I called. I will give it another shot but Im not real hopeful. We booked on the APH rate.

 

[damo]

They wouldnt even take my number when I called. I will give it another shot but Im not real hopeful. We booked on the APH rate.

The APH rate is not qualifying. Sometimes it is better just to take the low rate and not worry about qualifying stays.

 

[4greatboys]

The APH rate is not qualifying. Sometimes it is better just to take the low rate and not worry about qualifying stays.

Yeah I know its not, just thought I would see if they would take it. No way was I going to switch rates for some milk and cookies I did check for AAA rates but they said non available. However the APH rates were really good I doubt AAA would have been lower.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

They wouldnt even take my number when I called. I will give it another shot but Im not real hopeful. We booked on the APH rate.

The 800 operators have been told not to apply loews first #'s to reservations that dont qualify especially the APH rates. I have had luck adding it at check-in sometimes. Like you said though saving significantly on the room is better than some milk and cookies. You can go and get those yourself!

 

[FireandIce]

The stay 4 play free deal is not a qualifying stay. I was told this when I spoke to a manager at the Hard Rock. Although I will not be eligible for an upgrade or points towards my Loews First membership, he assured me I would get things like, fast check-in, welcome gift, newspaper, and use of the fitness club. Of course, I saved the e-mail he sent, and will bring a copy....... just in case . Thanks Damo !

 

[4greatboys]

The stay 4 play free deal is not a qualifying stay. I was told this when I spoke to a manager at the Hard Rock. Although I will not be eligible for an upgrade or points towards my Loews First membership, he assured me I would get things like, fast check-in, welcome gift, newspaper, and use of the fitness club. Of course, I saved the e-mail he sent, and will bring a copy....... just in case . Thanks Damo !

Thats good

 

[Michelina]

The stay 4 play free deal is not a qualifying stay. I was told this when I spoke to a manager at the Hard Rock. Although I will not be eligible for an upgrade or points towards my Loews First membership, he assured me I would get things like, fast check-in, welcome gift, newspaper, and use of the fitness club. Of course, I saved the e-mail he sent, and will bring a copy....... just in case . Thanks Damo !

I booked our stay with the stay 4 play free deal & was told that it was qualifying. They even confirmed our upgrade to a deluxe king room ( I got an email confirmation.) I booked on the telephone through the Loews First number.

 

[FireandIce]

I booked our stay with the stay 4 play free deal & was told that it was qualifying. They even confirmed our upgrade to a deluxe king room ( I got an email confirmation.) I booked on the telephone through the Loews First number.

Good for you !! I was not so lucky.

 

[Michelina]

That stinks! Although now that the Super Saver rates are out for May, I think that might be a better deal...

 

[hellokitty86]

Would you guys recommend that I book through Universal or through Lowes? Through the phone, or on the website?

 

[4greatboys]

Would you guys recommend that I book through Universal or through Lowes? Through the phone, or on the website?

Either one. I have done both and really dont have a preference.

 

[hellokitty86]

I just called Lowes and the man on the phone said they don't take reservations at their number for the Universal hotels. So he transferred me to Universal. They said they couldn't find my Lowesfirst number so I must have just joined (I did just join last night). Hopefully I'll get an upgrade

 

[4greatboys]

I just called Lowes and the man on the phone said they don't take reservations at their number for the Universal hotels. So he transferred me to Universal. They said they couldn't find my Lowesfirst number so I must have just joined (I did just join last night). Hopefully I'll get an upgrade

The phone number I always call is 800-BEA-STAR. Its option 2.

 

[damo]

I just called Lowes and the man on the phone said they don't take reservations at their number for the Universal hotels. So he transferred me to Universal. They said they couldn't find my Lowesfirst number so I must have just joined (I did just join last night). Hopefully I'll get an upgrade

Yes, Universal has their own booking now.

 

[macraven]

I just called Lowes and the man on the phone said they don't take reservations at their number for the Universal hotels. So he transferred me to Universal. They said they couldn't find my Lowesfirst number so I must have just joined (I did just join last night). Hopefully I'll get an upgrade

if you wait 48 hours, you can call loews back and they will give you your loews first number. if you don't have the loews card before your trip, your number is good enough, it's all you need.

on my first time using the loews card for the perks, i just had my card number. i applied for the card 7 days before my trip.
check in confirmed i was a loews member in their system by me giving them the number.

hope you enjoy your stay at universal!

 

[hellokitty86]

Macraven- Actually I did have a number, it was emailed to me and I tried to give it to the reservations agent. She said I must have just joined because my member number wasn't in the system. I'm planning on bringing just the number just in case nothing comes in the mail!!

If the promotion I have isn't a "qualifying stay" can I still use the special check in line anyways (if the regular check in line is long) ?

Thanks guys, you are really helpful!!!

 

[macraven]

Macraven- Actually I did have a number, it was emailed to me and I tried to give it to the reservations agent. She said I must have just joined because my member number wasn't in the system. I'm planning on bringing just the number just in case nothing comes in the mail!!

If the promotion I have isn't a "qualifying stay" can I still use the special check in line anyways (if the regular check in line is long) ?

Thanks guys, you are really helpful!!!

royal pacific did away with their loews check in line recently.
last year i stayed at rph and the loews line was opened as a regular check in line. it was then phased out.

bring your loews number in case you do not receive your card before your trip.

you will read on many of the threads that some people are asked to show cards and some aren't. it's a flip of the coin.

if you have the aaa card or ap, sometimes it is not asked to be seen either.

in 17 stays at the hotels, i have only once been asked to see my AAA card to verify i do have it as i booked with the AAA discount. that was last october when i stayed at the rph.
i have not been asked to see my loews card but i am in the hotel system with my number in it.

i think rph is probably more laxed in checking things. if you do not receive your welcome gift, call star service from your room. it will be delivered then. that is what i had to do last year at rph.

star service is the listed marked button on your phone. you pick up the phone, punch that button and you will be greeted by your name.
they will direct your call to what ever need you have.
very handy thing especially if you have tried to call the front desk and no one picks up the call. that can happen at busy times when many are checking in.