Confused on point expiration: Use before date or reserve

[Mickbee]

I apologize in advance if this question has been address many times.

I am a bit unsure about point expiration. If my Use Year begins in October 2001, and I have not banked my current points, do I have to book AND take the trip prior to the point expiration or do I just have to book the trip?

Example: My current Use Year points expire ) Oct of 2001. If I call MS and request a ressie for July, can I use this years points? Or will they tell me to use them prior to Oct or I am out of luck?

Thanks in advance for the help...

Steve

:confused:

[Lew]

You're correct!

If you don't bank your 2000 use year points into 2001, you must use them prior to October 2001 or you will lose them.

[dianeschlicht]

Be sure you keep the banking chart handy so you know what date you have to bank 1/2 or all your points by, so you don't lose any.

[DebbieB]

The effective date & expiration date of your points goes by when the stay actually takes place, not when you book it. The points for the October 2001 use year are for stays between October 1, 2001 and September 30,2002. You can borrow them into your 2000 use year and use them between October 1, 2000 and September 30, 2001 or bank them into the 2002 use year and use them between October 1, 2002 and September 30, 2003. The date you make the reservation has nothing to do with it, it's the date the stay actually takes place.