reserv. woes - incentive and AKV not useable

[alisonslp]

I tried to make a res. for VWL for April and was kindly informed that I have no points available for this. Apparently the incentive points are tied to Saratoga Springs only (if staying in FL). OK, I vaguely remember my guide telling me this now that it was brought to my attention. But then I was informed that I could not use my AKV points until MAy 1. I could reserve now, but the check-in has to be after May 1 regardless of where I want to stay. Now, I definitely know my guide didn't review this. Yes, I reviewed my contract before I signed but did not interpret that section as such. Given that AKV is opened, I assumed that that we were good to go. Nowhere does it mention that I am specifically tied to Kidani's opening.

This is so frustrating. I know in future years it won't make a difference. But now we only have 7 months to use this years points. (may-nov). Why would they make my use year Dec 1 if I couldn't use my points until May 1 of the next year? And more importantly, why wouldn't they make sure I understood this?

I have left a message for my guide. Don't know if he can help (even an explanation will help - I'm sure nothing else can be done since I signed the contract). Hoping that someone here can help explain too...

So our situation is that we have 240 points from incentives that we have to use at SS by dec. 1 and we have 240 AKV that we have to use in only 7 months - or bank. I suppose we can make it work but we have to rearrange our plans now... We had planned on the April trip with VWL b/c we are going with friends staying there. I guess we can just stay at SS and meet up with them at the park. We should be able to swim in their pool, as DVC member, right? We will have to readjust what size villa we stay in too as we had planned on using some of our AKV points to supplement.

Thanks for listening... I'm just really frustrated right now...

Alison

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Allison,

I understand your frustration. I too wanted to use my incentive points at another resort, but unfortunately they are tied to SSR, and must be used by Oct 3rd of 2009, or banked into the RCI exchange program.. I am hoping to use them at Disneyland later this year, or reserve a large villa at SSR so all the points are used by that date. I hope it works out for you.

Super.

 

[DebbieB]

That's why they gave you the developer points, because the points you bought were not available yet. They were points that DVC still owned at SSR. I think they restricted their use to SSR because they always seem to have rooms open there, rather than tie up the other DVC resorts.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I do not think that you are being assessed dues for thos AKV Kidani points. I remember that we bought AKV when it first was offered, in Jambo, and we couldn't book a stay before September, but we weren't charged fees for that in between period of time. We weren't given Developer points, so if you are asssessed a fee, it could be because you are able to book something. Enjoy your stay at SSR, yes, you can visit your friends and pool hop there, provided it's not a restricted period. I hope you can relax, and do enjoy your SSR stay, it is a beautiful resort, and many people like it a lot!

Bobbi

 

[Chuck S]

The explanation is simple, you own a unit in Kidani. That unit is not ready for occupancy until May 1. As such, you can not use the points to stay at a DVC resort until your unit opens, because you have no unit to "trade" into the system.

Developers points were given to you to use now, since you can't use your own points. Those Developers Points can be used for a reservation 7 months or less at SSR, Disneyland or RCI until the date specified in your contract.

If you are currently being billed monthly dues, it is a prorated amount for 7 months of dues, May 1, to December 31, 2009. Dues are based upon calendar year, not use year. If you bank your December 2008 points, you can use them until November 30, 2010, just like December 2009, points. Giving you 19 months to use your December 2008 points, beginning May 1st.

 

[jas2n0]

I just purchased my first DVC contract yesterday and the sales rep did inform me that the developers’ points were specifically for SSR prior to Oct 3. In addition, she also stated that if I needed additional points for my stay I could take an advance, which according to her is different then borrowing, on my Oct BL points.

On a separate note, how do you add the picture to the signature. It only allows for a URL link.

Thanks

 

[Dean]

I think it unlikely that it was not stated during the purhase process but you can't use your points until your unit is ready to use. You con't pay dues on it until then either so you'll ony pay a prorated amount of dues for this year.

 

[jas2n0]

I walked through exactly what I was planning for my Sept stay at SSR. It required an advance of 29 points which she specifically stated would be acceptable.

 

[delmar411]

I think it unlikely that it was not stated during the purhase process but you can't use your points until your unit is ready to use. You con't pay dues on it until then either so you'll ony pay a prorated amount of dues for this year.

I agree. That was made quite clear to me when I purchased and I didn't even get the normal spiel as I was there specifically to buy and sign, not tour. They go over all that when you are signing papers and it is stated very clearly in the papers themselves.

Not clear why you thought that it wouldn't apply to you, OP?

Your use year is whatever they were selling at that point so unless you asked for a Dec UY then they just gave you what they had, you could have asked for a different UY and if available gotten that one. But the developer points would expire in the same way they are now and are only usable in the manner they are now.

 

[december14disney]

This was mentioned to me like 100 times while we bought. You didnt buy Jambo, you bought Kidani, and it isnt open til May 1. Also, OP, check your developer points. I thought they ALL expired on 10/3/09 and you had stated you can use yours til December...

 

[dizzneebabe]

The above poster is right--ALL developer points, whether from BLT or AKV purchases, will expire on 10/03/09.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I walked through exactly what I was planning for my Sept stay at SSR. It required an advance of 29 points which she specifically stated would be acceptable.

In your situation that sounds like borrowing and would be ok. You didn't state where you purchased but both AKV Kidani (Open May 1) and BLT (Open Sept 1) will be open so points at those locations are eligible for use. The key is that your planned stay is after Sept 1st.

 

[LisaS]

Nowhere does it mention that I am specifically tied to Kidani's opening.

The relevant information is actually the occupancy date of the Unit you purchased, not Kidani's opening date. In your case those dates are the same (May 1, 2009) but at some point Disney will sell Kidani units with occupancy dates of Sep 2009 so I think it's important to point out that the occupancy date, not the resort's opening date, is what matters.

This same issue came up a couple of days ago (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2048007) and at that time I pulled out my paperwork for AKV to see where this is mentioned. Look at the document titled PRODUCT UNDERSTANDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. In my paperwork for AKV/Jambo House the following text appears in Item 8 (I bolded the relevant text):

8. You may immediately begin to make reservations at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas on May 16, 2007 (or at other DVC Resorts as soon as you purchase) for stays beginning on or after your Unit is available for occupancy. The estimated date your Unit is available for occupancy and the estimated recording (closing) date for your Deed is listed on the first page of your Purchase Agreement.

The comment about May 16, 2007 probably no longer appears in the paperwork because we are past that point in time. As stated in the paragraph above, your occupancy date is what determines your earliest possible vacation date and that date (May 1, 2009 in your case) is listed on page 1 of your Purchase Agreement.

 

[jas2n0]

In your situation that sounds like borrowing and would be ok. You didn't state where you purchased but both AKV Kidani (Open May 1) and BLT (Open Sept 1) will be open so points at those locations are eligible for use. The key is that your planned stay is after Sept 1st.

I purchased in BLT and my use year starts Oct. Since my stay is prior to Oct. do you think this will create a problem?

 

[edk35]

Can you possibly do a trip that starts in April at SSR and ends at AKV sometime in early May??? You could use developer points and then use some AKV points and bank any leftover AKV. That way you get a taste of the new resort???

 

[kimberh]

I wonder if VWL was even available for April if you could have booked it. It is a very small resort and hard to get into at the 3 month window. Sorry for your confusion. SSR is a nice resort. If I were you, I would sure use those DD points up, it's a free vacation.

 

[DisneyBuffinDE]

It was mentioned to me 100 times also about the developer points and such. Also remember that if you are using developer points your vaction info will not show up on the DVC web site as it is held in a different database. I found this out when I freaked out because I looked on the DVC web site and saw our trip in december at AKL Kidani and not my SSR Feb 10-15. So I called today verified all was ok and bought AP.

 

[alisonslp]

thanks everyone.

Thanks for letting me know about the developer points exp in October as I didn't catch that even on this go around of reading the contract. I guess I'm just not good with reading the legal stuff.

Anyway, I'm calmer now. Ultimately it was my fault for not asking all the questions and understanding the legal stuff better. We will make it work out somehow. I'm certainly not wasting the points! LOL

Someone asked about combining late april with early may so we can utilize the Kidani points. Good idea but it won't work for us as we are planning the vacation with another family who is limited by school schedules. My other concern would be that Kidani would not open on time. and we'd be stuck. As for availability, I didn't get that far with MS so I don't know but it was not blocked red in the availability folder here on DIS - I know that's not a guarantee.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I purchased in BLT and my use year starts Oct. Since my stay is prior to Oct. do you think this will create a problem?

I had asked about this awhile ago since we also have an Oct UY and I was curious if points would be able to be used at opening. The consensus was that you would be able to borrow them. I did not follow up with MS to verify.

However, we did buy at AKV - Kidani which has the restriction that points cannot be used until May 1st. In that situation we also received 2008 points but I have borrowed a few 2009 so I do think you will be able to do so with BLT. Not exactly the same situation but it's similar.

I don't think your guide led you astray but I do think MS will call it borrowing - not advancing.

 

[edk35]

thanks everyone.

Thanks for letting me know about the developer points exp in October as I didn't catch that even on this go around of reading the contract. I guess I'm just not good with reading the legal stuff.

Anyway, I'm calmer now. Ultimately it was my fault for not asking all the questions and understanding the legal stuff better. We will make it work out somehow. I'm certainly not wasting the points! LOL

Someone asked about combining late april with early may so we can utilize the Kidani points. Good idea but it won't work for us as we are planning the vacation with another family who is limited by school schedules. My other concern would be that Kidani would not open on time. and we'd be stuck. As for availability, I didn't get that far with MS so I don't know but it was not blocked red in the availability folder here on DIS - I know that's not a guarantee.

It was me who posted about the late April/May trip. Well I am sure if you could do that trip and the rooms weren't ready (which I am pretty sure there would be a good bit that are if that happened) they would have to accomodate you some way some how. However......look at it this way...'YOU GET TWO TRIPS'