2 points left - what do i do?

[Simba's Mom]

We let go of 9 points the year after they reopened from COVID. I just thought about how much worse we could lose.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Waitlists are processed by CMs without the owner on the line. So, you’d be giving your authority ahead of time.

We have already heard of MS borrowing points to fill waitlists when the owner specifically said not to do it.

Its why I screenshot that when I set it up and yes, I had it happen and my documentation is what forced them to put the points back because I had the points for them to use in my other contract so borrowing should not have occurred.

I just think it makes sense that authorization occurs at time of purchase and why MS doesn’t allow OTU points to be purchased for waitlists.

Off on a tangent but it is ridiculous that this isn’t an entirely automated process. There’s no reason technologically that they should need a CM to manually fulfill a waitlist.

 

[Sandisw]

Off on a tangent but it is ridiculous that this isn’t an entirely automated process. There’s no reason technologically that they should need a CM to manually fulfill a waitlist.

The system matches it but the CM processes it because it may require either s full cancellation or a modification.

So, you need to have someone involrf to make sure it’s done correctly.

For example, sometimes people have a waitlist set to only replace some of the trip and not all. Sometimes it replaces multiple reservations and not just one. I have even had a one night waitlist replace a two night trip.

It makes perfect sense that the actual processing is done by a CM and not a computer since there are way too many variables to waitlists that can be in play.

That is why if someone needs something like that you have to call and have the note added so the CMs who book it for you knows what to do.

 

[kes601]

I mean . . . it's 2 points.

Seems counter-intuitive to spend money on one time use points just to save those 2. Let it go.

We had 9 points left, and hey Sunday night of Labor Day weekend opened up at OKW for 9 pts, so a 2 night cash stay at CBR and flights were added. Can't let those 9 pts go away

But, 2 points, I'd let go.

 

[mamaofsix]

We had 9 points left, and hey Sunday night of Labor Day weekend opened up at OKW for 9 pts, so a 2 night cash stay at CBR and flights were added. Can't let those 9 pts go away

But, 2 points, I'd let go.

Interesting. Those 9 points were probably worth about $90. So you spent hundreds on flights and added a CBR cash stay in order to not lose that ninety bucks? I guess I just can't make the math work. I would have let them go...

 

[Genie+]

We had 9 points left, and hey Sunday night of Labor Day weekend opened up at OKW for 9 pts, so a 2 night cash stay at CBR and flights were added. Can't let those 9 pts go away

But, 2 points, I'd let go.

I thought along similar lines. Find a low point night open, buy the excess OTU points necessary, then sell as a confirmed reservation. Like Sept 13 for 9 points would need 7 otu points x$22 = $154 and being a Wed gets access to MK EEH so you could likley sell the reservation for at least $200 making a $50 profit.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

The system matches it but the CM processes it because it may require either s full cancellation or a modification.

So, you need to have someone involrf to make sure it’s done correctly.

For example, sometimes people have a waitlist set to only replace some of the trip and not all. Sometimes it replaces multiple reservations and not just one. I have even had a one night waitlist replace a two night trip.

It makes perfect sense that the actual processing is done by a CM and not a computer since there are way too many variables to waitlists that can be in play.

That is why if someone needs something like that you have to call and have the note added so the CMs who book it for you knows what to do.

But the CM is just carrying out your instructions, aren’t they? I just don’t see how they couldn’t automate the process. Yes, it would require revamping the system to probably ask more questions on the front end, but it’s got to be doable.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Interesting. Those 9 points were probably worth about $90. So you spent hundreds on flights and added a CBR cash stay in order to not lose that ninety bucks? I guess I just can't make the math work. I would have let them go...

Counterpoint: They got a fun trip on Labor Day weekend that was discounted by $90!

Also, the 9 points were probably worth closer to $150 than $90

 

[Sandisw]

But the CM is just carrying out your instructions, aren’t they? I just don’t see how they couldn’t automate the process. Yes, it would require revamping the system to probably ask more questions on the front end, but it’s got to be doable.

There would be no way for the system to be set up to automate every single situation. Look at what happens now with the option to borrow. You can choose "do not borrow" and it still happens. Can you imagine if the system was set up and it made those kind of mistakes.

No, I don't want a computer messing with my reservations. I want them only modified by me or a CM. I think the way it is set up now with OTU points and waitlists works because it has that extra layer of protection for the owner...

I guess I don't see it as a big deal to have to call for these few things.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I thought along similar lines. Find a low point night open, buy the excess OTU points necessary, then sell as a confirmed reservation. Like Sept 13 for 9 points would need 7 otu points x$22 = $154 and being a Wed gets access to MK EEH so you could likley sell the reservation for at least $200 making a $50 profit.

Boy that’s quite a risk to make $50 in profit. Going rate for point rentals on disboards is $17-$20 right now, and that’s for hotels more in-demand than OKW. Laying out $154 to try to turn a $50 profit on a confirmed reservation on ebay or wherever is not the same thing as buying OTU points to use a reservation yourself. I once rented out a confirmed reservation using OTU points like that, but it was at a loss, and it was only because I couldn’t end up taking the trip myself as I had originally planned.

 

[Genie+]

Boy that’s quite a risk to make $50 in profit. Going rate for point rentals on disboards is $17-$20 right now, and that’s for hotels more in-demand than OKW. Laying out $154 to try to turn a $50 profit on a confirmed reservation on ebay or wherever is not the same thing as buying OTU points to use a reservation yourself. I once rented out a confirmed reservation using OTU points like that, but it was at a loss, and it was only because I couldn’t end up taking the trip myself as I had originally planned.

Yeah I wrote that more as a goof but it didn’t really come out that way. $50 profit likely not worth the work even without weighing risk..

 

[kes601]

Interesting. Those 9 points were probably worth about $90. So you spent hundreds on flights and added a CBR cash stay in order to not lose that ninety bucks? I guess I just can't make the math work. I would have let them go...

Or perhaps we wanted an excuse to go and the one night at OKW saved about $275 or so after tax as we would have needed to pay cash for it if the points hadn't worked out.

 

[AwfulWaffle]

Yes, it would require revamping the system to probably ask more questions on the front end, but it’s got to be doable

I do automation scripting 40 plus hours a week and yes this completely doable. I am still new to DVC and the member portal but I can already see another dozen or so points of interest I would prioritize firstly. As I stated it would just be a nice to have and anyone with any experience in db scripting could get this done in a single sprint so I will just assume it’s a budgetary constraint. Not the end of the world to pick up a phone and call like it’s the 1980’s but not ideal either