2007 Points about to expire...what should I do??

[hitchedpumpkin]

We just bought into DVC this past year and have already taken 2 trips and have another one coming up in January. Even with 3 trips on the books we still have 163 2007 points left over. We have a Dec UY so these points are about to expire on Nov. 31st.

If I am understanding the points system correctly, I have missed the banking deadline for my 07 points already so I am only left with a few options. Please tell me if I am correct and what would you do if you were me.

1. Sometime before November 31st, make a ressie for next year using the remaining 07 points. My concern with this option is I am not really sure when we will be able to go so I am not sure what dates I should book.
2. Try and rent the left over points here on the DIS. If I were to try and rent them, I hear they go for about $10 per point. I just don't fully understand how the renting part works so I am a little nervous about getting into a financial transaction I don't understand with strangers. Also with a little over a month left before the points expire did I leave enough time to accomplish this?

Please let me know if I am understanding my options and what you think the best route might be. I would really appreciate the feedback and any suggestions you might have.

 

[RobDoc]

We just bought into DVC this past year and have already taken 2 trips and have another one coming up in January. Even with 3 trips on the books we still have 163 2007 points left over. We have a Dec UY so these points are about to expire on Nov. 31st.

Are these actually points from your 2007 Use Year? If so, they will not expire until November 30, 2008 since you technically will not get those points until December 1, 2007.

I would hope that your January trip was made using some of your 2007 Use Year points - otherwise you would have needed to bank points from your December,2006 Use Year (or borrow points from your December, 2008 Use Year) to make that reservation.

I would first verify that these points will expire in another month - a call to Member Services tomorrow can confirm their status. If they are in fact points from your December, 2006 Use Year - you could plead your case to MS about missing the banking deadline and see if they would allow you to still bank those points - in the past they have occasionally generously allowed members a "do-over". In this situation I would plead ignorance, throw myself on the mercy of MS and see if they can spread some "pixie-dust" on your account.

You could also consider banking those points into the World Passport Collection for a future exchange. I would try to rent them only as a last resort - since you effectively have only 5 weeks to accomplish that and there is little availability within that time frame.

Call MS tomorrow (or log onto DVCmember.com and look at your account status) and verify the status and then let them advise you of your options at this point.

Please report back what you learn.

Good luck!

 

[hitchedpumpkin]

Doc, you are absolutely correct. These are 07 points and are not showing as about to expire. I made the mistake of assuming the language in the alert box of the Vaction Points section of the member site applied to this year's points when in fact it applied to 2006 points.
I have to admit that I am very confused about how the points are allocated since it seems that we are getting them in arrears. We became members in March of 07 with a Dec UY which means that the 2 trips we took this year were done with 2006 points plus a few points borrowed from 2007. I guess this is the part that was not clicking with me.

Thank you for setting me straight.

 

[RobDoc]

December Use Year's tend to cause the most confusion since most of the points are normally actually used during the following calendar year.

It sounds as though you have plenty of time to bank or use your points!

Enjoy!

 

[nunzia]

Are these actually points from your 2007 Use Year? If so, they will not expire until November 30, 2008 since you technically will not get those points until December 1, 2007.

I would hope that your January trip was made using some of your 2007 Use Year points - otherwise you would have needed to bank points from your December,2006 Use Year (or borrow points from your December, 2008 Use Year) to make that reservation.

I would first verify that these points will expire in another month - a call to Member Services tomorrow can confirm their status. If they are in fact points from your December, 2006 Use Year - you could plead your case to MS about missing the banking deadline and see if they would allow you to still bank those points - in the past they have occasionally generously allowed members a "do-over". In this situation I would plead ignorance, throw myself on the mercy of MS and see if they can spread some "pixie-dust" on your account.

You could also consider banking those points into the World Passport Collection for a future exchange. I would try to rent them only as a last resort - since you effectively have only 5 weeks to accomplish that and there is little availability within that time frame.
Call MS tomorrow (or log onto DVCmember.com and look at your account status) and verify the status and then let them advise you of your options at this point.

Please report back what you learn.

Good luck!

You can bank points somewhere else that last longer? I'm confused.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You can bank points somewhere else that last longer? I'm confused.

Yes, you can bank points into an II exchange for a future stay. I can't remember for sure, but I think you then have 2 years to use them for that exchange.

 

[Jaaron2]

If you need a "home" for your points send me a pm. I will let you "bank" them in my account

 

[DebbieB]

Sometime before November 31st, make a ressie for next year using the remaining 07 points. My concern with this option is I am not really sure when we will be able to go so I am not sure what dates I should book.

One thing I wanted to mention, points use is based on date of stay. You cannot "save" points by making a reservation by the day they expire for a future date. If they expire November 30, 2007, the stay must take place on or before that date.