A bit of a bind re: timing of reservation and expiration of points

[Sharper]

Our contract closed today on BWV contract from Disney. It is a June use year and we want to stay at the end of May. My concern with using current year points to make reservation is the off chance that something happens at the last minute and we can't go. What about doing something crazy like banking 2002 points and borrowing 2003 points to make the reservation?? Any solution that I am missing?

 

[PamOKW]

It will make no difference whether you use current points or borrow the 2003 points into this year....they will still expire at the end of May 2003.

The problems you'll face when cancelling last minute on a reservation near the end of your Use Year are unavoidable. The best you can do is to try to be committed prior to the 60 day mark. This way, you could at least book a non-DVC trip to be taken prior to the end of your Use Year. (You can't book these trips once you are into the last 60 days of your Use Year). You would also be able to bank 25% of your total points, salvaging some of the points.

Disney has been known to make a "one time exception" for some extremely extenuating circumstances (death of a close family member, hospitalization, etc.) that might cause you to cancel. You could also try renting your trip and/or giving it to someone near and dear.

You might want to consider the option of travel insurance. I'm not sure how that works but you might get some money back on your points.

Use Year doesn't really matter except in this circumstance...a last minute cancellation for a trip during the last 60 days of the Use Year.

 

[Sharper]

Our plans will not change due to work obligations, but I always worry about last minute illness. In the future this problem should not occur, because we are near closing on another contract with a different use year. As soon as those points are available I will try to rebook the same unit and time with those points. My dilemma will be if there is no availability by that time.

Boy, this really makes me realize how critical use year is, and I'm glad we will have more than one to give us some options and a bit more security.

 

[Deb & Bill]

With a June use year, you will get your 2003 points in June 2003 and they will expire May 2004. You could bank the 2002 points and they will then expire May 2004 as well.

I'd go ahead and use the 2002 points. You have to plan ahead anyway, and if we all planned for the worst, none of us would go. Unless you have a life-threatening condition or have a close relative with the same that would cause you to stay home, plan for a nice, illness free vacation.

 

[Dean]

Shaper, you're 100% banking window is approaching on the June use year. If the other contract will have points you need to use, I'd bank and take my chances with the other contract, esp since you're looking at May which is a slower time.

 

[Sharper]

I have until the end of the year to bank them. The other contract should close within the week, but I am still not clear on when I will be "in the system" with Disney on that one -- SURELY before I have to commit on banking the other points and hopefully before the reservations for that period are all booked.

 

[RobDoc]

I have until the end of the year to bank them.

If it's a June use year, you have until November 30 to bank all of the points. After Friday, you can only bank up to 50% of the points.

 

[Sharper]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
If it's a June use year, you have until November 30 to bank all of the points. After Friday, you can only bank up to 50% of the points.

My initial post indicated that our contract closed 11/26/02. Disney is allowing me through the end of the year to make a decision re: banking.

 

[crisi]

I have the current travel insurance information right here.

If you take out insurance, the company will reimburse you $5 a point. The premium is 5% of the reimbursement amount.

So if you are talking about a 150 point reservation (their example), if you needed to cancel, they'd send you a check for $750 (150points x $5). The cost for the insurance would be $37.50 ($750 x .05).