Add-on "Bonus" points - tried to use today...

[rascalmom]

We are trying to book a trip using our bonus points for this June. I have a back-up ressie at CRO. I made a call to MS yesterday to try to book a one-bedroom at OKW on points for 5 nights. No availability. But they did have a one-bedroom at BWV. Great - not enough points to stay there for the same nights. I was short on time for the call, so I just decided to call back.

Today I was able to get one of the nights I wanted at OKW. They offered either SSR or VWL for the other 4 nights. I'd love to stay at SSR, but can't use the bonus points there. VWL didn't excite me - requires more points & we just weren't "wowed" by our WL stay in March. So I asked about waitlisting for the other nights I needed.

Can't waitlist "Bonus" points. Hmmm. No one told me that. So right now I have a CRO ressie for four nights at OKW, a point ressie for one night & and a member's cash discount ressie for the weekend nights. I hope all of my ressies aren't this complicated!

Do you think it will do me any good to keep calling to check on the other nights to use my points? I'm within 30 days. Airfare is already booked, so I don't want to change dates.

I thought about renting points to finish out enough for the stay at BWV, but in doing research on transfers, it appears I can't have a transfer done because I'm not closed yet. (this is contrary to what my guide told me ) I was surprised to be offered VWL, BWV & SSR, but no availabililty at OKW.

 

[CarolMN]

I didn't know that you couldn't waitlist if you are using bonus points - that does sound odd. If it were me, I'd call back and ask again. If the CM still says no, ask for a Supervisor - just to confirm. I'm thinking there is another issue and the first CM just gave you some misinformation. I do know that sometimes, the waitlist just gets "full" (no chance whatoever of coming through), and at that point MS just won't add anyone to it. Maybe that is what is really happening.

Anyway, another option is to have someone else make the reservation for that last night you need at the BWV (assuming there is still availability), and then linking your reservation to it. Still have to pay them, of course, but there might be someone who has holding points they'd like to get rid of and this could be a win-win. Maybe, not as quick and easy as transferring points, but still very workable (assuming availability).

If you'd really prefer OKW, I'd keep calling (or waitlist there if they will let you). Be sure to call back at the 7 day mark if something still hasn't come through. At that point, the "waitlists" expire. Sometimes you can get something at the last minute.

Good luck!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Can't waitlist "Bonus" points. Hmmm. No one told me that.

I have no problem with that as a rule, but it should be disclosed as part of the sale. If it wasn't, then I agree with Carol. Call back and ask for a supervisor.

HBC

 

[ClarabelleCow]

if you already have a cash reservation and may pay for it, why didn't you take the amount of nights you had enough points for at bwv and pay cash for the rest?

 

[rascalmom]

if you already have a cash reservation and may pay for it, why didn't you take the amount of nights you had enough points for at bwv and pay cash for the rest?

There wasn't any availability at BWV for the weekend. I am trying to avoid having to switch resorts. We did that last trip & dh hated it. He just wants to get settled into one place & stay there the whole 8 days.

He just bought me 2 DVC contracts - if that's what he wants, that's what I'm gonna try to do!

I did call back today & they said it was not a problem to put me on the waitlist. Hopefully my other OKW nights will come through.