All About Fixed Weeks (RIV/CCV/AUL/VGF/POLY/TOWER/VHD/FWC Charts)

[atthebeachclub]

Counterpoint, I hate travelling once it’s “full winter.”

Whether it’s snowstorms coming through when driving south, or flying back home and at the mercy of a winter storm when driving from airport to home (I live ~2 hours from the major airports south, north, west, or east from me), I’ve not enjoyed it compared to Nov/early Dec travel. Plus the shock of the temperature difference between south and north tends to be steeper… feels “too cold” once I’m back .

That being said I totally get wanting to get an early-year trip in pre-Spring Break crowds. It’s also a quieter time for me at work than the fall is.

Yes, getting time off in January is so easy too! Nobody is fighting me for it!

But it doesn’t always go smoothly. One year during my January trip our house flooded on departure morning due to an unexpected sudden warming and snow melt, then they cancelled our flights out…three days in a row. I hope to never deal with that again.

 

[emchen]

Yes, getting time off in January is so easy too! Nobody is fighting me for it!

But it doesn’t always go smoothly. One year during my January trip our house flooded on departure morning due to an unexpected sudden warming and snow melt, then they cancelled our flights out…three days in a row. I hope to never deal with that again.

Yes!… the same reason nobody fights you for week3 VDH preferred view studio either.

You may want to save the 10% premium and not buy a FW but rather two small contracts of 75 each.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Any tips for new fixed week users? When do you have to opt out by if you just want to book at 11 months instead and save the premium? What is the best way to opt out if you want to? How best to ensure member services doesn't get confused by your fixed week (I had someone who was confused by it already)?

 

[Brian Noble]

You can opt out before it is booked, or cancel after---in either case, you get the full contract value back.

 

[atthebeachclub]

You can opt out before it is booked, or cancel after---in either case, you get the full contract value back.

To get the full value, do I need to call member services? Or can I cancel on my own?

 

[Brian Noble]

You cannot cancel or modify a fixed week online, excpet to change the (non-lead guest) occupants. Once it is booked you have to call/chat.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Any tips for new fixed week users? When do you have to opt out by if you just want to book at 11 months instead and save the premium? What is the best way to opt out if you want to? How best to ensure member services doesn't get confused by your fixed week (I had someone who was confused by it already)?

The bigger issue tends to be when you want to use it Kidding, but not really. A few of us have had issues over the past year with our FW being booked late, or not at all until we nudged MS. They have to make it right, but I’d just say if you do want to use it, don’t assume it will happen - monitor it.

 

[atthebeachclub]

The bigger issue tends to be when you want to use it Kidding, but not really. A few of us have had issues over the past year with our FW being booked late, or not at all until we nudged MS. They have to make it right, but I’d just say if you do want to use it, don’t assume it will happen - monitor it.

When should it show up?

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

When should it show up?

I’ve only used one of mine once and they were late - so others please jump in - but maybe 12 months out. Definitely in enough time so your room is booked before the 11-months window opens.

 

[Brian Noble]

The Home Resort Rules only state that it will be made before the start of the Home Resort period, so it could be as late as the day before the 11 month window opens.

 

[emchen]

The Home Resort Rules only state that it will be made before the start of the Home Resort period, so it could be as late as the day before the 11 month window opens.

Or later…

My FW49 at VGF and FW50 at RIV showed up Feb despite my calling starting late Dec (first time as a FW owner and read they typically show up 12 months before).

When I asked what happens if the rooms became sold out by the time they booked mine, they said not to worry cuz they are, “enough r held on the backend for all the FW owners”.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Or later…

My FW49 at VGF and FW50 at RIV showed up Feb despite my calling starting late Dec (first time as a FW owner and read they typically show up 12 months before).

When I asked what happens if the rooms became sold out by the time they booked mine, they said not to worry cuz they are, “enough r held on the backend for all the FW owners”.

I had mentioned this another thread but I’m not sure that’s true. Last year they didn’t book my FW52 despite my calling a few times. Eventually, in early Feb someone in MS did some digging and it turned out they had labeled my FW as opt-out bc I had another reservation booked at the same time (with different points at a different resort).

In the end, they did reserve a studio but interestingly not the type we were supposed to have because there weren’t any left. I probably could have pressed the issue on principle, but knowing it would result in someone else needing to change - wasn’t worth the hassle.

All this is to say while I’d love to believe they hold the inventory, I’m not sure that’s the reality.

 

[J-Dog]

I had mentioned this another thread but I’m not sure that’s true. Last year they didn’t book my FW52 despite my calling a few times. Eventually, in early Feb someone in MS did some digging and it turned out they had labeled my FW as opt-out bc I had another reservation booked at the same time (with different points at a different resort).

In the end, they did reserve a studio but interestingly not the type we were supposed to have because there weren’t any left. I probably could have pressed the issue on principle, but knowing it would result in someone else needing to change - wasn’t worth the hassle.

All this is to say while I’d love to believe they hold the inventory, I’m not sure that’s the reality.

Agree. But that sounds like a one-off situation, if you had an issue that confused them.

In general, they are contractually obligated to provide your FW to you - it doesn't matter when they get around to it.

I'm not actually sure what they would do if they didn't book on time and the inventory wasn't available - but if they gave you a room that was different than your FW, then technically that's a breach of contract. Probably not worth you making a stink about it, but you could have.

 

[jennypenny]

There were several people who reported that their FWs weren't booked in a timely manor. Mine is usually booked about a year out but last year it wasn't booked until after the 11 month mark. They were def having issues. We'll see soon if the issue is fixed since my FW is coming up again.

 

[emchen]

I had mentioned this another thread but I’m not sure that’s true. Last year they didn’t book my FW52 despite my calling a few times. Eventually, in early Feb someone in MS did some digging and it turned out they had labeled my FW as opt-out bc I had another reservation booked at the same time (with different points at a different resort).

In the end, they did reserve a studio but interestingly not the type we were supposed to have because there weren’t any left. I probably could have pressed the issue on principle, but knowing it would result in someone else needing to change - wasn’t worth the hassle.

All this is to say while I’d love to believe they hold the inventory, I’m not sure that’s the reality.

Both could be true. A situation where they thought an owner had opted out understandably means they release the inventory. A more common situation is they couldn’t get around to it and didn’t prioritize it cuz they were confident inventory is set aside for owners who opted in.

I vaguely remember your post now. It may have catalyzed me to make more than one call to make sure that wasnt the case for me as well.

@jennypenny said: “There were several people who reported that their FWs weren't booked in a timely manor.”

True!

Now the fact that they make mistakes about who opted in or out, seems more common than one would think, deserves another discussion.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Agree. But that sounds like a one-off situation, if you had an issue that confused them.

In general, they are contractually obligated to provide your FW to you - it doesn't matter when they get around to it.

I'm not actually sure what they would do if they didn't book on time and the inventory wasn't available - but if they gave you a room that was different than your FW, then technically that's a breach of contract. Probably not worth you making a stink about it, but you could have.

I agree but I’m not sure having another room booked for family should have triggered an opt-out? I can’t be the only one booking more than one room for a holiday week.

But yes - my point was the same as your last - I don’t believe that they hold back all of the FW rooms indefinitely…because mine wasn’t available. Legally, I could have pushed it but wasn’t worth the trouble to get a studio with a tub instead of a shower.

I just want new FW to be aware and not assume that booking the FW in a timely manner is a given…

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Both could be true. A situation where they thought an owner had opted out understandably means they release the inventory. A more common situation is they couldn’t get around to it and didn’t prioritize it cuz they were confident inventory is set aside for owners who opted in.

I vaguely remember your post now. It may have catalyzed me to make more than one call to make sure that wasnt the case for me as well.

Now the fact that they make mistakes about who opted in or out, seems more common than one would think, is another discussion.

Yep, and I think across all FW the % of those that encounter issues is probably very small - just something to be aware of. Wishing you years of smooth bookings ahead!!

 

[jennypenny]

I hadn't booked anything, they just didn't book it. (it was funny, they finally booked it the day after I complained about it on here ... hmm lol)

 

[J-Dog]

Kind of an unrelated/philisophical question, but I've often wondered what the point of offering FW's are for DVD. What's in it for them?

Based on these reports of delayed bookings of FW's, it seems like it's kind of a PITA for the CM's making those reservations.

And the 10% premium to buy has been negated in many cases for people that bought more than a couple of years ago (i.e. they are losing points with the reservation in many cases).

Also, in my case and from what I've heard of others, most guides don't promote FW's when you are inquiring about buying. You have to specifically ask them about buying a FW.

It just seems like a lose-lose for DVD, so why do they have them?

Is there an advantage to DVD for offering FW's that I'm not aware of?

 

[jennypenny]

encourages people to stay for a whole week, and buy enough points to do so