Another Newbie Question

[markr38655]

We've been members for just over a year and have made one DVC visit and have another upcoming on January 24 - 30 for entire family. We're excited to be coming home!

I have 72 points left in my Sep '07 use year and I'm trying to book another visit for next Oct 5 - 10, 2008 - which is after I receive my 350 Sep '08 points. My email request for this reservation was returned from MS asking me if I'm willing to bank my 72 Sep '07 points into the '08 use year for this reservation (the '08 reservation is for a total of 120 points). I replied that I would, but I'm curious why I need to do so, since my reservation request is for the '08 use year when I will have more than enough points to cover the reservation.

I'm trying hard to understand points and use years but the pixie dust ain't working yet! Please help if you can. Thanks,......

 

[robinb]

Welcome to the DIS and Welcome HOME!!

You are alloted as many points as you purchased every September 1 and you can use those points for reservations in the next 365 days. Your "use year" starts on 9/1 and ends on 8/31. Imagine that 9/1 is New Year's Day for your DVC points . For instance, I also have a September Use Year and I own 200 points at Boardwalk Villas. On September 1st, 2007 I received 200 points to use for reservations between September 1st, 2007 and August 31st, 2008. If I can't use all my points by August 31st, 2008 I can BANK them into the next "use year" (9/1/08 - 8/31/09) instead for use.

You had 72 points which were "born on" 9/1/07 and which "expire" on 8/31/08. You want to make a reservation after 8/31/08 (in 10/08) and the best way to do that is to BANK those 72 2007 points into the 2008 Use Year (9/1/08-8/31/09) use use those FIRST. Otherwise, those points may be orphaned in 2007 and would expire and go to waste.

I hope that wasn't too confusing . Maybe someone has a favorite site which explains banking and *gasp* borrowing.




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[browniemtb]

If you have no more trips scheduled for 07 bank the points so you don't lose them. The 72 "07" points will be added to the 350 "08" points giving you 422 points to use in "08". Now the reservation in Oct of 2008 required 120 points, well MS will use the banked points first, usually, and then the rest from the current UY points. This will leave you with 302 08 UY, or current points. If you have no more trips planned for 08 then you can bank or rent the remaining points. So in UY09 you could technically have 652 points.

You never want to leave points hanging out there. Bank them and use them the following year if at all possible.....

Brownie

 

[dianeschlicht]

This thread points out that a lot of folks don't understand the banking and borrowing process. It would be nice if DVC gave a "tutorial", since it is a fairly complex system. Our guide told us that a LOT of folks never bother to bank, and many points get "lost in space" each year. That just boggles my mind! He said there were even folks out there who pay their annual dues religeously, but have only taken one trip, and have never banked points, leaving many points lost.