Another reason the new banking/use rules are TERRIBLE!

[jodifla]

So, I have 69 points to use by the end of March that cannot be banked. So, I was thinking of using them for our 20th wedding anniversary on a Concierge Collection in March....

Only problem is, no points charts for that! But my time to be able to book the concierge collection is running low (right now, 60 days...)

So, when the rules change over next year, and you have to book 4 months out, BUT YOU CAN"T BECAUSE THEIR ARE NO POINTS SET YET!

This is going to screw everyone who has early use years, like March and April.

GRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

Another reason to HATE what they've done to us.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't particularly like te new banking deadlines, either. But I do understand the need to simplify them. There were lots of questins here from folks who didn't undertand the original deadlines, especially that the banking percentage was based on the overall size of the contract, and not the amount of points remaining in their use year.

I think the new deadlines will be fine if DVC and Disney get their act together to negotiate the point charts earlier, otherwise I do see an ongoing problem with folks in your situation.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I have never understood why the points charts take so long to release. I dont know if its because they want to see the whole years activity before determing them.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have a March Use year and I know we will go to WDW just about every year in December and most often with friends and family. It's losing that last banking deadline, December 25%, that bothers me the most. If they really wanted to simplify, just make banking allowable all year, or keep that last current deadline and make that the 100% deadline date. It's the arbitrarious nature of the deadline that bothers me the most.

Bobbi

 

[jodifla]

I don't particularly like te new banking deadlines, either. But I do understand the need to simplify them. There were lots of questins here from folks who didn't undertand the original deadlines, especially that the banking percentage was based on the overall size of the contract, and not the amount of points remaining in their use year.

I think the new deadlines will be fine if DVC and Disney get their act together to negotiate the point charts earlier, otherwise I do see an ongoing problem with folks in your situation.

It's also not completely clear to me how the changeover will work. Right now, I have until the end of January to book...BUT the rules change in January. So do I have until the end of December to use those points now?

 

[Chic]

Jodifla-I have the points chart for March 2008 in my DVC book. Tell me where you would like to stay, room type, dates and I'll give you the points per night. I'm not sure what you mean by Concierge Collection so maybe I don't have the information you want.

 

[tjkraz]

I would call member services about the '08 points charts. Although they aren't posted on the website, I believe the points have been determined. I was able to get ahold of the Disneyland charts for 2008 and I understand that MS has the values for WDW resorts.

The '07 charts should give you an idea of what it costs for each location. Then call MS and ask them to look up the '08 values to see if they have increased.

 

[jodifla]

Jodifla-I have the points chart for March 2008 in my DVC book. Tell me where you would like to stay, room type, dates and I'll give you the points per night. I'm not sure what you mean by Concierge Collection so maybe I don't have the information you want.

Thanks! I was looking for The Whitehall Hotel in Chicago.....There should be an area in your book that lists that...


when did you get your book? REcently?

 

[Dean]

So, I have 69 points to use by the end of March that cannot be banked. So, I was thinking of using them for our 20th wedding anniversary on a Concierge Collection in March....

Only problem is, no points charts for that! But my time to be able to book the concierge collection is running low (right now, 60 days...)

So, when the rules change over next year, and you have to book 4 months out, BUT YOU CAN"T BECAUSE THEIR ARE NO POINTS SET YET!

This is going to screw everyone who has early use years, like March and April.

GRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

Another reason to HATE what they've done to us.

While related to the change in use restrictions, this is not a function of the banking rules. If anything, the new banking rules should help long term in this area as DVC will be better able to plan and anticipate which points will be used when/where going forward.

It's also not completely clear to me how the changeover will work. Right now, I have until the end of January to book...BUT the rules change in January. So do I have until the end of December to use those points now?

My understanding is that the world changes 1 Jan. Say one with an April use year will be in the 50% banking window 31 Dec and have no options to bank 1 Jan. It has to change at some point and any change method, like the system changes themselves, will benefit some and hurt others. Overall I think the new system will help more than it hurts but that will not be true for everyone.

I have never understood why the points charts take so long to release. I dont know if its because they want to see the whole years activity before determing them.

There are several components including contractual issues in getting them set, in communicating them to the appropriate people and finally getting the points charts prepared, proof red and ultimately posted. I think DVC could do a better job in all areas from what I see but I do think they are trying.

 

[Chic]

Jodifla-The rates are 36 points Superior and 42 points Pinnacle. These are the 2007 rates but keep in mind that points can never increase, only seasonal changes can occur. The 36 point rate is good until May of 2007 so I think it would be a good educated guess that March of 2008 will still be 36 points. Hope this helps. Also, I received my book in August 2007.

 

[Chuck S]

Jodifla-The rates are 36 points Superior and 42 points Pinnacle. These are the 2007 rates but keep in mind that points can never increase, only seasonal changes can occur. The 36 point rate is good until May of 2007 so I think it would be a good educated guess that March of 2008 will still be 36 points. Hope this helps. Also, I received my book in August 2007.

You are incorrect. Only the points required for DVC resorts can not change, and that only applies to the total number of points on a resort chart, they can adjust seasonally.

All non-DVC resort options are renegotiated annually, and change frequently. Non-DVC resort options could be discontinued at anytime, though it is unlikely. But some resorts have been dropped from the collections, and others added through the years, and the points required almost always increase annually.

 

[ACDSNY]

We have a March Use year and I know we will go to WDW just about every year in December and most often with friends and family. It's losing that last banking deadline, December 25%, that bothers me the most. If they really wanted to simplify, just make banking allowable all year, or keep that last current deadline and make that the 100% deadline date. It's the arbitrarious nature of the deadline that bothers me the most.

Bobbi

We're in the same boat, we have a Feb UY and typically travel in Oct/Nov. Too bad they wouldn't set up a way for us to swap out which UY we have. I'm trying to decide if it's worth buying a new master contract with GC to get a better UY.

 

[tubtruck]

You are incorrect. Only the points required for DVC resorts can not change, and that only applies to the total number of points on a resort chart, they can adjust seasonally.

All non-DVC resort options are renegotiated annually, and change frequently. Non-DVC resort options could be discontinued at anytime, though it is unlikely. But some resorts have been dropped from the collections, and others added through the years, and the points required almost always increase annually.

The fact that they have almost always increased annually also makes the point of staying at other resorts on points totally pointless, you may as well rent them out and pay cash for the reservation at a non DVC hotel and put a few hundered in your pocket for spending. Some of the rates at such as the GF are such a joke that the cost of the annual dues on the points you have to spend is about as much as as the rack room rate so in effect they consider the actual annual point to be worthless.

 

[DVC Mater]

I am guessing that Chic is looking at the Dreambook and not the official vacation planner...BTW I've never seen an official vacation planner. Are they hard bound and "pretty" like the dreambook? or is it like a magazine?

 

[ACDSNY]

Are they hard bound and "pretty" like the dreambook? or is it like a magazine?

The planner is not hard bound, but is heavier paper than a magazine. It contains quite a few pics, point charts, phone numbers and banking rules.

 

[ilovefh]

ok, I'm out of the loop.....what is the new banking policy?

 

[LisaS]

ok, I'm out of the loop.....what is the new banking policy?

Starting on January 1, 2008 you can bank up to 100% of your points during the first 8 months of your Use Year and nothing in the last 4 months of your Use Year.

 

[BroganMc]

Starting on January 1, 2008 you can bank up to 100% of your points during the first 8 months of your Use Year and nothing in the last 4 months of your Use Year.

So December use years can't bank after August 1?

 

[Cruelladeville]

Yes, that's correct. I have a February use year, and stay at Christmas. This year, I had to waitlist for some of my nights, and had to keep the nights points in my account in case the waitlist came thru. Since I am in a studio, but wanted a one bedroom, I have to leave 30 pts there--if the waitlist doesn't come thru, I will either lose the 30 pts, or else I will have to buy some airfare in January to use those points. I really hate the new banking rules, though. I can't transfer any points into my account, since I transferred out earlier in the year, and I can't borrow any points, since most of my pts are banked points. I hate all these new rules!

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, that's correct. I have a February use year, and stay at Christmas. This year, I had to waitlist for some of my nights, and had to keep the nights points in my account in case the waitlist came thru. Since I am in a studio, but wanted a one bedroom, I have to leave 30 pts there--if the waitlist doesn't come thru, I will either lose the 30 pts, or else I will have to buy some airfare in January to use those points. I really hate the new banking rules, though. I can't transfer any points into my account, since I transferred out earlier in the year, and I can't borrow any points, since most of my pts are banked points. I hate all these new rules!

Couldn't you bank them, then automatically borrow the 30 points from next use year, if the waitlist comes through?