Attn: EXPERTS--point switching question

[snackyx]

Here's the situation:

I am booking at the seven month window on August 1st for a March 1, 2015 reservation. I will round the numbers off to make it easy: the reservation requires 400 points--200 will be banked points from 2014 and the other 200 will be 2015 points. I also currently have two reservations for this November 2014, but one may be cancelled--I will not know until September. I have to bank all points by October 1, 2014. IF I cancel one of the reservations before October 1 and bank these 2014 points into my 2015 use year, I would like to then apply the 2014 points that are being banked toward the 2015 reservation (200 points of which are now 2015 points). Needless to say, I would rather use all my banked points first, BUT can an existing reservation have 2015 points swapped out for my 2014 banked points (again, i am making the reservation on August 1st but will not know the status of the second reservation until I near my banking deadline)?

I was once told that the points can just be swapped. I was also told by another MS agent that days from the original reservation would have to be cancelled and then re-booked with the 2014 (now banked into 2015) points...meaning the dates must be open and available to book on October 1st, which could be a problem.

If anyone knows the straight scoop, I would appreciate the info.

 

[supersnoop]

You should be able to "reallocate" points without canceling. Sometimes you have to use very specific vocabulary to get the agent to understand what needs to be done. So, use the term "reallocate." You should have plenty of time; just make sure you swap the points prior to the 30-day cancellation policy.

 

[disneynutz]

If the reservation was made at 11 months, lets say a VGF studio and you want to reallocate using other points at 5 months, there has to be availability at VGF for a studio or MS isn't suppose to let you swap points.

The more you mess with reservations the greater the chance that things may go wrong.

We have learned to book at 11 months and leave things alone.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

If the reservation was made at 11 months, lets say a VGF studio and you want to reallocate using other points at 5 months, there has to be availability at VGF for a studio or MS isn't suppose to let you swap points.

true.

reallocating pts at 7 months out, if you originally used home resort pts, is a no-go.

 

[RobDoc]

Here's the situation:

I am booking at the seven month window on August 1st for a March 1, 2015 reservation....

Since you will be making the reservation at 7 months, the 11 month priority will not be an issue. MS will later let you reallocate points canceled from another reservation (and then banked into your 2015 Use Year) to be used for the March 1, 2015 reservation. This will free up the points used from your 2015 UY to be banked into 2016 if you desire.

If you were trying to reallocate points for a Home Resort reservation made using the 11 month Reservation Priority, MS is not supposed to allow that unless there is availability at the time of the reallocation request ...OR ... unless you are still using Home Resort points.

Enjoy!