Banking/borrowing canceling question

[beattyfamily]

So sorry if this is the wrong board to post this on. Wasn't quite sure so moderators please move if it's incorrect.

We used to be DVC owners but sold our BWV a couple of years ago in anticipation of BLT.

I've been out of the loop for about 3 years now so I'm a bit rusty on how it all works.

I now have a different use year (February, was December).

We are going to bank 2009 points (doing it in Sept).

Take a trip August 2010 (booking it in Sept).

DH wants to book the week but would like to possibly take a cruise at the end of our August 2010 trip (if he gets a good bonus next May).

What I'd like to know/clarify...

What if next year around May we cancel the last 3 nights of our resort stay for the cruise and do it before the 30 day mark. What will happen to those points?

I'm guessing they will use the banked (2009) points first for that trip and then some of 2010.

I tried to read on the DVC website what would happen. It says the points would be put back in the use year of the trip so 2010.

So does this mean we loose these point after 2010? So we'd have to use them by December 31, 2010?

I'm starting to think that a February use year when we take our trips in August (and need to bank by Sept) isn't ideal.

Thanks for any clarification you can give.

 

[disneynutz]

Banking and borrowing are final transactions. Once you move the points, they have to be used in that year or you loose them.

 

[beattyfamily]

Banking and borrowing are final transactions. Once you move the points, they have to be used in that year or you loose them.

I get that.

What I'm confused about is if my reservation in August 2010 is part banked points (from 2009) and part 2010 points that haven't been banked yet....

What happens if I cancel the last 3 nights of that 2010 trip? Will those points be the banked 2009 points or will they be the current 2010 points (that were not borrowed or banked)....and IF they are the current 2010 points that are put back because we canceled 3 nights, what is the status of them? Can we bank them to 2011 or must they be used in 2010?

I'm sorry this is just not clear to me.

 

[CarolMN]

I get that.

What I'm confused about is if my reservation in August 2010 is part banked points (from 2009) and part 2010 points that haven't been banked yet....

What happens if I cancel the last 3 nights of that 2010 trip? Will those points be the banked 2009 points or will they be the current 2010 points (that were not borrowed or banked)....and IF they are the current 2010 points that are put back because we canceled 3 nights, what is the status of them? Can we bank them to 2011 or must they be used in 2010?

I'm sorry this is just not clear to me.

You can ask MS to make sure the banked points are used on the nights you plan to keep. As long as the points that are returned to your account are current use year points (originally from 2010 use year), you can bank them.

Most likely, when you make the reservation, the first nights will be made with the banked points. MS is supposed to use those first. Just be sure the points are banked before you ask to make the reservation. Assuming the first 4 nights cost more than the number of banked points, you won't have a problem. The last 3 nights will be made with 2010 use year points and as noted above, when those are canceled, you will get 2010 points back and be able to bank them.. Of course, that assumes you cancel at least 31 days prior to arrival and are within your banking period.

After you cancel the last 3 nights, ask the MS CM to give you a status of all the remaining points. If it doesn't match your expectations, then you can arrange to get it fixed right there. Sounds like you plan to bank the returned points and it would be a good idea to do it in the same call if you can.

Try not to worry - you should be just fine.

And FWIW, I think a February use year works just fine for August vacations. If you don't cancel the vacation at least 31 days in advance, you won't be able to bank the returned points anyway (They go into holding status). So if you cancel an August vacation on time, you'll have the option to bank the points if you can't use them before January 31 of the following calendar year.

Sorry this was so long. Hope it helped.

 

[beattyfamily]

You can ask MS to make sure the banked points are used on the nights you plan to keep. As long as the points that are returned to your account are current use year points (originally from 2010 use year), you can bank them.

Most likely, when you make the reservation, the first nights will be made with the banked points. MS is supposed to use those first. Just be sure the points are banked before you ask to make the reservation. Assuming the first 4 nights cost more than the number of banked points, you won't have a problem. The last 3 nights will be made with 2010 use year points and as noted above, when those are canceled, you will get 2010 points back and be able to bank them.. Of course, that assumes you cancel at least 31 days prior to arrival and are within your banking period.

After you cancel the last 3 nights, ask the MS CM to give you a status of all the remaining points. If it doesn't match your expectations, then you can arrange to get it fixed right there. Sounds like you plan to bank the returned points and it would be a good idea to do it in the same call if you can.

Try not to worry - you should be just fine.

And FWIW, I think a February use year works just fine for August vacations. If you don't cancel the vacation at least 31 days in advance, you won't be able to bank the returned points anyway (They go into holding status). So if you cancel an August vacation on time, you'll have the option to bank the points if you can't use them before January 31 of the following calendar year.

Sorry this was so long. Hope it helped.

Please don't apologize for your 'long' post. Thank you so much! Yes, it helped alot. That's exactly what I was looking for. So as long as the last 3 nights are 2010 points and not the banked 2009 points we should be ok.

I also appreciate your telling me that a February use year for August vacations should work.

We used to vacation in December (with the December use year) until my kids got too old to pull out of school. Now it's the end of August.

 

[msabol01]

When I've asked this question to Member Services they told me that they will use the banked points first since the will "expire" before the current UY points.

I have yet to actually experience this, but would recommend calling MS to verify that they would be using the banked points for you remaining reservation. I'm not sure if the same holds true with a cruise ressie on points.

 

[jackdis]

Thanks for the info. This isn't my thread, but we are in almost the same exact boat, and I was wondering how that would work out with points, since the airfare is not out yet for our July trip and the ending day might be a day or two off.

Just bought DVC. I'm excited, but at this point, very overwhelmed and trying to figure all this out.

Thanks again!!! Can't wait to stay at BLT!!!!

 

[RobDoc]

When I've asked this question to Member Services they told me that they will use the banked points first since the will "expire" before the current UY points.

I have yet to actually experience this, but would recommend calling MS to verify that they would be using the banked points for you remaining reservation. I'm not sure if the same holds true with a cruise ressie on points.

If you were to cancel any non-DVC reservation made using points (including the cruise) the points will be in "Reservation" status which means they can no longer be used for a reservation at any DVC resort and they cannot be banked into the next Use Year. If you would need to cancel and then rebook for a different time you will also have another $95 transaction fee to pay too.

Yes, MS will usually first use any banked points in your contract before using any current points - but it's always wise to verify that during the call and ask for an accounting after any reservations.

Enjoy!