Banking then Barrow 2010 points for a 2011 Vacation

[DVC Grandpa]

I have a February use year therefore I will have all 2010 points available to me on 2/1/10 but I would like to use them starting February 2011. I would also like to make the reservations at the eleven month window (March 2010) without barrowing points. My question is can I bank the number of points required to cover that 2011 stay now then in March 2010 make the reservations using those banked points? I would then bank the balance of the 2010 (if any) on the appropriate date. The reason I am thinking about doing it this way is if a cancellation had to be made, I would have all of the 2011 UY to reschedule where as if cancelled using unbanked points and a cancellation was at a late date, (after 10/31/10 the banking date for a February UY) those points would most likely be lost. Is my thinking right and will they let me do this?

 

[DebbieB]

I have a February use year therefore I will have all 2010 points available to me on 2/1/10 but I would like to use them starting February 2011. I would also like to make the reservations at the eleven month window (March 2010) without barrowing points. My question is can I bank the number of points required to cover that 2011 stay now then in March 2010 make the reservations using those banked points? I would then bank the balance of the 2010 (if any) on the appropriate date. The reason I am thinking about doing it this way is if a cancellation had to be made, I would have all of the 2011 UY to reschedule where as if cancelled using unbanked points and a cancellation was at a late date, (after 10/31/10 the banking date for a February UY) those points would most likely be lost. Is my thinking right and will they let me do this?

Yes, you are correct. You can't make a reservation for February 2011 with 2010 points without banking them. All points use is based on date of stay, not date of reservation. Borrowing would not be involved. This date of stay is in your 2011 use year. So you can use banked 2010, current 2011 or borrowed 2012.

 

[Reddog1134]

Just a minor suggestion. I would wait until just before you book the trip before banking the points needed.

 

[ToddyLu]

I only banked what I needed for a reservation coming up...You have to have them banked in order to make the reservation. The rest of my 2009 points (Dec. UY) will be banked by 7/31...just in case we wanted to take a trip before then.

 

[chalee94]

More information than you want, but trying to be helpful:

I have a February use year therefore I will have all 2010 points available to me on 2/1/10 but I would like to use them starting February 2011. I would also like to make the reservations at the eleven month window (March 2010) without barrowing points.

Keep in mind that you have 3 options for booking a Feb 2011 reservation:

*banked 2010 pts as you suggest
*current 2011 pts (which you can use to book a Feb 2011 stay in Mar 2010)
*borrowed 2012 pts (which you can use to book a Feb 2011 stay in Mar 2010)

When you call in Mar 2010, you would not have to "borrow" 2011 pts in order to book the reservation. Use year has nothing to do with when you can call to book a stay.

The reason I am thinking about doing it this way is if a cancellation had to be made, I would have all of the 2011 UY to reschedule where as if cancelled using unbanked points and a cancellation was at a late date, (after 10/31/10 the banking date for a February UY) those points would most likely be lost. Is my thinking right and will they let me do this?

If you are not planning to book a stay between Feb 1, 2010 and Jan 31, 2011, then banking those 2010 pts is a good choice so that you don’t lose them.

You would not be able to use 2010 pts for a Feb 2011 reservation unless they were banked first.

If you bank your 2010 pts and then change your mind and decide to book a stay between Feb 1, 2010 and Jan 31, 2011, you can still borrow 2011 pts if you choose.

Just to be clear: If you were to use current 2011 pts when you called to book in Mar 2010 and you had to cancel in November 2010…you would still have until the end of Sept 2011 to decide whether or not to bank those current 2011 use year points.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Just trying to preserve my points the best way I can (long term) after making an 11 month commitment into the next use year. The change made a few years ago in the banking dates for the February UY (the old November 30, 25% of the points) somewhat forces this type of planning…at least for me. I know that buying insurance is a second option to secure those points and I have done that in the past. I have time to evaluate this options once it gets nearer to my October banking deadline.
Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[DebbieB]

Just trying to preserve my points the best way I can (long term) after making an 11 month commitment into the next use year. The change made a few years ago in the banking dates for the February UY (the old November 30, 25% of the points) somewhat forces this type of planning…at least for me. I know that buying insurance is a second option to secure those points and I have done that in the past. I have time to evaluate this options once it gets nearer to my October banking deadline.
Thanks for the thoughts.

With insurance, you get a $5 per point reimbursement. It does not save the points.