Booking 11 months out for family not yet confirmed

[MinBz]

FIRST time booking with DVC points. My family has yet to confirm they can travel with us. They think I'm crazy to plan this far ahead. If I book the rooms now, I've heard about points going into holding if I cancel the rooms due to my family flaking on me. I'm booking a separate room for my parents and a 2 bedroom for my brother's family to share with my family. If my brother cancels then I can just cancel the studio and move my parents with us. If both cancel then we will use the studio. Is there something I'm not preparing for or any penalties? I know I have to use all my points before September 30th (October Use Year).

 

[Marionnette]

FIRST time booking with DVC points. My family has yet to confirm they can travel with us. They think I'm crazy to plan this far ahead. If I book the rooms now, I've heard about points going into holding if I cancel the rooms due to my family flaking on me. I'm booking a separate room for my parents and a 2 bedroom for my brother's family to share with my family. If my brother cancels then I can just cancel the studio and move my parents with us. If both cancel then we will use the studio. Is there something I'm not preparing for or any penalties? I know I have to use all my points before September 30th (October Use Year).

You must cancel a reservation 31 days or more before your expected arrival. If you don’t, the points will go into holding. That means that you cannot bank them, cannot transfer them and cannot make a reservation that begins more than 30 day away using those points.

You also have to consider when your banking deadline is for your UY. For October, that date is May 31. Cancel after 5/31 and all points remain in that UY, which means that you either use them or lose them by Sept 30 of that year. It’s one of the reasons that people will caution against traveling late in a UY.

If you’re looking to book at 11 months soon, I’m guessing that you expect to travel in late July/early August? Keep an eye on your deadlines for banking and canceling and get firm commitments long before you reach those dates (such as confirmed airline reservations and non-refundable park tickets, which demonstrate some skin in the game).

 

[MinBz]

You must cancel a reservation 31 days or more before your expected arrival. If you don’t, the points will go into holding. That means that you cannot bank them, cannot transfer them and cannot make a reservation that begins more than 30 day away using those points.

You also have to consider when you banking deadline is for your UY. For October, that date is May 31. Cancel after 5/31 and all points remain in that UY, which means that you either use them or use them by Sept 30 of that year. It’s one of the reasons that people will caution against traveling late in a UY.

If you’re looking to book at 11 months soon, I’m guessing that you expect to travel in late July/early August? Keep an eye on your deadlines for banking and canceling and get firm commitments long before you reach those dates (such as confirmed airline reservations and non-refundable park tickets, which demonstrate some skin in the game).

Thank you!

 

[Sandisw]

Just to clarify, holding points can be used for reservations booked 60 days or less in advance, not 30 as quoted in a previous post.

If you are borrowing any point to book the rooms, those points will need to be used in the UY you borrowed them into, even if you cancel 31 days or more. You don’t mention when you are traveling, so keep this in mind, especially if traveling late in your UY.

 

[DebbieB]

Are you talking about a 2 bedroom lockoff? They don't always allow it to be split later.

 

[bumbershoot]

Are you talking about a 2 bedroom lockoff? They don't always allow it to be split later.

I think they have a studio AND a two bedroom. If brother cancels, they cancel the studio and the parents stay in the two bedroom with them. If both cancel, then they cancel the two bedroom and keep the studio.

 

[MinBz]

I think they have a studio AND a two bedroom. If brother cancels, they cancel the studio and the parents stay in the two bedroom with them. If both cancel, then they cancel the two bedroom and keep the studio.

This is correct. I planned on separate studio and 2 bedroom bookings. Would’ve had to borrow points to have enough for all the rooms. After talking it over with DH, I decided to just book for my immediate family. I’ll tell my 40 year old brother where I’m going to stay and the dates I’ll be there. Then he can figure out what’s best for his family. I don’t think my parents really want to go since we are all going to WDW this December and they aren’t fanatics of Disney parks like I am. Thanks to all for your help!

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Sorry your family trip doesn't appear to be working out but I think you are making a good decision. Enjoy your trip!