Booking at 11 mos. changing at 7 mos. ?

[NSL]

I just got off the phone with MS. We are planning a trip next summer with family and want to make sure I get the week that works for everyone. So I called today to book within my 11 month window and asked what would happen if in November I called to change at 7 months and use my developer points for a different resort. First cancel my current ressie and change to a new resort with developer points. The MS cast member told me I would loose all my regular points and would not be able to bank them. She also told me because I bought Kidani I could not make a ressie until next May 2009. Even if the ressie I was trying to make was in June 2009. She said I could not call until May 2009. I said I knew that was wrong, I know my stay can be booked now but the stay has to be after May 2009. She said I was mistaken. Can anyone help me understand this? Also, is it possible for me to cancel my June AKV ressie in Nov. (at 7 mos, out) and use developer points for SSR for the same week? Sorry this seems confusing but MS really got me confused.

 

[CarolMN]

I just got off the phone with MS. We are planning a trip next summer with family and want to make sure I get the week that works for everyone. So I called today to book within my 11 month window and asked what would happen if in November I called to change at 7 months and use my developer points for a different resort. First cancel my current ressie and change to a new resort with developer points. The MS cast member told me I would loose all my regular points and would not be able to bank them.

The points from the canceled reservation would be returned to your account. They would not be lost. If you will still be within your banking deadlines, you could bank the returned points.

She also told me because I bought Kidani I could not make a ressie until next May 2009. Even if the ressie I was trying to make was in June 2009. She said I could not call until May 2009. I said I knew that was wrong, I know my stay can be booked now but the stay has to be after May 2009. She said I was mistaken. Can anyone help me understand this?

She is mistaken and you may be mistaken.

If you are trying to book a Kidani stay, you cannot call until August 10, 2008 to make the reservation. (Someone will correct me if that is the wrong date). August 10, 2008 is the first day that AKV owners can call to reserve a Kidani stay - and as you already know, the stay must begin on or after May1, 2009. Non home resort owners can book Kidani stays at the normal 7 month window.

Also, is it possible for me to cancel my June AKV ressie in Nov. (at 7 mos, out) and use developer points for SSR for the same week? Sorry this seems confusing but MS really got me confused.

Most developers' points can only be used to stay at SSR. Are you trying to use your developers' points to stay at AKV? If so, you'll need to look at your paperwork to see what it says - some of the developer points can be used anywhere, but most can only be used at SSR. Depends on when you bought and what your paperwork says.

If you want to use the developers points for a stay at SSR, there shouldn't be a problem. I'm reasonably sure that you could make that reservation now, but even if you can't, there's no need to worry. There will still be plenty of availability at SSR for June 2009 when the 7 month window opens. Just make sure your stay occurs prior to the expiration of the developers' points (that date will also be in your paperwork).

 

[NSL]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I knew that I could not book Kidani until August 10 but I was trying to book Jambo, just as a back-up. Because we are bringing family (8 in all) and the week is set in stone as far as when everyone can go I wanted to have a back-up plan. In case SSR was not available for those exact dates next June as I can not reserve until November and the points will expire July 1, 2009. I have a very limited window. Yikes! MS just called me back and have been able to book a room for me next June at Jambo for the dates and accomodations that I wanted. After she talked with a supervisor she corrected herself.

What advice can you give me about calling in November to check availability at SSR for a 2 bedroom and then cancelling my current ressie and re-booking using my developer points? Is that possible? Acceptable? Thanks again for your reply and knowledge!

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I knew that I could not book Kidani until August 10 but I was trying to book Jambo, just as a back-up. Because we are bringing family (8 in all) and the week is set in stone as far as when everyone can go I wanted to have a back-up plan. In case SSR was not available for those exact dates next June as I can not reserve until November and the points will expire July 1, 2009. I have a very limited window. Yikes! MS just called me back and have been able to book a room for me next June at Jambo for the dates and accomodations that I wanted. After she talked with a supervisor she corrected herself.

Kudos to her - good to know that she made the extra effort to check and call you back when she found out she was wrong.

What advice can you give me about calling in November to check availability at SSR for a 2 bedroom and then cancelling my current ressie and re-booking using my developer points? Is that possible? Acceptable? Thanks again for your reply and knowledge!

If it were me, I'd call and make the SSR reservation with the developer points, and unless my banking deadline (for the AKV points) was imminent or I needed the AKV points right away, I'd wait until I had the confirmation letter (or at least the confirmation number) for SSR before I canceled the AKV reservation. Then I'd call to cancel the AKV reservation.

It's perfectly acceptable to make a home resort reservation at 11 months and then try to switch it at 7 months. Many members do it. It's not an unusual situation. You are in a good situation since you have enough points to keep the AKV reservation until you know you have the SSR reservation secured. (Some have to cancel the 11 month reservation before they can try to switch - in busy periods, that can be tricky. But June doesn't fill up all that fast).

Again, SSR is so large that you don't need to worry about June availability there if you call at 7 months. The summer months sell out more slowly than many of the other months. You won't have a problem getting your exact June 2009 dates at SSR.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm glad that you got a call back. I went thru the same conversation with MS several weeks ago about booking a reservation with my Kidani points at Jambo for sometime after May '09. She did finally understand and then placed me on hold to verify that yes, I could book the stay now for a check-in after May 01 at Jambo. I don't think my conversation was helped by my not knowing how to pronounce Kidani correctly - still don't think I can!

 

[NSL]

[/QUOTE] If it were me, I'd call and make the SSR reservation with the developer points, and unless my banking deadline (for the AKV points) was imminent or I needed the AKV points right away, I'd wait until I had the confirmation letter (or at least the confirmation number) for SSR before I canceled the AKV reservation. Then I'd call to cancel the AKV reservation. [/QUOTE]

Will they allow you to make a reservation with developer points or any points for that matter when you have another reservation already for the same people? Or will they make me cancel the reservation first? Thanks again for your help figuring this out!

 

[Dean]

Kudos to her - good to know that she made the extra effort to check and call you back when she found out she was wrong.

Agreed, this was my first thought when I read about the call back. That's the type of employee I want on my team.

They will likely not allow a reservation in the same name. You can make it in a different name and then change it later though. While you need to watch your booking window, it doesn't sound like you'll have any problems with your current plan.

 

[NSL]

Agreed, this was my first thought when I read about the call back. That's the type of employee I want on my team.

They will likely not allow a reservation in the same name. You can make it in a different name and then change it later though. While you need to watch your booking window, it doesn't sound like you'll have any problems with your current plan.

Yes, I agree I am glad she followed up with me. However, I had asked her to check into it and get back to me. I had been on hold for quite a long time, the call lasted over 40 minutes. All in all, it worked out and I do appreciate them continuing to help me and not just saying no and hanging up. I will probably call make sure it is available and then allow her to cancel while booking my new reservation. Sound OK? Thanks for your reply!

 

[tecodis]

As a new AKV-Kidani owner, you may not use your 2008 use year points until May 1 or later at any resort. These points are not available to even be used until Kidani (what we own) receives a Certificate of Occupancy from the state, which is currently scheduled for May 1, 2009. That is also why we will not pay any dues until May.


However, beginning August 10, they will start accepting reservations for stays beginning May 1st from ALL AKV home resort owners (as we will be within the 11 month window). Right now AKV-Jambo owners can only book Jambo House villas and nothing at Kidani. DVC owners with other home resorts, can't book Kidani villas until their 7 month window opens beginning in October.

That is why they have offered Developer Points to Kidani owners - we have nothing we can use until May 1 without them. Most of the contracts require the developer points to be used at SSR, DLR in California or through Interval International within one year of contract date.

Of course each contract is separate so some may have slightly different terms but this is how the majority of contracts are right now.

 

[cmul04]

We just did the 11 month/7 month ressie switch you are wondering about at BWV and it was fine. They are there this week.

I see your concern about cancelling then losing your safety net while they type in the new ressie, but one cool thing is when you call, they can actually tell you how many 2BR are available. So it there are a whole bunch, you can probably relax and just move forward. If there's only one left, maybe try something tricky like putting someone else's name on it, although, in my head, that doesn't make sense because they're the same points - but someone here mentioned it, so maybe you can do that, I'm just not familiar.

Don't stress, you got in already! Enjoy the planning!
Good luck and have a fun trip!