Booking Fee

[Fsued123]

I've heard DVC is adding a new booking fee starting in January of 2008. Can anyone point me to a thread, or explain exactly what the fee entails and to which resorts does it apply. Thanks.

 

[Granny]

The booking fee of $75 applies to any reservation outside of a DVC resort. So no charge to book at any DVC resort, $75 to book at non-DVC resorts such as GF, Poly or CSR to name a few.

 

[Fsued123]

The booking fee of $75 applies to any reservation outside of a DVC resort. So no charge to book at any DVC resort, $75 to book at non-DVC resorts such as GF, Poly or CSR to name a few.

Is it going up to $95 per reservation? If so, can we book now and get the $75 rate for any 08 reservations. Thanks again!

 

[CarolAnnC]

The booking fee will be $95 as of January 1, 2008.

If you are planning ahead to 2008, what are you planning on booking? The DVC Resorts will remain fee free booking.

 

[Donna]

The "outside of DVC" booking fee also includes any disney resort outside of dvc. There was never a fee prior to 2008 for those. So in addition to the fee going from $75 to $95, it now includes resorts such as Polynesian, Grand Floridian, etc.

Here's the original thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1571278

 

[DebbieB]

I think this a big downgrade in our membership, including the WDW non-DVC resorts in the fee. I sometimes have business trips to Orlando and I'll add a night and stay at WDW. I did it last month. There were no DVC rooms available, any resort, any room size (about 3 weeks before). So I got a room at POFQ for 18 points (the same points as an OKW 1 bedroom). Next year it would be 18 points plus $95. That would not make much sense since the AP rate was $125 plus tax. For some reason, Disneyland resorts are not included in the fee. I bet they will once GCV opens. If I have extra points, I shouldn't have to put money out to use them at WDW when no DVC resorts are available.

 

[Chuck S]

I think this a big downgrade in our membership, including the WDW non-DVC resorts in the fee. I sometimes have business trips to Orlando and I'll add a night and stay at WDW. I did it last month. There were no DVC rooms available, any resort, any room size (about 3 weeks before). So I got a room at POFQ for 18 points (the same points as an OKW 1 bedroom). Next year it would be 18 points plus $95. That would not make much sense since the AP rate was $125 plus tax. For some reason, Disneyland resorts are not included in the fee. I bet they will once GCV opens. If I have extra points, I shouldn't have to put money out to use them at WDW when no DVC resorts are available.

It doesn't make a lot of sense to use 18 points if you are able to get the rom for $125 with an AP, even without the $95 fee, though I could see where it may be more convenient to us points instead of cash, if you have extra points. I think DVC was probably having trouble recouping the price for non-DVC trades by relying solely on the CRO income for the offset. Thus, IMO, it is better to charge a fee to people that actually do trade out rather than charge all the members through a dues increase.

 

[Fsued123]

The booking fee will be $95 as of January 1, 2008.

If you are planning ahead to 2008, what are you planning on booking? The DVC Resorts will remain fee free booking.

Unfortunately, we used a few points on a cruise and we may now need to cancel it….but it seems that I can book now at the non-DVC resorts and I won’t incur the fee..

 

[tjkraz]

Unfortunately, we used a few points on a cruise and we may now need to cancel it….but it seems that I can book now at the non-DVC resorts and I won’t incur the fee..

Correct. No fee if you book before 1/1/08, even if the travel date is after 1/1.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Am I understanding this correctly? We are going down in March to stay at SSR. Since we won't be getting in until late and it's on the weekend, I didn't want to use the points or pay cash, so we're staying the first night at All Star Movies. If I ask MS to book a night at Movies and the remaining stay at SSR, I'll be charged $95 to book the Movie stay? That's almost what I'm paying to spend the night there!!!

 

[Donna]

Am I understanding this correctly? We are going down in March to stay at SSR. Since we won't be getting in until late and it's on the weekend, I didn't want to use the points or pay cash, so we're staying the first night at All Star Movies. If I ask MS to book a night at Movies and the remaining stay at SSR, I'll be charged $95 to book the Movie stay? That's almost what I'm paying to spend the night there!!!

Well, the All Star Movies isn't one of the resorts that you should book through MS anyways, that should be done through central reservations. The new rule applies to using POINTS to stay at a non-dvc disney resort or any exchange outside of DVC. If you were asking MS to book your Polynesian night on POINTS, then yes, you would be charged the $95 starting 1-1-08.

 

[DebbieB]

I was just reading the new rules on the member website and noticed the following:

New Booking and Banking Guidelines for Members: The Rule of Four
In an effort to simplify Membership, new guidelines combine the three current banking windows into one, so that Members are now required to bank any unused Vacation Points and book Member Getaways exchanges at least four months prior to the end of the Use Year.

This rule does not apply to Disneyland® Resort hotels in California and World Passport Collection vacations, which have separate guidelines. Members can still travel at any time to these locations, based on availability

So the non-DVC WDW DVC resorts are now under the 4 month end of use year rule? I have an April use year, so if I have a last minute trip December through March, the non-DVC WDW are not even an option if not booked before 11/30?

 

[CarolMN]

I was just reading the new rules on the member website and noticed the following:

New Booking and Banking Guidelines for Members: The Rule of Four
In an effort to simplify Membership, new guidelines combine the three current banking windows into one, so that Members are now required to bank any unused Vacation Points and book Member Getaways exchanges at least four months prior to the end of the Use Year.

This rule does not apply to Disneyland® Resort hotels in California and World Passport Collection vacations, which have separate guidelines. Members can still travel at any time to these locations, based on availability

So the non-DVC WDW DVC resorts are now under the 4 month end of use year rule? I have an April use year, so if I have a last minute trip December through March, the non-DVC WDW are not even an option if not booked before 11/30?

It does seem to say that.

IMHO, it is just poorly worded and the 60 day rule is still in effect.

Anyone who is serious about booking a non-DVC WDW resort late in their use year would do well to email MS and get a specific answer in writing.