Booking, Waitlist, OTU points strategy...HELP!

[kristenrice]

I'll try to spell this out as simply as possible...

We are doing a 5-night stay from October 19-25. We *want* to do a split stay but I am not sure how to go about it.

We know that we want a 2BR standard at AKV-Kidani from Tu-Fri (the second half) and that is already booked as its own reservation. Right now, for Sun-Mon, we have (2) std studios at Jambo secured.

My original plan was to wait until the 7-month window (this Wed) and buy 13 OTU points so that we can switch the (2) studios over to a standard 2BR at AKV-Jambo. Then, I looked at the BWV and realized that those 2 nights would cost exactly the same amount of points.

Here's where I need some strategic advice...I know that availability can change by the minute, but as of now, the 2BR standard is available at BWV for MONDAY (the second night that we need) but not Sunday. The way I see it, I have the following options...

1) Call on Wednesday morning, cancel the 2 studios, buy the OTU points and book the 2BR at AKV-J and WAITLIST the same 2 days at BWV. That way, if the WL fills, they will cancel my AKV-J reservation and the OTU points will not go to waste.

2) Call on Wednesday, cancel the 2 studios, and book JUST Sunday night at AKV-J. Then, call back on Thursday and try to snag the 2BR at BWV if it is still available, buying the OTU points for that night. Then, I could waitlist the Sunday night at BWV.

The problem with number 1 is that there is confusion in the wording of the usage of OTU points. The policy is that they cannot be used to fill a waitlist, but in my scenario, I would be using them to be filling a reservation. If the waitlist came through, THAT reservation would be cancelled, thus freeing up the OTU points. I believe that it would be OK, but I would need to fill both days.

The problem with number 2 is that if that one night waitlist does not fill, we would be spending one night at AKV, then one night at BWV, then back to AKV for 3 nights...plus my sister's family is leaving the day after we are so they are moving to a value resort (TBD) for the last night. 4 moves in 6 nights is way too much. I don't want to put us in that situation if I don't have to. I guess I am just torn as to whether or not I should waitlist the two nights or if I should snag the one night that I can get, assuming it is still available.

So what is my best option here? We are talking late October, F&W, Halloween party and all that great stuff. What are the chances that a single, Sunday night waitlist will fill for a standard 2BR at BWV? I know that the shorter waitlists are more likely than the longer ones, but I am looking at a single night vs. a two night. I have only had 2 waitlists before...one for 2 nights in a LV studio at BLT during F&W and the other for a 2BR at HHI for Easter Sunday (one night). Both of them filled but the wait was agonizing. OTOH, I was able to get a 1BR standard at BWV for 3 consecutive nights during F&W without waitlisting. Go figure.

If I did option #2, I could stalk the website because the OTU points would be used for the second night. I would have my points available to book online if that first night became available. I see this as an advantage to option #2, but again, if it doesn't come through...we're moving...a LOT!

Experts...WWYD???

 

[Sandisw]

One night, at the end of October might be doable but it is a risk you are going to take.

First, you are correct in that you can buy the OTU points to book a reservation and then set up a wait list to change resorts. So, if you go with Option #1 and waitlist BWV, you will be fine.

What you can't do in regards to OTU points is put in a wait list that would require the purchase of the points at the time the wait list is filled. If they are already purchased, like in your case, then its not a problem.

IMO, I would just book Jambo, and then wait list and be done with it. I think it'd be a lot of moving around on a time when getting SV rooms is difficult, especially when you are waiting on a two bedroom.

Good luck!

 

[JamesA1]

Have been in a similar situation. I booked the first part of my trip with my available points. The last two nights were not available and I still needed OTU points to complete the reservation. At the seven months I called to book the last two nights at a different resort with the same point value and purchased the OTU points. They were for a resort we wanted to stay at if the waitlist did not come through. Then waitlisted the two nights. The waitlist came through and it used the two night reservation with the OTU points.

I personally like split stays and would have been happy to change for two nights to another resort. Not really sure if I would want to take a chance on having to change three times in three nights.

Hope that helps.