Buying and Using OTU points Question

[kristenrice]

I would like to make a 7-month reservation at HHI for April using my HHI, AKV and some OTU points (5, to be exact). I will have plenty of AKV points to complete the reservation, but I do not want to use them because I will need them to TRY and get a value room next fall. I know it is a long shot, but it is 100% necessary that I have those AKV points as I will not be able to use OTU points for that reservation.

My question is, will I be able to make the HHI reservation and buy OTU points, even though I will have other current points available? Will MS be able to do this? Should I call and make a "dummy" reservation first and buy the OTU points, cancel the reservation and then have MS use those OTU points towards the HHI reservation? I don't want to make things overly complicated, but I will definitely need those AKV points and I cannot spare them.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, you can buy OTU points without having to use your own first.

The only benefit of doing first for a dummy night is that you can then use them as part of the online system that morning vs waiting.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

yes you can buy the OTU points even though you have AKL points. But you can't buy them till you are 7months from your arrival date.

 

[kristenrice]

Perfect! Thanks for the replies. Now, to see what pans out...
I ended up booking a studio at HHI for our arrival day since we will be arriving late (like after 7pm). I don't like the idea of being "homeless" the next day, but the difference in points between a studio (14) and a 2BR (33) is substantial and we really don't need a 2BR for that first night. We can "get settled" the next morning and hope for a room that is ready early (Monday morning) and if it's not, we will simply find something to do between 11 and 4. This way, instead of buying 24 OTU points, I only need to buy 5.

This leads me to another question....

Since I have the 2BR booked for our "arrival" (part of the second reservation), can I call on the 7-month opening and modify that reservation, buy the OTU points and add on the additional nights? Does that make sense? What I am saying is, I have Monday night (April 4) booked already. Can I call on September 4 and modify that reservation to add Tuesday and Wednesday night, using my AKV and buying the OTU points to do so? Or do I have to wait until September 5?

 

[Sandisw]

Perfect! Thanks for the replies. Now, to see what pans out...
I ended up booking a studio at HHI for our arrival day since we will be arriving late (like after 7pm). I don't like the idea of being "homeless" the next day, but the difference in points between a studio (14) and a 2BR (33) is substantial and we really don't need a 2BR for that first night. We can "get settled" the next morning and hope for a room that is ready early (Monday morning) and if it's not, we will simply find something to do between 11 and 4. This way, instead of buying 24 OTU points, I only need to buy 5.

This leads me to another question....

Since I have the 2BR booked for our "arrival" (part of the second reservation), can I call on the 7-month opening and modify that reservation, buy the OTU points and add on the additional nights? Does that make sense? What I am saying is, I have Monday night (April 4) booked already. Can I call on September 4 and modify that reservation to add Tuesday and Wednesday night, using my AKV and buying the OTU points to do so? Or do I have to wait until September 5?

I have been able to modify and add days at 7 months from the first date I have booked. So, based on that, I’d say yes, you can modify and add nights from that night.