Canceling a reservation/holding account

[vnovabri]

So long story short, we had a reservation on March 24th-29th but due to an illness in the family we will be canceling the trip. I have a basic understanding of the holding process but wanted confirmation on the best course of action. I believe since we are within the 30 day window we are going to have our points go into holding and we have to book a reservation using the same number of points before the end of our use year (SEP). I have to bank the rest of our other points before May 1st but unfortunately it looks like I cant bank them all since some will be in holding.

We are unsure when we will re-book our points because of a lot of uncertainty, but my understanding is that we cannot book more than 60 days in advance from whenever the reservation will be. Does it make sense to book something now 60 days out and cancel that if it wont work and re-book again 60 days out, or will this have a detrimental effect?

I thought about renting the points but it seemed too complicated with the points in holding and the restrictions surrounding it.

Any tips, advice, suggestions, and confirmation is appreciated!

 

[cvjw]

Your idea of points in holding is correct. All points will go into holding if you cancel the reservation now, doesn't matter if they were banked, borrowed or current use year points. All must be used before the end of your current use year. Reservations using holding points can only be made at the 60 day mark.

I would rent the points if you can't use them. The rental companies have huge demand for points - bet they could rent them out for you.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's oddly freeing to have holding points and nothing detrimental in booking a trip for sometime in the next 60 days and cancelling if it still won't work out.

But - many seem to get relief from MS if they call in and explain that you have to cancel due to an illness. They may take the points out of holding so that they can be banked. If they can't help with that (I've not been given that assistance) then go ahead and book for a time you think you might go.

I'll add though that renting really isn't that complicated - you would just have to be clear that the reservation needed to be in the next 60 days. And if it's enough points that would qualify with David's I'm certain they will assist in renting holding points if you wanted to go that route.

 

[Bill Fenner]

We are unsure when we will re-book our points because of a lot of uncertainty, but my understanding is that we cannot book more than 60 days in advance from whenever the reservation will be. Does it make sense to book something now 60 days out and cancel that if it wont work and re-book again 60 days out, or will this have a detrimental effect?

In my experience, you can book something that might work - guess what will happen if you cancel it (up to the day before the stay)? Your points go back into holding, so you're no worse than you were without booking it. I did this several times with some holding points before finally having a stay that actually worked out.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just clarification. If you have a Sept UY, your holding points will expire on Aug 31, 2017.

One more thing, have you considered renting the reservation instead of cancelling it? You wouldn't have the points to use, but you would recoup some cash to use elsewhere.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In my experience, you can book something that might work - guess what will happen if you cancel it (up to the day before the stay)? Your points go back into holding, so you're no worse than you were without booking it. I did this several times with some holding points before finally having a stay that actually worked out.

Yes, don't wait until the day your trip starts to cancel. You'll lose those points totally.

 

[vnovabri]

Just clarification. If you have a Sept UY, your holding points will expire on Aug 31, 2017.

One more thing, have you considered renting the reservation instead of cancelling it? You wouldn't have the points to use, but you would recoup some cash to use elsewhere.

I have considered this but I was worried that it would be too complicated and a hassle, especially now that it is three weeks out. I wouldnt even know where to start.

 

[vnovabri]

In my experience, you can book something that might work - guess what will happen if you cancel it (up to the day before the stay)? Your points go back into holding, so you're no worse than you were without booking it. I did this several times with some holding points before finally having a stay that actually worked out.

This is sort of what I was thinking, if I dont rent the points I will probably do this until I can hammer down definitive plans.

 

[vnovabri]

It's oddly freeing to have holding points and nothing detrimental in booking a trip for sometime in the next 60 days and cancelling if it still won't work out.

But - many seem to get relief from MS if they call in and explain that you have to cancel due to an illness. They may take the points out of holding so that they can be banked. If they can't help with that (I've not been given that assistance) then go ahead and book for a time you think you might go.

I'll add though that renting really isn't that complicated - you would just have to be clear that the reservation needed to be in the next 60 days. And if it's enough points that would qualify with David's I'm certain they will assist in renting holding points if you wanted to go that route.

Thanks this was helpful, along with the other posters comments. I will definitely look into renting the points, at this point I would rather recoup some cash...especially since I will take a beating from JetBlue on this trip as well. I will be banking all but 24 points so if we want to do a new trip I would rather go after Sep 1st.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Try contacting David who is a sponsor for the DVC Boards and see if he thinks you might be able to rent it out. He'll handle the process for you; you'll just have to change the name on the reservation and collect the money.

 

[vnovabri]

Well thanks for all your help, I was able to get my reservation cancelled with the holding waived, so 17 of my 69 points will be banked and the other 52 I will try to rent or at least use without the 60day restriction.

 

[vnovabri]

Already have an offer to rent 59pts for Aug through Davids, a little nervous about the process since I havent done it before, but it only took a few hours to get an offer.

 

[cw62803]

Glad to hear how nicely this is working out for you. No need to be nervous if you are using David's.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Glad to hear how nicely this is working out for you. No need to be nervous if you are using David's.

I second that. I used David's a handful of times. No problems.