Cancelling reservation to make a new one

[mouthdoc]

An easy question for the DVC experts here. I'd like to stay at VGF in a grand villa next summer (2018). I own at BLT. If I made a reservation at 11 months at BLT (in order to be sure I had a room), could I cancel that at 7 months out to get a VGF room (if available)? Is that a hassle or do people do this all the time?

 

[CarolMN]

An easy question for the DVC experts here. I'd like to stay at VGF in a grand villa next summer (2018). I own at BLT. If I made a reservation at 11 months at BLT (in order to be sure I had a room), could I cancel that at 7 months out to get a VGF room (if available)? Is that a hassle or do people do this all the time?

Yes. People do this all the time. There is some risk that you will lose the BLT reservation, however. (You need to cancel it before you reserve the VGF villa if you want to use the same points and once you do that, someone else could grab it. S if you couldn't get the VGF villa, you'd be left with no room). You may be interested in this post:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...n-you-go-ahead-of-time.3461485/#post-54707122

 

[disneynutz]

If staying in a GV at VGF is really important, I would do a point transfer or rent a VGF reservation and book at 11 months. You could rent your BLT points to help offset the expense.

Bill

 

[heynowirv]

Yes. People do this all the time. There is some risk that you will lose the BLT reservation, however. (You need to cancel it before you reserve the VGF villa if you want to use the same points and once you do that, someone else could grab it. S if you couldn't get the VGF villa, you'd be left with no room). You may be interested in this post:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...n-you-go-ahead-of-time.3461485/#post-54707122

 

[heynowirv]

You don't even need the 2 browser method. Just open 2 windows with yourself being logged into Dvc member site and follow the rest of the steps. I have also done this several times successfully.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

You can also have Member Services do the cancel/rebook for you. The risk is that you have to wait an hour after computer reservations start before MS is open.
I would say that for Summer 7 months out, your odds are good.

 

[supersnoop]

You don't even need the 2 browser method. Just open 2 windows with yourself being logged into Dvc member site and follow the rest of the steps. I have also done this several times successfully.

In my experience, any activity in the same browser will invalidate the current hold on the room. Perhaps that's changed? Two browsers or, better yet, two devices is much more safe.

You can also have Member Services do the cancel/rebook for you. The risk is that you have to wait an hour after computer reservations start before MS is open.
I would say that for Summer 7 months out, your odds are good.

Member Services can't hold the room while they cancel the original reservation. You'd risk losing both reservations.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

In my experience, any activity in the same browser will invalidate the current hold on the room. Perhaps that's changed? Two browsers or, better yet, two devices is much more safe.

That was my previous experience too. I have felt no need to try it again and risk it happening to know if it changed though.

 

[drusba]

And if it is any further help, for 2017, the VGF GVs were open at 7 months out June through September except for June 4-7, and Sept 11-15, 20-23, and 28-30. In 2016, all those dates were also open except Sep 28-30

 

[lawgator]

That was my previous experience too. I have felt no need to try it again and risk it happening to know if it changed though.

I have done this type of re-booking process several times online, including as recently as last February. I do use 2 different pc's and log in to my account on both devices. I cancel the old reservation on one device while holding the new reservation open on the other device (you go to the point where they want you to select to which contract to use). After you cancel the old reservation you just refresh the device with the reservation you want and the points from the cancelled reservation are back in the account to use. I am fortunate that I haven't had any problems...yet, although I always worry the internet will crash or something. It does save time, though, as you don't have to wait for MS to open at 9am (and risk losing what you want) if you want to change your reservation and use points you have already used to book the old reservation.

 

[disneynutz]

In the recent past, general MS CM's could not hold inventory but managers, supervisors, leads, teamline and member satisfaction can.

We learned the hard way when MS lost our AKV CL reservation.

Bill

 

[supersnoop]

After you cancel the old reservation you just refresh the device with the reservation you want and the points from the cancelled reservation are back in the account to use.

Refreshing always caused me to lose the hold. That's why I click on "borrow points" and then cancel out; it refreshes the points without navigating away or re-sending data.

 

[MouseOfCards]

I have done this type of re-booking process several times online, including as recently as last February. I do use 2 different pc's and log in to my account on both devices. I cancel the old reservation on one device while holding the new reservation open on the other device (you go to the point where they want you to select to which contract to use). After you cancel the old reservation you just refresh the device with the reservation you want and the points from the cancelled reservation are back in the account to use. I am fortunate that I haven't had any problems...yet, although I always worry the internet will crash or something. It does save time, though, as you don't have to wait for MS to open at 9am (and risk losing what you want) if you want to change your reservation and use points you have already used to book the old reservation.

We've also had good luck doing the hold and cancel method, but always use 2 different browsers on the same PC.

 

[bumbershoot]

Refreshing always caused me to lose the hold. That's why I click on "borrow points" and then cancel out; it refreshes the points without navigating away or re-sending data.

That was my experience when catching GF for December last year. That was a long 20 minutes waiting for the invisible hold the system puts on the room to wear off and I could try again.

Doing the "borrow points" thing is a much better idea.

 

[lawgator]

Refreshing always caused me to lose the hold. That's why I click on "borrow points" and then cancel out; it refreshes the points without navigating away or re-sending data.

I have not thought of this and will try it next time. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[mouthdoc]

Excellent advice from everyone! Thanks so much. I'll try your techniques when the booking window opens!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Refreshing always caused me to lose the hold. That's why I click on "borrow points" and then cancel out; it refreshes the points without navigating away or re-sending data.

My experience has been different - I've always refreshed and not lost a hold. I use two devices - usually am on a PC and an ipad and it hasn't matter which I'm using the hold for and which to cancel with.

 

[maburke]

I've had nothing but success with the 2-browser method. I've had nothing but failure when using the same browser.

 

[dclpluto]

I do it all the time.

 

[cruisin5]

Used the two browser method twice today with success. I was very nervous the first time!