Cash and point stays

[BroganMc]

Today I discovered an annual business convention my dad and I attend is being held next year in Orlando around the time we had already planned to visit (May). Our plan was to stay a week at our Marriott resort, then extend it with 5 days at Saratoga. But since there's a business convention the end of that week (Thurs-Sat) we can get reimbursement for hotel stays. So instead of burning the points on a weekend stay or moving to another hotel, we were thinking of paying cash (with the DVC discount) for Thursday-Sun (work will pay 4 nights).

My question is will getting those paid night stays be hard? Doesn't it come out of member inventory and requires a deposit first? Are DVC discount rooms special and limited? We'd get partial reimbursement so the extra 25% decides rather we'd spring for a one bedroom vs. a studio.

Since I know the dates of travel and we own at Saratoga, I was planning on booking everything as soon as the 11 month window opens. Will I be able to book the cash stays as easily? (I already know I can get MS to link the ressie so we won't have to change rooms.) I need to ensure I book an accessible unit hence my desire to book early.

 

[buzz5985]

When I booked a points/cash reservation in Dec 2005 - I was able to make the cash reservation 11 months out, when I made my points reservation, but the discount was not available at that time. I was told to call back. Around June and the 7 month window I had to call back and change my days by 1 day. When I changed the points reservation I inquired about the cash discount and was pleasantly surprised that it was available.

Doesn't hurt to ask. Plus it doesn't hurt to keep asking. Janis