Cash/Points?

[colleen costello]

Hi guys. We will be taking an "extra" trip to Orlando next June as DH has a conference. Afterward we'd like to go over to OKW but will have only limited points. We'll check in on a Saturday and I'd like to pay cash for that night, then use points for the following nights.. How do I do this? Do I wait to book the "points" nights first, then add on the cash night? Can I get a cash night at OKW months ahead, or do they only rent DVC rooms closer to the time of check-in? Also, can I DEFINITELY stay in the same studio, because if they are going to make me move rooms anyhow, I can save money and stay the Saturday night at a Moderate... Has anyone done this before? Finally, if I book the room, can I later call for a "discount" when the AP codes come out? I just bought AP's.

 

[colleen costello]

Bump?

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did a cash night a few years ago. We hadn't stayed in a studio at OKW yet at the time, so we added one night in a studio. We were only able to add the cash night a short time before we arrived. You can get a cash night from CRO, but not the member discounted rate. If you get a reservation from CRO, you need to let MS know so they can link the two reservations. Also CRO needs to know to link them.

Cash nights are not always available. It just depends on the inventory at the time.

 

[DebbieB]

I did 2 nights cash (Fri & Sat) before 5 nights points for an OKW 1 bedroom in May. I booked the points nights last October at 7 months and then decided to add the cash nights in early March. I got the 25% member discount and they said we would be guaranteed to stay in the same room. An AP rate came out in late April that was about $20 per night less, I called member services and asked about linking it to my points reservation and they said they could not link it and could not guarantee the same room. For $40 total, I figured it wasn't worth taking the chance. When we checked in, we got our room keys & parking pass for the entire stay like it was 7 nights points. Housekeeping was also based on our original check-in, so we got T & T on Monday. It was about $320 per night but was 48 points, so it came to about $6.60 per point, I figured it was worth it.

 

[colleen costello]

Thanks, guys. I will plan on booking the extra night early enough that they PROMISE me I won't have to move. We are going to do 2 nights at BCV, then move over to the Marriott for the conference, then over to OKW. I won't be able to stand another move, and I just don't have enough points for that Saturday night...