Changing Reservations

[SWB]

I am sure this has been asked in the past, but I didn't see it when I searched - What happens in this situation:

One books their home resort at the 11 month mark to make sure they can get the dates/room type they want, but really would like to stay at another resort. At the 7 month mark, they are able to book the same dates/room type at the other resort.

Is this something that is easily accomplished? Is there a negative effect?

 

[salmoneous]

Classic Answer: It depends

If there is plenty of availability at the second resort, it's very easy. Call up, find out there is plenty of availability, cancel the first, book the second.

It gets tricky if availability is tight at the second resort. When availability it tight, people can call and book each day of their trip at the 7-month mark for that day. If you have plenty of points, this is still pretty easy. Book each day of the second trip, then cancel the first reservation when the second is complete. If for some reason you can't get each day you want at the new resort, you have your original reservation to fall back on.

The "fun" starts when don't have any extra points. You have to cancel a day of your old reservation in order to book each day of your new one. If you don't get into the new resort every day, you now have to split your trip between the two resorts (which may or may not be a bad thing).

 

[SWB]

Is there a negative effect on the points by having two reservations and then canceling the first? Meaning are the points (for the canceled res) then restricted in use some way?

 

[salmoneous]

The cancellation rules are very generous. As long as you cancel more than 30 days before the start of your reservation, there is usually no penalty. It's as if you never made the reservation in the first place.

The big exception is if you have to borrow points to make a reservation. If you make a reservation that will take place during your current use-year, and have to borrow points from the next use year for that reservation, those points cannot be put back. If you cancel, those points have to be used before the end of your current use year.