changing ressies at the 7 month mark for 1st time, need some handholding

[snoopy5386]

We are fairly new members, this will be our third trip and our first time trying to stay somewhere other than our home resort (AKV). Right now we have ressies at AKV for Dec 4-9 and I want to switch them to the BCV for the same dates. So when I call on May 4th (that is the right date right?) what do I say? That I want to switch my reservation? Will they just transfer the points from my AKV reservation to my BCV reservation? And take the rest of points needed (40 pt difference) from the points left in my use year? Hoping I don't have to waitlist, but if I do,does anything different need to happen?
Thanks so much!!

 

[JimMIA]

The least risky way to do that -- provided you have enough points -- is to just call and see if you can get the BCV reservation. If you can, book it. Then, and only then, cancel your AKV reservation.

The risk in trying to switch is that sometimes they'll show availability, so you cancel your existing reservation. Then when the CM tries to book the availability they just saw -- it's gone!

In that scenario, you end up with nothing.

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's probably the one time of the year (plus Christmas week) when I wouldn't try to book anything other than my home resort.

Unless you have a lot of other points available to use to book, you will have to use the points that were used for the AKV reservation. So you have to cancel and try to rebook. Like Jim said, while you are cancelling and rebooking, someone else just might get that one villa you needed.

 

[staceymay00]

So you have to cancel and try to rebook. Like Jim said, while you are cancelling and rebooking, someone else just might get that one villa you needed.

Is this also a risk if changing resorts with a waitlist? I recently tried to switch resorts at 7 months and what I wanted was not available for all of our nights, so we are waitlisted. I don't want to risk losing our original reservation, though, and having nothing. Actually, when I called to switch I asked the CM if I could lose my existing reservation trying to change and she said no. She may have only said while she checks availability I am not at risk of losing my original reservation.

 

[CarolMN]

I'd call and see, anyway. Chances are there isn't availability (even right now for BCV owners), so you could just ask to go on the waitlist for what you want. Then it's up to Tinkerbell. If it's meant to be, then fantastic! If not, oh well, you have a reservation at AKV and a wonderful place to spend your vacation.

Good luck!

P.S. Lately, I haven't read about anyone losing their reservation in the way Deb & Billl and JimMIA describe. I think the recent system updates gave the CMs a way to temporarily hold a reservation while they are cancelling another one to get the points required for the new reservation. Perhaps it's worth a call to MS now to ask if that is true.

 

[CarolMN]

Is this also a risk if changing resorts with a waitlist? I recently tried to switch resorts at 7 months and what I wanted was not available for all of our nights, so we are waitlisted. I don't want to risk losing our original reservation, though, and having nothing. Actually, when I called to switch I asked the CM if I could lose my existing reservation trying to change and she said no. She may have only said while she checks availability I am not at risk of losing my original reservation.

No it is not a risk if the waitlist comes through. Never has been AFAIK.

 

[snoopy5386]

The least risky way to do that -- provided you have enough points -- is to just call and see if you can get the BCV reservation. If you can, book it. Then, and only then, cancel your AKV reservation.

The risk in trying to switch is that sometimes they'll show availability, so you cancel your existing reservation. Then when the CM tries to book the availability they just saw -- it's gone!

In that scenario, you end up with nothing.

For real? That is insane. I hope that the update took care of that problem, because that is just ridiculous. I don't have that many points, not without borrowing and that creates a whole different set of issues.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

P.S. ...... I think the recent system updates gave the CMs a way to temporarily hold a reservation while they are cancelling another one to get the points required for the new reservation. ..........

This is my impression also. (actually I've- been told this by MS)

 

[Sandisw]

This is my impression also. (actually I've- been told this by MS)

So have I and when I changed at the 7 month mark for my August trip, they told me they put the BW view room on hold while they canceled out my SV room at BLT.

I had asked prior to the switch if there was any chance of losing the room and she said, that now, with the system changes, they could hold the new one while they cancel the old, which I think is a good thing!

 

[paults]

I also have done this . they can hold the room now while they switch the ressie. but play it safe and ask if they can do it . Some of the new CM's don't know all the ins and outs yet

 

[TagsMissy]

P.S. Lately, I haven't read about anyone losing their reservation in the way Deb & Billl and JimMIA describe. I think the recent system updates gave the CMs a way to temporarily hold a reservation while they are cancelling another one to get the points required for the new reservation. Perhaps it's worth a call to MS now to ask if that is true.

I thought I heard this as well... I really hope it was just not some tormented dream rather than reality!