Checking out Early-Points Lost?

[Boardwalk529]

I have a question for anyone who had to check out early during a trip on points. My family had to leave midway due to a family emergency, and when I asked what happens to the points the cast member working the front desk said he didn't know. When I got the chance I later e-mailed member services and was told that while the policy is you lose the points, it's up to the resort to decide. So, being told to contact the AKV, I did so yesterday. The person I spoke to said only DVC Member Services has the discretion to make those decisions. So, I call, but they were closed for MLK day. Called twice today from work, 30 minute wait.

did anyone have to leave a trip early? If so, what happened to your points, and if you got them back, who did you contact?!

 

[tjkraz]

The policy is that all points are committed on the arrival day. You can cancel up to the day before arrival (and have points go into holding), but by the day of the scheduled arrival there is no turning back.

From a practical standpoint, there is virtually zero chance of another member picking-up discarded nights due to an early departure. If rules allowed early departures with little or no penalty, all owners would suffer in the long run.

Best thing you can do is plead your case to Member Services and see if they will make an exception. They have been known to allow a "one time exception" to certain program rules. If you've ever benefitted from such an exception in the past, they will be less willing to help out again. If they do help you out this time, consider that your one-time dose of DVC "pixie dust".

 

[VrBchJ]

This happened to me one time. I had to leave because of a family emergency. The points for the missed days were not returned. I didn't really expect that they would be.

 

[com_op_2000]

This happened to me at BWV. DW and I both came down with the flu. We were on day 2 of a 5 day trip.
Went down to the front desk, talked with a manager, informed her that our room needed to be complete sanitized, and that we were heading home. She refunded the last three days of points with no holding restrictions.

 

[browniemtb]

Yes, it happened to us. We were there with my inlaws, they had their own studio, but they had to leave midway through do to a serious illness.emergency of my MIL's mother, or DW Grandmother. They were very understanding and put our points back in good stand. But I will assume that they must look at it on a case by case.

 

[Boardwalk529]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences. I did not expect to have any points returned, and that's why I was really surprised when member services said to call the AKL to see what they would do.