Clarity on Use Year

[DizzyKnee]

So, like most wannabes, I am having a little trouble identifying the strategy of Use Year. Is there even a strategy?

Based on Bay Lake Tower, if I get my points renewed in December of each year, I could then immediately use those to book 11 months out during the month of November. Is that correct?

However, let's say I own at Bay Lake Tower, my use year is December, I get my points in December but instead of booking points for use in November, I wait a month and on January 1, I book them for use during Platinum Season over next December's holiday season. Is that correct?

It doesn't really matter when you get the points. All that matters is that at your home resort, you book 11 months out. Could I also do it in reverse...meaning I get my points in February but want to go during Christmas. Can I book Platinum Christmas in January without having the points in my account at the time because the system knows that I will have the points renewed in my account the next month?

Do you have to wait for 11 months from the exact date of arrival? Or is every owner who wants to visit over the Christmas holiday popping on the reservation system January 1?

Is there even a preferred Use Year Month?? It really doesn't sound like there's any preferred month.

 

[Sandisw]

UY has nothing to do with when you book. it just lets you know when your points will be considered current UY points and for the dates they can be used to book vacations.

From the beginning, you get all of your points. They are in the account. Everything is based on the time of travel, So, depending on your UY, thst will dictate which points can be used.

Say you decide you want to book a December 2020 trip and have a Dec UY. That trip is in your Dec 2020 UY You can book in January 2020 using banked 2019 UY points, 2020 UY points, and borrow 2021 UY points to complete reservation.

Now, let’s say you want to go on the same trip but have a February UY, it would still be in your 2020 UY, and you would still be able to book using banked 2019, current 2020, and borrowed 2021.

UY is more important in terms of having one that starts right before your typical travel so if you have to change or cancel a reservation, you hsve time to use the points.

Traveling late in a UY leaves points vulnerable. For example, with that Dec UY, if you decided to go in November, and had to cancel or change, you would probsbly lose the points because you’d be well outside the banking window and points would expire November 30th,

In terms of booking, it is always 11 month from the date of check in. So, someone who wants to stay, say Dec 23 to Dec 30th, would be eligible to book that stay starting January 23rd.

 

[DizzyKnee]

Thanks Sandisw...I get it now

 

[DizzyKnee]

I am still a little confused on Use Year, Banking, Expiration, and reservations. I am looking at a 240 point contract with a Use Year of September. It has 346 points from 2019 (which includes 86 points from 2018). I realize the 86 points would have to be used by September of 2020. I would like to try and stay sometime in November of 2020. So, I'll utilize the 86 points the best I can or rent them out. I assume the remaining 2019 points (240) would have to be banked so I can carry them past Sept. 2020. What's the deadline for banking those points with a Sept. Use year? Once Banked, can I then make my reservation for November 2020? My guess is the sale wont go through until February 1 at the soonest, so booking Nov. 2020 might be difficult because chances are I'll only be 9 or 10 months out.

 

[DizzyKnee]

Also, if I have a September Use Year, can I book September 2020 using September 2019 points or do they expire on Aug 31, 2020?
Just want to make sure I bank points instead of lose points.

 

[Sandisw]

You have it all right! The banking window for any UY is 8 months so for Sept UY, is April 30th,

Everything is based on time of stay so a Nov 2020 trips is in your 2020 UY. That means you can used banked points from 2019, 2020 points, and borrow from 2021 to complete the reservation, if needed,

As you mention, the 86 2018 banked points will expire August 31st, 2020. That means you must stay by the date.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, to use your 2019 UY points for a Sept 2020 trip, since it is in your Sept 2020 UY, you will need to bank the. First.

 

[DizzyKnee]

Thanks Sandisw..I've seen you spread pixie dust all over these boards and it's always spot on...Thanks for much for all your support and expertise.

 

[drusba]

Rules to remember: (a) you can always book your home resort beginning 11 months out and another resort beginning 7 months out from date of arrival; (b) in determining which “current” use year points you will use for any trip and whether you need to bank or can borrow, wipe from your mind the date you will be making the reservation and focus solely on the dates you will be at WDW.

With a Sep use year and a desired Nov 2020 trip, that entire trip will be during your Sep1, 2020 to August 31, 2021 use year. Thus, regardless of when you go online to reserve that trip, your Sep 2020 points will be the “current” use year points, Sep 2019 points will need to first be banked for that trip, and Sep 2021 points could, if needed, be borrowed while making the reservation.