Combining an RCI one bedroom with a DVC studio =2 bedroom lockoff

[icydog]

I exchanged a non DVC RESORT for a one bedroom OKW through RCI. I reserved the studio using my member points for the same week.

I did this once before at VWL and it worked seamlessly. But that was a long time ago!

I called OKW this morning but the cast member could only tell me she could put in a request for the same building, nothing else. I get that, because there's no mechanism to combine studios and one bedrooms in her computer, but I'm wondering if anybody else has any experience with doing this lately?

 

[com_op_2000]

Contact MS, have them place a "Travel With" notice on BOTH reservations of the other reservation number, and have them place a request to be next to each other.
This informs the CM doing the room assignments that this is a request that affects both rooms.
Do NOT do online check-in as this overrides any notice placed by MS.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do NOT do online check-in as this overrides any notice placed by MS.

Well, I think they could do checkin, but don't put in ANY requests whatsoever.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Lately, with IT being the mess it is, I almost worry that an online check-in without requests will still overwrite...

 

[icydog]

The CM seemed less than enthusiastic about doing the combining of reservations for me. It was like pulling teeth to get her to update the two reservations. I have a feeling this will be a check-in nightmare. Add to it that we need to be in an elevator building and, well, we'll see won't we? I check in tomorrow to OKW. I'll LET YOU KNOW HOW IT PLAYS OUT!

 

[Dean]

Contact MS, have them place a "Travel With" notice on BOTH reservations of the other reservation number, and have them place a request to be next to each other.
This informs the CM doing the room assignments that this is a request that affects both rooms.
Do NOT do online check-in as this overrides any notice placed by MS.

I know they've refused to add that request previously for non direct DVC reservations. They will not guarantee they are linked under any circumstances. What you need to do is have them put the request on both reservations AND repeat the request at check in. IF you do online check in, don't add ANY requests. I'm assuming they are the same booking category, NON HH.

 

[ktate82]

The CM seemed less than enthusiastic about doing the combining of reservations for me. It was like pulling teeth to get her to update the two reservations. I have a feeling this will be a check-in nightmare. Add to it that we need to be in an elevator building and, well, we'll see won't we? I check in tomorrow to OKW. I'll LET YOU KNOW HOW IT PLAYS OUT!

So how did it play out?

 

[icydog]

Well like anything else with DVC this stumped the cast members at the front desk here at OKW, but after 1/2 hour of explaining, and moving people around between the two rooms in their computer, we got it sorted out.

They really tried to make it work and I'm very happy with our two bedroom lockoff on Turtle Pond Road. When I asked for the elevator bldg I was told it was full. I don't like being on the first floor, but the stairs are too much for us. So, as I said before, I'm very happy to be at my favorite resort again.

 

[Dean]

Well like anything else with DVC this stumped the cast members at the front desk here at OKW, but after 1/2 hour of explaining, and moving people around between the two rooms in their computer, we got it sorted out.

They really tried to make it work and I'm very happy with our two bedroom lockoff on Turtle Pond Road. When I asked for the elevator bldg I was told it was full. I don't like being on the first floor, but the stairs are too much for us. So, as I said before, I'm very happy to be at my favorite resort again.

Adding the requirement of an elevator building or even first floor to this situation makes it a guaranteed nightmare. One needs to be flexible when doing things that are out of the norm.

 

[Cyberc1978]

I'm glad to hear it worked out.

Should I ever need a 2br I definitely give this a thought and perhaps consider it. I assume your chance of success is higher at the larger resorts given the number of rooms.

 

[Dean]

I'm glad to hear it worked out.

Should I ever need a 2br I definitely give this a thought and perhaps consider it. I assume your chance of success is higher at the larger resorts given the number of rooms.

Likely easier to combine at larger resorts but once you get the two separate reservations it shouldn't be that difficult in general. Realistically you're only looking at OKW, SSR and AKV anyway. The other issue is you need to have them all the same booking category which presents a problem at SSR and even more at AKV. If one is reserving the studio at SSR, I'd reserve both types. At AKV I'd do both types at Kidani.

 

[icydog]

I have a question how can I reserve two studios-- if I cancel one I lose a studio's worth of points?

 

[Dean]

I have a question how can I reserve two studios-- if I cancel one I lose a studio's worth of points?

No, you reserve both then once you match and find out what you have, you cancel the other. MS can tell you what the view type is. At OKW it shouldn't be an issue because it's unlikely they'd deposit near HH. At AKV it's usually Kidani but both view types. At SSR we're not sure yet what will be deposited with the new view types. Once we have a track record, it may be mostly one and then you'd treat it like at OKW.