Confused about waitlists and points difference

[Swimmergirl]

On a thread last week about waitlists, someone wrote:

"Just watch out if the waitlist is less points than your current ressie, I believe those "saved" pts will go into holding period."

So now I'm a bit confused! We are going on our first DVC trip in June. We currently have a 1 bedroom LV at BLT booked. We are waitlisted for a standard view, which would be less points. What happens to the difference in points if our waitlist comes through? I'm a bit confused about the whole holding period thing.

Thanks!

 

[erionm]

It depends on when the waitlist is matched. The following is the information on changing a reservation from the member website:

• Changing a reservation 31 or more days prior to check-in:
  If the new reservation uses fewer Vacation Points than the original reservation, the remaining Vacation Points will be returned to your account in the Use Year in which the reservation falls.
  
• Changing a reservation 30 days-1 day prior to check-in:
  All Vacation Points will be placed in the Holding Account. If the new reservation uses fewer Vacation Points than the original reservation, the remaining Vacation Points will stay in the Holding Account until the end of your Use Year.
  
• Changing a reservation on the check-in date:
  If the new reservation uses fewer Vacation Points than the original reservation, the remaining Vacation Points will be forfeited.

 

[DenLo]

So your points only go into the Holding account if you change your reservation 30 days or less before your checkin date.

Here's some information on the Holding Account.

Holding Account Vacation Points. If a confirmed reservation is canceled thirty (30) days or less before the arrival date, the Home Resort Vacation Points used to make that reservation are placed into a Holding Account. "Holding Account Vacation Points" are subject to the following restrictions:

1) Holding Account Vacation Points can only be used to book reservations within sixty (60) days of check in.

2) Holding Account Vacation Points must be used for reservations during their Use Year. Any Holding Account Vacation Points remaining in the Holding Account at the end of the Use Year will expire.

3) Holding Account Vacation Points cannot be Banked.

4) Holding Account Vacation Points used to reserve and stay during the last 60 days of a Use Year may be used for reservations at any DVC Resort.

 

[Sandisw]

Once you reach 31 days prior to your vacation, you will want to be sure that you cancel out the wait list.

You only want a wait list to fill between the 31 day mark and check in if it will take more points than what you have booked, unless you don't care about having holding points.

As others have mentioned, holding points expire at the end of the UY and can only be used to book rooms 60 days or less from check in.

Basically, when a wait list fills, you are canceling and then re-booking and thus the reason you could end up with holding points if what you want is less than what you have.

 

[bobbiwoz]

That's one reason why they ask when you want the waitlist to expire. If you're not in a situation where the waitlist involves fewer points, you may as well keep it until 7 days out. Otherwise let it expire before those "extra" points go into holding.

Bobbi