confused and disappointed (kinda long)

[Goofy's apprentice]

As far as 'switching' to developer points...

We had developer points from a purchase in October this year. I had an existing reservation for which I had used regular points (at my home resort). I called MS and asked that the developer points be reallocated to free up the regular points (which i could then bank to the next use year).

They were able to do it, but it is not done directly by MS. They had to send the request to someone else (not sure which branch of the office). This process took an extremely long amount of time. I think the whole process took 3 weeks by the time it was completed. Right towards the end we were heading into my banking deadline. They assured be that I would be able to bank even if the reallocation did not occur in time.

I can be trusting, but not with 200 of my DVC points. So I called back repeatedly to check. Each time they confirmed (without me telling the specifics) that there were notes on my account as to the transactions that needed to be posted and that my banking would be allowed.

I was upset with the time it took, but MS was always helpful and informed so I guess other then the delay it worked.

Of course, I wasn't switching resorts, just reallocating a pre-existing reservation.

 

[dallasdisneymommy]

As far as 'switching' to developer points...

We had developer points from a purchase in October this year. I had an existing reservation for which I had used regular points (at my home resort). I called MS and asked that the developer points be reallocated to free up the regular points (which i could then bank to the next use year).

They were able to do it, but it is not done directly by MS. They had to send the request to someone else (not sure which branch of the office). This process took an extremely long amount of time. I think the whole process took 3 weeks by the time it was completed. Right towards the end we were heading into my banking deadline. They assured be that I would be able to bank even if the reallocation did not occur in time.

I can be trusting, but not with 200 of my DVC points. So I called back repeatedly to check. Each time they confirmed (without me telling the specifics) that there were notes on my account as to the transactions that needed to be posted and that my banking would be allowed.

I was upset with the time it took, but MS was always helpful and informed so I guess other then the delay it worked.

Of course, I wasn't switching resorts, just reallocating a pre-existing reservation.

Whew! This gives me hope. I couldn't sleep at all last night after reading this thread. We have a first week of December reservation that I was planning to reallocate with my developers points at the 7 month mark in June (my guide told me this could be done, but didn't mention this caveat). I began to think that I should just go ahead and plan another trip so that we wouldn't lose our developers points. I don't want to wait until June to find out they won't do it and then be stuck having to use them in the summertime, when I don't really like to be there.

What a pain.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Hope that it will work for you. Just make sure that you are double checking that they do understand what you want. It is true that some MS staff are more knowledgeable than others. I have always found them to be helpful but sometimes it takes a longer conversation !

I didn't use the phrase "switching out" . I tried "reallocating points". It is true that MS staff can't do that directly, but they can request that it be done elsewhere.

The aftermath in my transaction history shows how complicated it was for them to make the change. Once they did I had to call back two times because I thought there was a mistake (I had some holding points as well). Turned out they were right and I was wrong.

 

[GusMan]

I hate to say it but this is becoming a common problem with developer points. The thing is that the guides have touted them as "you can use them just like your regular points" when that is simply not a fully true statement. There are restrictions to using those points that go beyond the standard terms of use.

Where are those restrictions listed: In the documents we signed explaining the developer points. Its all listed there in black and white. And we all read and fully understood those documents before signing them, right? (Yes, that is laden with sarcasm. )

The thing is that we lucked out and got what we wanted at the 7 month window. If not, I would have been ticked. The thing is that my offer was DP's or cash off per point. While the use "value" of our dev points far exceeded the cash off offer, if I were to do it all again, I would have taken the cash off offer.

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....I didn't use the phrase "switching out" . I tried "reallocating points". It is true that MS staff can't do that directly, but they can request that it be done elsewhere.......

It doesn't' matter how you describe what you want to do. It's still a cancellation and a new reservation. If there is a waitlist you will not be allowed to do it. If you were allowed, there was still availability for the same dates and unit type/size when you called to "reallocate". (The reason it is done elsewhere is all transactions associated with developer's points are done manually by a small subset of CMs). However, the "principle" of "reallocation" is the same no matter what points you want to "reallocate".

If you think about it, allowing reallocations or substitutions) of points that were not valid for the original reservation, is not fair to members who are on the waitlist. It invalidates the home resort booking advantage.

For example, let's say I book a studio for Christmas week at the VWL at the 11 month window. You (also a VWL owner) call a few days later and have to get on the waitlist because all the studios at VWL are booked.

When the 7 month window opens, I call and ask to use developer's points for my reservation because I want to bank my VWL points (I want to use them to make an 11 month reservation next year). No way could I have gotten that reservation with developer points at the 11 month window, so I should either have to give up the reservation to the next person on the waitlist or keep it with the VWL points. DVC is a first come, first served system.

Now if there wasn't anyone on the waitlist and there were still studios to be had, it isn't a problem. My developer points are as good as any other points at the 7 month window and so the reservation can be made.

You will occasionally hear of "reallocations", but if they occur when there's a waitlist, the CM has not followed procedures.

Hope all works out for anyone who is using developer points.

 

[Dean]

It can be a cancellation or a substitution. The rule is that if the date is not available they are not supposed to let you do so but the reality is they can and do at times allow it.

 

[magicaldisney]

After reading all of your wonderful replies we have decided to call at the 7 month window and use the points wherever there is availability. We love all the DVC resorts so we will be happy wherever we end up.

You have all provided great information. Thank you so much!!

 

[Dean]

After reading all of your wonderful replies we have decided to call at the 7 month window and use the points wherever there is availability. We love all the DVC resorts so we will be happy wherever we end up.

You have all provided great information. Thank you so much!!

Keep the reservation the way you want it and call at 7 months out, tell them you were told to call and switch at 7 months and then see what happens. Worst case scenario is you can't get anything but realistically that you'd have to change resorts. Personally I think you have an excellent chance of your original plan working out.

 

[magicaldisney]

Keep the reservation the way you want it and call at 7 months out, tell them you were told to call and switch at 7 months and then see what happens. Worst case scenario is you can't get anything but realistically that you'd have to change resorts. Personally I think you have an excellent chance of your original plan working out.

I will do just that!! Thanks for your positivity.