Couple of questions about developers points...

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

DH and I are just about ready to take the plunge and buy into DVC. I spoke with our guide this evening -- I wanted to know what our UY would be, would we get '07 points, etc.

We're looking to buy somewhere in the range of 160 to 225 points at AKV. We are a family of 5 (DH and I and our three kids - DS2, and twin DDs - 2 months old). Eventually we'll need around 250 points but it's my understanding that we can still get a studio because the kids won't count until they are 3 years old. Is that right? DH is convinced that we should buy 300 points but I'm concerned that it might be overkill. I was thinking we could do 160 points to start out with, get the 100 developer points and then we can always add on when we're ready.

Anyway, let's say we buy 225 points. Our guide said that we would have an October UY, so we'd have 225 points in our account to start out with, right? Then we'd have 100 developer points that expire 12 months from closing, correct? We'd also have 225 additional points that become available in October. We're looking to book a reservation for December (our dates are extremely flexible)... a 2BR villa (we're hopeful for AKV, BWV, or BCV) for about 10 days. That would be approximately 360 points. Now my question is... Can we book using our developers points using our home resort advantage? We'd have the 225 points available now but we're supposed to wait to use the developer points 7 months out... Could we book using our '08 points and then have those '08 points banked at 7 months out, switching in our developers points? Does this make any sense at all?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[SanDeeKath]

OK, I just did a little chart. You can ignore the 200 additional add on points and see where that takes you. Please correct me someone if I am wrong on my calculations.

PURCHASE,--------POINTS-----COST----- BONUS-----Extra '07 use pts

AKV Developer-----160------ $15,040.00 -------160-----160
AKV Developer-----65------- $6,110.00 ----------0-----65
AKV Developer-----100-------$9,400.00---------270-----100
AKV Developer-----100-------$9,400.00----------0-----100

TOTALS FOR ALL -----425----- $39,950.00-----430-----425

That seems like a lot of $$ and a lot of points (1280 total!)

Can someone tell me if this looks right? Kat

 

[sjdisneywedding]

OK, I just did a little chart. You can ignore the 200 additional add on points and see where that takes you. Please correct me someone if I am wrong on my calculations.

PURCHASE,--------POINTS-----COST----- BONUS-----Extra '07 use pts

AKV Developer-----160------ $15,040.00 -------160-----160
AKV Developer-----65------- $6,110.00 ----------0-----65
AKV Developer-----100-------$9,400.00---------270-----100
AKV Developer-----100-------$9,400.00----------0-----100

TOTALS FOR ALL -----425----- $39,950.00-----430-----425

That seems like a lot of $$ and a lot of points (1280 total!)

Can someone tell me if this looks right? Kat

sorry but thats gotta be one of the most confusing things I have ever seen on here, especially w respect to the OP question of developer points

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

I guess I was just asking if we could make a reservation with '07 points (225 pts) and "borrow" points from '08 (would it still be considered 'borrowing' if our UY is Oct and the rental date is Dec?). Then when we're able to make a reservation with developer points (7 months out) can we have the '08 points banked and use the developer points instead? Or would we have to make a new reservation in order to use the developer points?

Thanks again!

 

[SanDeeKath]

Sorry. Misunderstood ya. I thought you were looking to buy points and see what the incentives are.

K

 

[granmaz]

Could I add a question here? Are the Developer points to be used within a year of closing or within a year of signing? It might make a big differene to us.

Also, how do you find out your closing date? We just paid up last week after signing at the beginning of December.

 

[Claire L]

I guess I was just asking if we could make a reservation with '07 points (225 pts) and "borrow" points from '08 (would it still be considered 'borrowing' if our UY is Oct and the rental date is Dec?). Then when we're able to make a reservation with developer points (7 months out) can we have the '08 points banked and use the developer points instead? Or would we have to make a new reservation in order to use the developer points?

Thanks again!

As your ressie falls in your 08UY that is where the points will be current, you need to bank your 07UY points to be able to use them in the 08UY. Also you cannot switch from regular points to developer points at the 7 month mark. If as you say you are flexible booking at AKV at the 7 month mark should be fine.

Claire

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I guess I was just asking if we could make a reservation with '07 points (225 pts) and "borrow" points from '08 (would it still be considered 'borrowing' if our UY is Oct and the rental date is Dec?). Then when we're able to make a reservation with developer points (7 months out) can we have the '08 points banked and use the developer points instead? Or would we have to make a new reservation in order to use the developer points?

Thanks again!

you cant switch them out nice and neat

basically what you will be doing is cancelling part of your original ressie and making a new one

you will be at the mercy of the 7 month booking window
call ahead to see how availability looks before cancelling

you will originally be using banked 07 and current 08 points since you vacation will fall within your 2008 use year, no borrowing necessary, so the 08 points will have no problems going back into your account to be used at a later date

 

[Kitka]

I guess I was just asking if we could make a reservation with '07 points (225 pts) and "borrow" points from '08 (would it still be considered 'borrowing' if our UY is Oct and the rental date is Dec?). Then when we're able to make a reservation with developer points (7 months out) can we have the '08 points banked and use the developer points instead? Or would we have to make a new reservation in order to use the developer points?

Thanks again!

We're trying to do this for Christmas, and I was told you can't just 'switch' them, you would have to convert the reservation, which would only be able to be done if those rooms aren't waitlisted for others. Basically, the cancel the reservation with the 'regular' points, and try to immediately re-book them with the developer points.... but if 10 people are waitlisted for those rooms, they won't be able to convert the reservation.

Does that make sense?

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

We're trying to do this for Christmas, and I was told you can't just 'switch' them, you would have to convert the reservation, which would only be able to be done if those rooms aren't waitlisted for others. Basically, the cancel the reservation with the 'regular' points, and try to immediately re-book them with the developer points.... but if 10 people are waitlisted for those rooms, they won't be able to convert the reservation.

Does that make sense?

Makes sense! Thank you!

I have one more question... Does anyone know how busy the first two weeks of December are with regards to reservations? I was assuming it would relatively easy to get a reservation then, but our guide said that it's actually a pretty busy couple of weeks. She said something about an annual DVC meeting or something???

 

[marvali]

Okay, as a newbie I will try to handle this one because we are just going through the same kinda things. We joined last year and had a June Use year. We actually started the process in August but it took a while to get everything done, so it was late September/early October before we got everything done. Not sure why you have an October Use Year if you haven't done anything official yet, BUT, I'm sure there is a reason I don't fully understand.

Having said all of that, when you finish closing you will have the 225 points that are good until the end of September '08. You will also have your 100 Developer points to use at that time unless something has changed since we closed and got ours. On October 1, 2008, you will get another 225 points. If you plan to book a vacation in December 2008, and it will require 360 points, you should tell MS when you call to use your developer points first (I believe they expire 1 year from closing, not signing, and they are not tied to your Use Year because we had one CM at MS tell us that first and then had it corrected by another when we asked for the actual date they expired). Then you will use your purchased points for the difference. Since your original purchased 225 points will expire on September 30, you will need to bank at least 35 of them to make this reservation in December (100 developer + 225 you get Oct 1, 2008 + 35 banked = 260 points).

Hope this is correct info but based on us making ressies since closing this is how it has worked for us. Also hope this makes sense for you.

 

[marvali]

Sorry, make that (100 developer + 225 you get Oct 1, 2008 + 35 banked = 360 points).

Actually, thinking back on the date our developer points expire, it may actually be signing day instead of closing day. Regardless, in your case it will be at least a year from now, which includes December 2008.

 

[Kitka]

Not sure why you have an October Use Year if you haven't done anything official yet, BUT, I'm sure there is a reason I don't fully understand.

I have the same thing - just signed last week and was given an Oct 07 use year, it was kinda part of the 'promo' where you have points coming more quickly and without fees on them from Oct 07 - Jan 08.

Also, for the developer points, I was told by our guide that they had to be used within 12 months of signing, not closing. I'd like it if he was mistaken though LOL.

 

[marvali]

Kitka, yes, thinking back I believe you are correct about the signing date being the developer points cutoff. As for the Use Year, I couldn't remember if maybe they are every three months (quarterly) or something else determines it. Conditions for "promo" would definitely explain it.

 

[marvali]

The one drawback I didn't mention is that developer points can only be used in the seven month window. Since you are going in December, which can be a popular time depending upon the week, you may have a tough time getting your ressie with things already booked up. The good thing is you say that your travel dates in December are flexible, so hopefully having to wait until May to book will still work out for you, but I would make my plans early and call as soon as you get inside your booking window. It will also hinge on your length of stay and the days of the week you want to go.

 

[LisaS]

Does anyone know how busy the first two weeks of December are with regards to reservations? I was assuming it would relatively easy to get a reservation then, but our guide said that it's actually a pretty busy couple of weeks. She said something about an annual DVC meeting or something???

The first two weeks of December are among the busiest times for DVC. The point costs are at their lowest, the holiday decorations are up, the park crowds aren't too bad so it's a wonderful time to go. You will see many reports on the boards that it's been difficult to get through to Member Services this month. The reason is, members have been calling for their December reservations. If you want to go in early December, you need to make your reservations as soon as possible.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

Makes sense! Thank you!

I have one more question... Does anyone know how busy the first two weeks of December are with regards to reservations? I was assuming it would relatively easy to get a reservation then, but our guide said that it's actually a pretty busy couple of weeks. She said something about an annual DVC meeting or something???

Just a suggestion, but if you buy within the next week, ask your guide to book the reservation for you. I've seen some do it and some will give you your number and tell you to call MS. However with your need to bank 07 into 08 to make the reservation, that will delay things. Noting that your only option right now will be AKV. 7 months out for your other suggested resorts will be harder. I was able to get 4 nights for a guest, but only at SSR. This was August for the first week in Dec.

 

[maciec]

The one drawback I didn't mention is that developer points can only be used in the seven month window. Since you are going in December, which can be a popular time depending upon the week, you may have a tough time getting your ressie with things already booked up. The good thing is you say that your travel dates in December are flexible, so hopefully having to wait until May to book will still work out for you, but I would make my plans early and call as soon as you get inside your booking window. It will also hinge on your length of stay and the days of the week you want to go.

With this being said, this is another option for using those Developer Points, trade them into II. We bought October 24th and got 100 Developer Points. I had already made a deposit into II and secured a reservation to go to Mexico 10/25-11/1/08. I made that reservation back in August 2007. I asked my guide if they could convert the points and give me back 100 of my 2008 points. He talked to a MS supervisor and ended up having to re-write our contract so that it reflected 10/25/07 as our signing date and the supervisor converted our points.