Cousin cancelled - can I rent out first night?

[fatfish]

Okay, not sure if I can do this, and have no idea how to do this, but here goes. We are going to WDW in a little over 3 weeks. My cousin, who is like a sister to me, is coming with us. I booked a studio at *** for dd and myself, and a second studio for my cousin. As this is Spring Break for us, and many others, I've had this booked since last fall.

Yesterday, my cousin calls to tell me that she had to change her plans (due to school, I think. I did not quite catch why) and is now coming in the day after we had originally planned. So, she will not need her studio the first night. If I cancel now, the points go into Holding status. So, as */** is sold out, I thought I might try to rent out that night. I don't know if I would have any takers, but its worth a try. There may be someone who needs to add that night.

My question is, can I do this? Can I change the name on the ressie for just one night, and leave it as is for the remaining nights? Would the reservation need to be cancelled and re-booked? How would this work? Does anyone know? Would it just be easier to let the points go into Holding?

Thanks!

 

[Caskbill]

Don't know if you could just change the name or not, but even if you could that presents numerous problems.

The 'renters' would have to check in under their own name, and put down a credit card for any room charges. This would be a problem for your cousin when they 'take over' the room. Also keep in mind that your cousin would be moving into a Studio that has not been cleaned since the 'renters' used it, since the reservation itself would not include Trash/towel until the 4 th day.

No new sheets, no new toiletries, etc. In fact, the beds would not even be made. And the old 'renters' would have to give the keys to your cousin.

You could pay to have an extra full cleaning but that would have to raise your 'rental rate' such that getting a renter might not work out very well. Especially trying to get someone for just a single night.

If you try to book the one night separately it would mean a cancellation and rebooking.

Depending on your use year month and when your points expire, having points in 'holding' might not be as bad as it seems, especially if you have any future plans where booking within 60 days is a possibility.

 

[Chuck S]

I edited your post to remove resort and date specific info, as it could be considered a "Reservation for Rent" post and that is only allowed on the Rent/Trade Board.

To answer your question, I, personally, would not want the hassle of trying to rent a reservation for one night, I would rather take the chance of losing the points in holding status.

While it is possible to rent it out, you could not break it into two separate reservations, since you state there is no availability for a new reservation for that night. You would likely be renting it for less than $10 a point, given the current economy, and someone would need to pay for a full housekeeping, as I assume you'd want fresh sheets. Not really enough net $ to make it worth the hassle. Hopefully, you'll travel again during your use year at a less busy time and be able to use those holding points.

 

[fatfish]

Eeeeek! That would not work! Would definitely want new sheets after strangers had been in there!

New scenario - I talked to Dad today. He lives about an hour south of WDW. Asked him if he and stepmom would like to stay for a night. This was before I had read any replies. While everything previous posters have said would still be true, now at least I'm dealing with immediate family. Getting the keys from Dad would not be a problem. Not worried about Dad running up charges on the room. I would like to change the sheets though. Would it be possible to get a set of sheets from Mousekeeping and change them myself? Does anyone see any other possible snafus that I am overlooking?

thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Eeeeek! That would not work! Would definitely want new sheets after strangers had been in there!

New scenario - I talked to Dad today. He lives about an hour south of WDW. Asked him if he and stepmom would like to stay for a night. This was before I had read any replies. While everything previous posters have said would still be true, now at least I'm dealing with immediate family. Getting the keys from Dad would not be a problem. Not worried about Dad running up charges on the room. I would like to change the sheets though. Would it be possible to get a set of sheets from Mousekeeping and change them myself? Does anyone see any other possible snafus that I am overlooking?

thanks!

They will not provide you any new sheets. You can pay for a full cleaning of the studio after he moves out. Or you could wash them yourself in one of the washing machines.

 

[Chuck S]

I think you have found the best solution, but I'm pretty sure you need to pay the $30 for a studio cleaning to get the fresh sheets.

 

[CarolMN]

If it were me, I'd just pay the $30 for the full cleaning. Seeing Dad & stepmom would be worth it and way better than having to worry about a few points in holding.

 

[owensamo]

At the very least, try to get a name on the reservation of someone who will be able to check in. If your cousin doens't check in on the first night, then the entire reservation would be forfeit - and she won't have a room to go to at all!

We *almost* had that problem when we went to SSR with my folks in 2 studios. When they hadn't shown up by Midnight, I called the front desk to see what the latest time they could arrive was, without losing the reservation. I think they said 6am. Fortunately, my folks checked in between 2-3am - but it was a pretty stressful night for me, worrying about them not making it and then not having anywhere to stay for Thanksgiving! Not to mention losing all those points!

If your dad and step-mom want to use the room, make sure you *add* them to the reservation, rather than moving the reservation into their name and removing your cousin. If all 3 are on the reservation, then it doesn't matter who is in the room when. Also, if you don't have anyone put a credit card on the room at check-in, then you won't have to worry about who charges what - Dad & Step-mom's charges go on their own card, and cousin's charges go on hers. She *might* be able to put her card down on the room when she gets in.

Your dad and step mom may also be able to leave your cousin's room key at the front desk for her as well - that way she can go to check-in as normal, and they can give her her key. We've done that in the past (only when everyone was arriving the same day) and it worked great!

As for the cleaning - I'd probably pay the $30 and get the room cleaned. You could do the sheets yourself, but depending on the resort, that may not be terribly convenient.

Amanda