Do military rooms become available "later" by cancellation or otherwise?

[twodogs]

I have read and been told conflicting information about military discount rooms. If there are currently no available rooms of the type, at desired resort, for my dates on the military discount for April 2013, is there ANY possibility that a room (of my specs above) will become available with this discount later in the season? One CM told me that rooms with this discount that are later cancelled, go back into the general room pool, so not available "again" for the military discount. He then said the RESORT can choose if they want to release additional rooms/room types for the military discount, after the initial offer of rooms is already booked, if they still have too much room availability for certain dates. I just don't want to hold out hope that I can add the military discount later to my room, if there is just the initial allotment, and once it is gone, it is gone forever. Anyone know? Anyone been able to add a military discount to their room after initially being told military was sold out for your dates??

 

[Tltorrez]

I have read and been told conflicting information about military discount rooms. If there are currently no available rooms of the type, at desired resort, for my dates on the military discount for April 2013, is there ANY possibility that a room (of my specs above) will become available with this discount later in the season? One CM told me that rooms with this discount that are later cancelled, go back into the general room pool, so not available "again" for the military discount. He then said the RESORT can choose if they want to release additional rooms/room types for the military discount, after the initial offer of rooms is already booked, if they still have too much room availability for certain dates. I just don't want to hold out hope that I can add the military discount later to my room, if there is just the initial allotment, and once it is gone, it is gone forever. Anyone know? Anyone been able to add a military discount to their room after initially being told military was sold out for your dates??

Well, I doubt it's up to the resort to decide. That explanation seems dubious. With other discounts it's based on a percentage of occupancy for each room type/resort. Occupancy goes up, discounts disappear. People cancel and they come back again. I would assume military works similar, but there might also be some kind of absolute limit on it too. Either way, if people with the military discount cancel, I'd be surprised if that just disappeared. Totally guessing here but I would assume that it could come available again.

What is general availability like for your room on your dates? Are there rooms left or are they sold out?

 

[Mousemommy1]

I have read and been told conflicting information about military discount rooms. If there are currently no available rooms of the type, at desired resort, for my dates on the military discount for April 2013, is there ANY possibility that a room (of my specs above) will become available with this discount later in the season? One CM told me that rooms with this discount that are later cancelled, go back into the general room pool, so not available "again" for the military discount. He then said the RESORT can choose if they want to release additional rooms/room types for the military discount, after the initial offer of rooms is already booked, if they still have too much room availability for certain dates. I just don't want to hold out hope that I can add the military discount later to my room, if there is just the initial allotment, and once it is gone, it is gone forever. Anyone know? Anyone been able to add a military discount to their room after initially being told military was sold out for your dates??

I actually know for a fact that WDWKOOK (on these boards) was able to score a BLT 1-bdrm (I think) about 2 weeks from the time of her trip, after being told nothing else was available. But she kept checking and there was one available one day!!! So, I would say keep checking. It's certainly possible!

 

[tiger4me2]

Keep checking back as they can open more. Keep in mind just because you have a room booked they will change it over to the military discount as that doesn't work that way anymore (use to but not now) They have to have that type of room there to book you.* I know as I have a vacation package for Dec at the BWI club level & I wanted to change it to the military discount well no regular club there for this discount except for garden suite club level or regular rooms. So we kept what we had. As luck had it I got it as a bounce back last December at 35% but had to buy tickets (just brought two day base tickets that I can use for an AP) So I didn't feel too bad about not getting the 40% discount. Just hoping for an AP % on the day before as that was rack rate. So keep trying they do release at least last year they did. Good luck !
* I tried it with mine & the CM tried to by calling guest relations & was told no. I called as soon as the discount came out. I asked her if someone else got it & she told me no that no regular club level was in that discount as they have a sheet saying what was there to book under that code.
MHO

 

[twodogs]

Thank you all for your replies. The CM last night looked and said BLT 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom villas were ~~not~~ excluded from the military discount, just not available at all during our dates (and I gave an entire month of dates to let him choose from!). So maybe there is hope that one will pop back up again, and I can snag it. I hate to call every day, but how often do you guys call and check in on it? I wish I could do this online so I didn't have to go through their crazy phone service!

 

[FoodLover]

Thank you all for your replies. The CM last night looked and said BLT 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom villas were ~~not~~ excluded from the military discount, just not available at all during our dates (and I gave an entire month of dates to let him choose from!). So maybe there is hope that one will pop back up again, and I can snag it. I hate to call every day, but how often do you guys call and check in on it? I wish I could do this online so I didn't have to go through their crazy phone service!

The DVC resorts often have minimal availability because most units are held for members to book with points. DVC can only release a small percentage for cash sales (basically whatever percentage is not currently owned by DVC members). If units are not booked by members, DVC may release some rooms for sale at the last minute.

Also, bear in mind that BLT is THE most popular of the DVC resorts.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[TheDadHatter]

Hello all. I booked a BLT 2-bedroom with Military discount. But I also called a half hour after the discount was released. Cast member also told me the same thing about canceled rooms going back to the general public pool.

 

[twodogs]

I want your room!! Congratulations!

 

[Jutori]

We have been lucky enough to be able to use the disc over that past few years. What I believe happens (and have been told by CM's) is that there is a specific amt of rooms per type of room per resort that are allocated for the military discount and when those are reserved that's it. If there is a cancellation then those would return to the "military" pool. When we stayed at BLT a few years ago, there were no rooms avail with the discount initially but a few months later they became available.... possibly b/c the mil disc rooms had not been released for BLT when I first called? or someone cancelled? who knows...

 

[crackerjack21]

Last Easter I wanted the BCV at the military rate. Was told none was available and booked Wilderness Lodge instead. (this was about a year out from our tripp date) as the date neared I started calling and eventually got BCV at the military rate.