Does DVC make exceptions for cancelling inside of 30 days ever?

[eeyoresmom]

Unfortunately, our flights with DirectAir have been cancelled for our April vacation We are 28 days out and i am trying to stay calm and consider all my options. TIA

 

[akl-fan]

I don't think they would make an exception as it is a problem with flights. Do you have travel insurance? You could cancel and try to rent your points at a low price - at least you would get some money back.
Could go get flights with another operator? Or maybe drive?

 

[CruznLexi]

Yes they have given me exceptions twice. The first had to do with a funeral. The second they allowed us to move one reservation to Grand Cali. Both were after my banking and they were very nice about it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

They have but it's never certain. My mother passed away a week before our trip and I was not given any exception. Points for days we cancelled went into holding.

 

[disneynutz]

They have but it's never certain. My mother passed away a week before our trip and I was not given any exception. Points for days we cancelled went into holding.

Same for us last year.

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

Before you cancel anything, contact your credit card company and see what they have to say. If nothing else you should be able to file a claim against Direct Air and get the monies refunded. You'll have to find out how long that will take, though.

Some credit cards provide complimentary travel insurance so that may accelerate the process.

If all else fails, consider driving as another poster suggested. Assuming all other travel details are accounted for (vacation time, spending money, DVC points committed, etc.) it may be worth the slight inconvenience of driving. Better than letting those points go unused if you will be left with few options to re-book.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Before you cancel anything, contact your credit card company and see what they have to say.

1) Direct Air is a charter airline.
2) As a charter company, ticket revenues are put into escrow.
3) They are not taken out until the flight.
4) So, any prepaid tickets are refunded to credit cards.
5) You should have no problem getting money back
6) We learned this when TransMerdian Airlines went under.

 

[jekjones1558]

They have but it's never certain. My mother passed away a week before our trip and I was not given any exception. Points for days we cancelled went into holding.

Same for me when my mom's funeral was the day we were supposed to arrive in Dec. 2010.

 

[normr]

I've never heard of these companies, isn't pretty risky going with companies like that?

 

[quirty30]

OP, I posted this over on the Transportation Board, but thought I'd post it here from you as well - found this in an article in the Chicago Tribune - it confirms what Rusty Scupper posted:

Obtaining a Refund

Consumers affected by Direct Air's cessation of service who are due a refund need to be able to prove to the escrow bank and surety bond company that they purchased charter air transportation or an air charter tour package from Direct Air. Documents that may accomplish that might include a Direct Air receipt or invoice, or possibly the consumer's credit card purchase record.

Under Department rules, consumers may request a refund from Direct Air by writing to the company at 1600 Oak Street, Suite B, Myrtle Beach, FL 29577, with copies sent to the company's escrow depository bank, Valley National Bank, 1455 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, and to the holder of its surety bond, Platte River Insurance Company, Alejandro Navarro, Attorney-in-Fact, 700 A Lake Street, Ramsey, NJ 07446. Claims made under the surety bond must be made within 60 days of the date of the originally-scheduled return air transportation. Claims are limited to the amount paid by the consumer for the charter air transportation or air charter tour package.

Credit and Debit Card Refunds

Customers who paid Direct Air by credit card may be entitled to a credit from their credit card company under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Write to your credit card issuer, being sure to state your account number. Enclose a photocopy of your credit card statement, if you have received one, and a photocopy of your ticket, itinerary or receipt if possible, or indicate the price of the transportation and the date it was purchased. State that Direct Air has ceased operations, that you will not receive the product that you charged to your account (i.e., the comprehensive tour), and that you are requesting a credit pursuant to the Fair Credit Billing Act.

The credit card issuer must receive this notice no later than 60 days after the date that you received the first monthly statement that listed the Direct Air charge, although credit card companies sometimes waive this deadline for future transportation. If you have a paper ticket or other evidence of your transportation, some credit card issuers may ask for the original unused ticket or other documentation. If this is requested, keep a photocopy and send the original by certified mail. Do not send the original documentation unless it is requested. However, it would be a good idea to enclose a copy of any confirmation or itinerary sheet that you may have received.

There are no federal protections for debit card purchases of the type described above for credit cards. However, some debit card issuers voluntarily provide some or all of those protections. If you paid by debit card, check with your debit card issuer regarding your refund rights.

Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

 

[GEB@okw]

OP, I posted this over on the Transportation Board, but thought I'd post it here from you as well - found this in an article in the Chicago Tribune - it confirms what Rusty Scupper posted:

Obtaining a Refund

Consumers affected by Direct Air's cessation of service who are due a refund need to be able to prove to the escrow bank and surety bond company that they purchased charter air transportation or an air charter tour package from Direct Air. Documents that may accomplish that might include a Direct Air receipt or invoice, or possibly the consumer's credit card purchase record.

Under Department rules, consumers may request a refund from Direct Air by writing to the company at 1600 Oak Street, Suite B, Myrtle Beach, FL 29577, with copies sent to the company's escrow depository bank, Valley National Bank, 1455 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, and to the holder of its surety bond, Platte River Insurance Company, Alejandro Navarro, Attorney-in-Fact, 700 A Lake Street, Ramsey, NJ 07446. Claims made under the surety bond must be made within 60 days of the date of the originally-scheduled return air transportation. Claims are limited to the amount paid by the consumer for the charter air transportation or air charter tour package.

Credit and Debit Card Refunds

Customers who paid Direct Air by credit card may be entitled to a credit from their credit card company under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Write to your credit card issuer, being sure to state your account number. Enclose a photocopy of your credit card statement, if you have received one, and a photocopy of your ticket, itinerary or receipt if possible, or indicate the price of the transportation and the date it was purchased. State that Direct Air has ceased operations, that you will not receive the product that you charged to your account (i.e., the comprehensive tour), and that you are requesting a credit pursuant to the Fair Credit Billing Act.

The credit card issuer must receive this notice no later than 60 days after the date that you received the first monthly statement that listed the Direct Air charge, although credit card companies sometimes waive this deadline for future transportation. If you have a paper ticket or other evidence of your transportation, some credit card issuers may ask for the original unused ticket or other documentation. If this is requested, keep a photocopy and send the original by certified mail. Do not send the original documentation unless it is requested. However, it would be a good idea to enclose a copy of any confirmation or itinerary sheet that you may have received.

There are no federal protections for debit card purchases of the type described above for credit cards. However, some debit card issuers voluntarily provide some or all of those protections. If you paid by debit card, check with your debit card issuer regarding your refund rights.

Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

The last sentence is a reason to never own a debit card, they are very dangerous, gives easy access for thieves to take money from your account. Sorry about the trouble you have with directair, but do not expect the rest of us DVC members and Disney to pay for it by breaking the rules.

 

[abner1776]

Looks to me like some of these posts are getting too far afield from what the original post was looking for.
While rules are rules, rules are also made to have exceptions and the issue of Directair flights being cancelled may or may not fall into one of those exceptions but that is the call for Disney to make.
THe original post had nothing to do with whether or not one could get a refund from Directair or debit card/credit cards, etc...they simply wanted to know if Disney has exceptions to the policy and from reading the replies, apparently Disney does have exceptions.
I also don't think it costs me or other DVC members anything if Disney does provide an exception to the policy.
I would hope that if some time down the road I wind up in the hospital two days before I am heading off to VWL, that Disney will "bend" the rule a bit and grant me an exception.

 

[tjkraz]

...they simply wanted to know if Disney has exceptions to the policy and from reading the replies, apparently Disney does have exceptions.

Yes, sometimes. Not always.

I also don't think it costs me or other DVC members anything if Disney does provide an exception to the policy.

Sure it does. It impacts members in two ways:

1. The room canceled on two days' notice is unlikely to be filled by another member. It sits empty. If the cancellation had been made 30+ days out, there is a much greater likelihood that another member would have reserved the accommodation.

2. It gives the member with the short notice cancellation the ability to book another accommodation down the road, taking it out of the hands of a fellow member. If DVC ignores its own rules and allows me to cancel my March 18 reservation today and immediately rebook in October, that's one less October room available to some other member--someone who followed the established rules.

I would hope that if some time down the road I wind up in the hospital two days before I am heading off to VWL, that Disney will "bend" the rule a bit and grant me an exception.

Isn't that what trip insurance is for?

I have never purchased trip insurance but make that decision with the understanding that I will be responsible for coping with any unexpected travel delays, health problems, lost luggage, etc.

Disney is known for better-than-average customer service but it's unreasonable to expect them to bend over backward for guests who make the conscious decision to ignore the protective insurance plans offered.

 

[jpeka65844]

I say to the OP that you can always ask. I would certainly look into alternate transportation options first, but you never know.

I had an issue back in January and was told by a CM that I was SOL and my points were forfeit (would be banked but would expire in 6 weeks).

I hung up, called back and immediately asked to speak to a manager. When the CM asked why and if there was anything she could do to help, I explained my situation and she was able to rectify it easily using the "once in a membership pixie dust" rule.

So it never hurts to ask. And I think it's awful of DVC to not be sympathetic to those of you who've had to deal with loss of a loved one and forced to cancel vacations. So sorry that happened.......

 

[eeyoresmom]

Op here. I have already been refunded by my cc for the flights. Pricline has even agreed to refund me for the cost of a rental car from Sanford airport! I was shocked I ended up ADDING days to my trip so never called MS to see about keeping my points....all in all it worked out ok for us, but what a headache I feel sorry for any Disney newbies this has happened to. Thanks for all the help.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Op here. I have already been refunded by my cc for the flights. Pricline has even agreed to refund me for the cost of a rental car from Sanford airport! I was shocked I ended up ADDING days to my trip so never called MS to see about keeping my points....all in all it worked out ok for us, but what a headache I feel sorry for any Disney newbies this has happened to. Thanks for all the help.

That's great news! Enjoy your trip!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I say to the OP that you can always ask. I would certainly look into alternate transportation options first, but you never know.

I had an issue back in January and was told by a CM that I was SOL and my points were forfeit (would be banked but would expire in 6 weeks).

I hung up, called back and immediately asked to speak to a manager. When the CM asked why and if there was anything she could do to help, I explained my situation and she was able to rectify it easily using the "once in a membership pixie dust" rule.

So it never hurts to ask. And I think it's awful of DVC to not be sympathetic to those of you who've had to deal with loss of a loved one and forced to cancel vacations. So sorry that happened.......

Unfortunately DVC really has NO way of knowing your "loved one" really died.

IMHO they need to ask for PROOF!

Sorry, but the one bad thing about the internet.. right now someone just read your story and next year when they decide "it's just not what we want to do right now" they will go "well I read on the DIS that death works"... call and LIE! Seriously it happens all to often! It's one of the reasons Disney has taken away a lot of CM flexiblity on refunds etc...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Unfortunately DVC really has NO way of knowing your "loved one" really died.

IMHO they need to ask for PROOF!

Sorry, but the one bad thing about the internet.. right now someone just read your story and next year when they decide "it's just not what we want to do right now" they will go "well I read on the DIS that death works"... call and LIE! Seriously it happens all to often! It's one of the reasons Disney has taken away a lot of CM flexiblity on refunds etc...

Sigh.

This response is about as good as when the CM I spoke to after I cancelled b/c of my mother's death hoped I'd have "a magical day!".

If exceptions were only about getting proof death is one of the easiest ones.

 

[tjkraz]

And I think it's awful of DVC to not be sympathetic to those of you who've had to deal with loss of a loved one and forced to cancel vacations. So sorry that happened.......

I can't help but note that, by your own admission, you used up your "super-secret, once in a lifetime" to get DVC to refund your points. I'm not trying to come across as unsympathetic but I wouldn't count on Disney refunding points again in the future...regardless of the circumstances.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I can't help but note that, by your own admission, you used up your "super-secret, once in a lifetime" to get DVC to refund your points. I'm not trying to come across as unsympathetic but I wouldn't count on Disney refunding points again in the future...regardless of the circumstances.

Exactly, Tim. I think it's funny how everyone assumes they can get the rules bent or broken for just them. Frankly, it would never occur to me to even ask. If I have to cancel less than 30 days out, I KNOW my points are going into holding....end of story. I don't see how one reason can be deemed more important than another. Back 10 years ago when we had a big trip planned with multiple families, I knew there was a possibility my grandmother would pass away during the time of our planned trip. I made sure to buy insurance for that trip, and even if I couldn't have gone, our other friends would still have used the reservation. For the record, I guess I wouldn't consider a flight being cancelled a good enough reason to use the "super secret once in a lifetime" refund.