Dumb use year question

[Debi]

I'm still researching DVC (I'm strongly leaning towards purchasing), and have one silly use year question. I'm a teacher, which means that I'll be doing the majority of my traveling during the summer. Would it be better for me to purchase a use year in early summer (June) or late summer (August), or does it not really matter? Thanks!

 

[Monkey Bum]

It doesn't really matter. The only scenerio that it would come into play is if you had a July or August use year and were vacationing when you got your new alottment of points. You could have access to 4 years points for one vacation. For example:

Bank all August 2005 points into 2006
Borrow all August 2007 points into 2006

If you were on vacation over the end of July 2007 to beginning of August 2007, you would be able to book your July stay using the 2005 (banked) and 2006 (current until July 31, 2007) points above and book your August stay with your 2007 (current beginning August 1, 2007) and 2008 (borrowed) points.

 

[CarolMN]

Use year only matters because it determines banking deadlines. If you have to cancel a vacation that occurs late in your use year, you may not be able to reschedule it before the end of your use year when the points expire and you may not be able to bank the points (to extend their life another year).

People's vacation habits do change over the course of the years, so keep in mind that what may be a good use year now, could turn out to be a not so one in the future.

My advice is to choose February for your use year if you have a choice. That would give you "peace of mind" if you want to travel over the spring break period as well as adequately cover your summer vacations. It would not be so good if you plan to travel over the Thanksgiving or Christmas vacations, though.

If you need more of an explanation or examples, just let us know.

Best wishes -

 

[Debi]

Thanks, everyone! If my calculations are correct, 150 points will get me 10 nights (Sun - Thurs) in a standard studio at BWV over the summer. Not bad!! I just didn't know how use year factored in to those 10 nights. Ultimately, what I'd like to do is a week at the beginning of the summer (Friday and Saturday night non-DVC), and a week in the end of the summer.

I'm also known to fly in for New Year's Eve and Easter, but those are high-point seasons. The question is....do I want to buy enough DVC points to cover those weeks also? Ah, decisions, decisions!

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks, everyone! If my calculations are correct, 150 points will get me 10 nights (Sun - Thurs) in a standard studio at BWV over the summer. Not bad!! I just didn't know how use year factored in to those 10 nights. Ultimately, what I'd like to do is a week at the beginning of the summer (Friday and Saturday night non-DVC), and a week in the end of the summer.

I'm also known to fly in for New Year's Eve and Easter, but those are high-point seasons. The question is....do I want to buy enough DVC points to cover those weeks also? Ah, decisions, decisions!

My advice is to start with 150 BWV points (because you want to book standard view rooms. You cannot count on getting SV if you can't book until the 7 month window opens). See how it works out for you.

If you want to stay at DVC more often than your 150 points will allow, you can always rent some points from another member and use those points for the "extra" trips. If you find yourself consistently traveling beyond 150 points worth, an add on may be in order.

Good luck with your decision.