DVC Courtesy Hold on Rooms??

[dtheboys]

Ok,

Do you think membership services should allow a 24 hour courtesy hold on a reservation?

Example: I was booking a room for my in-laws in July, the dates was unavailable.
Membership services then told me it was available at a different resort, or at a different set of dates....OK!! Now what do I do??? I have to hang up, call my in-laws and see if they can change dates, or resort preferance?
When I called back..15 minutes later the other resort was gone!!

Has this ever happened to you?

This also been a problem when trying to get airlines reserved, along w/ a room at DVC....

 

[tjkraz]

Unless you are borrowing points to make the reservation or doing it on VERY short notice (under 30 days), just book it. There is no penalty / cost for canceling 24 hours later.

No, MS will not simply hold a room unless you go through the formal booking process.

 

[dtheboys]

Unless you are borrowing points to make the reservation or doing it on VERY short notice (under 30 days), just book it. There is no penalty / cost for canceling 24 hours later.

No, MS will not simply hold a room unless you go through the formal booking process.

The HOLD is what I needed.....They had a room in July at BCV's, and by the time I could check dates w/ in-laws and called back the room was gone....
That is why I would like a short time courtesy HOLD on a room....

 

[JimMIA]

The HOLD is what I needed.....They had a room in July at BCV's, and by the time I could check dates w/ in-laws and called back the room was gone....
That is why I would like a short time courtesy HOLD on a room....

I think you missed the point of tj's response. You don't need to change the system; you just need to use the system as it already exists. Next time you find yourself in that situation, go ahead and book the reservation (unless you are in one of the situations tj described). If the inlaws say no, call and cancel.

I know what you are talking about - I use 24 hour holds for airline reservations all the time. But with airline reservations, I'm looking at significant penalties if I cancel. With DVC, you are usually not facing any penalty.

 

[crisi]

Or you needed to be clear with your in-laws that July was a little late to be booking in April, that they may not have a lot of choice, and either do a three way call, or get all their possibilities up front for dates and resorts. I'm not sure why your lack of planning and communication up front between you and your inlaws is supposed to inconvience the DVC member who did get that room. Sorry.

 

[lisareniff]

I think it would be a nice addition. Even a 4 hr hold - 1/2 day - to get all your ducks in a row before committing any borrowed points.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Nope. Not only would it make the system even more complicated, but it would offer additional "gaming the system" opportunities. The current system allows you to address this situation.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm quite happy with the current system. If I'm ready to go ahead and book, I'd hate to be told that there aren't any rooms because people have a "hold" on them.

 

[CarolMN]

I voted no and agree with those who say to book and cancel when you are in the situation described by the OP. IMO, the system works just fine - rooms only get "held" by commiting actual points. To do otherwise, would create many more problems that it solves.

Best wishes -

 

[castleri]

I voted no and that is even after I needed to do that the other day. A marvelous CM helped me out and I'm sorry if anyone was on hold on the phone line Friday around 1pm or so for longer than usual. I had called about several things and then asked if there was any availabilty at DL for July 16-20 fully expecting a no. When she said she had the 18, 19 and 20 I needed to check with my daughter about which day she and my DGD wanted to head to San Diego. The CM waited patiently as I ran up the stairs to the next floor at work and asked the questions etc- my cell phone was dead so couldn't call her- It was probably only 2-3 minutes but I was so grateful as I would have reserved an extra day and then had points go into reservation status when I had to cancel them as well as the fact that they would have been borrowed points so wuold have to be used by August. I made certain to let the CM know she had made my day truly magical. From now on I will have my cell phone charged and ready if I think there is the slightest chance I may have to confer with someone about the reservation I am trying to make.

 

[childsplay]

I understand your situation and do sympathize, but I voted no also. I agree that the best course of action (as long as you are clear on banking/borrowing guidlines etc.) is to simply make the reservation, then check with the inlaws. If they say "No, not what we're looking for" then just cancel. If you were in a position where you were going to need to borrow points to make the reservation I understand your not going to do that until you talk to the inlaws and losing the room stinks, but 24 hour holds would just create another loophole for some to manipulate.

 

[JimC]

I understand your frustration, but most often it is not necessary as you can cancel without penalty -- so I voted no.

 

[WDWsnooper]

I've been in that situation several times since we joined in 92. ALWAYS book the dates you want...you can always try later to move to the desired resort. Wait list works well for this.

 

[kathleena]

The HOLD is what I needed.....They had a room in July at BCV's, and by the time I could check dates w/ in-laws and called back the room was gone....
That is why I would like a short time courtesy HOLD on a room....

You don't need a hold, as others have said. You just book the room, call and ask the in-laws, and call back to let it go if you can't. Only exception is banking/borrowing and within the 30 day window.

And as a general rule - I always call with options, options, options. I know ahead of time what we can and can't do and go with it.