DVC experts...explain Pro's of one use year over another??

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Hi, We are thinking of buying DVC. We are considering the tour when we are there next month. Can some one Please explain why one use year is better than another?? I have seen a lot of people who like Feb?? Is there a reason for this? We have been going in August since I am in Education and the summer especially August Value season has been working for us. Is there one use year for us that would be better than another?? Thanks for helping to shed some light on this use year confusion.

 

[RobDoc]

Use Year has nothing to do with when you can travel or when you can make reservations. Basically it is the date each year when your points are renewed and will therefore determine banking deadlines for your account.

If you know you will usually travel at the same time each year, it might be best to have a Use Year that begins just prior to when you'll travel. If you will usually go in August, a June or August Use Year (there are no July use Years) would work well for you since you would have plenty of time to reuse or bank any points returned to your account if you would ever cancel a reservation.

I do not place much importance on Use Year and wouldn't worry too much about which one you have.

Enjoy!

 

[LisaS]

Your Use Year determines the time period within which each allotment of points can be used and also your banking deadlines. Many of us prefer having a UY that is right before our primary travel times. That way, if we ever have to cancel a trip just a month or so in advance, we would still have most of our UY left to use the points for something else. We would also be able to bank the points returned from the cancelled reservation.

For example, if you always go in August, then an August UY would be perfect for you. If you may want to go in June or July some years, then a June UY would be better. The worst UY would be one that is right after your primary travel times. For example, if you had a Sep UY and had to cancel an August trip 31 days or more in advance, you would be past all your banking deadlines and have only until Aug 31 to use the the points for something else before they expired.

Use Year does not affect when you can make a reservation. You can book at your home resort 11 months from your checkout date regardless of your Use Year (and 7 months out at non-home resorts).

The reason I mention cancelling 31 days or more prior to check in is that if you cancel 30 days or less from check in, the points go into "holding" and cannot be banked, and can only be used to make reservations 60 days in advance. So if you cancel a stay within days of check in, it doesn't matter what UY you have, you will not be able to bank the points.

 

[square pond]

Use Year has nothing to do with when you can travel or when you can make reservations. Basically it is the date each year when your points are renewed and will therefore determine banking deadlines for your account.

If you know you will usually travel at the same time each year, it might be best to have a Use Year that begins just prior to when you'll travel. If you will usually go in August, a June or August Use Year (there are no July use Years) would work well for you since you would have plenty of time to reuse or bank any points returned to your account if you would ever cancel a reservation.

I do not place much importance on Use Year and wouldn't worry too much about which one you have.

Enjoy!

Thanks Webmaster, I think I get it now. There is a lot of info to absorb on DVC. I don't want to make a big Financial decision like DVC and then find out I goofed up somewhere. I love the DIS boards and all the people who are always willing to share knowledge and info!!

 

[square pond]

Your Use Year determines the time period within which each allotment of points can be used and also your banking deadlines. Many of us prefer having a UY that is right before our primary travel times. That way, if we ever have to cancel a trip just a month or so in advance, we would still have most of our UY left to use the points for something else. We would also be able to bank the points returned from the cancelled reservation.

For example, if you always go in August, then an August UY would be perfect for you. If you may want to go in June or July some years, then a June UY would be better. The worst UY would be one that is right after your primary travel times. For example, if you had a Sep UY and had to cancel an August trip 31 days or more in advance, you would be past all your banking deadlines and have only until Aug 31 to use the the points for something else before they expired.

Use Year does not affect when you can make a reservation. You can book at your home resort 11 months from your checkout date regardless of your Use Year (and 7 months out at non-home resorts).

The reason I mention cancelling 31 days or more prior to check in is that if you cancel 30 days or less from check in, the points go into "holding" and cannot be banked, and can only be used to make reservations 60 days in advance. So if you cancel a stay within days of check in, it doesn't matter what UY you have, you will not be able to bank the points.

Thanks Lisa, I would have to say that August would be our choice. Do they give you a choice??

 

[LisaS]

Thanks Lisa, I would have to say that August would be our choice. Do they give you a choice??

With the new resorts (AKV, SSR) they are usually selling one or two Use Years at any point in time. Tell your guide what you would prefer and they may be able to accommodate you (in other words, there may be some points available for other Use Years.)

If you are purchasing a "sold out" resort (OKW, BWV, BCV, VWL, HHI or VB) then it will come down to what they have available at the time you call. If you don't like any of the choices, you can go on a waiting list for what you want.

 

[square pond]

With the new resorts (AKV, SSR) they are usually selling one or two Use Years at any point in time. Tell your guide what you would prefer and they may be able to accommodate you (in other words, there may be some points available for other Use Years.)

If you are purchasing a "sold out" resort (OKW, BWV, BCV, VWL, HHI or VB) then it will come down to what they have available at the time you call. If you don't like any of the choices, you can go on a waiting list for what you want.

Thanks Again!! For helping a DVC wanna-be!!!

 

[crisi]

With the new resorts (AKV, SSR) they are usually selling one or two Use Years at any point in time. Tell your guide what you would prefer and they may be able to accommodate you (in other words, there may be some points available for other Use Years.)

If you are purchasing a "sold out" resort (OKW, BWV, BCV, VWL, HHI or VB) then it will come down to what they have available at the time you call. If you don't like any of the choices, you can go on a waiting list for what you want.

You can also go through the resale market, but will be limited to what is available for resale - points, home resort and use year. So resale may mean being both patient and flexible. i.e. Is 175 points at the Boardwalk Villas with an October use year significantly better or worse than 160 points at Beach Club Villas with a November use year? To some people, they will be functionally identical contracts. To some people these are completely different animals and only one is remotely acceptable.