DVC Points Timing

[bwbuddy]

When you you call to use your DVC points for a cruise? - 11 months prior to your day of departure, or 11 months from your date of return?

 

[AnnMorin]

We have always booked 11 months to the day of departure

 

[TnRobin]

It is the day the cruise starts.

 

[MarkRG]

Does the 11 month window even apply to booking a cruise?

(methinks Robin was up too late in chat last nite )

 

[eva]

Unfortunately it does apply for cruises. We have been thinking about booking one room on points and another on cash next year, but were told that we have to wait until the 11 month window for the one on points.

 

[rae519]

One way to get around it is to pay in cash then change to points. That's what we did in order to get the cruise we wanted. Wasn't a problem at all!

Rae

 

[westjones]

Did you book directly through DCL and then call DVC and ask for your reservation to be switched? Did the refund your $1000 deposit?

Thanks,
DJ

 

[rae519]

I booked through DCL then called DVC at the opportune time to switch the reservations. I kept the same dining schedule (early) and my same stateroom. Plus they refunded my entire deposit within a week's time.

Very please, DJ, with the entire procedure since I had the opportunity to get exactly the cruise and used points that I had available.


Rae

 

[bwbuddy]

How did the DCL cash rates compare to other agents' rates? I plan to book one with cash (and leave it that way), and then one with points at 11-months. But, the cash rates through the agent is currently cheaper than that through DCL. And, the agent knows the situation, and will try to get our two staterooms matched up if DVC can't do it. All of our 6 traveller's are mid-teen and older, so not a big deal if the location proximity doesn't work out.

 

[rae519]

When I choose to pay cash for my trips, I book them through DCL then have Bill at Cruisetraveloutlet.com take the reservation over and he gives me a 7% rebate (from the 10% he gets). That amounts to around $200 since I book Category 6 (verandah) for 2 adults and 1 child.

Now this is how I do it, but there are others who are very happy using other TA's for their booking, etc.

Also, I make my own airline reservations rather than use DCL's plan. But I have always used the DCL transfers.

Happy cruising!

Rae