DVC rooms 'released' to CRO?

[JALaP]

Could someone explain this to me, please?: I've read that at a certain point DVC rooms are 'released' to CRO. When does that happen--after the seven month mark? And would those same rooms still be available through MS?
I'm confused because I've been trying to rent points for a couple of days , and have been told by CRO that there are studios available at OKW and WLV for the nites I want. But members checking through MS are being told there's nothing available.

I'm asking this here because I'm about to buy at BCV and am wondering about availability and how it works. Thanks so much, Judy

 

[RobDoc]

Any rooms unreserved by members 60 days ahead are released to CRO for cash rental.

For a resort not yet sold out, only the rooms owned by the members are available on points- at any time- so there will be cash availability at VB, HH, VWL and BCV at times when there is no member availability.

At OKW and BWV, there is cash availability when members have used points to go on the cruise or for other non-DVC resort reservations. Those points are available for cash only- until the 60 day "breakage period", when any unreserved rooms are available to members and non-members alike.

 

[JALaP]

Wow! So, if I'm understanding this right, if 20 days out, CRO says there is a studio available at OKW, that should be available for points also, right? Thanks for your patience, Judy

 

[Terry S]

Doc? When making a cash ressie is there any different availability between CRO or MS? Are they both available at the 60 day mark? I was wondering if it might be a good idea to try and pay cash for the weekends to save some points?

 

[RobDoc]

Once inside the 60 "Breakage Period" any available rooms are up for grabs by points or cash. If you're looking for weekend nights to add to a points reservation, I'd call MS- to make sure they link the ressies together- otherwise you might have to move.

If CRO tells you there is availability at 20 days out, I'd sure question MS if there is nothing on points (especially if you're on the wait list already). However, at some times of the year, the availability is so volatile that a room availabile for cash could be gone by the time you get thru to MS. Within 60 days, anything available should be OK for points or cash.

MS will also match a discounted cash rate, so if you find an AP rate which is lower than the 25% member's discount, let MS know and they should be able to offer the same rate.

Good Luck!

 

[JALaP]

Final clarification, Doc- so once you're a member, you can book cash reservations at DVC as well? That's the connection I'd been missing. Thanks again, Judy

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, MS can make cash reservations at DVC resorts. Many times, you will have to wait, since the first responsibility is to provide point reservations. When MS is convinced that there is or will be cash availability, then cash ressies are available.

Enjoy!

 

[DebbieB]

Once inside the 60 "Breakage Period" any available rooms are up for grabs by points or cash.

Can a room that was cash before 60 days become a points room within 60 days? I know that points rooms can become cash rooms (breakage), but I didn't think it worked the other way around. Say a cash room became available because a member traded for a cruise. DVC uses the cash from renting the room to pay for the cruise. But if someone ends up with that room for points within 60 days, where does DVC get the money?

 

[RobDoc]

Say a cash room became available because a member traded for a cruise.

The points are not permanently applied to a certain status. DVC does accept some risk in renting the points used for non-DVC reservations. This is part of the reason for the non-DVC ressies being higher in "cost" than a stay at a DVC resort.

My understanding is that any rooms available within 60 days may be accessed by both CRO and DVC for reservation. The goal is to fill the resort by any means.

 

[DVCinderella]

Doc,

I was unaware of a 25% member discount on cash reservations.

Is this discount only available when point reservations are no longer available? Or, is it available all the time?

For instance, say we were taking the in-laws, and we wanted to book our room with points, and book their room with cash.

1) As a DVC member, can I book a room for my folks at a 25% discount?

2) Does a DVC member have to occupy the room in order to get the discount?

 

[disneychic]

Doc,

I'm a bit confused. I had booked our ressies under the 60 day period to stay at OKW using our points. They told me that there were no studios available right in the middle of our trip so we have to check out of OKW and into VWL. Now, does this mean I should call CRO and find out if there are indeed studios available at OKW so that we don't have to move resorts mid trip? Also, would we be able to still use points or would it then be cash? LIke I said, I'm totally confused about this. Please explain.