DVC Upgrade Question

[tinkerjack]

Hello DVCer's,

I was wondering if it ever happens that you book a studio and get a free upgrade to either a 1 or 2 bedroom or if anyone has booked a standard view and been upgraded to a premium view. I'm curious because I'm trying to calculate how many points I may need if I do indeed decide to buy in. I know an upgrade isn't ever guaranteed but I do tend to get them at AKL when I book a standard view. Thanks in advaces for sharing your experiences. Jeffrey

 

[DisneyWalker44]

They can happen, but are very rare.

 

[crisi]

Almost never. Generally only when the unit you booked is out of service will you get an upgrade. If you want a one or two bedroom and a preferred view, you'd better buy enough points to get those things.

Something to keep in mind is that you get those upgrades at AKL because the Savannah views aren't all booked. DVC operates at around 95%+ capacity - and that 5% of units that aren't booked are often out of service. There usually isn't anywhere to upgrade you to.

Timeshares are very different than hotels, and this is one way that they are different.

 

[chalee94]

I'm curious because I'm trying to calculate how many points I may need if I do indeed decide to buy in. I know an upgrade isn't ever guaranteed but I do tend to get them at AKL when I book a standard view. Thanks in advaces for sharing your experiences. Jeffrey

timeshares are NOT the same as hotels, like AKL.

buy the number of pts you need to get what you want.

when people book DVC resorts on cash (i.e. more like a hotel experience based on DVC's discretion on using the pts it owns), there is a teeny tiny chance of an upgraded view or room type.

when you book a stay based on POINTS, though, the resort has virtually no flexibility in moving you to another room type. DVC resorts are usually close to 100% occupancy anyway, so unless there is something seriously wrong with the room such that you HAVE to be moved, the front desk people don't have the discretion to upgrade you.

keep in mind the owners of DVC are just that, OWNERS. ideally, if they sell out a resort, there is only a small percentage of pts held back for maintenance (and also some pts that DVC gets back for trades and as breakage inventory at the last minute). but theoretically, if BCV is 100% sold out, there are only enough pts for BCV owners to stay there during the year...with no flexibility in moving a few owners up a category. don't feel bad for asking the question, but it's just not how timeshares work...

 

[Dean]

Hello DVCer's,

I was wondering if it ever happens that you book a studio and get a free upgrade to either a 1 or 2 bedroom or if anyone has booked a standard view and been upgraded to a premium view. I'm curious because I'm trying to calculate how many points I may need if I do indeed decide to buy in. I know an upgrade isn't ever guaranteed but I do tend to get them at AKL when I book a standard view. Thanks in advaces for sharing your experiences. Jeffrey

As noted, it happens rarely and usually due to maint type issues. IMO, it would be inappropriate as a member to ask for a free upgrade.

 

[n2mm]

You have a better chance at winning the lottery than getting an upgrade at a DVC resort. The only time I've heard of anyone getting one is if there is a maintenance issue and nothing is available in the size you reserved......rare!

 

[rangermom]

It is rare, but we got an upgrade from a studio to a one bedroom at SSR when we checked in. We were told they over booked the studios. They did not charge us the extra points for the one bedroom. It was only for the one night, but we were scheduled to move to AKV the second night anyway.