emailing reservations

[AUTigerFan]

Has anyone had experience emailing MS for reservations through the DVC members website? I was thinking about emailing a day or two before the seven month window opens up on my existing reservation to change to a different resort. I wonder if they would reject the email unless it is received the day of the seven month window. This could be useful on March 15 if everyone is trying to book BLT and the phones are jammed. Any thoughts?

 

[kimberh]

I have used the email system 3 times...with success all 3 times. I have never used it right up to the deadline. I used it today.

 

[lsutigger2]

Does anyone know if MS "saves" the email if it arrives a couple of days ahead of the booking window?

We'll be on the cruise when our 7 month window opens for our Nov-Dec trip. I think it is two/three days - leave on Saturday, booking window opens on Monday. I really don't want to wait until we return to try to book the trip. I'm afraid we'll be shut out, although I'll take a reservation at any resort !!

 

[CarolMN]

Does anyone know if MS "saves" the email if it arrives a couple of days ahead of the booking window?

We'll be on the cruise when our 7 month window opens for our Nov-Dec trip. I think it is two/three days - leave on Saturday, booking window opens on Monday. I really don't want to wait until we return to try to book the trip. I'm afraid we'll be shut out, although I'll take a reservation at any resort !!

This is a good question - one I don't think we've seen before.

I think you should call MS later today and ask. (My guess is that they don't save emails if they are too early. Can you imagine how many they might get? Where would they draw the line and how would they decide which emails to work first)? I believe they work emails as "filler" work( when they aren't busy answering phones. Phones rule in a call center!

Is there anyone else who can call to make the reservation for you?

Anyone you trust enough to send the email on your behalf?

Will you have access to email / internet on the cruise? Most ships do have public internet availability (although it is expensive).

If you call MS, please let us know what they say.

Good luck!

 

[snowbunny]

Does anyone know if MS "saves" the email if it arrives a couple of days ahead of the booking window?

Don't send it beforehand, I tried that. I sent it the afternoon before, asking in comments for the ressie to be made the next morning (when the 7-month window opened), and it was bounced back the next day (the correct day!) as outside the booking window. You need to wait and submit the form after midnight or in the morning so it is dated correctly for the booking window.

I did still get my BW view ressie at the 7-month window. Don't know why more people won't use the form instead of trying to get MS on the phone for hours. If they are really busy, the form may get there first.

 

[janni518]

Don't send it beforehand, I tried that. I sent it the afternoon before, asking in comments for the ressie to be made the next morning (when the 7-month window opened), and it was bounced back the next day (the correct day!) as outside the booking window. You need to wait and submit the form after midnight or in the morning so it is dated correctly for the booking window.

I did still get my BW view ressie at the 7-month window. Don't know why more people won't use the form instead of trying to get MS on the phone for hours. If they are really busy, the form may get there first.

What about doing both?

Glad to hear it gets bounced back if early. Can you imagine the mess that could create? We did our 11 month request via email but called for our 7 month window.

 

[snowbunny]

What about doing both?

Why would you want to waste MS time that way? Not to mention the confusion of a member having sent in an email form and then calling at the same time to do the same thing with the same points.

My impression is there is a specific CM who handles the email forms. When he bounced my form back to me on December 5 saying it was too early and I should book on December 5, I wrote back and then he completed the booking. Next time I'll know, it has to be on the correct day, which I agree is the best policy.

 

[lsutigger2]

Thanks for all the great information! Sometimes I write before I think !

I had already figured out that MS wouldn't save emails - way too much confusion, etc etc etc

I have a friend who now owns points at AKL and I may get her to call on the 7 month window day. (She actually works for me and that can be part of her job "duties" for the day! )

If that doesn't work out, I'll just take my chances and call as soon as I have an opportunity to do so. With us not being real particular about where we stay (and I think we have enough points to stay anywhere in a 1-bdrm), I'm hoping that something will be available. We can waitlist for what we really want if necessary.

 

[patsal]

My last six reservations have been done this way. I love taking care of it via the site and have never had any problems. If I was needing a last minute reservation I would call, but otherwise no big deal using the website. Now if I could jsut do ADR's this way it would be great I have no phone access while at work so anything that replaces the phone works well for me!