Extra points and Use Year Question

[Girlstar30]

So I've heard that if you buy direct you can get last year's points as well? Is this true for buying at any time of the year or only in the beginning of the year? I'm not really understanding how or why? Also, I heard that if you buy direct after resale that they match your use year, but what if you want a different use year?

 

[pzw90]

You will get your points for the current use year. Right now you will get 2024 points on all UY except February as we are currently in FEB 25 UY

They try to match it as it’s easier. You don’t need a second membership as it will roll into one. You can ask for a different UY and they should oblige.

 

[DebbieB]

That’s a sales tactic. Say for example I have an April use year, which the current year would be 4/1/2024 to 3/31/2025. I buy direct, they will say you get an extra year’s points, when in reality they are giving you current year. They will also say you don’t have to pay dues on them, which is partially true. You don’t have to pay back to April 2024 but you will have to start paying pro-rated from the day you buy.

 

[sarahlord]

Think hard about use year, my first direct contract I got February as that’s what they were offering at the time but I do like to go in November for food and wine which is close to the end of my use year if I had to cancel a trip.

October would have been my ideal use year, I only travel to Florida October-May due to the heat.

My second direct contract at a different resort I requested October and they gave it to me but now I juggle 2 memberships….

 

[radiodome21]

I was casually looking at resale contracts. I have a February UY, which they gave me when I bought direct back in 2023. I could have changed the UY if I wanted when I bought but February is great for us.

Flash forward to mid January and I got a call from my guide and a few emails offering me the 2024 points as well so long as I close before 2/1. The only dues I’ll pay are prorated. I bought an additional 100 at PVB, which I was heavy leaning towards anyway. I might put down a deposit and the points were loaded into my account the next day.

I have no desire to get a different UY simply because the cons I read about here and elsewhere outweigh the pros.

 

[Sandisw]

It’s really about buying at a strategic point in your UY to give you what feels like double points with fewer dues.

For example, I could add on to my Dec UY now and get 2024 points…and pay 2025 dues for around 11 months

I can wait and add on points in Oct, still get my 2024 points but now my 2025 dues will be only 3 months.

The disadvantage to waiting can be price as incentives can and do change. But, it is a nice way to maximize your purchase.

 

[TinkAgainU]

... You can ask for a different UY and they should oblige.

I was told last year I could absolutely NOT get a different Use Year for an Add-On, I'm guessing because I only wanted a small add on. I'd double check this with your Guide.

 

[Brian Noble]

A new UY is a new membership, and at the moment is a minimum of 100.

 

[Sandisw]

I had was told last year I could absolutely NOT get a different Use Year for an Add-On, I'm guessing because I only wanted a small add on. I'd double check this with your Guide.

That’s because a new UY is not an add on. It’s a new membership and thus requires at least 100 points.

 

[Girlstar30]

Think hard about use year, my first direct contract I got February as that’s what they were offering at the time but I do like to go in November for food and wine which is close to the end of my use year if I had to cancel a trip.

October would have been my ideal use year, I only travel to Florida October-May due to the heat.

My second direct contract at a different resort I requested October and they gave it to me but now I juggle 2 memberships….

Do you regret juggling the two?

 

[Girlstar30]

I was casually looking at resale contracts. I have a February UY, which they gave me when I bought direct back in 2023. I could have changed the UY if I wanted when I bought but February is great for us.

Flash forward to mid January and I got a call from my guide and a few emails offering me the 2024 points as well so long as I close before 2/1. The only dues I’ll pay are prorated. I bought an additional 100 at PVB, which I was heavy leaning towards anyway. I might put down a deposit and the points were loaded into my

That’s a sales tactic. Say for example I have an April use year, which the current year would be 4/1/2024 to 3/31/2025. I buy direct, they will say you get an extra year’s points, when in reality they are giving you current year. They will also say you don’t have to pay dues on them, which is partially true. You don’t have to pay back to April 2024 but you will have to start paying pro-rated from the day you buy.

Thank you! My resale use year is going to be February if all goes thru. So we wouldn't be buying direct until probably summer I'm estimating so I thought I would be missing out on these "free points" but it seems I'm really not because even if I waited until like next January to buy, the "free points" would expire January 31st right? Unless they do a one time exception to let you bank them late?

 

[Girlstar30]

It’s really about buying at a strategic point in your UY to give you what feels like double points with fewer dues.

For example, I could add on to my Dec UY now and get 2024 points…and pay 2025 dues for around 11 months

I can wait and add on points in Oct, still get my 2024 points but now my 2025 dues will be only 3 months.

The disadvantage to waiting can be price as incentives can and do change. But, it is a nice way to maximize your purchase.

So if I have a February use year when would be a good time for me to buy more direct just based soley on getting the "free points" sorry I've read your post like 5 times, I am terrible at math and having a hard time wrapping my brain around this, it's not computing lol

 

[Girlstar30]

Te on

I was told last year I could absolutely NOT get a different Use Year for an Add-On, I'm guessing because I only wanted a small add on. I'd double check this with your Guide.the on

So if I have a February use year when would be a good time for me to buy more direct just based soley on getting the "free points" sorry I've read your post like 5 times, I am terrible at math and having a hard time wrapping my brain around this, it's not computing lol

I was told last year I could absolutely NOT get a different Use Year for an Add-On, I'm guessing because I only wanted a small add on. I'd double check this with your Guide.

The only reason I wanted another use year is to get this perceived last year's points but it seems it may not be worth it from what I'm reading here

 

[Girlstar30]

A new UY is a new membership, and at the moment is a minimum of 100.

Seems like a pain to do this

 

[Girlstar30]

That’s because a new UY is not an add on. It’s a new membership and thus requires at least 100 points.

Would you recommend a new membership to get "last year's points" or thats not worth it?

 

[Sandisw]

So if I have a February use year when would be a good time for me to buy more direct just based soley on getting the "free points" sorry I've read your post like 5 times, I am terrible at math and having a hard time wrapping my brain around this, it's not computing lol

Your first set of points will be Feb 2025 UY since that is your “current” one.

So, buying anytime from now through January 2026 will get you those points.

Dues will be based on when you buy and so will pricing.

So, if you waited until the fall, you’d get those points but only pay 3 to 4 months of 2025 dues.

Waiting until January 2026 and you get those points and your dues start for 2026

The risk, as I said, is the rise in price and decrease in incentives. So, that’s what you have to weigh.

 

[Girlstar30]

Your first set of points will be Feb 2025 UY since that is your “current” one.

So, buying anytime from now through January 2026 will get you those points.

Dues will be based on when you buy and so will pricing.

So, if you waited until the fall, you’d get those points but only pay 3 to 4 months of 2025 dues.

Waiting until January 2026 and you get those points and your dues start for 2026

The risk, as I said, is the rise in price and decrease in incentives. So, that’s what you have to weigh.

But if I waited until January 2026 wouldn't those 2025 points expire on january 31 2026?

 

[TinkAgainU]

Do you regret juggling the two?

I have two and now spending way too much $ to get it back down to one (ie commission and closing costs). If it was just me, I'd probably be okay with two, but my intent is to leave to the kids and they will not enjoy the complexity of multiple Use Years on top of the other learning curve issues with using the points.

 

[Brian Noble]

But if I waited until January 2026 wouldn't those 2025 points expire on january 31 2026?

Yes, but with a new purchase they grant a one-time late banking exception. You can confirm that in writing when you buy.

More broadly: Try not to let the tail wag the dog. If you need more points in the long term, buy them---neither before nor after you need them. If you want more points in the short term, but not consistently, consider a transfer.

 

[RuntheMouse]

But if I waited until January 2026 wouldn't those 2025 points expire on january 31 2026?

They will let you bank those past the deadline as a courtesy.