For those who have multiple contracts

[kniquy]

I am a planner and with hopefully acquiring a Poly contract to go along with my AK contract I want to use some sort of spreadsheet to keep track of what points are going where and for what. Both are the same UY so it should help simplify using the points online together.

I've tried putting together a spreadsheet but wanted to see what others do and maybe get some better ideas. If you have something you can share just let me know and I will PM you my email.

Thanks!

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have four UY and four contracts, soon to be 5, available to view online, I just use the online view of points used, points available and it works for me. I’d be more confused by a spreadsheet. But I know everyone is different.

 

[bwvBound]

Three contracts but all the same resort and UY. I simply use the online views from the member website.

That said ... in my early timeshare days I tried keeping a spreadsheet. We jumped into timeshare rather quickly going from 0 timeshare to 5 different products (brands?) within a few years. Some were points, some were weeks. I had quite a spreadsheet back then ... but, over time, I found it didn't serve much purpose. Once the concepts of banking deadlines and expirations (both points and weeks) became ingrained as a habit, I no longer needed the spreadsheet.

We are down now to only three different products (brands?) and it seems easy enough to either keep in my head or check the various member websites.

Takeaway: Do what you need, at first, to fully understand what you own and how to use it. Form good habits then relax and keep going.

 

[TCRAIG]

4UYs - 14contracts - 7 Home Resorts - I just keep a little word doc with what points I have left and what I’ve used and what I plan to use in the next 3-5 years...it’s the plan to use that keeps me from over booking any particular year as we go 3-4X a year and I don’t want to think those points are ‘available’ if I’ve got future plans for them

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Since I use Quicken as an electronic version of a checkbook anyway, I keep track of all my points by setting up "cash" accounts in Quicken, one account for each resort-use year. (I don't bother keeping track of each contract within a resort-use year, since that doesn't really matter when using my points.)

I then just add and subtract as if points were money. In the "dates" field I record the day new points will be added to my account and the dates of trips. In the "payee" field I describe the trip in terms of #of rooms, resort and who will be going. And in the "memo" field I add any additional info beyond the basics (like if I borrowed some points from another resort within the same use year.)

This has turned out to be a really easy way for me to see exactly where I am with my points at all times.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Back when we first bought I used Caskbills pt tracker. After he passed away I then started with a spreadsheet. Stopped using it after 4-5 years. If I have a question now I go back thru the point history online.

 

[gluestickgirl]

we have 2 (soon to be 3) contracts w/ different use years. i use google sheets and color code what contract was used for each stay, with notes on if anything was borrowed, banked or OTU points purchased. i also use it to rough out future years so we don't end up short on points for what we've planned out.

 

[DisneyMaleficent50]

I am a planner and with hopefully acquiring a Poly contract to go along with my AK contract I want to use some sort of spreadsheet to keep track of what points are going where and for what. Both are the same UY so it should help simplify using the points online together.

I've tried putting together a spreadsheet but wanted to see what others do and maybe get some better ideas. If you have something you can share just let me know and I will PM you my email.

Thanks!

I have a very easy to use spreadsheet. Be happy to share. Just the 2 contracts?

 

[CarolynFH]

I too have a spreadsheet that’s very simple (I’m not very sophisticated in regard to Excel). PM me if you’d like a copy.

 

[AdamsMum]

I have 2 home resorts, but 3 contracts. One spreadsheet but different sections for each home resort, also one section for total points. All three are in excel and on the same page. Mine also isn't very sophisticated, and with the same use year, I've found it not really necessary. Although I also used it to keep track of the value for my points comparing with the price for a moderate room that I would have booked if I didn't have DVC. That was kind of satisfying. Maybe I should get back to it.

 

[Sandisw]

i have 3 UY's and I have been able to keep track of it using the website so far. But, I bought the contracts the way I did for specific reasons and trips so that helps as I know which ones I want to use for which trips!!! But, I think a simple spreadsheet could be set up to make it easy to use if one finds what is available on the website won't do it! Good luck!

 

[Meriweather]

I just use the online info to plan and then book.

5 contracts, 4 UYs

 

[goofy kc]

I tried a spreadsheet for a while but it wasn't for me. Now, I have a small notebook that I use to keep track of points, create some 'what if' plans, record flight info for us and guests, etc... I love my DVC notebook!!

The 'what if' plans are projections of possible trips with guests. How much to stay at one resort vs another, one room type vs another, for a certain # of guests. This is great when I am extending an invitation, I can tell them exactly what we are looking at and how they will 'fit' into the reservation.

 

[jbish]

For those of you that referenced that you just look online at your history, I only saw maybe three years of history. But if I call Member Services, would they be able to give me a full accounting? I'd only have to go back to 2011. I'd like to have the full history and then just keep track going forward myself.