For those with both direct & resale, what’s your booking strategy?

[MicheyMouse]

We have Poly direct since we will stay there for at least one trip every year. I’m debating what to do for a second contract. I want to have Riviera and LL as a realistic booking option but I’m worried 7-month studio availability will be all but impossible there.

Current thoughts are to add a Poly resale to book there and save most of the direct points for the other options.

I considered a small Riviera resale contract but that would require a different use year in all likelihood. Direct Riv points are a tough choice and more direct at Poly would win out in that scenario.

For those with both direct and resale contracts, how and where do you use your points?

(Benefits are not an issue)

 

[muppets3d]

As you probably know, resort view studios can be tough at lots of resorts at the 7 month mark. But not impossible.

So one of the best strategies would be to own enough points for preferred view studios, or 1 bedroom villas, at 7 month resorts. That way, you have the points to float if resort views aren't available.

As you probably know, Riviera resale points can only be used at Riviera so that may not be the best choice unless you're okay with that.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I don't think there's much strategy other than to book at your home resorts with the points you have at 11 months and then switch if you want at 7 months. The same applies for direct/resale.

Only difference is some of the properties are excluded from using those resale points (Riviera, VDH, Cabins at FW).

 

[cruisehopeful]

I have both resale and direct, but I bought where I wanted to stay. So, I just plan to book my home resorts and if something else is available that I'm interested in at 7 months or less, I'll take it. I don't plan on anything specific being available and I don't have a meltdown if nothing outside my own resorts is available.

It sounds like you want to buy resale points, but you don't want to be locked out of the new resorts. If Riviera is important to you, I would buy there and honestly I would buy direct. If you don't really care about the new resorts, but you just don't want to be locked out, then sure, buy Poly resale and use direct points for the new resorts.

I'd do a big cost comparison between direct and resale if you are buying Poly. With all the discounts for current members, it could just be a few thousand dollars difference and over the life of the contract, it might be better to get the unrestricted points.