Grrrr. Used online booking 1st time and I still have to call. NO requests?

[Judique]

Maybe or possibly others had requests they were trying to fill. Regardless while getting a HC room can be sort of guaranteed, not getting one is simply a request or luck of the draw. I think it's good they changed it rather than when you arrived being the first time you have knowledge of it.

I get 'lucky' quite often and always at BWV or HH, both of which are home resorts and where I am usually booking at 11 months.

One time at BWV I not only was offered the HC room but my booking category was changed.

 

[alldiz]

A number of years ago they basically said that they were not going to put much effort into requests and removed the priority of when one booked. Now there's no formal system to honor requests and it varies resort by resort even person by person.

That stinks! That does not sound very magical. Hopefully I will get lucky with a good CM as I have been in the past.
Kerri

 

[Dean]

I get 'lucky' quite often and always at BWV or HH, both of which are home resorts and where I am usually booking at 11 months.

One time at BWV I not only was offered the HC room but my booking category was changed.

I'm generally very unlucky in minor issues. I recall plalying 10 games of bingo with our 4 and a lady and her grandson at one of the planned activities at aMarriott in HH. We lost all 10 even though it was 4 against 2. OTOH we've been lucky when it counted including missing the bombing in ATL during the Olympics by 2.5 hrs putting our drinks and sandwidches on the light post that was ground zero. We've been hit or miss with room assignments but I can't complain. Historically I've had 2 or a max of 3 requests. Basically not a smokign room (when applicable), not a HC room and for multiple rooms to be close. IMO those that make very specific requests should have them ignored like a specific room.

That stinks! That does not sound very magical. Hopefully I will get lucky with a good CM as I have been in the past.
Kerri

I'm on record as agreeing with you but I understand why they did it. Personally I'd have rather they listed the appropriate and inappropriate requests and stick to it and actually make an effort rather than give up. My order of preference would be owner at that resort no matter when they booked, cash guest through CRO, other DVC owner then exchangers.

 

[Judique]

I'm generally very unlucky in minor issues. I recall plalying 10 games of bingo with our 4 and a lady and her grandson at one of the planned activities at aMarriott in HH. We lost all 10 even though it was 4 against 2. OTOH we've been lucky when it counted including missing the bombing in ATL during the Olympics by 2.5 hrs putting our drinks and sandwidches on the light post that was ground zero. We've been hit or miss with room assignments but I can't complain. Historically I've had 2 or a max of 3 requests. Basically not a smokign room (when applicable), not a HC room and for multiple rooms to be close. IMO those that make very specific requests should have them ignored like a specific room.

I'm on record as agreeing with you but I understand why they did it. Personally I'd have rather they listed the appropriate and inappropriate requests and stick to it and actually make an effort rather than give up. My order of preference would be owner at that resort no matter when they booked, cash guest through CRO, other DVC owner then exchangers.

I have to say I don't put in requests so I guess that leaves me wide open. Maybe I'll start the no HC NS request and leave it at that.

I just don't get why they can't just leave the HC rooms as a booking category and then, if that is all that is left, that's what you get. Then it would be my choice to book it or stay home. At BWV, someone would book it.

 

[alldiz]

I'm generally very unlucky in minor issues. I recall plalying 10 games of bingo with our 4 and a lady and her grandson at one of the planned activities at aMarriott in HH. We lost all 10 even though it was 4 against 2. OTOH we've been lucky when it counted including missing the bombing in ATL during the Olympics by 2.5 hrs putting our drinks and sandwidches on the light post that was ground zero. We've been hit or miss with room assignments but I can't complain. Historically I've had 2 or a max of 3 requests. Basically not a smokign room (when applicable), not a HC room and for multiple rooms to be close. IMO those that make very specific requests should have them ignored like a specific room.

I'm on record as agreeing with you but I understand why they did it. Personally I'd have rather they listed the appropriate and inappropriate requests and stick to it and actually make an effort rather than give up. My order of preference would be owner at that resort no matter when they booked, cash guest through CRO, other DVC owner then exchangers.

Yikes....yea being lucky when it counts....priceless!!

Yes i like your order of preference. I can appreciate people will complain and you can't make "some" people happy no matter what. But to give up seems like they would get more unhappy people overall. Certainly not what they are looking for.

I do have to laugh at myself about the room requests....i always ask the CM put a smiley face next to request. Like thats gonna make a big difference
Kerri

 

[luckyman_apd]

I know nothing is guaranteed, but can you actually request a specific room? As in room number? I had an awesome room at BCV once and next time we stay there, I'd love to get that room again, but I never thought that was possible.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You can ask for a specific room, but if that room is occupied for any of your dates when they do your assignment, you won't get it.

Also they don't have any way of knowing why you requested a specific room, so if you don't get it they can put you anywhere. You do have better odds making more general requests like a certain building or area.

 

[Dean]

I have to say I don't put in requests so I guess that leaves me wide open. Maybe I'll start the no HC NS request and leave it at that.

I just don't get why they can't just leave the HC rooms as a booking category and then, if that is all that is left, that's what you get. Then it would be my choice to book it or stay home. At BWV, someone would book it.

Sometimes you'll get people who become defensive for those that strongly prefer not to have a HC room. Personally, I refuse to feel guilty by not needing one. However, I also realize that if there are rooms, someone has to get a HC room. I may ask for a different room if applicable but I'd always do so courteously and would never demand. The room assigners have a difficult job, normally they make it about a year at most non DVC options which is the only place I have real info from. I must say that room assignments are just one of many areas where non DVC timeshare do a much better job than does DVC.

In a sense it is a booking category now but it's really only in one direction, if you need it it's a booking category. If you don't, there's no way currently to opt out. Since they do their room management by numbers rather than specific rooms for most situations, it'd be difficult for them to actually show you that the room you were booking were a HC room consistently until you get near sell out. They have to give them to someone and for the most part there are more HC rooms than HC room reservations and thus someone has to get them. For me personally I'd rather not go than get one most of the time.

 

[Judique]

For me personally I'd rather not go than get one most of the time.

For me it depends on the length of stay. 2 or 3 days - I'll deal with no bath tub. Staying a week or more, I want a full service room.

 

[Dean]

For me it depends on the length of stay. 2 or 3 days - I'll deal with no bath tub. Staying a week or more, I want a full service room.

We've had stretches where we needed a roll in shower or similar and it was nice to have the option when needed. And not all HC rooms have the same limitations. At the end of the day it's part of the compromise we all signed up for by owning a timeshare.