Help, please

[Peepster]

We are scheduled to fly to WDW on Dec 23 and stay for eight nights at our home, VWL. Flights, reservations, ADR's have been all made for months. We have a tragic family situation and our ability to go is in serious doubt, although is still a slight possibility. Because we've never had this happen before I'm unclear about our lodging situation. I assume we will just lose our points, but am hoping you experts may have some suggestions. I understand that our ADR's will automatically cancel when the reservation cancels. Our airline tickets can be used for up to a year with a stiff penalty. Forgive me, but we were really looking forward to doing the single digit dance today so I'm sorry for being a "downer". Any advice or just direction would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AFMom]

You won't Loose your points - but they will be put into Holding Status.
First - let me say, I'm so sorry about whatever it is that is causing you to cancel.
You can cancel now, your points will remain in this use-year and will no be bankable (you'll need to use them somehow before the use year is over) You will be limited to making a reservation no sooner than 60 days before your arrival - so a bit of planning is needed to make sure this is all accomplished before your use year is up.
Your other option is to rent the reservation out here on the Rent/Trade Board. A reservation at that time at the VWL will rent quickly and you probably will have no problems what so ever getting it doen pretty much the same day you post it.
Hope this helps - good luck -

 

[sssteele]

I can't help you with your situation, but I'm sorry for your situation. God bless!

 

[Peepster]

AFMom, may I ask how we would go about renting the reservation out? I've been a bit hesitant to call Member Services as I don't know if they would frown on us renting. (It is suddenly occuring to me that I should be more well-versed on these possibilities!)

Thank you both for your good wishes also. Hope your holidays are super!

 

[LIFERBABE]

 

[Nanajo1]

Is there any way you can reschedule your trip? When I had emergency surgery last winter two weeks before our trip I was advised to reschedule if possible and not cancel. I don't how far out you can reschedule. Try calling MS and find out your options. I hope things work out.

 

[Wendy1953]

So sorry for your unfortunate emergency...hope everything turns out okay....I'm not quite up to date on renting either, but I wish you luck.

 

[DebbieB]

AFMom, may I ask how we would go about renting the reservation out? I've been a bit hesitant to call Member Services as I don't know if they would frown on us renting. (It is suddenly occuring to me that I should be more well-versed on these possibilities!)

Thank you both for your good wishes also. Hope your holidays are super!

Member Services really isn't involved in renting, other than changing the reservation from your name to your renters name. You could put an ad on the rent/trade board to see if anyone is interested. You agree on the terms and then call member services to change the name or make a new reservation for your renter (if dates are changing). They have no problem doing that.

What is your use year? Points in holding can be used for a reservation 60 days or less before the arrival date and expire at the end of the use year. If the end of your use year is far off, perhaps you can reschedule.

Most airlines charge a $50 to $100 change fee per person to reschedule your flights. Which airline is it?

Best wishes.

 

[Peepster]

DebbieB, thanks for the advice. Our use year is April and rescheduling might be possible. More than likely though we will post on the Rent/Trade board as you suggested and see if anyone is interested, etc. We'll probably know by the weekend. Thanks so much.