Help with OTU points, MMB, and switching part of a reservation at 7 months

[magickingdomprincess]

I currently have 5 nights booked in June at BCV (our home resort) and I was originally going to add the 6th night (Sun) after buying OTU points at the 7 month mark but that night is no longer available. So, I think I want to switch our last 1-2 nights (Fri-Sat) plus add the Sun night to either BLT or Poly, depending on what's available in Nov at the 7 month mark. I figure if we have to do a split stay I'd like to at least have 2-3 nights at the new resort. Depending on which resort, we would need between 18-23 OTU points for 3 nights. Is my thinking correct that it would be cheaper to buy the 2025 MMB in Nov to get the BOGO price for those OTU points? Since I have a Feb UY and our trip is in our 2026 UY, I wouldn't really be able to use the other 2025 MBB benefits, correct? Also, I don't have 150 direct points but bought resale a long time ago and am grandfathered in for other benefits, so I should be eligible to purchase MMB, is that right?

As a separate but related question, what's the best way to go about the change logistically? I don't want to lose my nights I have booked for BCV, but would need the points from dropping the last 1-2 nights to have enough to book at the new resort. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

 

[Sandisw]

MMB benefits are for the calendar year so UY doesn’t matter.

If you want to buy OTU points in November 2025 and get the BOGO price, then you need to purchase it for 2025.

The rules for OTU are the same, so all that matters is you are buying them 7 months or less, which you would be.

You would still have access to any other benefit from MMB until end of December.

To have the benefits for 2026, you have to buy it for 2026…but then wouldn’t be able to buy the OTU points at the BOGO price for the June trip until January 1st, 2026 when the 2026 MMB benefits kick in.

In terms of making it work? You have to cancel first if you need those points.

Since you have to call MS to buy, they can at least tell you how many rooms they see at the resort you want to change to before you drop the BCV nights.

 

[toesmom]

I think the other thing to confirm is that you can only buy the OTU points in one transaction. You can’t buy 15 at one time and two weeks later try to buy another 5. My understanding is that this is a single purchase transaction.

 

[eticketplease]

I think the other thing to confirm is that you can only buy the OTU points in one transaction. You can’t buy 15 at one time and two weeks later try to buy another 5. My understanding is that this is a single purchase transaction.

I believe I read that @Sandisw confirmed you could still do multiple transactions as it is the same rules when purchasing OTUP they just show up in your account directly now as two different contracts

 

[WinterSolider]

I currently have 5 nights booked in June at BCV (our home resort) and I was originally going to add the 6th night (Sun) after buying OTU points at the 7 month mark but that night is no longer available. So, I think I want to switch our last 1-2 nights (Fri-Sat) plus add the Sun night to either BLT or Poly, depending on what's available in Nov at the 7 month mark. I figure if we have to do a split stay I'd like to at least have 2-3 nights at the new resort. Depending on which resort, we would need between 18-23 OTU points for 3 nights. Is my thinking correct that it would be cheaper to buy the 2025 MMB in Nov to get the BOGO price for those OTU points? Since I have a Feb UY and our trip is in our 2026 UY, I wouldn't really be able to use the other 2025 MBB benefits, correct? Also, I don't have 150 direct points but bought resale a long time ago and am grandfathered in for other benefits, so I should be eligible to purchase MMB, is that right?

As a separate but related question, what's the best way to go about the change logistically? I don't want to lose my nights I have booked for BCV, but would need the points from dropping the last 1-2 nights to have enough to book at the new resort. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Just go buy 24 OTUP using your 2025 MMB benefit now for a fake trip in May. Then immediately cancel the reservation. Poof now you magically have 24 extra points in your account in your February 2026 use year that you can do with what you want. You don't need to call member services again and you don't have to guess exactly how many points you'll need.

When you make or change a reservation, use up all of your OTUP first and then you'll have a handful of extra normal points to bank to next year since you might not have needed exactly 24.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Just go buy 24 OTUP using your 2025 MMB benefit now for a fake trip in May. Then immediately cancel the reservation. Poof now you magically have 24 extra points in your account in your February 2026 use year that you can do with what you want. You don't need to call member services again and you don't have to guess exactly how many points you'll need.

When you make or change a reservation, use up all of your OTUP first and then you'll have a handful of extra normal points to bank to next year since you might not have needed exactly 24.

Do OTU points show in our dashboard to use? I am in a similar situation as original poster, want to do MMB 2026 and get the OTU for a potential Sept/Oct 2026 trip booking at 7 mth mark, but I just want it all settled so I can book at 8a that day 7 mth opens up.

 

[eticketplease]

Do OTU points show in our dashboard to use? I am in a similar situation as original poster, want to do MMB 2026 and get the OTU for a potential Sept/Oct 2026 trip booking at 7 mth mark, but I just want it all settled so I can book at 8a that day 7 mth opens up.

I'm not sure if they show up directly in the Vacation Points box on the left of the dashboard since I have used all of mine.
However they did make a change recently (maybe 6 months ago) that if you click on "Manage Vacation points" in that same box you will then see all of the contracts including OTUP and transferred contracts.

If you do what @WinterSolider said call and book a fake reservation consisting of 24 OTUP for the use year you want to use the OTUP.
Sep 7 month booking opens in February so if you have a February use year this is perfect as long as it's not Sep 1 when you actually want to travel.
Call Feb 1 and ask to them to make a reservation for you using OTUP for BLT - 1 BR Resort view, VGF - Resort Studio Theme Park view, PVB - Studio Theme Park or SSR - 1 BR Preferred as these are exactly 24 points.

After the points have been purchased (hopefully you will be able to use MMB to cut your costs from $480 to $339 ($99 MB + $240 BOGO OTUP)) and you have hung up you will login to your dashboard and cancel the reservation that was just made.

Now when you go to book a reservation at 7 months at 8 am make sure to select the OTUP contract(s) (If using MB they have been splitting them up) along with whatever other contracts you wish to use to book the room.

Edit to add if you had a Feb use year you could call in as early as July 1 to do this but you will need to find something that is 24 points (PVB Preferred view Studio Longhouse or Tower, PVB Premium View Studio, VDH Garden Room Studio, HHI 2 Bedroom or just combine with some of your points if you have to go over since you will be cancelling anyways.

If you do it on July 1 for a Feb use year then you have your entire use year to use those OTUP which you can not bank.

 

[WinterSolider]

Do OTU points show in our dashboard to use? I am in a similar situation as original poster, want to do MMB 2026 and get the OTU for a potential Sept/Oct 2026 trip booking at 7 mth mark, but I just want it all settled so I can book at 8a that day 7 mth opens up.

It doesn't show up on the Dashboard screen itself but it shows up when you go to book a reservation. In this screenshot, you can see my two real contracts at Old Key West and Aulani. The contract that says Grand Cal is my OTUP (which I've already used which is why it shows 0). I don't actually own at Grand Cal. This is in the booking screen after you've searched for your resort and dates.