Holding Points - Help / Suggestions

[eporter66]

This is not a bash against DVC, as I knew the rules on holding points. I had a vacation scheduled in March - that due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to cancel.

I now have 84 points in holding that have to be used by the end of our use year (Feb 07) - (Our use year starts in March).

Here are my questions.

1. We have a vacation booked for October 06. Can I call back within the 60 day window for holding points, and see if I can have those applied to my vacation? Would this allow me to be able to bank points (currently applied to the October vacation) because it will be within my 100% banking time (August)

2. Am I better off just trying to plan a quick vacation at some point before the end of our use year (during off season) when Disney would most likely have availability?

Other suggestions?????

Thanks
Eric

 

[CarolMN]

This is not a bash against DVC, as I knew the rules on holding points. I had a vacation scheduled in March - that due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to cancel.

I now have 84 points in holding that have to be used by the end of our use year (Feb 07) - (Our use year starts in March).

Here are my questions.

1. We have a vacation booked for October 06. Can I call back within the 60 day window for holding points, and see if I can have those applied to my vacation? Would this allow me to be able to bank points (currently applied to the October vacation) because it will be within my 100% banking time (August)

Maybe. If there is still availability for the same dates and room type as your existing reservation, MS will allow you to use the holding points. Essentially what they do is cancel your existing reservaiton and make a new one using the holding points. If there are people on the waitlist for any of the days, you cannot substitute the holding points without losing the reservation.

If you use the holding points and free up current year points, you can bank the current year points (subject to the banking rules/deadlines).

2. Am I better off just trying to plan a quick vacation at some point before the end of our use year (during off season) when Disney would most likely have availability?

Other suggestions?????

Thanks
Eric

I don't think that you will have much success using the holding points for your October reservation. (Popular season, bound to be waitlists. Might have luck if your October vacation is for SSR, though).

Taking a last minute vacation might be fun, or you could just make a reservation somewhere and then try to rent it. 84 points would get you a 5 nights in a studio during all but premier season at any of the DVC resorts. If you were able to get a reservation at one of the smaller resorts, a rental might work.

My first choice would be to use the points myself - either for a last minute trip or for something in the Conceirge Collection close to home.

Best wishes -

 

[mistermouse]

Hi Eric,

While renting holding points can be a bit more complicated than normal, it could be a good option - as long as you follow Doc's advice about having the funds in advance (the risk would fall primarily on the renter only). I sent you a personal message with more info.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We cancelled a trip and ended up with a bunch of points in holding 2 years ago. We used them to stay at AKL and had a wonderful vacation. Of course, we had to go over to the Boardwalk and Beach Club to walk around and eat several times!