Holding points loophole still available?

[wdw_explorer]

Unfortunately I may need to cancel an upcoming reservation which would put those points into holding.

I have read here in the past about holding points being able to be used when modifying an existing reservation within 60 days. Does anyone know if this is still the case or if they have fixed that IT bug?

We have a January vacation and would love to be able to use those holding points towards that as the time approaches.

Thanks to any and all who reply.

 

[kes601]

Last time we tried it it worked, but it really isn't an IT bug. MS happily did it for us a couple of years ago.

 

[wdw_explorer]

Wow. That's great - hopefully it will persist. It really takes away the huge disadvantage of holding points.

 

[Sandisw]

It still works!

 

[wdw_explorer]

Thanks - good to hear!!
Fingers crossed for November rebook.

 

[lovin'fl]

So book something with holding points for around 60 days out and then cancel that??? And points are no longer holding points? If true, mind blown...never knew. Been working it to use my holding points all these years.

Ah, needed my coffee. I see it is the modifying and using holding. Yes, that works. I did it last week. But still have 18 more holding points to use.

 

[Sandisw]

So book something with holding points for around 60 days out and then cancel that??? And points are no longer holding points? If true, mind blown...never knew. Been working it to use my holding points all these years.

Ah, needed my coffee. I see it is the modifying and using holding. Yes, that works. I did it last week. But still have 18 more holding points to use.

No, holding points are holding points and never change status. But what the system allows is for you to swap holding points into a previous made reservation with points not in holding, modifying that within 60 days and it will use the holding points and free up non holding points.

So, this only works if you have another reservation in the same UY in order to do it.

 

[Ronaldo17]

No, holding points are holding points and never change status. But what the system allows is for you to swap holding points into a previous made reservation with points not in holding, modifying that within 60 days and it will use the holding points and free up non holding points.

So, this only works if you have another reservation in the same UY in order to do it.

Yep, I tried it with a reservation made with borrowed points but it didn't work.

 

[wdw_explorer]

Ok. Now I'm confused!!

Although this is not my situation I didn't think using borrowed points to make the original reservation would matter. My understanding was just that the *reservations* needed to be in the same use year, as Sandisw noted, and that the reservation to be modified was made without using home priority points (i.e. res was made using 7 month window)

Is this not correct?? Do the *points* themselves have to be originated in the same use year (i.e. not borrowed or banked)??

 

[Sandisw]

Yep, I tried it with a reservation made with borrowed points but it didn't work.

It’s not going to change borrowed points to being not borrowed you’d be replacing restricted with restricted.

 

[Sandisw]

Ok. Now I'm confused!!

Although this is not my situation I didn't think using borrowed points to make the original reservation would matter. My understanding was just that the *reservations* needed to be in the same use year, as Sandisw noted, and that the reservation to be modified was made without using home priority points (i.e. res was made using 7 month window)

Is this not correct?? Do the *points* themselves have to be originated in the same use year (i.e. not borrowed or banked)??

If the points are banked or borrowed in the reservation they would return to the membership as banked or borrowed so swapping them for holding points is not going to be an advantage..

Basically, the advantage is when you can use them to free up current points so you can now bank those.

 

[wdw_explorer]

Got it. I did think they would go back to the same type and not get converted, as banking and borrowing are irreversible actions. I also agree getting back original points gives the greatest benefit for sure

In my particular case even if the points were banked or borrowed they would still have about 7 more months in my use year making it more likely I could snag what I wanted (as I could make a ressie 6 months out) rather than just looking ahead 60 days at a time. So for me it still has benefit, even if not as good as current use year.

Sooo....given all that. - if modifying a reservation, will the system pull banked or borrowed points before holding points or not?

Thanks again for everyone's answers.

 

[Sandisw]

Got it. I did think they would go back to the same type and not get converted, as banking and borrowing are irreversible actions. I also agree getting back original points gives the greatest benefit for sure

In my particular case even if the points were banked or borrowed they would still have about 7 more months in my use year making it more likely I could snag what I wanted (as I could make a ressie 6 months out) rather than just looking ahead 60 days at a time. So for me it still has benefit, even if not as good as current use year.

Sooo....given all that. - if modifying a reservation, will the system pull banked or borrowed points before holding points or not?

Thanks again for everyone's answers.

Should take holding first as they are the most restricted.

 

[Ronaldo17]

It’s not going to change borrowed points to being not borrowed you’d be replacing restricted with restricted.

Yeah, I understand that, I was hoping to change the holding points to borrowed points,which have less restrictions,but it didn't work. They remained as holding.

 

[Sandisw]

Yeah, I understand that, I was hoping to change the holding points to borrowed points,which have less restrictions,but it didn't work. They remained as holding.

Okay…holding points are never not holding points and can’t be borrowed. The only thing that this does is allow you to use holding points in a reservation you already have so you can free up non holding points.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Got it. I did think they would go back to the same type and not get converted, as banking and borrowing are irreversible actions. I also agree getting back original points gives the greatest benefit for sure

In my particular case even if the points were banked or borrowed they would still have about 7 more months in my use year making it more likely I could snag what I wanted (as I could make a ressie 6 months out) rather than just looking ahead 60 days at a time. So for me it still has benefit, even if not as good as current use year.

Sooo....given all that. - if modifying a reservation, will the system pull banked or borrowed points before holding points or not?

Thanks again for everyone's answers.

Yes, It would be helpful if we could do it. I think I have been in that postion before. And it is hard to find something in the 60 day period. Good luck.

 

[zavandor]

Just a warning: it is likely that this is either an oversight or a bug because it greatly diminish the penalty for cancelling a reservation within 30 days. It could be changed/fixed at any time.

 

[suebeelin]

Hi just confused. So you can make a reservation that’s farther out than 60 days, then swap in your borrowed points? Thx in advance….

 

[Sandisw]

Hi just confused. So you can make a reservation that’s farther out than 60 days, then swap in your borrowed points? Thx in advance….

Because a modification is treated as a new reservation online, the system will pick up the holding points and free up less restricted points from thst.

It has nothing to do with borrowed points. Holding points expire at the end of the UY of the canceled trip so if you have more than 60 days left, then yes, you can use other points you have, book, and swap..

But, it’s only a real benefit if you don’t have banked or borrowed points, or you are earlier enough in your UY to still bank.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Last time we tried it it worked, but it really isn't an IT bug. MS happily did it for us a couple of years ago.

Yeah, I woudln’t say it was a “bug” so much as a “feature” for people who have a LOT of points and are able to do this.