Holding Points reservation question

[Svenson]

I am so frustrated. We have 48 points in holding status because we had to cancel a trip at the last minute. I am trying to rent them out over on the rent/trade forum so we can at least get a little cash back from our cancelled trip. Of course, because they are in holding, I can only book within a sixty day window. The problem is that I have call MS seven times with seven different sets of dates and there has never been availability for ANY of these dates at ANY DVC resort. Many DISboarders have expressed interest, but it looks as though we may lose all of our points simply because there are NO rooms available within 60 days -- ever! (Our points must be used by Feb. 28.)

So my question is, can I call and reserve a room with next year's points, and then call back and change them over to the holding points once I am within 60 days?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am so frustrated. We have 48 points in holding status because we had to cancel a trip at the last minute. I am trying to rent them out over on the rent/trade forum so we can at least get a little cash back from our cancelled trip. Of course, because they are in holding, I can only book within a sixty day window. The problem is that I have call MS seven times with seven different sets of dates and there has never been availability for ANY of these dates at ANY DVC resort. Many DISboarders have expressed interest, but it looks as though we may lose all of our points simply because there are NO rooms available within 60 days -- ever! (Our points must be used by Feb. 28.)

So my question is, can I call and reserve a room with next year's points, and then call back and change them over to the holding points once I am within 60 days?

Thanks in advance!

I don't see how that is going to help. If you must use them before Feb. 28 and nothing is available, then nothing is available, no matter WHICH points you use.

 

[Svenson]

Well, my thought was that I could book a little farther out (only about 3 extra weeks now) so my chances of finding availability would be better. But I guess I'm kidding myself.

I was so disappointed that we had to cancel our trip at the last minute, but I was thrilled to find out that we didn't actually lose all those points. Now I am realizing that we really did lose all those points, as DVC resorts are always fully booked WAAAAY before 60 days.

Any advice from you veterans? This is our first year as DVC members, and it's been nothing but frustration so far.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Well, you really need to expect that you wouldn't be able to use them for a Dec or early January reservation. Late Jan or early February may be better.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Perhaps you can call MS and try and find some dates that are available. Then you can try and rent that vacation within the 30 days that is allowed on the boards. Since the points are already in holding I wouldn't think it would hurt anything. Just an idea. There have been a couple of threads of people booking a few days in Dec. just a couple of weeks ago so things can turn up.

A little luck would probably need to happen also. ixiedust:

 

[Be1021]

I know it is not a good use of points, but instead of loosing them why dont you trade them out into the disney cokkection and stay at the Grand Floridiab ir something?

 

[Svenson]

KAT4DISNEY, that is a great idea! This is our first year of ownership, and of course we planned to use these points ourselves, so renting a reservation had never occured to me. I do have a couple questions. Say I do get a reservation, and I try to rent them here on the DIS, but with no success -- If I cancel that reservation to try for another, would the points just go back into holding, or would I just lose them completely?

Be1021, I'm not sure I understand your suggestion. We are unable to travel at all by Feb. 28, when these points expire. By trading them for the Disney Collection, wouldn't I still need to rent them to someone else since we cannot travel by then? Sorry, but I'm still a newbie and this is all so overwhelming.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I know it is not a good use of points, but instead of loosing them why dont you trade them out into the disney cokkection and stay at the Grand Floridiab ir something?

The OP is within the last four months of the UY, so they can't make a reservation outside of DVC villas, except for DL resorts.

 

[Svenson]

Thanks for clarifying that for me, Deb & Bill. See, it's those little details that I haven't learned yet. I'm getting quite an education here.

Any other suggestions anyone?

 

[dianeschlicht]

I must have missunderstood your first post. I thought you had tried ALL possible dates and found nothing so far. I do agree that your best option is to book whatever you can find available (if anything) and then rent that ressie as is. You are correct that if you get to the end of February and must cancel that ressie, the points would be lost, because you would be at the end of your use year.

 

[CarolA]

I always seem to have holding points and I generally do get to use them, but......

I actually find it's easier to book them LATE. So for example I am going 12/16 for 3 nights. I booked that just around 20 days in advance or so. (Had to waitlist the last night)

However, I can see where this could be an issue with renting since most folks aren't like me and need at least a month or so to plan a vacation.....