How close to booking have you used a pin?

[SunBearLewis]

I have the 20/30/40 off code and we're tentatively planning a trip for Oct. We've invited my inlaws but don't expect them to make a commitment until late summer, maybe even Sept. I was wondering how close to booking time some people have used their codes with rooms still available. I know I could book and cancel, but we might book a deluxe if they decide to go, and a moderate if it's just us.
just wondering what people have done.

 

[jettyspagetti]

When we went in February we had a last minute chance to go- husband starting a new job in two weeks time and a generous FIL footing the bill for us- we used a pin for the free $500 gc with package at a mod. When I called I was told packages must be booked three days in advance whether you use a pin or not. Just how their system works. As far as getting resorts of your choice. Our first choice was CBR, and they were completely booked. SO we went with our second choice POFQ. All they had were water view rooms so we upgraded to that. The other mods were all completely booked for that pin.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Availablity is the issue. If you wait too long, the pin might have zero availablity (only a certain amount of inventory is part of the pin code thing) for that pin. THey might have zero availablity at all!

I called yesterday for CSR for our late October dates. Everything but King rooms and suites was sold out. I didn't have a pin but even if I had, it didn't matter.

I was able to get CBR or POR however. But even this far out (almost five months) I couldn't get my first choice.

I would book what you want now so you have something locked in. I would also encourage your inlaws to do the same. For me, never having gotten a pin in my life, I can't even imagine having one and not booking the second I got it!

 

[sjs314]

I would explain the situation with discounted pins to the inlaws and do my best to talk them into booking now not later. If that fails I would say they do not truely want to go , so I would go ahead and book the resort I wanted now or at least try to get the resort I wanted.(No better way to get someone to commit than to book yourself then tell them you booked)

I had recieved the 20/30/40 pin back in January I could not wait to book since I knew I wanted to stay at AKL, I mentioned to DS about it beforehand, and he expressed about wanting to go but would not commit.

I booked Feb 6th, did have to modify my room from a standard to a 1bdrm villa when DS and his wife commited to join DH and myself a week later after I told them I had already booked, but I am at my first choice for resort this trip in November.

 

[SunBearLewis]

thanks for the responses. It's not that they don't want to go, they would commit now IF they could, it's the health situation of my mother-in-laws father, if that explains it better.
CSR is a convention hotel, so that would explain I guess why they may have no rooms this far out. We'd be happy with POR or POFQ.
I appreciate the input. I'll look into what kind of risks I'll be taking if I go ahead and book and by what deadline I would have to cancel.

 

[Amy&Dan]

thanks for the responses. It's not that they don't want to go, they would commit now IF they could, it's the health situation of my mother-in-laws father, if that explains it better.
CSR is a convention hotel, so that would explain I guess why they may have no rooms this far out. We'd be happy with POR or POFQ.
I appreciate the input. I'll look into what kind of risks I'll be taking if I go ahead and book and by what deadline I would have to cancel.

Oh been there done that with the health issues of family members thing and how it makes it very hard to plan ahead. Here is a thread that might help answer some of your cancellation questions. TDC Nala who is one of our mods answered on there and she knows her stuff. Bascially if its a package, you have to cancel more than 45 days out to avoid a cancellation fee, if its room only, its five days out.

Here is the link for that thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2385693&highlight=cancellation

 

[SunBearLewis]

Thank you! That is very helpful. I guess last time I booked a package so I remember the cancellation being required pretty far in advance. We'd only book rooms anyways with a pin code.
Much appreciated