How does the waitlist actually work from MS standpoint?

[Sue's Mum]

OK, so say I am waitlisted for 5 nights. Does the total number of nights have to become available all at the same time or do MS hold in reserve a night at a time until the entire 5 nights are available?

Just trying to understand what my possibilities are of my waitlist coming through.

 

[DebbieB]

OK, so say I am waitlisted for 5 nights. Does the total number of nights have to become available all at the same time or do MS hold in reserve a night at a time until the entire 5 nights are available?

Just trying to understand what my possibilities are of my waitlist coming through.

No, all 5 nights have to become available at the same time.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

They wouldn't know if all of your 5 nights would ever open up if they didn't all at once so they move down the list to fill what they can. And if there isn't anyone else on the waitlist then the few open nights would be available for anyone to book.

 

[LisaS]

It's worth checking online regularly for the nights you need. Some people have reported finding all the nights they needed for their waitlist available online even though they had a waitlist for those exact same nights.

 

[BrerNashville]

I second the PP, and if the open nights are at the front or back of your reservation, you could book those, and shorten your waitlist to the lesser number, thereby increasing your chances of a match later. This is conditioned upon (1) you having enough points (and remembering your holding point/banking issues with cancelled reservations if the other nights don't come through in time), or (2) you being willing to do a split stay if the other nights don't come through.

 

[Sue's Mum]

Thanks, that is how I thought it would be. So, basically, no chance of all five nights coming through together for next month. Boo hoo.

 

[LisaS]

Thanks, that is how I thought it would be. So, basically, no chance of all five nights coming through together for next month. Boo hoo.

Something might open up 30 days out. Anyone in doubt about taking their trip must cancel 31 days out or risk their points going into Holding if they have to cancel after that point. Some people cancel at the very last minute due to family emergencies.

The issue for you is if you are waitlisted for something that costs fewer points than what you have booked, you will end up with points in Holding if your waitlist comes through at 30 days or less from check-in. Also when a waitlist is set up, you need to specify whether you want it to expire 30 days out (to avoid the Holding situation) or expire 7 days out. If you are not at risk of having points go into Holding, make sure your waitlist is set to expire at 7 days out. Once you are inside the 7-day window the only way you will pick up any nights cancelled at the last minute is if you are checking for them online or by phone with MS.