How far ahead does MS open up for cash reservations?

[pumpkinboy]

OK so I made my 11 month window reservations for the illusive standard view 2BR @BWV, and had to borrow from next year for the final 16 pts (which I have no problem with, but still) for last week of F&W, coinciding with Veterans' Day. In any case, the 58 points for each weekend night is looking a bit rich, considering I can get the same room cash for $545 less DVC member discount (what is that? 10%?) plus tax. So putting my CFA and the rest of my finance education to work (and being a self-professed finance geek) I think to myself: "hey, this is ripe for Arbitrage!". Rent out my points (good thru 2/05) at $10 or more per point and I am up minimum $100 that I can spend on a character breakfast or something.

The problem is, I don't know how soon I can make a cash reservation to replace my points ressie. Does anyone out there know when they open up the Cash ressies? I am guessing after the 7 month window.

Thx in advance.

 

[aero99]

I learned from experience today it can be before the 7month window. I added the last DVC pt night onto my HHI reservation today and they let me add the Friday night cash reservation (with DVC discount) too (tomorrow is 7 months). I would call and ask!

I had to leave a CC for holding it. He couldn't tell me when the charge would go through. I was really pleased with the 25% discount!

Melissa

 

[BillPA]

I added 1 cash night to our August trip about 1 month ago, at 9 1/2 months out. Got the rack rate, they said to check back once a month or so to see when the DVC discount will be available. So far no discount.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by BillPA
I added 1 cash night to our August trip about 1 month ago, at 9 1/2 months out. Got the rack rate, they said to check back once a month or so to see when the DVC discount will be available. So far no discount.

Yuk, rack rate only saves me $70 and with rooms tax it would take me over the points cost. I'll hope for better in November; and good luck getting a discount on yours. When reserving for cash do you need to pay at the time of reservation or check-in or one month out...?

Also I would be interested if anyone knew MS' policy regarding when cash reservations open up and what discounts are available at what stages. Thx

 

[MichelleB]

I booked a 2 bdrm. at BCV for July 9 using a member discount of $409 (+/- a dollar or 2 for my memory) last Friday. Just call and ask them to see if there's a cash rate using the member discount. They'll check. It never hurts to ask!

 

[DebbieB]

I don't believe there's a "set policy". It's a judgement call from member services if they expect those rooms to be reserved with points or not. The time I did it, they put me on hold to get approval, so I assume a supervisor makes the decision. Mine was for a Friday & Saturday night at OKW in May about 70 days out, I got it. The member discount is always 25% and they will guarantee you can keep the same room. You maybe able to get a higher discount through CRO with an AP or code rate but they will not guarantee that you will be able to stay in the same room.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Wow! 25% gives me lots of room for arbitrage. Thx for the additional information all; it is very helpful. I guess I'll keep trying MS every month or so, seeing if I can do the cash ressie with discount thingie, then take the 116 points (which are BWV and don't expire until end-January 2005 incidentally ) and sell them off; or I could just bank them and save them for the trip planned for April 2005 (tho my finance geek proclivity makes me inclined to get cash now and borrow/ rent points in 2005 if needs be)

cash, good; now, better; later, not so good...

 

[pumpkinboy]

My very helpful CM, Kimberley, had to ask her supervisor for the policy, and it turns out:
There is no set policy, rather it is at the discretion of DVC Management.
OK, this makes perfect sense, since the cash ressies are out of Developer/ Undeclared inventory.

So it looks like my arbitrage opportunity is gonna be as follows: $545 - 25% member discount + 11% rooms tax = roughly $455 per weekend night. Selling 2004 (Feb use year) inventory at $10 per point, for 58 points = $580 per night on points. Arbitrage opportunity is $580 - $455 = $125 per night; times 2 nights = $250 (assuming I sell off all the points saved, and I get a no hassle points rental - I have someone in mind so...), or I could just bank some of the points into 2005.

OK $250 would make it worth it . I just need to call back MS evry once in a while and ask whether cash ressies available for Nov 2004 yet (this was the lovely Kimberley's recommendation). It sure is nice having competent staff on the other end of the phone; I wish more companies did

 

[DebbieB]

I thought member discount cash nights came out of points inventory. CRO cash reservations come out of developer/trade out inventory (plus points inventory at the 60 day breakage point).

I have a question - where does the income from member discount cash nights go? Is it part of breakage income that goes back to the members via a dues credit?

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I thought member discount cash nights came out of points inventory. CRO cash reservations come out of developer/trade out inventory (plus points inventory at the 60 day breakage point).

I have a question - where does the income from member discount cash nights go? Is it part of breakage income that goes back to the members via a dues credit?

I guess I would assume that some of it might be from Declared Inventory, but the CM seemed to imply that much of it came from Developer inventory as well. Perhaps this is something to ask at our next annual meeting. Can anyone more knowledgable answer either of these questions?