How hard using points w/ different use years?

[Tink's Mumsey]

We are planning on purchasing more points and I was wondering how difficult it is to keep up with more than one use year. How do those of you with different use years keep things straight? Do you have to be specific with MS about which points to use first when making reservations or do they help in any way?

 

[CarolMN]

I don't have any personal experience, but thought you might might find this recent thread of interest:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239954

 

[robinb]

First of all ...

Welcome to DIS!

If you have 2 different use years it will be a little harder to keep track of everything. You will have to specify which contract (use year) you want to use for each and every reservation. Depending on your detail level, this may or may be a problem. Of course, you save a lot of money buying on the resale market, so it may be worth it to you. I have two contracts at different resorts with different use years and am in the same boat.

There is a great program that you can use to keep things straight called DVC Manager. It's written by one of our very own DISers (thanks David!!). Here's the link : DVC Manager

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Tink,

I've had many clients buy multiple use years without a problem. Some folks, however, just don't want to try to keep up with them and if you are one of those people, stick with the same use year.

The biggest cons: Two membership ID numbers. (not a big deal) and two banking dates if you don't use your points (which could be a big deal if you forget) Some people say they just put a note on their fridge to remind them.

The biggest pro: Savings & availability. If you want to save money, and travel soon....it is well worth it.

By the way, does anyone know if there is a Mac version of the DVC Manager?

All the best,
Shontell

 

[LisaR]

Tink,
I have two different contracts with two different use years. I would never do it again! You really need to keep on top of things. You also have to make sure you really verify with MS which contract they are using for points. That being said, I am finally getting a handle on it and it is becoming easier. If I had a choice now, I would never do it again. There isn't any doubt that one use year would be so much easier. However, it can be done......and very easily by some people. I just don't happen to be one of those people!! lol

Lisa

 

[Cruelladeville]

I, too, have two use years, and, like Lisa, I wouldn't do it again. It's a pain having to mention to MS every time I make ressies that I have another contract. I am getting a handle on it now, but it sure does take awhile. Also, while I consider all those pts to be the same, they aren't when you make ressies. You can not combine those pts--lets say you want to make ressies and you have 60 pts (40+20). You can only book one night in a one bedroom on the contract with 40 pts, and any more nights will require banking and borrowing so you have to know the rules. I keep lots of notes, so that I know what pts are being used for each vacation we take. When you are taking 2 or 3 in a year, it gets very confusing.

 

[CRobin]

Originally posted by Cruelladeville
You can not combine those pts--lets say you want to make ressies and you have 60 pts (40+20). You can only book one night in a one bedroom on the contract with 40 pts, and any more nights will require banking and borrowing so you have to know the rules

I have not personally experienced that situation. At the 7 month window, I have had no problem combining points from multiple contracts (I have three). Sometimes it requires a supervisor to work it through, but it always works.

Now, I have not booked a ressie since this "new" transfer policy has been put into place, so I will be interested in hearing if any member with multiple contracts has been denied the ability to combine points at the 7 month window.

 

[Tink's Mumsey]

I would really like to hear more about experiences with making ressies using points from different use years. Is there a difference if you own at two resorts vs just one? This is good info to know before I make my decision.

 

[Dean]

I have 3 contracts with 3 use years, 2 OKW and 1 BW. I just bought the BW this year so my experience is mainly with 2 OKW contracts (April and August). There is more detail that goes into planning as you must be sure MS uses the right points at times. It's not a big deal for me as I'm a details person anyway but for some it would be an issue. I do most of my transactions by email and list my contract numbers and use year. I always tell them which points I will be using and what the starting and ending totals should be for EVERY contract. The real problem comes in if you are cancelling reservations you've made from more than one contract.

 

[Laurabearz]

I have 4 contracts, 3 home resorts and 2 use years. So far so good. BUT as people have mentioned, you gotta be on the ball with MS. And double check each contacts totals before and after your done with anything fancy.

FOr our upcoming trip this September (just booked it 2 weeks ago) MS transfers some stray points from 2 contracts into our BWV contract to book the ressie. (the stray points were from OKW and BCV with a December UY... into our August UY BWV contract) No problem at all.... UNLESS we have to cancle.... then I am not exactly sure what will happen.... I think all the points that were transfered will either stay in the BWV contract(expiring when they would have in their origianl contract) or go back into their origanal contract.) But either situation is fine... and we will be able to use them before they expire.

We are very happy with our situation. We love having that 11 month window at 3 resorts. ANd are thankful we found a really great BWV resale with a different UY than our OKW and BCV. We do most of our taveling in May and Jan so the December UY really suits us (for now at least) We wanted our last contract (yes.... as much as VB is calling me.... lol) to have an earlier UY (august) so we would have the safe banking option for more of our trips.

Now if my comments didnt scare ya away from it........ I say go for it.