I was able to reserve 3 rooms for us in 2000 with no problems what so ever. My sister even used her credit card for her room charges but I had already paid for the room as a gift. I think you may have to pay for it and then get them to reimburse you. I really don't know if you can just pay the deposit and then another party pay the room when they arrive.
I reserved 3 rooms for last May on my DC membership. Each room was in each families name with my name as the member and everything was mailed to me. At check in, everyone paid for their own room. At that time the limit was 3 rooms.