I want DVC to start an instant online reservation system!

[sz9144]

I would love to see on the DVC member site a way to check availability and make instant online reservations like you can for regular hotel reservations.

Who's with me on this?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not exactly sure which question you wanted answered, the one in the thread title or the one on the poll itself, since they are significantly different questions. I voted "yes", since that would be my answer to both questions.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm sure everyone would like to see it. The system is supposed to be in development. Systems like this cost money and I suspect the reason it's slow in coming is DVC doesn't want to slam members with the development cost all at once.

 

[patsal]

Since I use the online reservation system regularly to book my vacations, it would be nice to see and confirm availability without the 24-48 hour lag time.

 

[Rence]

Supposedly the system is in development. Think about it for a few minutes and you realize that it is far more complex than a hotel reservation system.

For a hotel reservation system it is quite simply, is a room available, what is your credit card number?

Here you have differnt points and different resorts with the 7/11 month booking window. You have banked, borrowed, transfered points, holding accounts, reservation points etc. etc.

Is there a room available? That's not too hard, but making sure that it is reserved with the correct points is the tough part. Does the system automatically pick which points to use? In some cases there could be multiple sets of points that could pay for a reservation. How do you explain the options and let the user choose? Multi-night reservations with different nights being paid with different groups of points. Day by day reservations linked together etc. etc.

It can be done but it is not a simple project and I would assume that when they get it done that some of the more complex transactions would still require a call.

 

[littlestar]

If it wouldn't make the dues go sky high, it would be nice. And as long as it can recognize the 11/7 month window rules. If not, no thanks. There's a lot involved I would imagine.

 

[Shelby5514]

I just called MS today to check availability and was asked to participate in a short survey. The lat question asked is how I preferred to book my dvc vacations. 1. By phone 2. By fax 3. By Email and 4. By Internet. Maybe something will be coming Soon!

 

[lisareniff]

It would be nice but I don't know how it would deal with all the complexities of DVC, such as the 11/7 month window and day-by-day reservations. They would have to deal with a rush of reservations at 9am at popular times. I'm sure there's a way but it may be difficult.

As a first step I would like to see some a simple display of availability for the various resorts/units. This would help tremendously during hours MS is closed to allow trip planning and cut down on informational calls.

 

[FLYNZ4]

Other condo associations can deal with similar and even more complex booking rules than DVC. I am positive this can be done... and I expect that it will happen over time. It has to be a huge cost savings to DVC. Computers are cheaper than people.

I suspect that costs will go down, service will go up... and owner satisfaction will go up.

/Jim