I will get no sympathy for this, but...

[recmouse]

You have my empathy! Just because we understand it doesn't mean we have to like it and can't be frustrated, disappointed and want to vent!

 

[DebbieB]

That should not work and probably made an accountant very angry - and likely cost the CM his job - that's sort of a huge no-no in terms of accounting standards. DVC and Disney Resorts are two separate subsidiary companies, and asset transfers between the two are an accounting transaction that must be balanced on both ends. For DVC to take a cash room from Resorts, they need to give something back to Resorts of equal value. A front desk CM isn't going to have the authority to authorize an intersubsidary transaction.

I'm sure they got approval first. I've heard cases where in the last 10 days Member Services can call the resort if see if they want to do any switches. That's why there's a note on the reservation website to call Member Services within 10 days. Not sure how the accounting works, perhaps they switch out another date.

 

[Jelly563]

Also, way back when....there was no such thing as "renting out your points through a third party for profit company". You would just bank your points to the next year and then use those, bank again, so on and so forth. Now there are thousands and thousands of points not being banked (which would free up DVC rooms) but instead being rented out, hence less availability for "last minute trips", which used to be an easy thing to do...again, way back when. But don't give up, sign up for a wait list while at the same time book a cheap off-site place or a moderate on-site.

Reading this made me wonder..... How many points a year do you think are carelessly lost, not booked or banked. It is probably in the 100,000's range (or more). Thats total free revenue for Disney. If not for those retired points, imagine how much more booked the resorts would be !

 

[crisi]

I'm sure they got approval first. I've heard cases where in the last 10 days Member Services can call the resort if see if they want to do any switches. That's why there's a note on the reservation website to call Member Services within 10 days. Not sure how the accounting works, perhaps they switch out another date.

I doubt it. In the organizations I've worked for, this sort of transfer is a big deal, it isn't something a desk clerk would be able to reach the right person for while a guest asks. The 10 day thing is a different deal, that is inventory CRO doesn't actually own - its "shared." The SEC takes these intersubsidary financial walls very seriously and auditors watch them closely (its a huge place for corporate fraud).

It could happen, but it would have to be a DVC points based cancellation at this point in order for the room to be available on points without creating an accounting problem - in which case you'd be responsible for cancelling the cash booking and whatever penalties are in place for a last minute cash cancellation (they might waive it, but that is their call). I think it would be very rare to arrive and have a DVC cancellation that matches your reservation that you could pick up. Not something to count on.

 

[planningalways]

Reading this made me wonder..... How many points a year do you think are carelessly lost, not booked or banked. It is probably in the 100,000's range (or more). Thats total free revenue for Disney. If not for those retired points, imagine how much more booked the resorts would be !

Interesting question. Who knows the answer? Back in the day, calling member services was a different experience compared to these days. Had so many wonderful conversations with member services before the whole on-line stuff started. DVC no longer feels like a "club" any more. Just take a look around....people demanding extras or whining about stuff. It's a time share, plain and simple.

I think it only takes one time for a DVC owner to come to attention when they "lose" points....had a small wakeup call myself and never again. Didn't lose anything, but made sure I never, EVER lost another point EVER! Was able to use points for a very nice trip.

 

[Lakegirl]

Curious....did you call MS?

 

[DebbieB]

I doubt it. In the organizations I've worked for, this sort of transfer is a big deal, it isn't something a desk clerk would be able to reach the right person for while a guest asks. The 10 day thing is a different deal, that is inventory CRO doesn't actually own - its "shared." The SEC takes these intersubsidary financial walls very seriously and auditors watch them closely (its a huge place for corporate fraud).

It could happen, but it would have to be a DVC points based cancellation at this point in order for the room to be available on points without creating an accounting problem - in which case you'd be responsible for cancelling the cash booking and whatever penalties are in place for a last minute cash cancellation (they might waive it, but that is their call). I think it would be very rare to arrive and have a DVC cancellation that matches your reservation that you could pick up. Not something to count on.

I doubt that a front desk cm would do this on their own.

 

[Kim Gillihan]

Thank you for your grace with this advice and explanation. I'm clearly not a savvy timeshare person; in fact, I'm clueless as I've demonstrated with this thread. But maybe I better understand now. Thanks!

I understand your frustration.. as a new owner that just spend 15k on my resale dvc I would feel frustrated but I also am understanding the explanation of how it works, but that still doesn't mean you can't feel frustrated ....!

 

[Savagekids]

I get your frustration. We can rarely book more than a few months out, weeks or days would be idea. I did not realize what a downer that is as a DVC member until I bought in. But we make the most of it.

 

[jimmytammy]

As an owner, I can understand your frustration. But the rules state what they do. So we as owners have to be more vigilant to book rooms in a timely manner, though in your case, it wouldn't have mattered. Wish it would have worked out for you, no matter the circumstances

 

[Dean]

I get your frustration. We can rarely book more than a few months out, weeks or days would be idea. I did not realize what a downer that is as a DVC member until I bought in. But we make the most of it.

Here's the deal. To be disappointed would be normal, to be frustrated would simply indicate a lack of understanding of how the system works. Thus, IMO, it's not reasonable to be frustrated once one has that level of understanding.

 

[Shanti]

Ok, so here's the deal. I had a last-minute opportunity to go to Orlando over the Thanksgiving holiday, so, even realizing that it was the long-shot of long-shots, I thought I would try to book a DVC resort.

I was not at all shocked to discover that the resort availability tool on the DVC member site showed NO AVAILABILITY, anywhere. I get it. Thanksgiving is three weeks away, what should I expect?! But just for fun, I checked the main Disney Resorts page to check out avails and found a Deluxe Studio available at Old Key West on my dates. BUT--of course--it is only available for CASH!!

I am sure that I am incredibly naive to typical business practices, revenue stream models, etc., etc., but I find this to be rather offensive--especially given my historic, annual investment in WDW as a long-time DVC-member. I naively assumed I might be placed higher in the batting order.

Ok, I shared my frustration and now I'm putting on my suit of armor for your responses. Go ahead and set me straight.

I see why you're angry. This kind of thing is one of the many reasons why I will never buy DVC.