I'm afraid I know the answer...

[3AmigosMom]

to this, but if my use year is June, and I book a vacation for May and then have to cancel for some reason, does that mean I have to use those points by June 1st or lose them???? Makes me alittle nervous since we've got 2,3,4 year olds--and I'm sure you know how things "happen"!!

 

[michaeln]

That is my understanding.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by 3AmigosMom
to this, but if my use year is June, and I book a vacation for May and then have to cancel for some reason, does that mean I have to use those points by June 1st or lose them???? Makes me alittle nervous since we've got 2,3,4 year olds--and I'm sure you know how things "happen"!!

Yes unless you can cancel early enough to bank any points. That's why the choice of use years can be so important to some.

 

[PamOKW]

Yes and no. If you cancel before March 31 you can still bank 25% of your yearly total. After that date, all the points will have to be used by May 31. The only time Use Year really comes in to play is when you have to make a last minute reservation for a trip at the end of your Use Year.

Also keep in mind that you can't book a non-DVC trip in the last 60 days of your Use Year (you can take a trip but it has to be reserved before 60 days). So, if you cancel any time after April 1, the only option is to use the points for a DVC trip before May 31.

 

[CarolMN]

Hope you do not have to cancel at that the last minute. If you do, my adivce is to keep the reservation and try to get someone else to "rent" it from you. That way, you at least get some $$ back to use towards another vacation. Best wishes -

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by 3AmigosMom
Makes me alittle nervous since we've got 2,3,4 year olds--and I'm sure you know how things "happen"!!

We have two use years, and the one with the most points is a June use year. We decided that we would likely not be vacationing in late May on points. As your kids get a little older and are in school, etc. the time of year you vacation may change. We did do a late May/early June vacation this year, but stayed on cash at ASMo for the first couple of days (in May) and then moved to DVC June 1st. Where there's a will.....

Have Fun.

 

[MickeyMamma]

We were told about trip cancellation insurance that you can get when you book. If you have to cancel, you get $$ back to cover your unused points. At least, that is my understanding of how it was explained to my by my DVC rep.

 

[robinb]

If you do end up cancelling after March, you can always rent your points. I have rented "distressed" points at "fire sale" prices ($5-$6 per point) when I needed a few more points for an extra day or two. People are always looking for a bargain and the opportunity to try a DVC resort. At least you'll would have your maintenance paid for.

 

[3AmigosMom]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I guess (if I understand Johnnie correctly) I can always just bank my points now and wait and go early June. So if I did need to cancel I'd still have a year to use the cancelled points. Is that right?? I just wanted to take advantage of low crowds now while our kids are small, and wanted to avoid all the Spring Break times. We were just there last month and DH is making me wait alittle while before we return