Importance of Use Year

[Minnie*Mouse]

If you need to cancel a reservation less than 60 days before the end of your use year, what happens to those reservation points?

A friend of mine is considering buying and I'm a little confused about this aspect of things. I know one of you'll have the answer I need.

M*M

 

[RobDoc]

The "cancelled" points would just go back into your account, but would still need to be used before the end of the use year- since they couldn't be banked within normal deadlines.

Cancellations made within 30 days of the trip puts the points into a "Holding Account" where they can only be used for a trip made within 60 days of travel and cannot be banked.

Good Luck!

 

[Minnie*Mouse]

In other words, if I have an October use year and have a cruise reserved for Sept 16th that I need to cancel, I will have to use those points before Sept 30th.

I guess if you usually travel during the months of Aug & Sept, an October use year would not be a good idea. Is that right?

M*M

 

[RobDoc]

Correct!

In most cases, use year is simply when your points are renewed each year, but if a reservation is cancelled, use year does determine the usability of the points in some cases.

For August or Sept trips, an August use year would be better.

Enjoy!

 

[Minnie*Mouse]

Thanks for clarifying, Doc. I knew you would have the answer.

Congratulations on your 5000 posts!

M*M

 

[Dumbo]

Just one more thing. If you cancel a cruise reservation, those points returned to your use year can not be used for a reservation at a DVC resort. When you make a cruise reservation with points you are using "reservation" points. If you cancel, you can only make another reservation that uses "reservation" points. Only "vacation" points can be used to make a reservation at a DVC resort.


Dumbo

 

[GraceDVC]

We took our first DVC tour when we were visiting WDW over the Fourth of July some years ago and were advised to buy a "June" use year. However, as our family changed, we found that we would like to visit in late April or May!! So, most of the time, we have planned a vacation during the first week of our new use year points (June 1-7), though it is still quite hot in June. We've now decided that we may start making ressies for April or May, and purchase trip insurance for those times. Sure wish we had a March use year, but the trip insurance will have to suffice if the April or May trips have to be cancelled due to an emergency.

So, plan well when deciding on a use year.

 

[BraveMom3]

if you normally travel to WDW the end of May/first of June?


65 DAYS AND COUNTING!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by BraveMom3
if you normally travel to WDW the end of May/first of June?


65 DAYS AND COUNTING!!!

IMHO, that would be April (there is no May use year). However, February or March would also be good. If you had to cancel, any of those use years would allow you to bank 100% of your current use year points if you were not able to reschedule your trip before the end of your current use year.

 

[BraveMom3]

for the info. My use year is March, but I'm not really sure how that happened!! I was so anxious and excited to join DVC back in October, that I didn't put alot of emphasis on "use year"! "JUST DO IT"!!!, that's my motto!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

While what everyone says about cancelling is true.....How many times do you really think you would have to cancel? We did have a possible reason a couple years ago when my grandmother was not doing well and we were afraid she might die while we were on vacation. Other than something catasrophic like that, I don't see us cancelling much. We have been members since 1997, and have had 2-3 trips a year and no cancelations.

 

[Minnie*Mouse]

I completely agree Diane, however, things may happen. I have 2 children, and one of us could break a leg, come down with the flu, etc. I value my points too much to risk losing them.

I have an October use year and our first trip to our DVC was mid-September, had it been necessary for us to cancel, I would have little or no time to re-use those points.

I think it's something new DVC buyers should seriously when they most travel before choosing a use year. For those of us who are already members, be cautious when travelling during the last 60 days of your use year.

Just good information to be aware of....have a great day!

M*M

 

[jctwizzer]

Except for banking, we have never paid attention to use year. And can't imagine it would affect anything we plan. Guess we're just optimists, but I can't imagine going thru life planning things like the worst is going to happen. And, if we lose some points, sometime, that is not a catastrophe by any stretch of the imagingation; particularly in the context of using points for 40+ years...............Have a nice day!

 

[Laurabearz]

We have a december use year and dont mind it. We plan trips in May (before our banking deadlines ) and in October. For our October trips we plan on buying trip insurace iif it is a high point trip. Otherwise we wont. We also purchase trip insurace for any trip in the winter.... never know when we may be snowed in!