Is this how it works?

[Plan Man]

I am considering buying but know I will want to try other resorts other than the home resort.

If I know a travel date and book my home resort eleven months in advance can I switch to another resort at seven months and cancel my previous reservation?

What impact does it have on my points? And could I even change dates if availability for other resort was slightly different?

I am sure this is a basic question but I couldn't quite find the answer

Thanks for your help!

 

[Terapin]

Yes - you have it. You can book your home resort at 11 months and rebook to any other resort at 7 months, and even change the dates. Be aware, however, that the points may not be the same. Any extra points left over (if your home resort choice of dates is more points than what you are switching to) will have to be used in the same use year, or they are gone. You cannot bank these points. If your rebooked resort is more points, no problem, as long as you have them or you borrow them. Hope that helps!

 

[disneynutz]

Actually any extra points not use for your 7 month reservation can be banked if you are still in the first 8 months of your UY. That's why understanding UY is important.

Bill

 

[Terapin]

I thought that once they had been used for a reservation, even if cancelled, they couldn't be banked. Happy to be wrong!

 

[disneydreamin23]

It was my understanding that once they have been borrowed from an upcoming use year (to make a reservation this use year). THEN, they had to used in the current use year even if the reservation is canceled.

But if they are originally from this use year then they can be banked as long as you are still within your banking window.

 

[crisi]

It was my understanding that once they have been borrowed from an upcoming use year (to make a reservation this use year). THEN, they had to used in the current use year even if the reservation is canceled.

But if they are originally from this use year then they can be banked as long as you are still within your banking window.

Yes, if you borrow them you have to use them this use year, so when you switch your reservation, they will use those points first, leaving current year points in your account to bank (assuming you are still in the banking window) And its a good thing to check and make sure that the points have been used in the order you want them used - anything expiring this year that CAN'T be banked (whether borrowed, or previously banked) first. Current year points that can still be banked last.

 

[com_op_2000]

OP, You are doing the right thing by doing your research up-front.
Read these threads on the DIS and understand the following terms:
UY
MF
HR
11 month and 7 month booking windows
Concierge Collection
RCI
CM
MS
Direct vs resale
Once you have a full understanding of these terms.
Then read some more.

 

[disneynutz]

It was my understanding that once they have been borrowed from an upcoming use year (to make a reservation this use year). THEN, they had to used in the current use year even if the reservation is canceled.

But if they are originally from this use year then they can be banked as long as you are still within your banking window.

You are correct, I was talking about current UY points. Banking and borrowing are final transactions and the points are stuck in the UY that you move them to.

If you have a reservation that uses a combination of banked, borrowed, and current points and you end up using fewer points, make sure that MS uses the banked and borrowed points first, then you can bank the current points.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I am considering buying but know I will want to try other resorts other than the home resort.

If I know a travel date and book my home resort eleven months in advance can I switch to another resort at seven months and cancel my previous reservation?

What impact does it have on my points? And could I even change dates if availability for other resort was slightly different?

I am sure this is a basic question but I couldn't quite find the answer

Thanks for your help!

There are currently no penalties for cancelling a reservation except if you do it 30 days or less in advance. Then they go into holding and can only be used to book a reservation no further out than 60 days and also have to be used in that UY no matter if they were banked, current or borrowed. But if you cancel 31 days or more in advance then they will be placed back into your account and can be used just like they were for the first reservation. If they are current UY points and you are within your banking window you could also bank them.

 

[chalee94]

And could I even change dates if availability for other resort was slightly different?

this is basically like a cancel and rebook - yes, you can do that.

the point cost would be based on the new resort's point chart.

one odd example that comes up: if you have a reservation for OKW for may 1, 2016 for 7 nights, and you want to switch that to the VGF for the same period but the VGF is booked for may 1, 2016 and shows availability for the next 6 nights, you could NOT book VGF for the open nights unless they are still available the next day. (i.e. you can waitlist the first night but you'd have to wait till the 7 month window was open for the remaining nights, which would be on oct 2, 2015)

i always encourage people to buy where they don't mind staying. depending on when you travel, you will often have options at the 7 month window (be sure to look first thing in the morning) - but you may get stuck at your home resort so don't buy a certain resort if you think you would hate that scenario...