last minute cancelation?

[paul&sue]

Hi!

I am a new forum member (as of today) 05-12-03. Could I get some advise on my problem from the senior ranks?

My wife & I have a reservation for OKW, one bedroom from this Sunday 05-18-03 thru Thursday 05-29-03.

Because of some last minute medical issues. I have to cancel our trip.

What are my options, our use year is December?

Can I, or should I sell the points on such short notice. Do they go into holding, or can I bank them being this is a medical situation?

Any suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank,

Pau & Sue

 

[InstImpres]

These posts should become 60 day holding points if cancelled at this point. If you can not use them before Dec. you can rent (but only 60 days out) or transfer them (they retain the 60 day status).

That said, depending on the medical issue, DVC may work with you. My SIL was supposed to join us 3 years ago - we had a 2 BR and a studio. One week out the doctor put her on bed rest (at 5 months in her preg.) We provided a note and DVC worked with us on returning the points to my account.

Good luck
Sandy

 

[luckytso]

Paul & Sue,

Welcome home!!!

Because it is so last minute, I think the best way is to cancel and put the points into the holding account. I doubt you can get a good rental price on it, if there is a taker, or unless you are willing to rent it out for substantially less than $10 per point.

Once the points go into holding, you cannot bank them and they have to be used by 11/30/03. The reservation cannot be made unless it is within a 60 day window. For example, the first day you are allowed to make reservation for, lets say today is June1, would be around August 1. But this is still better than selling them at such low prices. Or you can always post it here with your price and see if there is a taker. If not, you can cancel by Friday and still have the points in the holding account. Good luck!!

 

[icydog]

Can't you put the points in an account only to be used for a future ressie in a Passport location?

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by icy-dog
Can't you put the points in an account only to be used for a future ressie in a Passport location?

That is only true if that is how they were booked. Since it is an OKW ressie he can use the points at any of the six DVC resorts within the 60 day window.

 

[Granny]

Paul&Sue....first of all, welcome to the DISBoards!!

You could also consider using your "once in a lifetime exemption" to put the points back to regular status. An unwritten rule is that everyone can, once, bypass the point rules by seeking an exception.

I don't know how official that is, or if there's a possibility that all the CM's at MS are not aware of it, but I've seen it written here several times on this board.

Of course, you might not want to use up your "once in a lifetime" option....but I think it is an option for you. Especially due to the circumstances involved.

Good luck.

 

[icydog]

I know I read here that you could put your points into an account for future II reservations. Why does the way resorts are booked come into play here? I thought anyone could do this. Maybe it is only for CC points cancelled???

 

[luckytso]

I may be wrong, I thought the points in holding acccounts cannot be transfered or used for Passport or Interval exchange.

 

[PamOKW]

The official policy is that they will be put into a holding account. The Holding Account is described on page 37 of the Member Book. The points can be used to make reservations 60 days out for DVC resorts. They can also be used to make reservations 60 days out for any of our other options as long as you are more than 60 days from the end of your Use Year. They can't be banked or borrowed. They expire at the end of the Use Year.

I'm not that clear on the depositing of points for a future II reservation. It's an option I've only recently become aware of. I think it could be done with these points but that would be a question for MS.

I would call MS, knowing what your official options are. I would tell them your situation and see if they can work with you. I think they have made some exceptions recently because of the world situation. They may be able to help you out.

I'm sorry to hear you had to cancel and I hope everyone is feeling 100% soon.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Granny
..(snip)...You could also consider using your "once in a lifetime exemption" to put the points back to regular status. An unwritten rule is that everyone can, once, bypass the point rules by seeking an exception.

I don't know how official that is, or if there's a possibility that all the CM's at MS are not aware of it, but I've seen it written here several times on this board.

Of course, you might not want to use up your "once in a lifetime" option....but I think it is an option for you. Especially due to the circumstances involved.

Good luck.

Granny - I believe that exception is only for the banking rules -i.e., allows you to bank even though it is past the deadlines. Have not heard/read that it applies to avoiding the holding account due to a late cancellation. If that's not correct, I hope someone will post to correct me. Carol

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by luckytso
I may be wrong, I thought the points in holding acccounts cannot be transfered

I know they can be transfered as I have "bought?" these from members and have them transfered to my account. I seem to end up with extra people, translating to larger room on each of my trips. Many people are willing to sell these discounted since they are limited use and this has helped my budget. As we have all discussed, asking for money towards the room from extended family soemtimes get sticky.

luckytso - I'll look for your lime green when we are there. We check into BCV they day before you get to VWL.

Enjoy
Sandy

 

[luckytso]

Sandy - It is good to know that holding points are transferable.

I will find a lime green ribbon and put it on one of our strollers Maybe we will see each other!! Can't wait for Friday for our upcoming trip!!!

 

[Dean]

I can tell yo from personal experience that the "double secret, once in a lifetime banking exceptions" will work in this situation. I had to cancel a few years ago the day of arival. I use the exception and didn't lose the points. I was able to make them regular points AND bank them to the next year.

The problem with using these points for II is that at less than 60 days out it becomes a Flexchange deposit which is not very helpful though it's better than nothing.

Remember that they were making exceptions with the travel turmoil, don't know if you can squeeze in under this area or not. Good luck.

 

[icydog]

Originally posted by Dean
I can tell yo from personal experience that the "double secret, once in a lifetime banking exceptions" will work in this situation. I had to cancel a few years ago the day of arival. I use the exception and didn't lose the points. I was able to make them regular points AND bank them to the next year.

The problem with using these points for II is that at less than 60 days out it becomes a Flexchange deposit which is not very helpful though it's better than nothing.

Remember that they were making exceptions with the travel turmoil, don't know if you can squeeze in under this area or not. Good luck.

Can't you use the II transferred points for any vacation within the two year lead time?? What is Flexchange????

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by icy-dog
Can't you use the II transferred points for any vacation within the two year lead time?? What is Flexchange????

Once you make an II exchange, the points are gone forever. If you must cancel that you must work within II's cancellation policies. Other than being a liason with II, DVC is no longer in the picture and you do not get the points back in any form.

Flexchange is when you are searching for anything at less than 2 months out. Late (under 60 days) deposits can only be used for flexchange requests. This means only last minute cancellations and things no one else wanted will be available. I think you still have 2 years from the date of the week to use it though.