Long, complicated question on my use year, points, and cancelling??

[pnelson]

Okay, I have a February use year and I banked my 2002 points, so I know I need to use those by February 2004, along with any 2003 points that I haven't used. I am planning on a trip for Nov-Dec 2003. I am also working on a credential and will be applying for teaching positions in Spring of 2003. If I get a position, I will have to cancel or what? I'm not sure what I would do-I could tell the board I have a vacation planned, but am not sure how understanding they would be of a new teacher!!! If I did get a job, there is a possibility I would have two weeks off in October, so I could switch to then, but am just not sure. I guess my question is-If I had to cancel, what are the possibilities of booking a trip at shorter notice? And if I couldn't, then I would lose my points?

 

[Cruelladeville]

I can pretty much guarantee that a new teacher can not get a vacation in December when the kids are supposed to be in school. School systems are funny that way--they don't give vacations, your vacation is when the kids are off, too, like the summer or spring break. Why not plan your vacations for that time, so there is no conflict? Of course, last minute vacations can often be arranged if you aren't picky about where you are staying, but there is the chance that you could end up sitting at home on your front porch. With all those points banked into 2003 you could end up having a lovely trip, but if you have a large contract--like 300 pts or more--I would think about taking a vacation this year. I am also a teacher, and I too, have a Feb use year with 450 pts. That means that I am taking 2 vacations per year, every spring break and summer. You could always rent out those pts for a year, but having done that myself I can tell you that most people who contact you will think you are Member Services, since they often don't understand how the whole point thing works.

 

[pnelson]

It's impossible to plan without having a job. There are 3 different school districts in my area-one is year round, the other is modified traditonal, and the other is part traditional, part year round. The schools that are year round have 4 different rotations. I would like to vacation this year, but I already banked my points. I could borrow next years points, but I only have 200 points and that would not be enough!

 

[Dean]

You could rent the banked points but if not used you will lose them. Why not schedule one or more times with the points you have. Try to do it as early in the year as possible or next summer early. At least if you have to change or cancel, you would have time to work with or rent the points. If you have enough points, you could schedule more time than you actually need or even multiple times to increase your likelyhood of having something that will work. If you have to cancel a portion, have MS to make sure the banked points are the ones actually used.

I'm sure there are those that will feel you shouldn't schedule extra time because it will keep someone else from scheduling. They're your points, use them in a way to maximize the advantage to you. Good luck with the Job and Vacation.

 

[PamOKW]

PNelson, I can't follow all your "what ifs" but I can give you the things to keep in mind when making plans.

With a February Use Year your banking deadlines are 100% by July 31, 50% by October 31 and 25% by November 30. As you know, that's total points. You can't bank 50% in October and then 25% more in November. 50% of the total points is the maximum.

It's always easier to cancel a reservation than make one, so if you have an idea when you want to go make the reservation. If a new job etc., changes your plans you just cancel your reservation.

If you cancel 31 days or more before your check-in date the points are returned to use as you like. You can still bank if you are within your deadlines.

If you cancel less than 31 days, they go into a holding account. To use these points, you must make your reservation 60 days or less before your arrival. The points can not be banked and will expire January 31. If you cancel the day of arrival, those points are lost.

If you want to uses the points to take a non-DVC vacation you must make the reservation 60 days or more before the end of the Use Year. In your case, the reservation must be made by November 30. You could travel in December or January but not make reservations.

If a Disney trip becomes impossible due to your schedule, you might want to consider non-DVC options. The points you banked from this year will need to be used January 31, 2004.

 

[pnelson]

Thanks for the help. I probably will book for when I most want to go. I guess I thought if I booked and then cancelled, I would forfeit. I understand that I can rebank my points or schedule another vacation, so I will probably book my December trip and then see what happens.

By the way, I did try to book a trip yesterday borrowing 2003 points, but the rooms are all filled for the weeks I want.

 

[Pinnie]

Good luck, PNelson.

I am a teacher and I can tell you that in the district I teach in, vacations are NOT allowed. We are contracted to teach set days and are expected to be there. We are expected to take our vacations when the students take theirs, which is why I had to purchase so many DVC points...because I always have to book during the most expensive time.


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