Major Policy Change in DVC/DCL Trade Policy UPDATE ON POST #193

[JimMIA]

I sent an email to Member Satisfaction asking whether this was

1. A temporary change in policy
2. A permanent change in policy
3. Or, simply an availability problem

If I get a response, I'll post it here.

 

[wdrl]

I've read through most of the posts on this thread but I'm still a little confused about what is going on. Is the following an accurate statement of the new DCV/DCL "policy?"

As of today, DCL has blocked DVC members from booking cruises on points through September 30, 2011. This includes rebooking existing cruises such as I have been working on doing.

If that statement is accurate, then is it because there is now a moritorium on any DCL bookings using DVC for any DCL cruise? Or is it because there is no availability on DCL cruises?

 

[JimMIA]

If this is just an availability problem, there is one other possible source that we haven't considered.

This is obviously just idle speculation, but I wonder if the incentive cruises are counted against points inventory?

I'd bet they are, and to me that really does not seem right. If DVD is taking our points inventory to use for sales promotional purposes, that strikes me as a pretty serious conflict of interest.

Yeah, yeah, I know they own those points...but still.

 

[CarolAnnC]

No specific date just asked if DVC discontinued booking on cruises using points and the CM said absolutely not and that members can still book cruises. Told her i read it on the forum and she said she has heard nothing about it.

First of all, book a cruise on points between October 2010 and September 2011 then come back and tell us how it went..

The CM you spoke to is either lying or being told to lie. The first CM I spoke to yesterday made the statement "everything changed here today as far as booking cruises on points". When I spoke to the Supervisor - the same one I spoke to last Sunday btw - he confirmed the statement.

You can rest assured any statement I have posted here is truth. At the end of the call, I even read back the statements to the Supervisor (giving him a chance to correct me) and informed him who I was and where they would be posted.

And as my husband posted earlier in this thread, we have taken this higher up as we felt necessary.

My take on it is that this new policy implementation has purposely been leaked out this way, much the same as the change in Valet parking was. If you happened to call yesterday (like me, what timing!) you found out. There will probably be some official sugar coated statement later, but it is what it is at this point. No new cruise bookings on points for that time period and no rebookings either. I would much rather be reporting here that I was able to rebook to almost anything other than June, but here I am instead laying out the facts. My only hope appears to be the "call list" that I am on for one date in August...

 

[Mineu]

For those just calling to see if DVC has stopped booking cruises-of course they will say no-they are still booking cruises-you won't hit the stone wall until you ask for a date from January through September 2011! They actually have a press release that they are reading from saying how popular their new sailings are and due to increased bookings from DVC members-they are out of DVC allotments until September 2011. DCL still has availability-DVC on DCL does not! Very upsetting for those of us with bookings in place already who were in the process of converting...

 

[CarolAnnC]

If that statement is accurate, then is it because there is now a moritorium on any DCL bookings using DVC for any DCL cruise? Or is it because there is no availability on DCL cruises?

Well actually, this is under the control of DCL. If they want a "moratorium" all they have to do is alter the availability of staterooms to us.

On last Sunday and the middle of this week, there was ample inventory for several cruise dates I inquired about. Then a few days later there is absolutely no availability... and it was not due to a huge rush on booking cruises through September 2011, but a "change" per MS.

 

[gkrykewy]

The CM you spoke to is either lying or being told to lie. The first CM I spoke to yesterday made the statement "everything changed here today as far as booking cruises on points". When I spoke to the Supervisor - the same one I spoke to last Sunday btw - he confirmed the statement.

But Carol, so far these are the only two CMs who have said this to anyone, and a bunch of people have called to check. Perhaps you just got a couple of confused CMs. Have you tried calling today to see if you're told the same thing?

Of course, you may be right; that you were just "lucky" enough to call on transition day, before they got their story straight.

 

[Mineu]

Well-I hope they are alerting DVC members currently onboard the Wonder & Magic to the new policy-what a nasty surprise to come home to after you've just booked onboard...

 

[CarolAnnC]

I sent an email to Member Satisfaction asking whether this was

1. A temporary change in policy
2. A permanent change in policy
3. Or, simply an availability problem

If I get a response, I'll post it here.

I emailed them yesterday afternoon, no response yet.

If any response comes, I am sure it will be the company line. We may never, in fact, know the real truth. But, whether permanent, or temporary, it is definitely an availability problem for DVC members - my guess it is through DCL's choice perhaps not MS's choice. Those who hold control have taken away availability for DVC members - just check DCL website, and you will see lots of availability for these cruise dates for those using cash.

Regardless of "what" it is, I am left here in a dilemma as many others are (or will be) too. It has left a bad taste in my mouth, and I am hoping the situation can be repaired or rectified soon!

 

[Mineu]

But Carol, so far these are the only two CMs who have said this to anyone, and a bunch of people have called to check. Perhaps you just got a couple of confused CMs. Have you tried calling today to see if you're told the same thing?

Of course, you may be right; that you were just "lucky" enough to call on transition day, before they got their story straight.

I called last night and this morning and have not been able to finish converting my existing Alaska reservation to DVC as they were waiting for a letter from the travel agency I booked with to release the reservation back to me. So, even though they can see my Alaska reservation in their system-they won't take it over as they are not booking DVC reservations on cruises departing before September 2011. The agent this morning had a press release that she read from-she said the press release was given out a few days ago.

 

[CarolAnnC]

But Carol, so far these are the only two CMs who have said this to anyone, and a bunch of people have called to check. Perhaps you just got a couple of confused CMs. Have you tried calling today to see if you're told the same thing?

Of course, you may be right; that you were just "lucky" enough to call on transition day, before they got their story straight.

Perhaps you haven't read all of this thread (or the one currently on the Cruise Board) as there have been others who have called and received the same information regarding availability for particular cruises on points.

As I posted, my husband took this to a higher level as well. Are you suggesting if I call there now I may be able to rebook my cruise without a problem?

 

[CarolAnnC]

For those just calling to see if DVC has stopped booking cruises-of course they will say no-they are still booking cruises-you won't hit the stone wall until you ask for a date from January through September 2011! They actually have a press release that they are reading from saying how popular their new sailings are and due to increased bookings from DVC members-they are out of DVC allotments until September 2011. DCL still has availability-DVC on DCL does not! Very upsetting for those of us with bookings in place already who were in the process of converting...

Thank you...and when you can, have them place yourself on the "call list" for the date of your choice. It appears that is our only hope at this point..

 

[Mineu]

I really hope member services sends out a press release to it's members. How many people are sitting in those chairs right now on the Magic and Wonder waiting to book and then convert when they get home? What about everyone on the Meet & Greet threads who haven't converted to points yet? It is not pleasant to find out that a cabin you assumed you could transfer to points is suddenly going to cost you thousands of dollars...

 

[Mineu]

Thank you...and when you can, have them place yourself on the "call list" for the date of your choice. It appears that is our only hope at this point..

Actually-you're my hero ! When I called this morning-they did not mention the call list at all-the agent just read the nicely worded press release and said-sorry.... Luckily, I remembered your post about the call list-couldn't think of the name-so said "waitlist". She was quiet for a minute and said "oh, you mean call list-sure, I can put you on that." She was not hopeful about it working though...

 

[CarolAnnC]

I really hope member services sends out a press release to it's members. How many people are sitting in those chairs right now on the Magic and Wonder waiting to book and then convert when they get home? What about everyone on the Meet & Greet threads who haven't converted to points yet? It is not pleasant to find out that a cabin you assumed you could transfer to points is suddenly going to cost you thousands of dollars...

This sudden change is going to create issues for many members out there. Had they given notice before implementing this, then people would have had a chance to finalize whatever their transactions were. Notification of yesterday's deadline date in advance would have been a much more member-friendly thing to do. Rather than the way they chose, which has left folks in a quandry over the next 13 months (or possibly longer).

 

[cogero]

does anyone know how this is working for the incentive cruises? we are owed one but I didn't want to book until DH gets the vacation picks for work since we would then have to change

 

[CarolAnnC]

Actually-you're my hero ! When I called this morning-they did not mention the call list at all-the agent just read the nicely worded press release and said-sorry.... Luckily, I remembered your post about the call list-couldn't think of the name-so said "waitlist". She was quiet for a minute and said "oh, you mean call list-sure, I can put you on that." She was not hopeful about it working though...

Glad to be of help to you! The explanation of call list versus wait list given me was that the call will be made if a current booking by a DVC member is cancelled and then you will be called for that particular date. No promise of a particular category, but just a call offering you the date that you were seeking.

A wait list would be more in line with availability opening up for DVC members in general, which will not be happening in accordance with this new proclamation of theirs.

I am hoping that DVC branches out (again) and chooses at least one other cruise line to partner with for members to trade into. DCL obviously does not want our business any longer under the terms that had been in place until yesterday that is.

 

[CarolAnnC]

does anyone know how this is working for the incentive cruises? we are owed one but I didn't want to book until DH gets the vacation picks for work since we would then have to change

If I were you, I would call there today, speak to a supervisor and find out what the current status is for your cruise choices. Good luck to you...

 

[Dean]

This sudden change is going to create issues for many members out there. Had they given notice before implementing this, then people would have had a chance to finalize whatever their transactions were. Notification of yesterday's deadline date in advance would have been a much more member-friendly thing to do. Rather than the way they chose, which has left folks in a quandry over the next 13 months (or possibly longer).

I realize plans change but I wouldn't ever have thought it a good idea to book a cruise tenatively expecting to make changes later. There are enough risks and negatives just booking a cruise on points much less adding complications to the mix.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I realize plans change but I wouldn't ever have thought it a good idea to book a cruise tenatively expecting to make changes later. There are enough risks and negatives just booking a cruise on points much less adding complications to the mix.

I agree with you on that Dean! I never would do that either!

I was not "tentatively" booked, I was booked. I have had a work commitment arise and I will not be able to cruise on the date chosen. In my 10 Disney Cruises I have taken, I have never ever had to rebook any of them (including cash as well as points).