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

[Inkmahm]

I've read several but not all of the pages here and have the gist of the problem. While we didn't buy points just for cruising, we have used them. In fact we're doing a Western Caribbean in Oct. using half cash, half points. WE are booked for Alaska for next August and planned to do the same thing when the final payment is due. I'm hoping by then (April i think) there will be enough availability for DVC members. Otherwise we ( & possibly several other couples who are going with us) will have to cancel. Now how can DCL think that's a good thing! Definitely an issue to keep up with!!

N of danandnan

Why do you have to cancel? Rent out the points you were going to use to pay for the cruise and pay with 100% cash instead. Put the extra cash you have left over doing this towards your excursions on the cruise.

I hate seeing all these people planning to use points suddenly be so willing to give up their cruises just because points aren't an option. While the "rent your points" solution wouldn't work if every single dVCer decided to do it, it should work for the DIS people who read these threads!

Don't give up your cruises so easily, people!

 

[lilpooh108]

Just got off a one-hour phone call and this is what I was told:

1. The policy change is that they will no longer transfer cash reservations to points reservations unless DVC has availability in the particular stateroom category (as others have reported);

2. There is no moratorium to booking cruises through Sept, 2011--there is an availability issue (as others have reported).

3. Unlike what others are hearing, however, there is SOME availability for booking for cruise dates between now and September 2011. For example, my MS was able to pull up availability on the 3-night Wonder for October 2010. If you can't book, it's because there are no DVC room allotment available;

4. I was able to book a Mexican Riviera for Nov 2011.

5. MS was herself confused about the call-list procedures. She said that they were handed a FAQ (which she read to me). I was NOT able to put myself on a call-list to transfer my Dec 2010 cruise from cash to points reservation b/c after I booked the MR cruise, I had no more points with which to cruise. Apparently, her supervisor only allowed her to put people on the call-list if they have points ready (I was on hold for 15 minutes while she asked.)

6. They have not started calling people yet on the call-list, and so she was not able to tell me how the list works (i.e., how many times a day is the availability checked/updated against the list, when they will call, etc)

Hope this helps others out there. We are probably going to cancel Alaska 2011 and go w/a non-DCL cruiseline (even though we made a deposit specifically to transfer the ressie, and was going to book w/points w/the rebooking discount after our Dec 2010. )

 

[tjkraz]

She also told me that booking cruises is a perk of DVC (!!!!) and that you never know, one day, we may not be able to use our points for cruises. This was a supervisor.

And that is exactly correct. DVC has never made any guarantees regarding the continued availability of using points toward Disney cruises.

 

[ransom]

And that is exactly correct. DVC has never made any guarantees regarding the continued availability of using points toward Disney cruises.

Or anything besides the member's home resort, for that matter.

 

[AnnaS]

I just told my friend about this. She is booked on the Alaska cruise for June I believe. She was planning on converting from cash to points.

She called MS and was told it was sold out for points.

 

[gkrykewy]

I had my debit card in hand ready to put down the deposit.

You would have survived. Most of us are more than happy with our memberships! Frankly, we've counted it among the best decisions we've made. But it can be aggravating when a perk or policy change affects a way one's family uses their membership.

At least you got free ice cream!

 

[Sammie]

The upsetting point to me again, is we now have a certain type of sales agent that will say anything to get a sale.

Ontariomonkey was told by DVC that using DVC points for a cruise was as good as paying cash. If there was availbility with cash, there would be availbility to book with points. That is not true.

I seriously doubt you will find a agent now that will tell you that perks can be removed at any time without notice, that you will experience difficulty at times booking out of your home resort at 7 months and even possibly experience difficulty at 11 months for certain situations.

They are so desperate to make sales they will promise you the moon and not worry about the reality. They are using these perks to sell DVC knowing that at anytime they can be gone.

It is sleezy and I don't care how anyone tries to sugar coat it.

As I have said before it is not what they are doing, it is how they do it now that bothers me and I fault the current management for this sales focused situation.

People buying into DVC should not have to learn about the real use of the program the hard way. Agents when asked specific questions should be truthful and forthcoming, not promising things they can not guarantee.

 

[wdrl]

Just got off a one-hour phone call and this is what I was told:

1. The policy change is that they will no longer transfer cash reservations to points reservations unless DVC has availability in the particular stateroom category (as others have reported);

2. There is no moratorium to booking cruises through Sept, 2011--there is an availability issue (as others have reported).

3. Unlike what others are hearing, however, there is SOME availability for booking for cruise dates between now and September 2011. For example, my MS was able to pull up availability on the 3-night Wonder for October 2010. If you can't book, it's because there are no DVC room allotment available;

4. I was able to book a Mexican Riviera for Nov 2011.

5. MS was herself confused about the call-list procedures. She said that they were handed a FAQ (which she read to me). I was NOT able to put myself on a call-list to transfer my Dec 2010 cruise from cash to points reservation b/c after I booked the MR cruise, I had no more points with which to cruise. Apparently, her supervisor only allowed her to put people on the call-list if they have points ready (I was on hold for 15 minutes while she asked.)

6. They have not started calling people yet on the call-list, and so she was not able to tell me how the list works (i.e., how many times a day is the availability checked/updated against the list, when they will call, etc)

Hope this helps others out there. We are probably going to cancel Alaska 2011 and go w/a non-DCL cruiseline (even though we made a deposit specifically to transfer the ressie, and was going to book w/points w/the rebooking discount after our Dec 2010. )

Thanks for posting and helping to clarify this issue. Its sounds as if it is an availability issue rather than DVC members being blocked from using points on DCL cruises.

Perhaps the question that should be asked is "How much DVC inventory will there be on specific future DCL cruises?". As DVC members, we have always been aware that the DVC resorts have a DVC Member inventory and a DVD inventory. We know and accept the fact that BLT may not have any rooms to book for points even through CRO is offering cash reservations for those same rooms. Now, it appears that we have to think of DCL in the same manner.

 

[Mineu]

I don't think DCL will he happy with this change when final payments are due. I know that we will have to cancel our three night reservation to pay for our Alaska cruise- unless we receive the "call back" before final payments are due. I'm sure we are not the only family out there that will have to make this decision. DCL may suddenly find themselves with inventory they may or may not have to discount to fill...

 

[danandnan]

Thanks for posting and helping to clarify this issue. Its sounds as if it is an availability issue rather than DVC members being blocked from using points on DCL cruises.

Perhaps the question that should be asked is "How much DVC inventory will there be on specific future DCL cruises?". As DVC members, we have always been aware that the DVC resorts have a DVC Member inventory and a DVD inventory. We know and accept the fact that BLT may not have any rooms to book for points even through CRO is offering cash reservations for those same rooms. Now, it appears that we have to think of DCL in the same manner.

I don't quit understand. We stayed at BLT in April. We had 210 banked points we had to use. We had on problem what so ever using our points and that was in April PRIME TIME.

 

[danandnan]

Why do you have to cancel? Rent out the points you were going to use to pay for the cruise and pay with 100% cash instead. Put the extra cash you have left over doing this towards your excursions on the cruise.

I hate seeing all these people planning to use points suddenly be so willing to give up their cruises just because points aren't an option. While the "rent your points" solution wouldn't work if every single dVCer decided to do it, it should work for the DIS people who read these threads!

Don't give up your cruises so easily, people!

That's not a bad idea - but - we've never rented out before so I would need some help with how to go about that. Do you know?

N

 

[Sammie]

I don't quit understand. We stayed at BLT in April. We had 210 banked points we had to use. We had on problem what so ever using our points and that was in April PRIME TIME.

are you referencing you had no problem using your points at BLT in April, or the cruise situation.

If BLT, April is prime time for the parks, not prime time for DVC bookings, there is a difference.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Just got off a one-hour phone call and this is what I was told:

1. The policy change is that they will no longer transfer cash reservations to points reservations unless DVC has availability in the particular stateroom category (as others have reported);

2. There is no moratorium to booking cruises through Sept, 2011--there is an availability issue (as others have reported).

3. Unlike what others are hearing, however, there is SOME availability for booking for cruise dates between now and September 2011. For example, my MS was able to pull up availability on the 3-night Wonder for October 2010. If you can't book, it's because there are no DVC room allotment available;

4. I was able to book a Mexican Riviera for Nov 2011.

5. MS was herself confused about the call-list procedures. She said that they were handed a FAQ (which she read to me). I was NOT able to put myself on a call-list to transfer my Dec 2010 cruise from cash to points reservation b/c after I booked the MR cruise, I had no more points with which to cruise. Apparently, her supervisor only allowed her to put people on the call-list if they have points ready (I was on hold for 15 minutes while she asked.)

6. They have not started calling people yet on the call-list, and so she was not able to tell me how the list works (i.e., how many times a day is the availability checked/updated against the list, when they will call, etc)

Hope this helps others out there. We are probably going to cancel Alaska 2011 and go w/a non-DCL cruiseline (even though we made a deposit specifically to transfer the ressie, and was going to book w/points w/the rebooking discount after our Dec 2010. )

Switching cash reservations over to points reservations was always subject to the DVC availability of a particular category and date. Since they have now drastically lowered the number of DVC bookings allowed, it will be extremely difficult to accomplish this.

Congratulations on booking November 2011. That is, of course, after the September 2011 date which will currently not allow DVC bookings..

I just told my friend about this. She is booked on the Alaska cruise for June I believe. She was planning on converting from cash to points.

She called MS and was told it was sold out for points.

They have started contacting people on the "Call List"!!!!!

Anna, your friend may want to check again with MS, as we were called earlier today by Member Services and given the opportunity to rebook our June cruise. So we have now cancelled two category 5C cabins on the June 21 cruise. If she is not on the call list, she should ask to be put on, too.

We were so happy to receive the call from DVC!! We have been rebooked to our August sail date and all is well for us!!

I strongly recommend everyone to write to the Member Satisfaction Team at dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com to express your feelings on the new policy and to make your voice count!

I am hoping they will be able to make it right for others who are in this position with wanting to rebook or book a cruise on points. I intend to follow this closely and relay any information as it may become available.

 

[danandnan]

are you referencing you had no problem using your points at BLT in April, or the cruise situation.

If BLT, April is prime time for the parks, not prime time for DVC bookings, there is a difference.

We used points in April at BLT - it was after Easter so it was the second highest point time. However, we could only stay for 1 week. We had to move to OKW for the last 4 days. They said it was because of availability and we assumed they meant actual availability - but maybe what they really meant was points availability & we didn't know the difference. I guess we never realized until today that there was a difference in the allotment - not something they mention in the salespitch. Time will tell what we do with our 2011 Alaska cruise.................

N

 

[AnnaS]

Switching cash reservations over to points reservations was always subject to the DVC availability of a particular category and date. Since they have now drastically lowered the number of DVC bookings allowed, it will be extremely difficult to accomplish this.

Congratulations on booking November 2011. That is, of course, after the September 2011 date which will currently not allow DVC bookings..



They have started contacting people on the "Call List"!!!!!

Anna, your friend may want to check again with MS, as we were called earlier today by Member Services and given the opportunity to rebook our June cruise. So we have now cancelled two category 5C cabins on the June 21 cruise. If she is not on the call list, she should ask to be put on, too.

We were so happy to receive the call from DVC!! We have been rebooked to our August sail date and all is well for us!!

I strongly recommend everyone to write to the Member Satisfaction Team at dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com to express your feelings on the new policy and to make your voice count!

I am hoping they will be able to make it right for others who are in this position with wanting to rebook or book a cruise on points. I intend to follow this closely and relay any information as it may become available.

Thank you Carol. I am not sure if she is on the waiting list or the are waiting for any date to open up. I will send her an email anyway. I am happy you were able to rebook.

 

[vicki_c]

We used points in April at BLT - it was after Easter so it was the second highest point time. However, we could only stay for 1 week. We had to move to OKW for the last 4 days. They said it was because of availability and we assumed they meant actual availability - but maybe what they really meant was points availability & we didn't know the difference. I guess we never realized until today that there was a difference in the allotment - not something they mention in the salespitch. Time will tell what we do with our 2011 Alaska cruise.................

N

DVC room and cash rooms are two entirely different pools of rooms - it has always been that way. There can be tons of availability for rooms at a resort on cash and none for DVC, or vice-versa. "Actual" availability for DVC means DVC rooms, always has.

 

[Mineu]

Switching cash reservations over to points reservations was always subject to the DVC availability of a particular category and date. Since they have now drastically lowered the number of DVC bookings allowed, it will be extremely difficult to accomplish this.

Congratulations on booking November 2011. That is, of course, after the September 2011 date which will currently not allow DVC bookings..



They have started contacting people on the "Call List"!!!!!

Anna, your friend may want to check again with MS, as we were called earlier today by Member Services and given the opportunity to rebook our June cruise. So we have now cancelled two category 5C cabins on the June 21 cruise. If she is not on the call list, she should ask to be put on, too.

We were so happy to receive the call from DVC!! We have been rebooked to our August sail date and all is well for us!!

I strongly recommend everyone to write to the Member Satisfaction Team at dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com to express your feelings on the new policy and to make your voice count!

I am hoping they will be able to make it right for others who are in this position with wanting to rebook or book a cruise on points. I intend to follow this closely and relay any information as it may become available.

Congratulations You had a lot more riding on this than the rest of us!!

 

[PoohNFriends]

They have started contacting people on the "Call List"!!!!!

Anna, your friend may want to check again with MS, as we were called earlier today by Member Services and given the opportunity to rebook our June cruise. So we have now cancelled two category 5C cabins on the June 21 cruise. If she is not on the call list, she should ask to be put on, too.

We were so happy to receive the call from DVC!! We have been rebooked to our August sail date and all is well for us!!

I strongly recommend everyone to write to the Member Satisfaction Team at dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com to express your feelings on the new policy and to make your voice count!

I am hoping they will be able to make it right for others who are in this position with wanting to rebook or book a cruise on points. I intend to follow this closely and relay any information as it may become available.

Glad everything worked out quickly for you, CarolAnnC ! And thanks for keeping all of us updated!

 

[kimberh]

CarolAnnC I am so glad this has worked out for you! Makes me wonder if the Internet posting has had anything to help push it along. All those people calling MS. I would never book on points, but hate to hear the option is now so limited for those that want to.

We just returned from Alaska in July. Sailed another cruise line. Had a wonderful trip! All of you going will be amazed at the beauty. We took a Land/Sea. If you are not comfortable in renting, transfer your points. Take a warm coat, scarf and gloves. I took 4 jackets and still had to buy one. It was over 100 degrees here and my teeth were chattering the first day. I could not make them stop. Dress in layers. Once I did all this, I was great.

 

[Petraman]

Well, one more good news post...

we were scheduled for Nov 2011 and were going to upgrade our room as soon as our new addon contract was finalized. I called this morning and spoke to a sharp CM (Karen) who seemed to be very in tune to this ongoing development. When she first looked, she said I could not upgrade, but that it was an inventory problem, not related to this new development. She said she had another idea, put me on hold, and when she came back it was done! We got our upgrade.

I chatted with her for about 20 minutes about this current situation. She was very well informed and had a great caring attitude. She did share that her supervisor had shared with them this came about because of a large increase of people using DVC points due to new ship, destinations, etc. She was told they are reviewing this situation over the next few months to try and come up with a game plan on how to move forward.
She was told their goal is not to stop using DVC points, but if the current trend continued, this could be the same scenario in 2012.

I guess we will have to wait and see. I am just very happy for OP getting her cruise worked out!