Managing two use months anyone do it

[wisbucky]

We are looking at adding on points. We were hoping to find Boardwalk with 75 or less points. We just came across 50 points for Boardwalk but it has a different use year. Our use year now is Feb but this one is for Dec. Has anyone else ever managed two different use years and if so what are the pros and cons?

 

[WDWguruDH]

I don't think it would be that tough - that said, we have 4 contracts and have purposely sought the same use year on them all, just to keep it simple. I would think it would be more important on the smaller contracts though - if you have the same use year you can combine the points, if not, you can't.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I dont think it would be too difficult to manage, especially if both contracts are for the same resort.

it would probably be easier though if your second month was closer to the first so you could take more advantage of the 11 month window deals and combine your points more easily.

 

[Sarahsal]

We have two use years. Yes, it can get confusing-you have to be really sure you think things out before you bank or transfer between the two, but it is doable. We found the perfect size add-on for the right price with banked points, so we weren't about to lose it because of the use year.

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

I've got three use years (resales). I keep track of everything in a spreadsheet. It's not that difficult.

 

[wisbucky]

Doogierunner I considered doing it on a spreadsheet, just wondering how yours is set up. Would you mine sending me a pm about it.

 

[RobDoc]

We have 4 Use Years. I track everything using a checkbook account (MSMoney). I just set up each contract as a separate account. Each Use Year, the contract's points are "deposited" in the account and each reservation I simply write a check for the number of points needed. I verify the number of points in each account with every contact with MS.

Enjoy!

 

[wisbucky]

Wow Doc I was worried about two use years and you are dealing with four. Thanks for the info and the help.

 

[DVC-Don]

I do the same as Doc, in fact got the idea from him. I have two "check" accounts set up in money - OKW & VWL.

 

[greenban]

I do the same as Doc, in fact got the idea from him. I have two "check" accounts set up in money - OKW & VWL.

Me too! I currently have 2 use years, and a third pending (please let me pass ROFR) and I borrowed WebmasterDoc's 'checking account' idea for Quicken basic. And I use Excel for banking/borrowing amounts, and CaskBill's programs for everything else!

So, it is possible, but 1 use year would have been easier, except I love loaded contracts (an illness according to my DW!)

-Tony

 

[Dean]

I don't think multiple use years are that difficult as long as the contract will stand on it's own. In this situation with a small amount of points, I do not believe it is reasonable for most people to have a different use year. If you will use the 50 points and have little need to combine with your other points for a single night, you should be OK.

 

[JimC]

I also have two use years and use Fredrickson's program for managing the contracts and Caskbill's program for planning.

Caskbill
http://web.nalu.net/~wneth/dvcplanner.htm

Fredrickson
http://hometown.aol.com/dmfredrick/Download.html

 

[wisbucky]

JimC sounds like your way is the best idea for me. Although looking at Fredriskson's program right now I am really confused. But I am sure I will figure it out. If not I will just ask the experts here. Thanks much

 

[pumpkinboy]

I do the same as Doc, in fact got the idea from him. I have two "check" accounts set up in money - OKW & VWL.

The probelm with the analogy is that you can transfer money both ways between checking accounts, but only in or out (not both) of each DVC account. So once you transfer points out of one account during a use year, you will not be able to receive transfers back to that acct.

I agree with Dean, that with this small a point amount, that two use years would not be feasible; for a mere 50 pts, the management headaches woul to be worth it IMO. I'd recommend being patient and waiting for that 70 pointer w/February UY that you were looking for.

 

[CarolMN]

The probelm with the analogy is that you can transfer money both ways between checking accounts, but only in or out (not both) of each DVC account. So once you transfer points out of one account during a use year, you will not be able to receive transfers back to that acct....(snip)......

Are you sure?

My understanding is that MS does not enforce that "Transfer in one direction only" rule between contracts owned by the same member.

Best wishes -

 

[Dean]

Are you sure?

My understanding is that MS does not enforce that "Transfer in one direction only" rule between contracts owned by the same member.

Best wishes -

Carol, they will give you more latitude in transfers for a single owner but usually only when you have a specific need like combining points for a single night.

 

[CarolMN]

Carol, they will give you more latitude in transfers for a single owner but usually only when you have a specific need like combining points for a single night.

OK. Thanks.

But what other legitimate reason would a member have for transferring between his/her own contracts? I don't have much "sympathy" for anyone who is trying to get around banking or home resort rules, so it seems to me that the ability to make a legal reservation is all the "latitude" a member should need. After all, that's what the points are for! LOL.

Best wishes -

 

[wisbucky]

This 50 point contract for BWV in December would (I thought) work great for us as we would use those points for our stay in December always. 50 points will get us a studio for 5 days. We have 275 in our Feb use year that we use for stays throughtout the year. A few people have told me that the chances of finding a resale for our use year with a small amount of points would be difficult but not impossible. It is a game of chance. Is having the Dec use year with the Feb use year that far apart? Or would I better waiting and looking for a Jan or March use year? I

 

[zurgswife]

We have 3 different use years and we have managed without to many problems...

 

[Dean]

This 50 point contract for BWV in December would (I thought) work great for us as we would use those points for our stay in December always. 50 points will get us a studio for 5 days. We have 275 in our Feb use year that we use for stays throughtout the year. A few people have told me that the chances of finding a resale for our use year with a small amount of points would be difficult but not impossible. It is a game of chance. Is having the Dec use year with the Feb use year that far apart? Or would I better waiting and looking for a Jan or March use year? I

The specific use years are not the issue. the issue is having a small contract stand alone. If it will work this way for you, that's fine. The other thing to point out is that the banking windows and percentages will be separate where they will be combined for true add ons giving you more flexibility if they are the same use year. That combined with the higher pp costs, especially when you count closing, make it less attractive. But it's your dime so do what's best for you.