Modification inside 31 days and the current unenforced holding rules

[Doberge]

I have two one night reservations and made a mistake not cancelling one before 30 days out so I'm now in holding window. I understand that I'm lucky that holding rules are not being enforced again until May 1 but have a logistical question.

I still have both reservations and am currently at 30 days. One reservation is booked with current use year points and the other is booked with banked points. I'd prefer to drop the banked point reservation and put those points into the current point reservation.

If I or member services drop the banked points reservation to free those points (and MS takes them out of holding), I would still have an issue modifying the other reservation to use those points, correct? My thought is that outside of 30 days, a "moficiation" would logically "cancel" and then immediately rebook with the banked points first but that this would be different inside 31 days. There, I'm thinking when the "modification" "cancels" that holding points are immediately created and these holding points are used first before getting to the banked points. Is this correct?

If that's true, then the only way to really get it done is to cancel both reservations and ask for points to be taken out of holding and thus risk losing both rooms (to waitlist or someone quickly snatching) while waiting for points to be taken out of holding?

Sorry about all the text but I was trying my best to speak clearly.

 

[starry_solo]

@Sandisw

 

[houseofduck]

I don't think you should have a problem with canceling the reservation with the banked points and then modifying the remaining reservation to use the banked points. If the points are not in holding, you can modify the other reservation, even if it is within 31 days.

I recently had banked points that I wanted to put into a reservation that was within 30 days and I was able to do it online. The reservation that I canceled to free up the banked points was not within 30 days, so the points did not go into holding. Once the banked points were freed, I modified the reservation that was within 30 days and it picked up the banked points without any problem.

 

[houseofduck]

Speaking of not enforcing the holding rules until May 1, is there anywhere on the DVC site that states that they are not enforcing the holding rules? I could only find where it said that they were reinstating the old rules on May 1, but not where is states the temporary rules.

ETA: I found an email from DVC (dated 3/28/2020) that lists the temporary rules, but still could not find anything on the web site.

 

[Sandisw]

Anything you do to the trips prior to May 1st avoid holding.

Once we hit May 1st, then any changes made 30 days or less will result in the freed up points going into holding, even with the swap.

So, if you cancel the banked points trip within 31 days, they are holding and if you swapped them into the other trip, if it was also less than 31 days out, those become holding,

Basically, any adjustment to points within 31 days from May 1st on when we go back to the regular rules, will be given the holding penalty.

I made that mistake once in a big way, I was fortunate that I had a trip scheduled in less than 60 days and a few nights were still available and I was able to use them up.

 

[Sandisw]

Speaking of not enforcing the holding rules until May 1, is there anywhere on the DVC site that states that they are not enforcing the holding rules? I could only find where it said that they were reinstating the old rules on May 1, but not where is states the temporary rules.

ETA: I found an email from DVC (dated 3/28/2020) that lists the temporary rules, but still could not find anything on the web site.

Since this went into effect, when you go to cancel a trip, it states the points will not be in holding. I am assuming we will see that language change back at midnight May 1st.

 

[Doberge]

Anything you do to the trips prior to May 1st avoid holding.

Once we hit May 1st, then any changes made 30 days or less will result in the freed up points going into holding, even with the swap.

So, if you cancel the banked points trip within 31 days, they are holding and if you swapped them into the other trip, if it was also less than 31 days out, those become holding,

Basically, any adjustment to points within 31 days from May 1st on when we go back to the regular rules, will be given the holding penalty.

I made that mistake once in a big way, I was fortunate that I had a trip scheduled in less than 60 days and a few nights were still available and I was able to use them up.

Maybe my assumption that points are still put into holding and *not* immediately taken out of holding is incorrect? I understand that are not staying in holding, but what is the timing? Are the points never put in holding at all right now? Or are the points briefly put into holding until either later taken out automatically or by MS? (Assuming within 31 days here).

 

[Sandisw]

Maybe my assumption that points are still put into holding and *not* immediately taken out of holding is incorrect? I understand that are not staying in holding, but what is the timing? Are the points never put in holding at all right now? Or are the points briefly put into holding until either later taken out automatically or by MS? (Assuming within 31 days here).

Since the rule change, they have not gone into holding at all. They go right back into the account without the penalty.

 

[Doberge]

Since the rule change, they have not gone into holding at all. They go right back into the account without the penalty.

That succinctly answers it for me. I stressed about an incorrect assumption when I should have just cleared that up first. Thanks!

 

[houseofduck]

Since this went into effect, when you go to cancel a trip, it states the points will not be in holding. I am assuming we will see that language change back at midnight May 1st.

I haven't cancelled anything within 30 days. That must be why I hadn't seen the language on the site!

 

[robinb]

Since the rule change, they have not gone into holding at all. They go right back into the account without the penalty.

... and borrowed points go right back into the next use year? Right? I borrowed 11 points for a 1-day reservation in late May that I might cancel before May 1st if those points get shifted back to the 2021 UY.

 

[Sandisw]

... and borrowed points go right back into the next use year? Right? I borrowed 11 points for a 1-day reservation in late May that I might cancel before May 1st if those points get shifted back to the 2021 UY.

Borrowed points do not go back right away. They return as borrowed, and are moved, usually within a week or two,