month to choose?

[akrake]

we are toying with the idea of a resale. what is the benefit of choosing one month over another? since it's not a set weekly timeshare, i assume that it really doesn't make a difference if we choose January or June. Am I correct in this assessment?
thanks.
amie

 

[tjkraz]

The primary impact is on your Banking deadlines each year. You only have the first six months of your Use Year in which to bank 100% of your points if you will not use them that year.

If you typically vacation in the same time of year / season, you will ideally want a Use Year that immediately PRECEEDS your vacation patterns. For example, a February UY would be ideal if you plan to visit often in the Spring.

However, if you like to travel in December or January, a February UY would be a poor decision. If you ever have to cancel a January trip on 60-90 days notice, you will have all of your points returned to you, but they still need be used by the end of the Use Year.

Let's assume that you have a trip planned for Dec 25-31st. On October 1st something happens and you determine that you cannot take the scheduled December trip. Since it's more than 31 days before check-in, you do get all of your points returned to you with no restrictions. However, you are past the banking deadline for your Use Year. Therefore, the points still have to be used by 1/31 or they are forfeit.

If that isn't clear, please ask more questions.

And, if your intention is to travel at different times of year--at least in the long-term--the Use Year is virtually meaningless.

 

[dianeschlicht]

tjkraz is right, but in reality, you will probably rarely have to worry about it. We almost always travel in December or JAnuary, and our March use year would not be good if we ever needed to cancel last minute. It hasn't happened yet in nearly 9 years and 20 some trips.

 

[CarolMN]

Your use year (month) is simply the month that your annual allotment of points is renewed. It also determines your banking windows.

USe year can be important if you have to cancel a vacation that is scheduled to occur late in your use year.

For example, let's say that you have an August use year and schedule a vacation for the 3rd week of June. If you cancel that June vacation more than 31 days from arrival, the points are returned to your account. However, the points expire at the end of the use year - in the example, that would be July 31. If you cannot reschedule your vacation before then, the points would be lost.

Now let's suppose that you scheduled a December vacation. If you cancelled that vacation more than 31 days in advance, the points would be returned to your account. If you couldn't use the points before they expired (again, the following July31), you could bank them and have another whole year to use them before they expire.

Most members prefer to have a use year no more than 4 or 5 months prior to their usual travel times. However, vacation habit change over the course of the years, so what might be a good use year now, may not be so great later on. Keep in mind that it only matters if you have to cancel a vacation that is scheduled for late in your use year.

HTH. If you need more words, post again.

Best wishes -

 

[timC]

We have a June UY... One year we booked at trip that started in May, ended in June, and I borrowed points for the May dates. If for some reason I had to cancel, those points I used for May would have been put in a holding account, and very likely lost. Bad planning on my part, but in the end we kept our ressie. No harm done.

Think about the dates you're likely to travel. It's not big deal, but if you've got a choice, you might as well pick one that maximizes your advantage. June is good if you typically like summer/fall vacations, January for winter/spring. If you have to cancel, you'll have plenty of time to bank or re-schedule.

 

[DebbieB]

One thing to consider too is use year can limit your borrowing power. I have already booked all my April 2005 points and borrowed some 2006. I'm thinking of a March trip but I can't borrow because the dates would be in my 2004 use year. If I had a March use year, I would be in my 2005 year and could borrow 2006.

 

[akrake]

thanks...yall make it a whole lot clearer than the info from dvc.........from reading their info, i couldn't figure it out! thanks.!
amie

 

[elfbo]

One thing to consider too is use year can limit your borrowing power. I have already booked all my April 2005 points and borrowed some 2006. I'm thinking of a March trip but I can't borrow because the dates would be in my 2004 use year. If I had a March use year, I would be in my 2005 year and could borrow 2006.

Debbie, Can you borrow more 2006 points for your april trip, and then borrow the 2005 points for a march trip?

 

[DebbieB]

Debbie, Can you borrow more 2006 points for your april trip, and then borrow the 2005 points for a march trip?

I could attempt to reallocate my existing reservations (May & November) but it could be a problem if there are waitlists. Actually, I have worked it out, I'm going with friends.