more questions

[jupers]

Ok, so I've been asking lots of questions and getting tons of info. Thanks!

I have more...

Dissers suggested an April use year because I'm a teacher and will typically travel in April or August. Does this sound right? I'm trying to figure out bank and borrow...I understand points become available April 1, how long do I have to make the decision to bank points?

For example, if DH and I wanted to do a last minute weekend away in the fall, would I already have lost my points if I banked them?

Also, can I make reservations at 7 months out, even if my points aren't available till April 1?

Should I run the offer I might put in by dissers or is that not allowed?

 

[erionm]

You can bank points anytime during the first eight months of the use year. With an April UY, you would have until Nov 30 to bank any bankable points.

 

[ToddyLu]

This past year I only banked a portion of my points that I needed for a reservation I was sure was going to happen. I just waited closer to my banking deadline to do the rest--in case I wanted a trip on those points. If you have banked all your 2010 points, then decided to take a trip you can borrow from 2011. Once you bank and borrow-those points cannot be undone. So you do need a bit of a plan in order for DVC to really work in your favor due to these "rules". That is why the info here is sooooo important.

 

[ToddyLu]

So if you think you MIGHT want to do a fall trip, just wait to bank your points until closer to Nov--just do not go past that deadline. That is why last minute planners sometimes get frustrated with DVC policies. Also if you are booking at 7 months or less DVC will allow you to purchase up to 24 points for $15 per point--once a year. This is currently available and no one knows how long it will last. DH and I bought 9 points (I think) for the trip we are going on in May. I booked in Dec so I was within the 7 month rule to purchase these points.

 

[ToddyLu]

Also, can I make reservations at 7 months out, even if my points aren't available till April 1?

QUOTE]

They would borrow those points in that instance.

 

[Dean]

Anything Dec to April should work. I would not pass up a great contract just trying to get April UY even though April would be ideal for you.

 

[Sandisw]

You can always book 11 months in advance at your home resort and 7 months at others.

Its not when you call that determines what points can be used, but what points will be available at the time you travel.

What has been easiest for me is to first figure out the UY I am traveling in and then I know I can used banked points from the UY prior, the UY of travel, and borrow points from the UY following the travel.

 

[DebbieB]

Also, can I make reservations at 7 months out, even if my points aren't available till April 1?

QUOTE]

They would borrow those points in that instance.

Points use is based on date of stay. If you have an April use year and want to make a reservation for September now at 7 months, you would not borrow 2011 because September would be in the 2011 use year (4/1/11 to 3/31/12). Points are in your account in advance, they don't "deposit" when the use year starts. You could borrow 2012 for that trip now (no waiting). I have an April use year and right now my account online has 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 points showing.