MS - joining non-discounted cash rooms with points?

[JandD Mom]

Hi all,

I was on the phone with MS yesterday, trying to get a cash res in a studio room. I was told that they had no rooms available at the 25% discount, however, they could get me a room at full rack rate (no thanks!).

Anyway, my question is this: Can MS book me a room at the "rack" rate, and join the room with a points reservation (if one is available)? I did not realize MS would book rack rate rooms.

Thanks!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not sure about that one either. Could it be that if you book rack rate through MS the same rules apply as with the cash discount? I hope someone here knows the answer, because that's not one I've heard addressed before!

 

[JandD Mom]

Not sure about that one either. Could it be that if you book rack rate through MS the same rules apply as with the cash discount? I hope someone here knows the answer, because that's not one I've heard addressed before!

Diane,

If YOU haven't heard this, we must be in new territory!

I was suprised myself. I have been offered rack rate rooms on 2 separate phonecalls to MS, and I did not know MS had access to those rooms.

I am wondering if someone knows the answer.

 

[MrsNick]

I have one room booked on points thru MS, and another booked on cash thru CRO. After I booked the cash room, I asked MS to link the ressies in their computer (so we could have the two rooms side by side). They said it's in their system, but I'll still be calling a couple of days prior to arrival to confirm. I would think that if a cash ressie booked thru CRO could be linked to a room booked on points, that it would be possible to link a cash ressie booked thru MS to a room booked on points. HTH.

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, MS can make non-discounted cash reservations and link them to your points reservation ... and ... if the DVC discount later becomes available MS will apply it automatically for you. We've had this happen on several occasions and the surprise getting a new confirmation letter with the unexpected discount applied is a very pleasant indeed.

MS first responsibility is to reserve DVC resort rooms using points. When they have a past history or current booking indication that some villas are not likely to be reserved using points, they will release those nights for the member discount. Weekends are probably the most available nites, but weekday nights are also available at times.

Cash reservations made thru CRO would not be converted to the member discount. MS will usually make a notation about the DVC and CRO reservations and the resorts are usually able to allow guests to stay in the same room.

I'd sure suggest making the rack-rate reservation thru MS and take yoiur chances that the discount will come thru (except for times like early Dec, Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving). You can also make a backup cash reservation thru CRO if they offer a better rate.

Enjoy!

 

[JandD Mom]

Yes, MS can make non-discounted cash reservations and link them to your points reservation ... and ... if the DVC discount later becomes available MS will apply it automatically for you. We've had this happen on several occasions and the surprise getting a new confirmation letter with the unexpected discount applied is a very pleasant indeed.

Enjoy!

Thanks Doc! Your post was unbelievably helpful. Of course, I have follow up questions

1. Will MS book the studio with the AAA discount?

2. If I book the room at the cash rack rate, does MS bill me immediately for 1 night like CRO does?

I like the idea of reserving it and having MS automatically convert it. It's sort of like its own waiting list.

Thanks for your help!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

1. Will MS book the studio with the AAA discount?

2. If I book the room at the cash rack rate, does MS bill me immediately for 1 night like CRO does?

Thanks for your help!

1. No, I think for any non-DVC discounts, you have to go through CRO. And I believe if you use AAA, you could not also get the DVC discount too.

2. No, they do not. They take a CC guarantee, but you are not charged until check in (or possibly check out?). No deposit required.

We just did this for our trip in Feb..we are staying a Sunday to the following Friday morning, paying cash for Fri/Sat. They told me to call back and check on the discount as the trip got closer. They linked all 3 reservations together and I was told we would not have to move, nor would we need to check out/check back in.

 

[Dean]

DVC only books cash rooms gotten with points. They then decide whether to offer a discount or not for that time/resort/unit size later. So if anyone is equating a discounted room with a points room gotten by exchanged points and a rack room as something else, you are thinking incorrectly.

 

[Stitch1404]

I have a few nights booked with an AP rate and then a few nights on points. I was told these couldn't be linked but there is a note on both reservations that it is a continuous reservation. I will also mention the situation at check-in. Does anyone have any experience with this? Think I'll have to move rooms?

 

[Dean]

I have a few nights booked with an AP rate and then a few nights on points. I was told these couldn't be linked but there is a note on both reservations that it is a continuous reservation. I will also mention the situation at check-in. Does anyone have any experience with this? Think I'll have to move rooms?

It's hit or miss but it's likely you'll have to check out then back in again.

 

[Stitch1404]

It's hit or miss but it's likely you'll have to check out then back in again.

That wouldn't be a big deal...as long as we can stay in the same room. We bring so much stuff, it's nearly impossible to travel light with kids!

 

[Dean]

That wouldn't be a big deal...as long as we can stay in the same room. We bring so much stuff, it's nearly impossible to travel light with kids!

Anytime you have to check back in, there's a chance you'll have to move. You'll have to chose your poison.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

I have a few nights booked with an AP rate and then a few nights on points. I was told these couldn't be linked but there is a note on both reservations that it is a continuous reservation. I will also mention the situation at check-in. Does anyone have any experience with this? Think I'll have to move rooms?

I'm confused. You were able to book a villa with an AP discount? I have always been told that discount is not offered on DVC.

 

[Boston5602]

I'm confused. You were able to book a villa with an AP discount? I have always been told that discount is not offered on DVC.

I just bought this year and previously had stayed at BWV 8 times and always but once stayed with a discount of some type , AP's being one of them.

 

[DebbieB]

I've used an AP rate for a DVC room. It was for a Friday night and it was cheaper than the 25% off member discount. It was the last night of a Sunday-Saturday stay and we did not have to move (OKW 1 bedroom). We also got full housekeeping on Friday.

 

[Stitch1404]

Yes, we booked a villa with an AP discount. It is for a 2 bedroom at Old Key West. The AP rate was actually $1 cheaper per night than the member cash discount we had reserved. We chose the AP rate over the member rate because now we will get daily housekeeping!! We also risk having to move units by not doing the member rate, but I figured the housekeeping would be worth it with 2 little kids.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

Thanks for the replies about the AP discount. Do you need to book the room from CRO and not MS? I just realized that could be the reason I've been told AP discounts are not offered for the DVC resorts. I've only ever tried to do it when talking to MS.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the replies about the AP discount. Do you need to book the room from CRO and not MS? I just realized that could be the reason I've been told AP discounts are not offered for the DVC resorts. I've only ever tried to do it when talking to MS.

MS only has rooms given up by members for exchanges then used to rent out or possibly breakage inventory. CRO has access to a much broader range of cash DVC reservation and only they can/will offer AP, Florida Resident or any other specials of this type.

 

[lulu71]

Yes, MS can make non-discounted cash reservations and link them to your points reservation ... and ... if the DVC discount later becomes available MS will apply it automatically for you. We've had this happen on several occasions and the surprise getting a new confirmation letter with the unexpected discount applied is a very pleasant indeed.

That is good to know. I have a rack rate cash room booked for a Friday night at the end of my points stay for an upcoming trip and was told by MS to keep calling every so often to check on the 25% discount since it wasn't available at the time I booked it. I didn't know that it would be automatically applied if it ends up being offerred.

 

[KarenP99]

T....and was told by MS to keep calling every so often to check on the 25% discount since it wasn't available at the time I booked it. I didn't know that it would be automatically applied if it ends up being offerred.

See this makes me a bit nervous. If they do automatically apply it, why would they tell you to call back?

I was looking for a Fri/Sat night discount rate, it wasn't available so I was holding out. If this is the case (automatically apply) I'll book it!