MS now allowing rescheduling

[wbc99]

Just got off the phone with MS regarding our reservation this weekend. They got a new cancellation policy while I was on the phone with them. According to the policy, they are (effective immediately) now allowing cancellations of reservations without penalty. My points went back into my account. Hopes this helps those who are in the same bind I am in.

 

[Granny]

Bryan...I don't want to burst your bubble, but I really doubt that the overall policy has changed. I think there is a misunderstanding somewhere along the line here.

My guess, and that's all it is without all the information, is that one of two things happened.

1. Because you cancelled with less than 30 day notice, your points were put into a holding account. Yes, it's still "your account", but the points are restricted and must be used by the end of your use year.

2. You have a rough story that you shared with MS and they gave you your "once in a lifetime" exemption from the rules. It is an unwritten policy that MS will waive the rules for an exceptional member problem and allow things like late cancellations, unbanking points, etc without penalty. This could certainly have been the case.

But in neither of these examples have the general rules changed.


Just my guess, unless someone else has another explanation.

 

[tjkraz]

I'm assuming this is limited to weekend ressies only, when hurricane Frances is expected to hit the area.

 

[lightningcoach]

I am sure that MS will allow rescheduling from this weekend because it is easier to do that then relocate people due to Francis. If you were at Vero they can't even relocate you to WDW because the track may hit there.


There are always exceptions to any rule especially when state government is going to have mandatory evacuations.

My advice for anyone with reservations this weekend is to cancel them and reschedule. WDW did okay with Charley but Francis is a much slower storm and will be a mess.

 

[wbc99]

Originally posted by Granny
Bryan...I don't want to burst your bubble, but I really doubt that the overall policy has changed. I think there is a misunderstanding somewhere along the line here.

My guess, and that's all it is without all the information, is that one of two things happened.

1. Because you cancelled with less than 30 day notice, your points were put into a holding account. Yes, it's still "your account", but the points are restricted and must be used by the end of your use year.

2. You have a rough story that you shared with MS and they gave you your "once in a lifetime" exemption from the rules. It is an unwritten policy that MS will waive the rules for an exceptional member problem and allow things like late cancellations, unbanking points, etc without penalty. This could certainly have been the case.

But in neither of these examples have the general rules changed.


Just my guess, unless someone else has another explanation.

My "rough story" was that a major hurricane is predicted to hit this weekend

I simply meant that they now had a policy allowing cancellations due to the hurricane -- the points are not going into the holding account from my understanding.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

We were at BCV for the Friday of Charley. I called MS on Thursday and they would have allowed us to cancel our Friday stay. All points used for the reservation would be returned to their original use year (no holding account). In our case 60 pts would have been returned to regular status in our 2005 UY.

We decided to stay, but MS did give us the option to cancel Friday night up until 11:00am Friday morning.

Does seem a tad early to allow rescheduling, but maybe it's easier on DVC if some cancel earlier than all at the last minute.

 

[wbc99]

Originally posted by Granny
Bryan...I don't want to burst your bubble, but I really doubt that the overall policy has changed. I think there is a misunderstanding somewhere along the line here.

My guess, and that's all it is without all the information, is that one of two things happened.

1. Because you cancelled with less than 30 day notice, your points were put into a holding account. Yes, it's still "your account", but the points are restricted and must be used by the end of your use year.

2. You have a rough story that you shared with MS and they gave you your "once in a lifetime" exemption from the rules. It is an unwritten policy that MS will waive the rules for an exceptional member problem and allow things like late cancellations, unbanking points, etc without penalty. This could certainly have been the case.

But in neither of these examples have the general rules changed.


Just my guess, unless someone else has another explanation.

My "rough story" was that a major hurricane is predicted to hit this weekend

I simply meant that they now had a policy allowing cancellations due to the hurricane -- the points are not going into the holding account from my understanding.

 

[johde]

Thanks for the Information. To bad the didn't start it this morning. I called Member Services at 9:00 this morning and changed my BWV reservation for the 5 and 6 to an OKW reservation for the 12 and 13. I now have 2 points in holding. My vacation is now 7-10 at BWV 10-12 @ Marriott Orlando Airport (was going to be right before my 7:30 return flight) 12-14 at OKW. I am going to continue to try to get a standard view at the boardwalk for the 12-14 to use the 2 points.

Southwest let me change my airlines without fee and I have my rental car rescheduled. So Francsis has given me an extra day in Orlando to have fun and 2 moves instead of 1.

 

[wbc99]

Originally posted by johde
Thanks for the Information. To bad the didn't start it this morning. I called Member Services at 9:00 this morning and changed my BWV reservation for the 5 and 6 to an OKW reservation for the 12 and 13. I now have 2 points in holding. My vacation is now 7-10 at BWV 10-12 @ Marriott Orlando Airport (was going to be right before my 7:30 return flight) 12-14 at OKW. I am going to continue to try to get a standard view at the boardwalk for the 12-14 to use the 2 points.

Southwest let me change my airlines without fee and I have my rental car rescheduled. So Francsis has given me an extra day in Orlando to have fun and 2 moves instead of 1.

Continental also let me reschedule with no fee. I was scheduled for OKW on 9/4-9/8 and now have OKW from 9/11-9/15.

 

[Beth]

I'm going to hold out for one more day - "crossing fingers" that this thing magically turns out to sea...

I'm sorry that my vacation is (likely) going to be cancelled, but I'm even more worried about the potential damage to our beloved resort and the surrounding area!

 

[Granny]

I simply meant that they now had a policy allowing cancellations due to the hurricane -- the points are not going into the holding account from my understanding.

Ah....now I see!

Sorry, Bryan. When you indicated that there is a "new cancellation policy", I thought you meant all the time!

As Gilda Radner used to say....."never mind"

 

[wbc99]

Originally posted by Granny
Ah....now I see!

Sorry, Bryan. When you indicated that there is a "new cancellation policy", I thought you meant all the time!

As Gilda Radner used to say....."never mind"

That's alright Granny I knew you had just misunderstood me -- I should have been more clear!

 

[skippelm]

I think I'm going to wait as well. COntinental is allowing rescheduling but your travel must be completed by end of Sept- with the Jewish holidays I just cant make that happen. SO I'm gonna hold on and cross my fingers and toes!

Good luck everyone

 

[lulu71]

We're scheduled for 9/3 - 9/11 at BWV - we switched the VB portion of the trip. I'm holding on to these ressies as long as I can with crossed fingers!

 

[DaveT1]

We cancelled this morning at 9AM, we were scheduled to arrive tonight. MS rep told us to call back and if a "cancellation policy change" is in effect they would not forfeit or put points into holding.

Well we didn't have to call, she called us 3-4 hours later and told us it was done. So even if you already cancelled i would call them, you may need to talk to a manager.

OH, Airtran cancelled no penalty also!

 

[Dancind]

I don't think DVC or WDW will lose anything on this one. As soon as you cancelled, some FL coast resident snapped that room up, either for points or at a cash rate. I think WDW resorts are sold out this weekend, and lots of folks are looking for a (relatively) safe place to stay. I think Charley was only a Cat 1 by the time it hit Orlando, and it didn't stick around long. BCV at least, is built like a rock, we can vouch for that!

 

[FreeTime]

I had called the 407 W Disney line to see if I could get a priority seating for next week. The first thing that you hear is that there are not any rooms available from this Fri-Mon. This message is followed by one saying you will get a full refund including deposit if you do not want to come due to the pending hurricane. Geez, now I don't know if we should head down next week or not. We are scheduled to check in on Sunday. DH says we should wait until Friday and see. Now after seeing we can have our points restored I am thinking maybe we should do it now.

 

[lovwdwalot]

I think that the subject on the forum line should be changed on this. Because I too like Granny thought that DVC had new cancellation policy!

 

[Suzanne74]

I haven't called yet (at work) but I am curious - I have a one night stay at Contemporary on 9/3 and then off to OKW as a DVC guest for 8 days 9/4 to 9/11. I already emailed the person who rented the stay for me ans awaiting an email back but I was hoping to get some feedback here. I am hoping we could possibly delay our stay and not get there until Mon or Tues but who knows.

Has anyone tried to change a guest rental?

 

[Vals]

Hi I too called @ 9am, I was suppose to arrive okw on Fri, I was told that they didnt have any info re the hurricane as of then, I called Southwest, they said that I could cancel & get my $$ back. Im glad to see this thread I will call DVC in the am to cancel. Good luck to all, Iv had an awful summer so far & I dont want to be in the midst of any hurricane. its suppose to be sunny here all weekend up to Sat anyways, so I will get some walking in & get some work done @ my business. So I will just HAVE to go Xmas week! take care everyone. Val S.