Need help from the experts - my first "big" DVC reservation!

[Tinkaroo]

We've owned DVC for about a year, and are getting ready to make our first "big" reservation for an extended family trip. As I've only made reservations up to this point for single units for DH and I (and using current UY points), I want to run things by the experts here so I can make sure I have everything covered when I call!

We would like to reserve 3 units (a GV, and 2 studios) for next December (12/2-12/7/07) at our home resort, SSR. I should be able to begin calling day-by-day next Tuesday, 1/2 (right?).

We will be banking, using, and borrowing ALL of our points (to the number) to do these reservations. As I call day-by-day, do I need to start off by banking the points, and then request the rooms? Would it be best to bank the points beforehand? Then is it the same when I get in to borrowing from our '08 UY points? I've just never done this, and am not sure what all to expect, and I want everything to go smoothly. I have no idea how difficult it might be to get these reservations (particularly for the GV), as I know early December is a popular time for members.

Any tips you can give (or recommendations you can make that I'm not thinking of) would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Erie Islands]

I believe your first day to call would be Jan. 3 since your first day of checking out would be Dec. 3 (calling day by day). And I would go ahead and bank your points-you can do this on-line through the DVC website. I don't think you can bank and make reservations with the same phone call. That's about all I know...hope it helps.

 

[Lew]

Banking and making a reservation on the same call should be no problem at all...I have done it many times.

i would use banked points first. You can bank them all at once if you're absolutely sure you will not be using them in their current use year. Banking them as you add to your reservation day-by-day should not be a problem either.

 

[Erie Islands]

Banking and making a reservation on the same call should be no problem at all...I have done it many times

oops...sorry.

 

[LisaS]

And I would go ahead and bank your points-you can do this on-line through the DVC website. I don't think you can bank and make reservations with the same phone call.

I think maybe you are remembering a recent post where somone banked points transferred in to their account from another member and MS told them it would take a few days to process the banking transaction. If you are banking your own points then you can bank and book using the banked points in the same phone call.

Having said that, I agree with your suggestion to bank the points on the DVC website ahead of time. MS gets pretty busy handing all the December reservation phone calls. Banking the points via the web a day ahead of time means you spend less time on the phone with MS when you call on 01/03/07 to book that first night.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks for the input thus far.

I want to make sure I'm also right on this - once I bank my points, they have to be used in the UY I'm banking them into - I know that. Is the same true for if I borrow points, or can those go back into their original UY if we have to cancel for some reason?

 

[Chuck S]

Borrowed points will expire at the end of the use year they were borrowed into, they can not be banked into their original use year.

 

[pb4ugo]

Borrowed points will expire at the end of the use year they were borrowed into, they can not be banked into their original use year.

for this reason you have to be so very sure that all of your guests are committed to the trip OR to reimbursing you for any "pain and suffering" and economic/points loss they may cause because of some change in plans!

 

[Muushka]

for this reason you have to be so very sure that all of your guests are committed to the trip OR to reimbursing you for any "pain and suffering" and economic/points loss they may cause because of some change in plans!

Yes indeedy. There are several threads on these boards that start out "Booked trip for family.....AAARRRGGGHHH"
Should be required reading for anyone wanting DVC members to use their points for a family get-together.

Good luck! It is very nice of you and I hope it all goes well. We have used our points twice for family/friends and it worked out great.

 

[Dean]

I would go ahead and bank any points you are certain you will not use in the current use year. MS will not let you borrow points until you actually need them which is a good idea anyway.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd work on the GV first. I'd bet you can pick up the studios a bit easier after the fact. Anyone disagree??

 

[Tinkaroo]

for this reason you have to be so very sure that all of your guests are committed to the trip OR to reimbursing you for any "pain and suffering" and economic/points loss they may cause because of some change in plans!

Yes, we have been through this. Everyone is committed and excited, and I don't think anything other than a death in the family (Lord forbid) would keep anyone from going. We are hopeful that all will go smoothly!

 

[Tinkaroo]

One other question...

Since I am booking 3 units, will all 3 be under my name, or will I be splitting the reservations to reflect the others in my party? I'm asking primarily for understanding how the DDP might work - will all 16 people traveling in the 3 units have to participate, or will it just be those in the individual units that would have to decide whether they want it or not?

DH and I, both sets of our parents, and possibly my brother, will be staying in the GV. Both DH's brothers (and their respective families) will be staying in their own studio units.

 

[Dean]

One other question...

Since I am booking 3 units, will all 3 be under my name, or will I be splitting the reservations to reflect the others in my party? I'm asking primarily for understanding how the DDP might work - will all 16 people traveling in the 3 units have to participate, or will it just be those in the individual units that would have to decide whether they want it or not?

DH and I, both sets of our parents, and possibly my brother, will be staying in the GV. Both DH's brothers (and their respective families) will be staying in their own studio units.

I'd put them all under your name, you can make the adjustments at checkin.