Need help understanding using points

[slriver]

I plan to call tomorrow but would like a little help in understanding before I call. I have August use year. Currently it shows
2025 5 points
2026 150 points
2027 150 points
I would like to book Poly studio 181 points to use in March 2026. And then book 2 studios in November 2027 when booking becomes available. I realize points are not out for November 2027 but I’m guessing I would need about 268 points to book 2 studios at Boardwalk. So I guess I’m asking do I have enough points to book that November 2027 trip when available??

Thanks, Tracy

 

[HollyP]

I plan to call tomorrow but would like a little help in understanding before I call. I have August use year. Currently it shows
2025 5 points
2026 150 points
2027 150 points
I would like to book Poly studio 181 points to use in March 2026. And then book 2 studios in November 2027 when booking becomes available. I realize points are not out for November 2027 but I’m guessing I would need about 268 points to book 2 studios at Boardwalk. So I guess I’m asking do I have enough points to book that November 2027 trip when available??

Thanks, Tracy

No
For the March 2026 you would use
2025 5 and borrow the 2026 150 because you don't earn them until august. That leaves you 26 points short for the March 2026 trip. You can't borrow the points from 2027 unless the trip happens in your 2026 use year (after august ).

You can buy up to 24 one time use points but you will still be short 2 points. Your options are ....
1. Change your dates. For 2026 march/april is very high on the points chart. Going early feb or in May will save you several points for the week.
2. Drop a day
3. Try a different resort. Poly is on the higher side.
4. maybe use one of the rental companies to book one day from another DVC member.

The November trip you will have the 2027 points and can borrow the 2028 having 300 available so yes you have enough for that trip. Unless you push your trip out past August to get access to the 2027 points for the 2026 trip then I'll have to do additional math....

Also what are the exact dates you are looking at for 2026? Sometime moving eve 1 day can save a few points

Fri and Saturday are the highest of the week so a slight move to drop one of those days and add a week day may get you 3 points back which could make it do able with buying one time use points direct from member services.

 

[slriver]

Thank you so much for your help. My March dates cannot be changed due to school schedules. March 21-28. I probably will switch plans and go with Beach Club for 134. Other options are Boardwalk or Boulder Ridge. We need a studio that sleeps 5.

Tracy

 

[HollyP]

Thank you so much for your help. My March dates cannot be changed due to school schedules. March 21-28. I probably will switch plans and go with Beach Club for 134. Other options are Boardwalk or Boulder Ridge. We need a studio that sleeps 5.

Tracy

Check out DVChelp.com They made charts of availability trends so you can see which you have the best chance of finding a room 7 months out if it's not your home resort.

 

[Sandisw]

Easiest thing to do is first start with the UY the trip will happen.

A March 2026 trip is in your August 2025 UY. That means you can reserve it with banked 2024 (if you had them) 2025, and borrow 2026 to complete the trip.

So, you have a max of 155 points for this trip.

A November 2027 trip is on your Aug 2027 UY…you can book using banked 2026 points (if you have any) 2027, and then borrow 2028 to complete the trip.

 

[eticketplease]

I plan to call tomorrow but would like a little help in understanding before I call. I have August use year. Currently it shows
2025 5 points
2026 150 points
2027 150 points
I would like to book Poly studio 181 points to use in March 2026. And then book 2 studios in November 2027 when booking becomes available. I realize points are not out for November 2027 but I’m guessing I would need about 268 points to book 2 studios at Boardwalk. So I guess I’m asking do I have enough points to book that November 2027 trip when available??

Thanks, Tracy

@HollyP gave great advice on your options.

If you are deadset on checking in on 3/21/26 and checking out on 3/28/26 these are your options.

BWV resort view - 113
BWV Preferred view - 139
BCV - 134
BRV - 137
RIV Resort View - 155

VGF Resort View (deluxe or resort) - 172 (requires 17 OTUP or buy 24 and bank 7)
CFW - 176 (requires 21 OTUP or buy 24 and bank 3)

Hopefully one of these is yours and you can book now as these will be quite competitive during spring break.

 

[muppets3d]

One time use points can only be used within 7 months. Not during the 11 month window.

 

[eticketplease]

One time use points can only be used within 7 months. Not during the 11 month window.

That is correct thanks for adding that.

I only mentioned the possibility to book those resorts it would require OTUP. Not sure if @slriver owns PVB, BWV or somewhere else so I was just throwing out the options.

 

[muppets3d]

You don’t own enough points to have a lot of options, sadly. My guess is all of those “sleeps 5” studios will be gone before your 7 month window opens - especially since you are inflexible with your dates. So hopefully you own at one of those resorts so you can book within the 11 month priority window. Ideally, you would have something booked now within the priority window at your home resort. That way at the 7 month mark you can try to swap into a different resort if availability exists.

 

[eticketplease]

With 165 preferred studios BWV gives the best chance.