New dvc reservation question

[tiggersam00]

Hi there, DH and I recently bought into AKV and I wanted to make our first reservation for next year. My question is, if I book at our home resort and later decide to change hotels do we have any sort of penalty, a fee or point deduction, or can we make this without penalty.
Thanks!

 

[drusba]

There is no charge or penalty for cancelling one DVC reservation and making another at any DVC resort. Many members make one reservation 11 months out at home resort to guarantee having a reservation and then attempt to switch at 7 months out to another DVC resort. There are issues you could face:

1. The closer you get to a time you want the more the likelihood that you won't be able to find your desired second resort available.

2, if you make the change after the eighth month of your use year and the second reservation uses fewer points than the first, you won't be able to bank the left over points into the next use year because you will be beyond the banking window.

3. If you cancel a reservation less than 31 days before date of arrival, points go into a holding account and must be used by end of use year and can only be used for making reservations no more than 60 days out. Thus, if you attempt the change less than 31 days before date of arrival of the first reservation and the second reservation uses fewer points than the first, those extra points will go into the holding account

 

[MrShiny]

I very often book my home resort at 11 moths and then switch at 7 months. That way I am guaranteed something. No penalties at all until you get very close as the PP mentioned.

If your desired resort is full, don't be afraid to wait list. I was booked for one night at OKW and had waitlisted VGF - and got it a little over a month before (10/25 for a 12/1 stay).

 

[tiggersam00]

Thanks for the answer and the tips! I was hoping there would not be a penalty

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the answer and the tips! I was hoping there would not be a penalty

As noted, no penalty. This is something that could change going forward though I think it's unlikely to.