New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[ITGirl50]

Everyone else has been told if day 1 is not available, you can not book days 2 and above. In fact, some folks have lost reservations because of it.

Maybe they changed it because of complaints??? I just called and at first she said I had to waitlist everything and then she said wait a minute, put me on hold and came back with a different answer. They really need to document this policy so everyone is treated the same.

 

[Dean]

Okay, I've read through most of this thread and this just dawned on me...

What is the likelihood that a waitlist would come through at an 11 month booking? That's a long time. Don't you think there would be a cancellation before you have to stay and that you would get what you want?

Under the new system more likely than under the old system if you wait listed for the entire stay as one component, it's hard to compare to WL day by day previously but likely around the same chance of getting your entire stay. Partly it depends if they get the WL set up so that days that are freed up go automatically to the WL rather than just being put in the system open to others until the WL is run the next time.

 

[Doctor P]

Everyone else has been told if day 1 is not available, you can not book days 2 and above. In fact, some folks have lost reservations because of it.

And I clarified that this morning when I talked with Member Satisfaction. You are correct, Chuck.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I'm not trying to disrespect your experience, but I just called MS to clarify. I'm new to all of this and don't want to mess up. She said if the first day is not available, then you can book a different room type, WL that day for what you want and then book the rest of your days. If any of the 2-6 days are not available, you have to WL the entire reservation. She went and asked someone to make sure she was right, so hopefully she was right.

Also, you can book different room types at day 1's booking window. So on day 1 if you want a studio and day 2-6 you want 1 BR, it can all be booked based on day 1's booking window.

Can you give more details on when you called and what you booked? As MS seems to be making this up as they go along, each new example of a reservation which has actually been made under the new policy helps us to understand how the policy actually works. Thanks -- Suzanne

 

[jdg345]

I really do like the guaranteed ability to extend, as we usually stay anywhere from 8 to 10 nights. But, I don't like the idea of walking a reservation and blocking out room nights you have no intention of using. Unfortunately, I just don't see a way for a policy to truly limit walking, while allowing me to extend my real reservation...and therein lies my concern with the new system.

Well, they could change it so that you can book 11+10 or 11+14 and cut out extending, but then that affects those traveling by air again.

 

[jdg345]

Why can't you just reserve a different room category/location on Day 1 and book what you want and is available on the the rest of the days and WL the first day for what you really want? I just re-read the WL policy and it looks like you can WL just one day. Am I mis-understanding something?

Because for the +7, one of the rules is that it needs to be the same resort/room/category. You can't do "split stay" in any form this way -- which is another problem with the new policy as those who own 3-4 days worth of points at 2 different resorts now need to either wait until the 1st day of 11 months of the second half of their stay or call twice to book.

Now, if your Day-1 isn't available, you can always book 11+7 at some other resort/category (ie: whole period) and WL for what you really wanted, and then call DBD and try to fill in the WL manually. How that saves on phone calls to MS is beyond me though.

 

[jdg345]

Actually, you are wrong (and I might add that DVC was wrong) about this. Once you get your room for days 1 thru 7, you are absolutely assured of getting the room for day 8 if you call on day 2 thru 6 of your booking window. To make this easy to understand, I will use an example with unrealistic numbers but very realistic otherwise. Assume that there are four Grand Villas at a given resort. You book one of these GV's on reservation day 1 for nights 1 thru 7. This means that, at maximum, there will be three GV's available to be booked when someone calls in to begin their reservation on day 2 (because you have already booked one of the GV's for night 2 the previous day). Because the way the system works right now is that if you cannot book the first night of your stay you are not allowed to book subsequent nights at that time (i.e., you can waitlist the entire stay, or waitlist night 2 and call back the next day to get a hard reservation beginning on night 3---you are not allowed to get a hard reservation for any subsequent night at any time when you call that your night of check in is not available when you call). This means that, at maximum, three GV's could be booked for night 8 when members call on day 2 to make reservations. What about the 4th GV? The only person who can book it would be the member who got the reservation for nights 1-7 on day 1. This is an incredible flaw in the system (and a real benefit once you get that original reservation!!!)

Exactly!

And you can use the words 'once you get' if we're talking about walking ... and 'if you get' otherwise. It really benefits spec renters imo as well.

 

[jdg345]

Well, if that's the case, this is a totally dumb policy.

QFT.

 

[jdg345]

Whenever you change room types or booking categories, it is a separate reservation. It has always been that way. The new policy did not change that.

Perhaps, but it's also a situation that would never really occur with the old policy. Booking based on Depature, you could very easily do a split stay, and booking DBD, you could book somewhere else and WL that one day. Call in on Day-2, and either book it, or WL it, etc. WL's could be made DBD, and you could book DBD. And since all inventory was available every morning at 9am, you had a good shot.

Not so much with the new policy ... unless I'm misunderstanding the OP.

 

[jdg345]

I'm not trying to disrespect your experience, but I just called MS to clarify. I'm new to all of this and don't want to mess up. She said if the first day is not available, then you can book a different room type, WL that day for what you want and then book the rest of your days. If any of the 2-6 days are not available, you have to WL the entire reservation. She went and asked someone to make sure she was right, so hopefully she was right.

This seems strange ... So they're now saying that if Day-1 is booked, you can book the other days if they're available, but if any other days are booked (2-6), you cannot? That seems complicated and doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It sounds like there may have been a miscommunication there.

Also, you can book different room types at day 1's booking window. So on day 1 if you want a studio and day 2-6 you want 1 BR, it can all be booked based on day 1's booking window.

Well then, this is completely new. This creates the possibility of 'holes' in other's reservations where the back part is booked and the front part isn't (and vice versa) -- one of the things that the new policy was supposed to correct over DBD. Did you get the name of the person you spoke to?

I can inquire about this tomorrow when I call to take another 'step'.

 

[simzac]

I can inquire about this tomorrow when I call to take another 'step'.

Just curious if you're willing to share, how far are you planning on walking your current reservation?

 

[jdg345]

Just curious if you're willing to share, how far are you planning on walking your current reservation?

That's a Great Question!

To be honest, I really don't know. When I started this, it was just a proof of concept. Since we did not know what we could and could not do, I thought I'd just give it a shot. As questions became more elaborate, I've continued to use these reservations to test concepts and suggestions posted here (and elsewhere). I might let it go until they stop me, or December 2009 comes along -- whichever comes first -- as I'd probably use one of the reservations in December anyways.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

No, as the system can not release "your room" back into the system until the 11 month window opens for reservations on your check-out day.

In otherwords, say there are 3 rooms at OKW, Someone calls on day 1 and reserves Room #1 for 7 nights, then someone calls on Day 2 and reserves room number 2 room number 2 for 7 nights, and so on for day 3. On day 4, no rooms would be available at 11 months, all 3 rooms are booked. Room 1 would not be available for booking until 11 months from your check-out day.

Remember, if you call at exactly 11 months prior to your check-in day, and "Day 1" of your stay is not available, you can not book "day 2".

I see the math behind your conclusion now. What a disadvantage to those trying to book less than a week during high demand times, rooms or resorts. Thanks for leading me by the hand thru your logic.

 

[jdg345]

I see the math behind your conclusion now. What a disadvantage to those trying to book less than a week during high demand times, rooms or resorts. Thanks for leading me by the hand thru your logic.

And herein is one of the biggest issues.

 

[ITGirl50]

This seems strange ... So they're now saying that if Day-1 is booked, you can book the other days if they're available, but if any other days are booked (2-6), you cannot? That seems complicated and doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It sounds like there may have been a miscommunication there.

Well then, this is completely new. This creates the possibility of 'holes' in other's reservations where the back part is booked and the front part isn't (and vice versa) -- one of the things that the new policy was supposed to correct over DBD. Did you get the name of the person you spoke to?

I can inquire about this tomorrow when I call to take another 'step'.

I didn't remember the name. As soon as I hung up I wish I wrote it down. Maybe Gladys?? Darn.

I'm not sure if I believe her about "if only the first day is not available, so you can WL that day and book the rest." She had to verify if it was true.

HOWEVER, when I asked her "if I could book 2 days of a studio and then 5 days of a 1 bedroom without calling back in two days," she said, "of course, that's the craziest question I've heard all day! You don't have to call back in two days to book the other room type!" She really seemed to know what she was talking about on this one.

I don't have to book for another few weeks. So, if someone can actually verify that this is true with a real reservation, that would be great.

 

[jdg345]

I didn't remember the name. As soon as I hung up I wish I wrote it down. Maybe Gladys?? Darn.

Bummer.

I'm not sure if I believe her about "if only the first day is not available, so you can WL that day and book the rest." She had to verify if it was true.

I don't think she would be intentially lying, I just think there's a great deal of confusion going on at the moment. Of course, this is yet another issue that has everyone upset. Whether for the new policy, or against it, I think we can all agree that the way it was rolled out and is being communicated thusfar leaves a lot to be desired.

HOWEVER, when I asked her "if I could book 2 days of a studio and then 5 days of a 1 bedroom without calling back in two days," she said, "of course, that's the craziest question I've heard all day! You don't have to call back in two days to book the other room type!" She really seemed to know what she was talking about on this one.

Well, it depends on when you're calling. If calling right at 11 months, this should not be allowed based on what we've been told to date regarding the new policy. If you were within your 11 month window, then you should be able to do a split stay, no problem, as long as you're either booking by 11 months of departure date or by 11 months of arrival date for the last portion of your contiguous stay.

I don't have to book for another few weeks. So, if someone can actually verify that this is true with a real reservation, that would be great.

Like I said, I'll ask tomorrow when I call. In fact, I'll just try to book something and see what they tell me. I'll try:

First 2 Days at VWL and last 5 days at OKW
First 2 Days at SSR Studio and last 5 days at SSR 1BR.

That should tell us if there are any restrictions based on crossing resorts and/or room types. If I'm told I cannot do it, I'll suggest that they ask a supervisor as someone called yesterday (today) and understood this was now possible under the new policy. Any other suggestions?

 

[ITGirl50]

Now, if your Day-1 isn't available, you can always book 11+7 at some other resort/category (ie: whole period) and WL for what you really wanted, and then call DBD and try to fill in the WL manually. How that saves on phone calls to MS is beyond me though.

I guess a very good reason to own at two resorts. Maybe with BLT opens, I will have that. Very good.

 

[ITGirl50]

I don't think she would be intentially lying, I just think there's a great deal of confusion going on at the moment.

I agree.

Well, it depends on when you're calling. If calling right at 11 months, this should not be allowed based on what we've been told to date regarding the new policy. If you were within your 11 month window, then you should be able to do a split stay, no problem, as long as you're either booking by 11 months of departure date or by 11 months of arrival date for the last portion of your contiguous stay.

Good point. I may not have made it clear. But, why would I even ask the question if it didn't have to do with the window??

 

[jdg345]

I guess a very good reason to own at two resorts. Maybe with BLT opens, I will have that. Very good.

Or have a plan B for your reservation. Maybe a Studio and a 1BR is available when the 2BR is already sold out, for example. Or Vice-Versa. Or maybe you choose a different view.

 

[jdg345]

I agree.

Good point. I may not have made it clear. But, why would I even ask the question if it didn't have to do with the window??