Newbie Booking Question

[ImTempest]

Okay, so we purchased resale and we're getting ready to book our very first trip (woo hoo!) for June 2015. However, our 7-month window is Thanksgiving Day (of course). I have 146 points banked (from 2014), 150 points coming March 2015, and we're borrowing 94 points from 2016 for the balance. Do I need to wait until Member Services is open on Friday to book this trip, or will I be able to do it online myself?

 

[DenLo]

You can book it online yourself if you have your online account setup with MS. The online booking system opens up at 8:00 AM EST and MS doesn't open until 9:00 AM EST.

You can play around with the online system now by just checking availability for 7 months from today but not entering the final booking screen to help you get familiar with it. And I wouldn't borrow any points until you are actually booking a reservation.

 

[ToddyLu]

I the past if I want something like the value rooms at AKV..I have the screen all set up and when the clock rolls around I just punch a button and done. If I am booking two rooms then I have two screens set up. It is very easy borrowing points online...but like the PP said I would not until I was sure I was booking right then...borrowed points can't be put back and will stay in the UY you place them in.

 

[CarolMN]

You can book it online yourself if you have your online account setup with MS. The online booking system opens up at 8:00 AM EST and MS doesn't open until 9:00 AM EST.

You can play around with the online system now by just checking availability for 7 months from today but not entering the final booking screen to help you get familiar with it. And I wouldn't borrow any points until you are actually booking a reservation.

The OP's window opens on Thanksgiving and MS will be closed that day (but as you posted, online booking will be available at 8 am that day.

ImTempest - Here's what I would do:

On 11/26 (the day before Thanksgiving), I'd go online (or call MS) and book a vacation that starts on Friday, a day earlier than you intend to begin your stay. Then on 11/28, the day AFTER Thanksgiving, call MS and cancel the Friday night and ask the CM to add the Saturday night at the end of what you previously booked. You'll have your desired 7 night vacation without worrying about having to worry about booking or MS closure on Thanksgiving.

I've assumed you are looking for a 7 night trip, but the suggested process will also work for longer trips. You can have MS add Saturday & Sunday when you call on 11/28 and you can call back after that if you need to add more nights.

 

[ImTempest]

CarolMN - I get it! Walk the reservation. From reading the boards, I knew it could be done, but your step-by-step directions are awesome, thank you so much! Wow, first reservation and I'm walking it - I don't feel like such a newbie anymore!