Newbie has a banking question

[kstinw19]

Hi -

I am still confused on the banking system and could use some help.

We currently have 320 pts per year at BLT. Our CYY is June 2010 and our Bank to Use Year is June 2011.

We are using points for a vacation in May and now have 229 points remaining. We have to bank by January 2011.

Now if I bank those 229 points, when can I use them? We are planning on giving my inlaws some points for Christmas and I don't want to restrict them until June.

Please help!! Signed - confused

 

[erionm]

June 2010 UY Points are used for stays from June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011
June 2011 UY Points are used for stays from June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012

If you bank points from your June 2010 UY to your June 2011 UY, those points must be used for stays between June 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012 or they will expire. They can bank be banked a second time.

 

[kstinw19]

So if my inlaws want to plan a trip before May 31, 2011, then I wouldn't bank them, correct? The remaining 229 points are good through June 2011. But if I don't bank them by January 31, 2011 I lose them. Is that correct?

So basically my inlaws have to decide no later than January 30, 2011 if they want to go before May 31, 2011 or after June 1, 2011. If they want to go before June 1, I would keep the points as is (or bank any unused by 1/31). If they want to go after June 1, 2011, I would bank them before 1/31/11.

Does that make sense? I think that I am a reasonably intelligent, college educated person, but these points confuse the heck out of me.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[DebbieB]

So if my inlaws want to plan a trip before May 31, 2011, then I wouldn't bank them, correct? The remaining 229 points are good through June 2011. But if I don't bank them by January 31, 2011 I lose them. Is that correct?

So basically my inlaws have to decide no later than January 30, 2011 if they want to go before May 31, 2011 or after June 1, 2011. If they want to go before June 1, I would keep the points as is (or bank any unused by 1/31). If they want to go after June 1, 2011, I would bank them before 1/31/11.

Does that make sense? I think that I am a reasonably intelligent, college educated person, but these points confuse the heck out of me.

Thanks for your help!!

If you don't bank them, the 2010 points would expire 5/31/11 (not good through June 2011). The last night that could be booked with them is 5/31/11. If they want to book a trip that starts in May and ends in June, you would have to bank the amount for the June nights.

The rest you have is correct.

 

[CarolMN]

In your position, here is what I would do:

If your in-laws haven't decided by January 31, 2011, bank the 2010 points.

If, after that, they decide they want to go before June 1, 2011, you can borrow the exact number of points you need from your 2011 allotment. (All you lose by doing that is a small amount of flexibility - well worth it, IMO, to keep from having to nag the in-laws, lol).

You'll still have to use the 2010 points you banked between 6/1/2011 and 5/31/2012, but at least you won't get stuck with any unbankable 2010 points & your in-laws won't be under any time pressure to decide.

Of course, the longer they wait, the smaller their chances of finding availability for their first choice of accommodations.