Newbie is confused about booking...

[lts862]

Hi!
I will need someone with patience to help this newbie understand banking points for a new purchase at SSR.

Okay, my DF (dear father) purchased 220 points at SSR in January. The use year is August. We will be using 189 points to go home in January, 2005 for a 2 bedroom at Saratoga. That reservation has been made/confirmed. That will leave us with 31 points. Since we have no plans to use those points before August, 2005, (and they need to be used by then?) I need to bank them, right? When do I need to do that? Will I have until August 2006 to use them?

Now, my DH, children and I are planning an Easter 2006 trip, with friends. Can we use the 31 banked points (from 2005), our 220 alloted for 2006, and borrow a few from 2007? If I needed/wanted to, could I rent a few points and tack it on, so not to use the 2007 points, for the Easter trip?

I think that this is much simplier than I am making it out to be. I just felt like I needed to write it all out and ask some "experts", before I call Member Services. My Dad bought these points for my family's use. He wanted his grandchildren, (my children) to be able to go to WDW every year. This is very generous and we are so grateful, but I am confused.

Is there anything else I should be doing or considering? Hopefully this message is clear. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.

Thank you.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by lts862
Hi!
I will need someone with patience to help this newbie understand banking points for a new purchase at SSR.

Okay, my DF (dear father) purchased 220 points at SSR in January. The use year is August. We will be using 189 points to go home in January, 2005 for a 2 bedroom at Saratoga. That reservation has been made/confirmed. That will leave us with 31 points. Since we have no plans to use those points before August, 2005, (and they need to be used by then?) I need to bank them, right? When do I need to do that? Will I have until August 2006 to use them?

I have an August use year, too, so am very familar with the banking deadlines for August use years.

Your 2004 August use year points are good for stays between 8/1/2004 and 7/31/2005. So yes, if you will not use the points for a stay before 7/31/005, you need to bank them.

The 100% banking deadline is January 31, 2005
The 50% deadline is April 30, 2005
The 25% deadline is May 31, 2005
No banking at all in June or July.

Since you only have 31 "extra" (LOL) points for 2004, you could wait until the end of May, 2005 to bank them. ( 31/220 is only 14%). I usually bank any extra points as soon as I am sure that I won't need them until the next use year. Don't want to forget. However, there is no need to bank way ahead of the deadline other than getting it out of the way.

Now, my DH, children and I are planning an Easter 2006 trip, with friends. Can we use the 31 banked points (from 2005), our 220 alloted for 2006, and borrow a few from 2007? If I needed/wanted to, could I rent a few points and tack it on, so not to use the 2007 points, for the Easter trip?

Yes. If you bank the 2004 points, they become good for 2005 use year stays - that's between 8/1/2005 and 7/31/2006. In fact, since those points will expire on 7/31/2006, it's a good idea to make sure you use the banked points before you start using the "real" 2005 use year points. If you have to cancel the Easter 2006 trip, you can bank the "real" 2005 use year points, but not the points that were originally from 2004.

Yes, you could rent points and add them to your account and use them for the 2006 trip. Just be sure they are valid for the dates you want to stay. If you plan to make the reservation before the 7 month window opens, be sure the rented points are from SSR.

You may also borrow points from your 2006 use year. Those points are good between 8/1/2006 and 7/31/2007. If you borrow them, they become good between 8/1/2005 and 7/31/2006 - the 2005 use year that includes your Easter 2006 trip. Once borrowed, the points cannot be returned to the 2006 use year, so be sure to use them before 7/31/2006, when they will expire.

I think that this is much simplier than I am making it out to be. I just felt like I needed to write it all out and ask some "experts", before I call Member Services. My Dad bought these points for my family's use. He wanted his grandchildren, (my children) to be able to go to WDW every year. This is very generous and we are so grateful, but I am confused.

Is there anything else I should be doing or considering? Hopefully this message is clear. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.

Thank you.

You'll start feeling comfortable with all this very soon. Seems like you already have a very good start! Your father sounds like a wonderful man - you and your children are very lucky to have him!

Best wishes -