Newbie... question!

[Alsheimerfamily]

Again, being new to this I apologize in advance for so many questions. For our trip we are using our own points for the first portion (4 nights at WL) then whatever party we purchase the points from would make the other reservation (under our name?) and there is no issue in it being 2 separate reservations? Would this complicate if we did a DDP? (still up in air about DDP) Also, after booking our 4 nights at WL we have 27 points left of our own, but those would not be able to be utilized if renting/other person making reservations correct? (we are already transferring points from 2015 for this trip as it will be before the February needed date for point deposit). THANK YOU SO MUCH

 

[Chuck S]

Again, being new to this I apologize in advance for so many questions. For our trip we are using our own points for the first portion (4 nights at WL) then whatever party we purchase the points from would make the other reservation (under our name?) and there is no issue in it being 2 separate reservations? Would this complicate if we did a DDP? (still up in air about DDP) Also, after booking our 4 nights at WL we have 27 points left of our own, but those would not be able to be utilized if renting/other person making reservations correct? (we are already transferring points from 2015 for this trip as it will be before the February needed date for point deposit). THANK YOU SO MUCH

When you say you transferred points from 2015, I assume you mean borrowed from your next use year. Transfers getting points from a totally different membership, borrowing is getting points from your next use year.

You have a couple of options, you can rent a reservation from another members, and then you and the other member could have them linked so you wouldn't have to move. You'll probably still need to check-out and check back in at the front desk, and your dining plan, if any, would be separate for each portion of your stay.

Another option would be to have points transferred into your account from another member with a 2014 use year. That way you could use your remaining points if you wish. In effect, it makes them your points. They may not show up in your account on the website, so you need to call Member Services to book a reservation using them. The person you transfer from would also need to be in their 2014 use year, it would probably be easiest to find another member with a February use year that will transfer to you. Then you could have one reservation, and one DDP, and would not need to check-out and check back in.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

(we are already transferring points from 2015 for this trip as it will be before the February needed date for point deposit). THANK YOU SO MUCH

Chuck covered some good points on the difference between renting a reservation from another member versus renting points and having them transferred to your account.

I want to hone in a little on this last sentence in your post. I may be reading too much into that, but I want to make sure you understand the difference between booking windows and use years. It does confuse some who are new to DVC.

A booking window is when you're able to make a reservation. For reservations at your home resort, you can make reservations 11 months from your check-in date. For other resorts, you can make reservations 7 months from your check-in date. Use year plays no part in when you can make a reseravtion.

Use year only comes into play in determining which points can be applied to the specific nights of your stay. (I nights because it is possible to have a vacation that straddles your use year, with some nights in one use year, and others in the next.) You're allowed to book on the anticipation that the points will be in your account on the night of the stay. What I mean is that you don't have to wait until February 1, 2015 (when your February use year points are deposited into your account) before you start booking with those points. You only have to wait until February 1, 2015 before you stay those points (banking and borrowing aside).

For example, a reservation to check into your home resort on February 1, 2015 can be booked on March 1, 2014. This reservation can use banked 2014 points, current 2015 points, and/or borrowed 2016 points. If you don't have enough of your own points (2014 + 2015 + 2016) to make the reservation, that's when you'd start looking to rent from another member.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Also remember that you can purchase up to 24 one-time-use points per use year directly from DVC for $15 each. This is probably the best solution if you're just a little short.

One transaction per use year of up to 24 points.