Newbie to DVC

[melglnh2o]

My in-laws bought into DVC last June while we were on a cruise. I am trying to gain an understanding of it for them. We recently just found out you have to bank points but when do you have to bank the points? Is it for months from the end of the calendar year or use year. I am guessing the use year is June to June for them? When do the points expire? Does the trip have to be started/completed before the points expire or can just the reservation be made? Is there anything else that is important to know for new members?

Sorry for all the (dumb) questions but I don't want them to miss out on anything.

 

[disneynutz]

My in-laws bought into DVC last June while we were on a cruise. I am trying to gain an understanding of it for them. We recently just found out you have to bank points but when do you have to bank the points? Is it for months from the end of the calendar year or use year. I am guessing the use year is June to June for them? When do the points expire? Does the trip have to be started/completed before the points expire or can just the reservation be made? Is there anything else that is important to know for new members?

Sorry for all the (dumb) questions but I don't want them to miss out on anything.

If you look at the posts here in the DIS, the stickies at the top of the pages or have your in-laws log onto the DVC member website. There you will find info on how to use their membership.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

We recently just found out you have to bank points but when do you have to bank the points?

first 8 months of the UY. my UY is oct so by may 31 of the next calendar year.

I am guessing the use year is June to June for them?

it's based on the written contract. nothing at all to do with when you buy in.

When do the points expire?

at the end of the UY. so for my oct UY, on sept 30 of the next calendar year.

if banked, you can extend pts by one UY only. after that, they expire.

Does the trip have to be started/completed before the points expire or can just the reservation be made?

the pts have to be used for a stay by the end of the UY...you have to actually complete the stay and not just book a reservation by that date.

there's a lot to know - hang out on the DVC boards and read the threads. do some searches. it's too late for a lot of the advice we might have given - i hope they like their home resort and can plan well in advance. but feel free to ask questions.

edited to add: one important thing (and it's commonly misunderstood) is that you want to travel early in your UY. UY month has nothing at all to do with when you can call to book (it's all based on home resort - 11 months out.) your pts are already sitting there waiting to be used - no need to wait till your UY starts to book a reservation... (and if you travel in the last few months of your UY and need to cancel, you will likely find yourself in a bind.)

 

[Deb & Bill]

Your in-laws need to set up a member site password if they don't have one. The member site will tell them how many points they have to bank and when they need to be banked by. It will tell them when they can book a reservation with home resort points and with non-home resort points. They can even make reservations on line and check availability.

The points must be used before the end of the use year. So a trip would need to be completed no later than the last day of the use year (for the last night of the trip).

Also, if they have passed their banking deadline, Member Services will sometimes give a member a once in a lifetime, super secret out to bank late. All they need to do is ask. But it will be a one time thing.

 

[melglnh2o]

All this info has been very helpful. Thank you to all.

I have been reading the stickies and lots of posts. I guess I need to ask them when their use year is.

English is my in-laws second language although their English is very good. I just don't want them to miss out on anything due to translation issues.

Thanks again!

 

[Deb & Bill]

All this info has been very helpful. Thank you to all.

I have been reading the stickies and lots of posts. I guess I need to ask them when their use year is.

English is my in-laws second language although their English is very good. I just don't want them to miss out on anything due to translation issues.

Thanks again!

They are lucky to have you helping them out. Hope everything works out for them.