Newbie trying to figure out banking, reserving, and use year

[pam95]

So, we took the plunge and just purchased 100 points through Disney at AKL. We were given 100 points for 2011 with a March use year. We were told that if we don't plan to use those points, then we should bank them by October 31st.

I've done some research, and I understand generally the concept of the use year and banking and borrowing points. In practicality, however, I'm trying to figure out how to make the most of our points and when and how I should book things.

We would like to go to Hilton Head next summer. I understand that we cannot make reservations for HHI until 7 months prior to our vacation since it isn't our 'home' resort. (And even then it might be difficult to schedule for the summer?) So, for a June 2012 vacation, I wouldn't be able to book until December 2011. I am wondering, can I use my 2011 use year points to book that vacation? So, in other words, instead of banking my points in October 2011, can I hold onto my points and use them when I book in December 2011 for my June 2012 vacation? Or do I need to bank my 2011 points by October 31st and borrow from my 2012 points to book my June 2012 vacation? And, if I bank my 2011 points, then I can't access them to book anything until I hit my 2012 use year on March 1st, correct?

 

[Kidanifan08]

Your Mar '11 points would need to be banked for a June 2010 trip, since it will be in your 2012 UY. Your Mar 2012 UY points can be used for your June 2012 trip. The most important thing is that the points need to be in the UY of your planned trip. So, if you need your 2011 and 2012 points for a trip from Mar 1, 2012 - Feb 28, 2012, you would need to move the 2011 points into 2012 and your 2012 points are already there to use.

 

[pam95]

Your Mar '11 points would need to be banked for a June 2010 trip, since it will be in your 2012 UY. Your Mar 2012 UY points can be used for your June 2012 trip. The most important thing is that the points need to be in the UY of your planned trip. So, if you need your 2011 and 2012 points for a trip from Mar 1, 2012 - Feb 28, 2012, you would need to move the 2011 points into 2012 and your 2012 points are already there to use.

Thank you so much! I thought that might be the case. It makes it a little more difficult to plan a summer trip 7 months out when I can't access points until March '12, but I guess we'll have to work with it. Hopefully, it won't be an issue once we get into the swing of things with future vacations.

 

[DebbieB]

Thank you so much! I thought that might be the case. It makes it a little more difficult to plan a summer trip 7 months out when I can't access points until March '12, but I guess we'll have to work with it. Hopefully, it won't be an issue once we get into the swing of things with future vacations.

You don't have to wait to access points, they are already in your account. All points use is based on the date of stay, not the date you make the reservation. With a March use year, a June 2012 trip could use banked 2011, currrent 2012, borrowed 2013. 7 months for June would be November, not December. You can call in November and use any of those points.

 

[pam95]

You don't have to wait to access points, they are already in your account. All points use is based on the date of stay, not the date you make the reservation. With a March use year, a June 2012 trip could use banked 2011, currrent 2012, borrowed 2013. 7 months for June would be November, not December. You can call in November and use any of those points.

Okay, thought I read somewhere that I couldn't access my banked points until the start of my use year. So, I can bank my points in October, call in November and use those banked points for my vacation in June. Thanks so much for clearing that up! That really helps! I'm working on my three year plan - HHI or Vero Beach for summer '12, AKV for summer '13, and Aulani for summer '14!!! Hopefully, it will all work out!

 

[DebbieB]

Okay, thought I read somewhere that I couldn't access my banked points until the start of my use year. So, I can bank my points in October, call in November and use those banked points for my vacation in June. Thanks so much for clearing that up! That really helps! I'm working on my three year plan - HHI or Vero Beach for summer '12, AKV for summer '13, and Aulani for summer '14!!! Hopefully, it will all work out!

Your date of stay has to be in the new use year.

 

[Sandisw]

Everything is based on when you will travel and not when you call to make the reservation.

Here is what has been easiest for me. First, figure out which UY your trip will take place. Once you know that, you know you can "pay" for it with banked points from the previous UY, the UY of travel, and borrowed points from the following UY.

So, for a June 2012 trip, it would fall in your March 2012 UY. Therefore, you can use "banked" 2011 point, 2012 points, and borrow 2013 points if need be.

When you call, MS will look to see what is available when you will be going and go from there.

As mentioned, you have all your points from day one. The UY simply determines when they are valid for stays.

In order to use the 2011 UY points for that trip, they must be banked first. In your case, since your banking deadline is October 31st, you would be doing it anyway prior to the 7 month mark.

But, if you decide you wanted to book something as backup at AKV during the home resort period, and wanted to use those 2011 UY points, you would have to tell MS to bank them first.

Good luck and congratulations!!!

 

[drusba]

Way to think about it:

1. Use year has nothing to do with when you can call to reserve, which is always 11 months out at home resort and 7 at others.

2. To determine points you will use for a trip, wipe from your mind the date you can make that call to reserve. Think only of the dates you will be at WDW. The use year into which those dates fall is the one that determines the points you will use and whether banking or borrowing is needed.

Thus, with a March use year and a trip June 2012, the "current" use year points for that trip are those coming March 2012; points from March 2011 need to be banked; and if needed you can borrow points from March 2013. And 7 months out for calling to reserve is Nov 2011.