melkimmom said:
As you can see many "experts" don't have the right information...
Is this really necessary? I'm not really certain how it is that your posts are "just trying to help" while I'm labeled a self-proclaimed "expert" for simply adding to the discussion. We are ALL here to share information.
This is not the same as renting poins as someone has indicated.
Actually, point "renting" was never a part of the discussion.
My Guide which has been working with DVC for 12 years told me the same thing. "You can borrow points until your unit is available to be use".
I'm going to assume that you mean "you can borrow points AFTER your unit is available for use" becuase you most definitely cannot book a stay BEFORE the unit is ready for occupancy.
Also, it's confusing that you have quoted your Guide as saying that "you can
borrow points...", yet you're also claiming that the points are not Borrowed.
In the end I do agree with you on one point...people should read their agreements and speak to Member Services to find out their rights.
To the others posting in this thread, based upon historical precedent, this is what I know to be true:
1. You can begin to use your DVC points anytime after the "Estimated Occupancy Date" in your agreement. That is the date on which the unit of which you are part owner will open. Regardless of your Use Year, you can begin to use your points as soon as your unit is available.
2. Anytime you use points prior to the start of their Use Year, the points are normally considered "Borrowed." Example: Your building is ready for occupancy in March '05 but you have a June Use Year. In this situation, you should be able to use the points for a May '05 stay, but the points will come from your June '05 allotment. Since the points are borrowed before the start of the UY, they are effectively moved into another UY and will expire at the end of said year.
Whether the points are technically "Borrowed" or not, I do want to stress that this is ONLY an issue in the event of a cancellation. If the points are used as scheduled--no problems. They are gone.
If DVC has made some exception for Phase 2 SSR owners and is somehow bypassing the normal borrowing guidelines, I have no problem with that. For clarity sake, it would probably be simplest to quote the language from the agreement. Even though the dates (UY, occupancy) are a bit different for each owner, I'm sure the contract language is identical.
Speaking to a Guide or Member Services is all well and good, but just make sure they don't tell you anything that directly contradicts what is written in the agreements.