One Time Use Points Question

[Little E]

Hi all!

DH and I are booked at CC from November 1-7 for the runDisney 5k. I'm working to book flights now, and it's cheaper to add a night on 10/31 and fly in a day early, but there isn't a 1 bedroom at CC available to modify our current reservation. We have used all but 4 of our 2023 points, and I really don't want to borrow from 2024 points. I'm thinking of combining my 4 remaining points with one time use points to book the cheapest DVC studio and then transfer to CC on November 1. It would give us one more day to use our new APs too!

So how does this work exactly, and is this a good use of one time use points? Can I book online using OTUP or do I need to call MS. Is there another option that I'm overlooking? Any advice from DVC vets would be awesome.

TIA!

 

[Sandisw]

You have to call to buy them when making a reservation. You can buy up to 24 per UY. They are $22/ point.

I think it’s always good to go more nights! So I’d say it’s a great option if you don’t want to borrow.

 

[JodyK]

The only other option I would consider is checking cash reservations around for the one night to see if that may make more sense than the OTUP. Although, since you only need 9 points ($198) the only resorts that would probably beat that are the All Stars or a good deal at a moderate. If you did decide to book cash instead of DVC you could also potentially apply any future AP discounts that come out and give yourself a bit more flexibility than OTUP but that may not be worth it in your case.

 

[JodyK]

I think you could also put in a waitlist request over the phone for the one night at CCV on the phone, they can add additional notes and let them know you want to purchase OTUP to complete the reservation. If the waitlist is filled, they'll reach out to you to purchase the points. At least, that is what I've heard on the board, but I have yet to do it myself; I'm sure someone else can confirm.

 

[Sandisw]

I think you could also put in a waitlist request over the phone for the one night at CCV on the phone, they can add additional notes and let them know you want to purchase OTUP to complete the reservation. If the waitlist is filled, they'll reach out to you to purchase the points. At least, that is what I've heard on the board, but I have yet to do it myself; I'm sure someone else can confirm.

They won’t fill a waitlist with OTU points if they are not already purchased.

Thst is why people will make a fake reservation, buy them, and then cancel that reservation so the points are there to fill the waitlist should it come through.

 

[JodyK]

Makes sense I wasn't sure, to many tricks of the trade in this system.

 

[Little E]

Thank you, everyone! I'll call MS tomorrow and see what is the cheapest to snag for one night.

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you, everyone! I'll call MS tomorrow and see what is the cheapest to snag for one night.

Another option is to borrow a few and buy the rest in OTU to go with the 4 you already have.

 

[Little E]

Hi all! This morning I called MS and I used a Disney Gift Card to purchase OTUPs to go along with my 4 remaining points from our 2023 points. We are now staying one night in a Riviera studio.

While DH and I discovered recently that split stays are not really our jam, it turned out we didn't have enough points to add a 1 bedroom villa at CC to our existing reservation, and there were none available anyway. I'm actually kind of excited about the studio at Riv, as we've never stayed there before!

Thanks so much for all of your advice!