Overbooking DVC Resorts

[BWV Dreamin]

I have read a couple of threads now concerning room changes or upgrades due to overbooking rooms at DVC resorts. Is this common practice? What is the customary compensation when this occurs? Airlines give out free airfare. Is this something to worry about now in addition to the late check ins and rooms not ready?

 

[Dean]

I have read a couple of threads now concerning room changes or upgrades due to overbooking rooms at DVC resorts. Is this common practice? What is the customary compensation when this occurs? Airlines give out free airfare. Is this something to worry about now in addition to the late check ins and rooms not ready?

Unlike hotels and airlines, DVC doesn't intentionally overbook the rooms. But at times mistakes happen, units are out of service, etc and the end result is still the same. They will not compensate for tickets, etc, but will find you a room and are very responsive to making it work out. Each case is different so there's no rule of thumb so to speak.

 

[DVC Mater]

overbooking studios= someone thinking they were "upgraded" to a 1bd using points.

 

[spiceycat]

this is just about impossible. because when MS makes a reservation in those last 60 days (after CRO gets the unused villa) they call CRO.

so unless someone made a mistake - not easy to do or as Dean say something was wrong with one of the villa.

but isn't the inventory that DVC kepts to be used when that happens.

sounds like CRO is renting to much DVC lately.

CRO can and does over book - 4 CRO can book the same room at the same time and then it is overbooked. So maybe it came from their end?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I agree that this is unlikely. We have been going since 1998 and have never encountered this type of problem. That said, I am sure DVC would do their best to upgrade you... I can't imagine ever being downgraded at DVC. So, long story made short... forget about it.

 

[Sammie]

Unlike hotels and airlines, DVC doesn't intentionally overbook the rooms. But at times mistakes happen, units are out of service, etc and the end result is still the same. They will not compensate for tickets, etc, but will find you a room and are very responsive to making it work out. Each case is different so there's no rule of thumb so to speak.

You know in the past I would have agreed with this and I think the proof was in the pudding, because how many times did we hear of a DVC overbooking, none until recently that I can remember.

However now I am not so sure they are mistakes etc. I know resorts intentionally overbooks to keep thier occupancy up as high as possible due to cancellations, and I am not sure that DVC is not doing the same thing too now.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I agree that this is unlikely. We have been going since 1998 and have never encountered this type of problem. That said, I am sure DVC would do their best to upgrade you... I can't imagine ever being downgraded at DVC. So, long story made short... forget about it.

have you read the thread where someone was just moved from a 1BR to 2 non dvc hotel rooms?

thats no upgrade as far as I can tell

 

[BroganMc]

As I understood it, DVC can never overbook. That's all spelled out in the contracts in how X number of points sold equals X number of rooms. They balance out their points based on a first come first serve reservation list. And any rooms available to CRO are only there when owners exchange points for cash rooms (hotels, outside Disney or cruises).

So these incidents of "overbooking" make me think something is very hinky about the system. Something that needs to be corrected.

 

[Dean]

As I understood it, DVC can never overbook. That's all spelled out in the contracts in how X number of points sold equals X number of rooms. They balance out their points based on a first come first serve reservation list. And any rooms available to CRO are only there when owners exchange points for cash rooms (hotels, outside Disney or cruises).

So these incidents of "overbooking" make me think something is very hinky about the system. Something that needs to be corrected.

The POS references you are referring to are related to sales and not reservations. It is not DVC's intent to overbook but things do happen including rooms going out of service, mistakes by people and glitches by systems. It happens with II as well.

 

[MulanMom]

You know in the past I would have agreed with this and I think the proof was in the pudding, because how many times did we hear of a DVC overbooking, none until recently that I can remember.

However now I am not so sure they are mistakes etc. I know resorts intentionally overbooks to keep thier occupancy up as high as possible due to cancellations, and I am not sure that DVC is not doing the same thing too now.

A couple of years ago, someone posted about being denied their Boardwalk or Beach Club Villas reservation for the same reason..."overbooking".

 

[ducklite]

They know they are overbooked in advance, and it should always be the CRO cash reservations that are walked, not DVC members.

I would have been livid if I were moved from a 1BR VWL to two WL rooms. There is simply no comparing the two types of accomodations. The people in the post being referred to got a $100 credit for the inconvenience. That would be utterly unexceptable to me. Losing a full kitchen, wahser/dryer, and the soaking tub is worth a lot more than $100. I would have expected a return of at least 50% of my points PLUS free DDP for the length of my stay. And even then I still wouldn't be happy about it.

 

[rentingspace]

I just got back from BCV last month. I have learned to call and check on my reservations every month before arriving. My reservation letter and all phone calls I had, said I had a 2 bedroom with 2 gueen beds (dedicated). THEN the Thursday before I am to arrive on Monday I call just to make sure nothing has happend. Prey tel it did. My 2bedroom dedicated from way back in February and monthly checks turned into a 2 bedroom lock off. It got to a point on Friday I talked to 3 managers than finally a Manager of all managers. I had called my lawyer because I had it in writting and they kept saying sorry we don't have that in our computers. Accept for 1 girl who slipped up and said someone changed it on Monday to a lock off. Long story short I got my 2 bedroom dedicated. I feel bad I had to go to the lawyer level, because I am sure there is something written on my screen when I call now.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

have you read the thread where someone was just moved from a 1BR to 2 non dvc hotel rooms?

thats no upgrade as far as I can tell

No, I have not read this thread... I have never experienced or heard of this type of re-routing... I can't imagine DVC sending anyone to a NON Disney resort... Just doesn't ring true with me. Seriously, Disney sending someone to an outside resort and saying goodbye to them... not happening. The only possibility would be in an emergency situation. Not even then... Disney has hundreds of rooms available on any given night... they would never send someone out of their realm.

Don't mean to sound snarkey, but that didn't happen.

 

[Island Mouse]

No, I have not read this thread... I have never experienced or heard of this type of re-routing... I can't imagine DVC sending anyone to a NON Disney resort... Just doesn't ring true with me. Seriously, Disney sending someone to an outside resort and saying goodbye to them... not happening. The only possibility would be in an emergency situation. Not even then... Disney has hundreds of rooms available on any given night... they would never send someone out of their realm.

Don't mean to sound snarkey, but that didn't happen.

I think you are a bit mistaken. The people in the thread in question that were relocated because of the overbooking were moved to a Non-DVC resort, not a non-DISNEY resort. They were booked for a 1BR at VWL and were moved to the WL and given 2 standard rooms.

Here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1632403

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I think you are a bit mistaken. The people in the thread in question that were relocated because of the overbooking were moved to a Non-DVC resort, not a non-DISNEY resort. They were booked for a 1BR at VWL and were moved to the WL and given 2 standard rooms.

Here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1632403

Ok... I thought the person(s) were sen't outside DVC or Disney. I agree this was not an amicable solution. Sounds like this was a renter transaction. I can't help but shake my head at these transactions... This is one more reason I don't rent out. Just too much to take care of.

 

[jakenjess]

Ok... I thought the person(s) were sen't outside DVC or Disney. I agree this was not an amicable solution. Sounds like this was a renter transaction. I can't help but shake my head at these transactions... This is one more reason I don't rent out. Just too much to take care of.

I took it from the post that it wasn't a renter transaction, but the owners had booked the DVC room for their guests, which I assume were friends or family. Either way, I would have been extremely unhappy with the resolution they got. Like a PP said, two standard rooms are no substitute for a 1 BR villa.

 

[lulu71]

Sounds like this was a renter transaction. I can't help but shake my head at these transactions... This is one more reason I don't rent out. Just too much to take care of.

I am the OP of that thread and no, it was not a rental transaction.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I just got back from BCV last month. I have learned to call and check on my reservations every month before arriving. My reservation letter and all phone calls I had, said I had a 2 bedroom with 2 gueen beds (dedicated). THEN the Thursday before I am to arrive on Monday I call just to make sure nothing has happend. Prey tel it did. My 2bedroom dedicated from way back in February and monthly checks turned into a 2 bedroom lock off. It got to a point on Friday I talked to 3 managers than finally a Manager of all managers. I had called my lawyer because I had it in writting and they kept saying sorry we don't have that in our computers. Accept for 1 girl who slipped up and said someone changed it on Monday to a lock off. Long story short I got my 2 bedroom dedicated. I feel bad I had to go to the lawyer level, because I am sure there is something written on my screen when I call now.

Oh no, I don't believe it! I am a bit paranoid about these things and have also been periodically checking on my April ressie for a 2 bdrm. Boardwalk View. Thats what my letter says, thats whats on the web site, but what if I go and they try to do the same thing as was done to you? So my letter would mean nothing? Now, I will be calling once a month, and probably everyday the week before my vacation just to be certain!

 

[dvcmember]

This is very frustrating. There is no way this should happen without warning. DVC cannot decide who is a renter and who is a guest. My brother and his family stayed at Saratoga on my points. We do not have the same last name since I am now married. This does not make him a renter . He is my guest. It surely does not make DVC look good to people considering a purchase. Barb

 

[BroganMc]

It is not DVC's intent to overbook but things do happen including rooms going out of service, mistakes by people and glitches by systems. It happens with II as well.

The only thing I've experienced with II has been notices of maintenance to be done at the resort. Of course, I exclusively stay at Marriott's so perhaps they have different policies to protect guests.

What troubles me is the number of such cases reported recently and at the smaller resorts. Perhaps VWL, BCV and BWV management is just overwhelmed with the demand these days.