Paying with points and cash?

[Mean Queen]

I know I've heard this is possible, but I have no clue how it works. We'd like to make reservations and pay for the weekdays with points and the weekend with cash. How do you do this with member services? What type of cash rate do they give you? If you could walk me through the steps, I think I'd be less likely to confuse the CM on the phone.

 

[WDW LOVR]

It's pretty simple. Just tell them what you want to do. If the room is available for the cash option you'll get a 25% discount on the cash price. I've had times when the cash option was not available and had to pay rack rate.

The only odd thing is you'll get multiple ressie forms as the cash and points ressies are technically separate, but they link them together so you can stay in the same room.

Hope this helps.

 

[kespo]

Thanks for asking this question.

I have a studio booked for 7 nights at AKV in Jan. I didn't have enough points to book a 1 bedroom. Does anyone know if I can book a 1 bedroom for Sun-Thurs. and then pay cash ressie for the weekend at AKV???
Thanks for any help

 

[Deb & Bill]

Cash reservations, especially discounted cash reservations, are usually only available if there is an expectation that all points reservations will be satisfied and there is still availability. So they are not always available. I would think a cash reservation at AKV would be impossible or next to it to get.

 

[kespo]

Thanks Deb!!!

 

[Boston5602]

This weekend was the second time I combined points and cash and linked them through MS. Thanks to the good people on these boards I knew I would not have to move from " Linked " reservations but twice now when checking in they were giving me keys for just the first reservation and I asked for them to check and see if they were linked , because MS had told me they were. Both times they said oh yeah , they are and changed my check out day so I wouldn't have to move.

I will now let them know when checking in I have linked reservations.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Even with 25% off it is still a good chunk of change to stay at the DVC Resorts on cash.

If I had to do so, I think I would probably go to a Moderate resort for a couple of days if necessary. I used to love POR French Quarter (formerly Dixie Landings) prior to my DVC purchase. Sure would be a lot less money than the DVC resorts.

 

[buzz5985]

And remember - just because the 25% discount isn't available at the time of booking - doesn't mean that it will not become available.

I remember booking a cash reservation for a weekend in December. I was told on this board that I would never get a dscount. I did, I just kept calling every week and asking. Just keep trying.

 

[kespo]

Wow!!! Great info as always. Thanks everyone!!

 

[wilma-bride]

And remember - just because the 25% discount isn't available at the time of booking - doesn't mean that it will not become available.

I remember booking a cash reservation for a weekend in December. I was told on this board that I would never get a dscount. I did, I just kept calling every week and asking. Just keep trying.

A question on this. We have just booked one night in a 2-bed at SSR using cash for April 2008. The rate quoted was just over $700 so I am assuming htis is NOT a discounted rate. Do I need to keep phoning MS to check if discounted rate is available? When I get my reservation paperwork will it show that it is rack rate?

 

[tink4ever]

I have been trying to switch our rack rate for July at BCV and there is nothing. We are paying 425 plus tax per night for a 1 bedroom. ouch!! But I am hoping to switch over to points once my BCV contract is in member services. Hopefully they let me do that.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

A question on this. We have just booked one night in a 2-bed at SSR using cash for April 2008. The rate quoted was just over $700 so I am assuming htis is NOT a discounted rate. Do I need to keep phoning MS to check if discounted rate is available? When I get my reservation paperwork will it show that it is rack rate?

I don't think '08 rates are out yet so you are most likely being quoted based on the '07 calendar. Peak season on '07 is 2/15 - 4/14.

I would hope that since Easter is early in '08 that the peak season would end around the end of March (a week after Easter).

It is up to you to keep checking with MS as to the availability of a discount. I don't believe it is automatically applied.

 

[Boston5602]

I just got back from a combo stay of cash and points. When I booked the cash room there was no discount. I called every 10 days or so and asked them to check for a discounted room. If one opens up you have to cancel the room you have and rebook with the discount and have them relink the reservations.

At Boardwalk MS told me that a discount would NEVER open up for a standard view room only a preferred room. At 2 weeks before my stay I got a discount on the room.

Good Luck

 

[MaryPA]

Even with 25% off it is still a good chunk of change to stay at the DVC Resorts on cash.

If I had to do so, I think I would probably go to a Moderate resort for a couple of days if necessary. I used to love POR French Quarter (formerly Dixie Landings) prior to my DVC purchase. Sure would be a lot less money than the DVC resorts.

We also feel this way. Although we change resorts for weekends, it doesn't seem too much of a bother. We pay cash where we stay and we get to experience other resorts.

 

[LakeAriel]

Even with 25% off it is still a good chunk of change to stay at the DVC Resorts on cash.

If I had to do so, I think I would probably go to a Moderate resort for a couple of days if necessary. I used to love POR French Quarter (formerly Dixie Landings) prior to my DVC purchase. Sure would be a lot less money than the DVC resorts.

I do the same. Loved POFQ! Stayed there for 4 nights with free dining before using my points last year!

To piggyback on the question, can you book a cruise on points then use cash for one or two of the guests? I may want to book two cabins for next year for a reunion of sorts but would be short some points.