Picking use year vs “free points”

[Eagles0509]

Picking a different Use Year vs getting “free points”

I’m considering buying a DVC.

I would most likely travel in October/ November or maybe rarely late March/April. My first trip wouldn’t be until October 2022.

When I called DVC they offered:

December use year and I’ll get 300 points for the December 2020 use year (12/1/20-11/30/21) that I need to bank by the end of July 2021 for a trip I’m planning in October 2022.

I feel that a December use year with the most probable time of year to travel being just before December that if I ever had to last minute cancel, I would lose the points if I couldn’t offload them quickly by renting to someone or even use myself later since they go into a holding account and expire at the end of that current use year.

If I’m allowed to pick say a March use year and it starts this year. I would bank 300 points from this 2021 use year and have them for my 2022 trip.


Am I missing something here essentially giving up extra points? I don’t think I am. I’m would be getting 300 points in March 2021 basically 4 months after I would have gotten December 2020 use year points if I went with the December deal.

The only time these extra points would matter would be at the very end of the deed which ends January 31, 2068 for the contract so basically in 2067 My contract for March would get 300 points that year and I would have until Jan 31st 2068 to use them.

But a December use year would get 300 in December 2067, the contract would only have 2 months to use that very last year which is basically pointless. I know it’s crazy to look at it that far but the “free points” from the 2020 use year aren’t really meaningful.

Does this make sense? Am I looking at this right? Basically I shouldn’t take a use year where I’m traveling just before the use year ends. My points would go into the holding account and expire a few weeks later. I’m not technically losing “free points”

 

[Sunnyore]

You are correct. If you typically travel oct/nov then you want an Oct, sept or Aug UY. Not sure if they’re pushing Dec because that’s what they currently have but these other uy should be available as well and would include 2020 point but they may not be able to bank them as courtesy as they had done before. I wouldn’t want to be stuck with a uy that doesn’t work for my travel times for 50 years.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Stand your ground to get the UY you want. OCT is our primary UY and it sounds like that is perfect for your travel times too. OCT is also one of the most difficult to get. There are currently OCT points for at least two resorts that I personally know of (as of yesterday) and one resort that does not have any. I'm sure this changes depending on demand and ROFR activity.

Anticipating the last year(s) has been discussed often on disboards. No one really knows how it will go down and 2041 and 2042 will be the beginning of the end so to speak and should give clarity as the other resorts expire. I'm certainly curious. I've been in this since 1996 and still don't know how it will end!

You have time. Be firm and I'll bet you get your OCT points. December is the worst UY for your travel style. Good luck!

 

[RoseGold]

I'd wait and buy loaded resale in a couple years.

If you only plan to travel when the kids are young or whatever, I think there may even be even a case for a 2042 resort in a couple years, depending on the math.

Resale has contracts pop up that are screaming bargains. Maybe not right this second, but over this much time, you can find one if you know what to look for.

If you're planning on renting out points for a few years, which I would not do at all, I would do it resale. It's not like your direct points are worth more on the rental market.

 

[DonMacGregor]

If I’m allowed to pick say a March use year and it starts this year. I would bank 300 points from this 2021 use year and have them for my 2024 trip.

Smarter people abound around here, but I don't see how you could bank that far in advance. I could see rolling the points forward each year, but you'd still need to use the 2021 and 2022 points or lose them. You said your first trip isn't for another 3-1/2 years from now (October of 2024).

 

[Eagles0509]

Picking a different Use Year vs getting “free points”

I’m considering buying a DVC.

I would most likely travel in October/ November or maybe rarely late March/April. My first trip wouldn’t be until October 2024.

When I called DVC they offered:

December use year and I’ll get 300 points for the December 2020 use year (12/1/20-11/30/21) that I need to bank by the end of July 2021 for a trip I’m planning in October 2024.

I feel that a December use year with the most probable time of year to travel being just before December that if I ever had to last minute cancel, I would lose the points if I couldn’t offload them quickly by renting to someone or even use myself later since they go into a holding account and expire at the end of that current use year.

If I’m allowed to pick say a March use year and it starts this year. I would bank 300 points from this 2021 use year and have them for my 2024 trip.


Am I missing something here essentially giving up extra points? I don’t think I am. I’m would be getting 300 points in March 2021 basically 4 months after I would have gotten December 2020 use year points if I went with the December deal.

The only time these extra points would matter would be at the very end of the deed which ends January 31, 2068 for the contract so basically in 2067 My contract for March would get 300 points that year and I would have until Jan 31st 2068 to use them.

But a December use year would get 300 in December 2067, the contract would only have 2 months to use that very last year which is basically pointless. I know it’s crazy to look at it that far but the “free points” from the 2020 use year aren’t really meaningful.

Does this make sense? Am I looking at this right? Basically I shouldn’t take a use year where I’m traveling just before the use year ends. My points would go into the holding account and expire a few weeks later.

Smarter people abound around here, but I don't see how you could bank that far in advance. I could see rolling the points forward each year, but you'd still need to use the 2021 and 2022 points or lose them. You said your first trip isn't for another 3-1/2 years from now (October of 2024).

I corrected myself. I meant my first trip will be 2022. Sorry!!!

 

[DonMacGregor]

I corrected myself. I meant my first trip will be 2022. Sorry!!!

I was gonna say, that's one serious case of planning ahead there...LOL

 

[Sandisw]

Definitely do not go with a Dec UY for your travel. Remember, you can get an Oct UY today and would still get those “free”...which are not really free...points for the 2020 UY, just like you can Decmember.

DVD has to give you current UY points and right now June, Aug, Sept, Oct and Dec UY all qualify.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

No on the Dec UY. It's the worst for last minute cancellations for the time you say you would typically travel. However there are other UY's that will offer that bit of free insurance against the late cancellations and would still give you 2020 points to be banked. I'd request a Sept or Oct UY.

 

[KTownRaider]

If you’ve decided to get points directly from Disney, you should make an October UY a condition of your purchase. You are paying a healthy premium over resale to customize a deal structure that works for you and have it done quickly (compared to resale). That means getting the UY you want, the guaranteed week if desired/offered, and breaking out your total points into smaller contracts in case you want to have a future option to offload for resale/manage your maintenance fees) while still maintaining your blue card (if this was a goal of going direct).

I bought BLT direct earlier this year- partly because an October use year for BLT is very rare (about 5% of BLT points are attributed to an October use year), and it was really was the best UY for my WDW travel (I avoid FL summers, and Oct UY comes with a 5/31 banking deadline). After spending months monitoring resale boards for a BLT October contract, there were a couple, but the contract assigned points didn’t meet my needs. When I inquired with my Disney guide, she stated that she’d have to consult management regarding an October UY, and was not readily available. About 2 days later, she confirmed she could accommodate my Oct UY request.

Best of luck as you continue your DVC journey…

 

[Texanadian]

Okay-I’m about to buy for the first time and direct-usually travel October and January. So if I called and gave DVC cash today for points and an October or September use year-would I get last year’s points to (125 to purchase) AND points again in October 2021.
You would think that because I work international rates and tariff for an airline I would not have such a hard time with this!

 

[KTownRaider]

So if I called and gave DVC cash today for points and an October or September use year-would I get last year’s points to (125 to purchase) AND points again in October 2021.

This is correct- you would get an immediate 125 points for the current 2020 UY, and then another 125 on October 1st, 2021 for your 2021 UY. I just had this occur with me when I bought direct earlier this spring with an October UY. The only caveat is that the banking deadline for an Oct UY is 5/31. If you decide to buy direct after 5/31, DVC is supposed to make a one time banking exception given you will have just made a purchase. I'd definitely confirm with your guide on this, unless you plan to use your 2020 points by Sep 30.

 

[Texanadian]

This is correct- you would get an immediate 125 points for the current 2020 UY, and then another 125 on October 1st, 2021 for your 2021 UY. I just had this occur with me when I bought direct earlier this spring with an October UY. The only caveat is that the banking deadline for an Oct UY is 5/31. If you decide to buy direct after 5/31, DVC is supposed to make a one time banking exception given you will have just made a purchase. I'd definitely confirm with your guide on this, unless you plan to use your 2020 points by Sep 30.

Thank you-so much!

I’m going to pay tomorrow and bank the points!
Thank you so much!

 

[kanerf]

I have June and travel in Oct all the time. Booked there this year at that time as well.