point vs. cash question

[ellenmiele]

This is a follow-up to my previous booking question at which time I found out that a cash reservation at a DVC resort cannot be changed over later to use points. What about if I book cash at a place like GF--can that reservation be changed over to points at a later date or is it just DVC resorts that can't?? Thanks to everyone for all the info and answers!

 

[CarolMN]

Not as far as I know. However, I suppose if you were worried about getting a room at the GF for points, you could book one for cash and cancel it right before you call MS to book it on points. I do not recommend that, though as I'm not at all sure it would work.

FWIW, you can book a room at one of the non-DVC WDW resort options as long as there is any availability at the resort. There are no separate inventories for cash vs points.

Keep in mind that you cannot make a reservation at a non-DVC resort 60 days or less before the end of your use year if you are also planning to stay there within 60 days of the end of your use year. You can stay at a non-DVC resort during the last 60 days of your use year, but you cannot make the reservation that close to the end of your use year.

Also keep in mind that once you reserve a non-DVC resort for points, you cannot cancel it and use those same points to stay at a DVC resoprt.

Best wishes -

 

[Pa@okw95]

The reason why you can not convert a cash reservation to a point reservation is if you could members would be doing it to get around the 11/7 month reservation situation we have here at DVC. As far as GF goes, as you may not know it is a terrible buy to use you points to rent a room outside the DVC. You would have no problem getting any room you wanted 11 months out using your points for a room at GF so I doubt there would be any need to use cash then switch to points anyway. All of the above said and if I may play the devil here which I often do, there is no way getting around the 11/7 window we have at DVC as far as I know. By making a cash reservation at GF, then switching it to points, then cancelling it, thinking the points somehow could be used to break through the 11/7 month window does not work. The points would be just returned to your account. At any rate I am sure you are not asking for that reason, but like I said before you can get a reservation at GF with points with no problem 11 months out if you wish, no need to use cash.

 

[ellenmiele]

My reason behind this is that we are in the process of buying a resale but the deal won't be final for 5 weeks and if we want to go in Oct I'm afraid that waiting to try to book after we close the deal will be too late so I was trying to figure out some way to book a room now but then use the points that we'll have once the deal is final...

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by ellenmiele
My reason behind this is that we are in the process of buying a resale but the deal won't be final for 5 weeks and if we want to go in Oct I'm afraid that waiting to try to book after we close the deal will be too late so I was trying to figure out some way to book a room now but then use the points that we'll have once the deal is final...

No way that I know of to "book a room now but then use the points that we'll have once the deal is final". Sorry.

Assuming your deal closes in July, you should be able to reserve something at one of the non-DVC WDW resorts for points. They are seldom 100% booked for October by July or August. (If your use year will be December, you have to make the reservation for a non-DVC October resort stay no later than September 30. But don't wait that long if you can help it - all reservations are subject to availability).

That said, I hope you get something at one of the DVC resorts - it will be a better value for you.

Good luck! And congratulations on that resale. Hope it comes through very soon.