Points and Cash Linked Reservation

[lark]

Can someone explain this to me a bit? If I book additional days onto a reservation paying cash, and the reservations are "linked," I assume this means I won't have to change rooms.

But are there any other differences? For example, do you get housekeeping for the cash days? If it's at BLT, do I lose the right to go to the lounge on the cash days?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you book on cash through MS, a points stay and a cash night stay are treated the same. But there are some room categories that are not available for cash, only points.

If you book on cash through DRC, that reservation is treated as a completely separate reservation and you may have to move.

 

[drusba]

If you book cash through MS then you can link the point and cash days and result is you will not be moved. I do not believe booking cash through DVC gives you daily maid service but you retain all the same privileges as a DVC member staying on points.

 

[lark]

Thanks everyone. I had a 6-day stay at BLT and just added on a 7th day using cash at the DVC discount rate. Couldn't have been easier. Member Services said the reservations are linked.

 

[DebbieB]

It will be treated as 1 reservation, just like they were all points. I did this a couple of times. For example, I booked Friday & Saturday cash through member services, then Sunday to Thursday nights on points. When I checked in on Friday, we got keys and parking permit from Friday to Friday. No need to check-in again on Sunday. Monday was considered day 4 for trash & towel.

 

[Hillbeans]

Wow, I didn't realize how easy this was, i'll probably do it for our trip next November. Thanks!

 

[ckpoodge]

Thanks everyone. I had a 6-day stay at BLT and just added on a 7th day using cash at the DVC discount rate. Couldn't have been easier. Member Services said the reservations are linked.

I'm a new DVC member, and this caught my interest. How much is it a night to book cash?

We're trying to save some points - we are going to need them for our 2011 wedding, and we were thinking about moving to POP, paying cash. If I can stay at BLT for a reasonable amount, I wouldn't move.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm a new DVC member, and this caught my interest. How much is it a night to book cash?

We're trying to save some points - we are going to need them for our 2011 wedding, and we were thinking about moving to POP, paying cash. If I can stay at BLT for a reasonable amount, I wouldn't move.

Nah, it won't be a reasonable amount. It will be rack rate (and that will be high at BLT) or there is a possibility that a 25% DVC member discount might be available. But the discount isn't always available.

 

[lark]

Nah, it won't be a reasonable amount. It will be rack rate (and that will be high at BLT) or there is a possibility that a 25% DVC member discount might be available. But the discount isn't always available.

It actually was a very reasonable amount, at least as compared to points, for a weekend night. With the 25 percent discount, my rate for a 1 BR MK view in July was $390 ($438.75 with tax). That's compared to 68 points for the same night. At less than $6.5 per point, I do think it's reasonable.

There are a couple of reasons why it comes out like this, that may not apply in other situations. First, it was a weekend night. Unlike points, the rack rate doesn't have the dramatic fluctuation for weekend v. weeknight. Second, it was during late July, when rack rates for BLT switch to "value season." So, even though it's magic season for points -- and thus high points -- it's the lowest rack rate of the year.

Bottom line is that it's certainly something to look into, particularly if you're looking to save points but need weekend nights.

 

[DebbieB]

For weekends, it can be reasonable compared to points. I booked an OKW 1 bedroom a couple of times, it was around $325 and saved 48 points.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It actually was a very reasonable amount, at least as compared to points, for a weekend night. With the 25 percent discount, my rate for a 1 BR MK view in July was $390 ($438.75 with tax). That's compared to 68 points for the same night. At less than $6.5 per point, I do think it's reasonable.

There are a couple of reasons why it comes out like this, that may not apply in other situations. First, it was a weekend night. Unlike points, the rack rate doesn't have the dramatic fluctuation for weekend v. weeknight. Second, it was during late July, when rack rates for BLT switch to "value season." So, even though it's magic season for points -- and thus high points -- it's the lowest rack rate of the year.

Bottom line is that it's certainly something to look into, particularly if you're looking to save points but need weekend nights.

But compared to the price for Pop Century, it's not reasonable. And that's where ckpoodge was planning on staying.