Pregnant wife = DVC points sale headache

[KemlynBovrilDrinker]

My wife and I have been trying for a baby for nearly 2 years and we have finally had the fantastic news that she is pregnant

Now - the complicated bit where I hope you can help. We bought into DVC last year and we have booked a vacation for Sept with my parents (vero, 3 day cruise then beach club)

Our doctor is telling us not to fly in the Third trimester of her pregnancy and Disney will not allow my wife on board the cruise as she will be too far gone.

My flights are non refundable and can only be changed up to 22nd Jan 08 and therefore if we are going to use them in the second trimester of her pregnancy then we have to bring the vacation forward to between May and July.

This leaves me with flights I have to use this summer, but 450 DVC points banked into Sept 07 use year, with 244 of them that I have to use within the Disney collection because of the cancelled cruise (no DVC or interval allowed).

My thoughts are that I should sell my points now and use the money to spend on accomodation for a vacation this summer so I can use my flights. However, is there much of a market for points that can only be used in the Disney collection and how much would each point be worth?

 

[CarolMN]

First of all - Congratulations on your pending addition. That's great news!

Have you lookied into the Conceirge Collection at all? The reservation points can be used for something in the CC (and the Adventurer's Collection) as well as the Disney Collection.

Perhaps there is something relatively close to home that you can splurge on with those reservation points. Maybe the two of you would like a night or two away after the baby comes - the reservation points won't expire until 8/31/2008. Of course you could take the new one with if you didn't want to leave her/him with a trusted caretaker (maybe Grandma & Grandpa?).

FWIW, I think reservation points will be tough to rent for more than a few dollars each. You'd be competing with CRO/WDWTC and the points required for a non-DVC WDW resort are quite high to begin with. Better to use them if you can, IMHO. YMMV.

Good luck!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Yikes -- that might be a tough one because there are usually some good discounts offered through CRO for WDW resorts during the fall/winter months.

I think you might have a better chance of getting more $ per point if you can find some people to use them at Disneyland as they don't typically offer as many room discounts as WDW and I feel the points are actually a better value there.

 

[KemlynBovrilDrinker]

Thanks for the advice, and the words of congratulation!! I'm very excited about the future ; especially taking my kids to Disney and buying them their first dole whip!!!!

I feared the worst that I would not be able to sell all of these points from the cancelled cruise for much money. Maybe we can go to Paris next year with the new born rather than a transatlantic flight to the US - but Paris is not the same as Florida!!

I guess I've also got 215 'pure' points that I can sell at c$10 each, but I might roll them into 2008.

I suppose i've got 45+ years to use my DVC membership, but I'm itching to get going!!!

 

[DebbieB]

Congratulations on your news.

Just so that you are using the correct terms, you want to "rent" your points, not "sell". "Sell" means selling your membership (permanently).

 

[drakethib]

Congrats !!!!!!


Hey do yourself a favor and call DVC member services and explain what is going on.

I bet they will try to work something out with you.

Let us know when the little one arrives. !

 

[Dean]

One of the reasons I am not a big fan of using DVC points for a cruise. In this situation since they will not let you on, did you ask if they'll give you the points back as DVC points? Even if you have to use your once in a lifetime exception, it's worth it in this situation.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

One of the reasons I am not a big fan of using DVC points for a cruise. In this situation since they will not let you on, did you ask if they'll give you the points back as DVC points? Even if you have to use your once in a lifetime exception, it's worth it in this situation.

I was thinking the same thing... since DCL is basically refusing admission I would think whoever has "jurisdiction" over this situation would try to be a bit flexible in trying to re-allocate or re-schedule.

I would keep talking to MS. Decide beforehand what outcome would be acceptable to you. Persistance & a little bit of sugar can go a long way.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

My wife and I have been trying for a baby for nearly 2 years and we have finally had the fantastic news that she is pregnant

Now - the complicated bit where I hope you can help. We bought into DVC last year and we have booked a vacation for Sept with my parents (vero, 3 day cruise then beach club)

Our doctor is telling us not to fly in the Third trimester of her pregnancy and Disney will not allow my wife on board the cruise as she will be too far gone.

My flights are non refundable and can only be changed up to 22nd Jan 08 and therefore if we are going to use them in the second trimester of her pregnancy then we have to bring the vacation forward to between May and July.

This leaves me with flights I have to use this summer, but 450 DVC points banked into Sept 07 use year, with 244 of them that I have to use within the Disney collection because of the cancelled cruise (no DVC or interval allowed).

My thoughts are that I should sell my points now and use the money to spend on accomodation for a vacation this summer so I can use my flights. However, is there much of a market for points that can only be used in the Disney collection and how much would each point be worth?

Ahhhh...I feel your pain. We did something similar for this past January (cruise and all booked on points) but I found out I was pregnant and being high risk am unable to travel at all during this pregnancy.

Have you looked into any of your travel insurance? Do you have travel insurance?

BTW - We got lucky and were able to get friends to purchase the cruise points to use for the Disney Collection and our DVC borrowed points for a DVC stay before expiration. Plus we were able to use our flight for this coming December's trip instead.

Congrats on the baby!

 

[MrsNick]

Hi, I know this wouldn't help with the cruise points, but for the remainder of your vacation, would it be possible to take the train, or drive rather than fly? I know for DH and I, we really prefer to fly, but if you still wanted to take that vacation, maybe you could use alternative transportation, and then book another DVC room for those 3 days that you were planning to cruise (either extend your time at Vero, or go to WDW early - neither of those seem like terrible options )

 

[castleri]

Hi, I know this wouldn't help with the cruise points, but for the remainder of your vacation, would it be possible to take the train, or drive rather than fly? I know for DH and I, we really prefer to fly, but if you still wanted to take that vacation, maybe you could use alternative transportation, and then book another DVC room for those 3 days that you were planning to cruise (either extend your time at Vero, or go to WDW early - neither of those seem like terrible options )

I think the OP is from UK or Europe based on his saying it might be better to go to DLP rather than take a newborn on a transatlantic flight tot he US.

 

[MrsNick]

Whoops, didn't notice that about DLP. Anyway, hope it works out for you and congratulations

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Darn...where's that Hogwarts Express when you need it?

 

[KemlynBovrilDrinker]

I've been to London for a few days with work so not been able to check out this thread for updates. Funnily enough I arrived into Kings Cross station which is where the Hogwarts express 'leaves' from! Unfortunatley there were no trains direct to the Disney Trasportation center!!

Thanks for all the kind words and good wishes regarding my wifes pregnancy, its much appreciated

Debbie - Apologies. Will remember to use the correct terminolgy next time

Drake - Intrigued that you think I should call member services to explain the situation. What do you think I should say to them? How may they help?

CRSNDSNY - I do have travel insurance but can only claim for the flights for my wife and I. The flights I bought as an anniversary present for my parents are not covered.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Drake - Intrigued that you think I should call member services to explain the situation. What do you think I should say to them? How may they help?

By calling MS and explaining the situation they may very well be able to give you the points back without forcing you to use them only for the Disney Collection. They have what is commonly referred to as the "One-Time Exception" (don't know if that's the official name or one we've given it) in which they can usually reverse certain transactions which are sometimes out of the member's control. Like bad weather, an illness in the family, etc. Your situation is one I feel would definitely qualify. Especially since DCL is denying you the opportunity to board the ship due to DW's pregnancy.

So give them a call...tell them there's no way you can use the points anytime in the near future and ask that they be placed back in your account as regular DVC points and see what happens. You might want to ask for a supervisor. Good luck and please report back and let us know how it turns out.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You should be able to get a once-per-lifetime points forgiveness.
2) Tell then the issues, and ask for the allowance.
3) As for the airline, usually with a $50-$100 penalty, you can reschedule.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Gosh, I really wish I had thought of doing that! I'd have 200pts back in my account and current!

 

[dwelty]

Congrats !!!!!!


Hey do yourself a favor and call DVC member services and explain what is going on.

I bet they will try to work something out with you.

Let us know when the little one arrives. !

What she said, I bet they will accomidate you.

 

[KemlynBovrilDrinker]

Well.......I took your advice and called member services. After a long and confusing conversation I was told to email member services to ask if they would transfer my cancelled cruise points back into full DVC points. I had to mark the email for the attention of Jon Garcia who I thik is the DVC satifaction manager.

In less than 24 hours they have returned my email and Jon Garcia has agreed to transfer the points back!!!!

So thankyou Drake, Calypso and Rustyscupper for your invaluable advice. I would never have done this without your words of encouragement (us brits aren't too good at complaining!)

And thankyou Jon Garcia too....you have made a new dad to be very happy.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I am SO GLAD they are doing that for you. How wonderful!

Again, I am kicking myself VERY VERY hard right now!!!!