Question about different use years

[badeacon]

I currently have points at HH ( bought direct 1996) and use them to stay there most of time. I originally had points at old DVC ,now OKW, but sold them about 10 years ago. Both of those had June use years. Now I am thinking about buying again at WDW ,most likely resale as wanting to start going more often again for grandkids.
My thought process is to buy on site at resort we like for 11 month window. If I am not going to use HH points for these reservations, does same use year help me any ? I am having a hard time seeing why same use year would be meaningful in this situation. What am I missing?

Also have question about buying resale. Do you use one or multiple brokers looking for contracts that fit your needs? Also do the brokers contact quickly when one that fits your needs post or should you constantly check sites for listings?

Thanks for any help

 

[Marionnette]

I currently have points at HH ( bought direct 1996) and use them to stay there most of time. I originally had points at old DVC ,now OKW, but sold them about 10 years ago. Both of those had June use years. Now I am thinking about buying again at WDW ,most likely resale as wanting to start going more often again for grandkids.
My thought process is to buy on site at resort we like for 11 month window. If I am not going to use HH points for these reservations, does same use year help me any ? I am having a hard time seeing why same use year would be meaningful in this situation. What am I missing?

Also have question about buying resale. Do you use one or multiple brokers looking for contracts that fit your needs? Also do the brokers contact quickly when one that fits your needs post or should you constantly check sites for listings?

Thanks for any help

I think having the same UY helps to keep things from getting muddled. And it’s nice to be able to combine points at 7 months when the need arises. I know that you’re mainly interested in the home resort advantage but there will be years when you want to try a different resort or larger accommodations. Having all your points in one UY will be helpful for that. But having said that, I confess to having 4 different UYs and have no problem keeping banking dates straight or using my points for what I want.

All of my contracts are resale and I have worked with 3 different agencies. I have had better luck stalking than I have had waiting to be alerted that a contract is available. It has been my experience that contracts gets posted/listed publically before an email alert goes out. Follow the brokers’ FB pages and Twitter feeds. That’s how I found my last 3 contracts.

 

[badeacon]

So how does it go if want to book a non home resort under 7 months and use points from 2 different use years? If have points available for the time of booking, can I not combine points from different use years and book online?

 

[Marionnette]

So how does it go if want to book a non home resort under 7 months and use points from 2 different use years? If have points available for the time of booking, can I not combine points from different use years and book online?

Different UYs will have different memberships. You cannot can merge points from different memberships online. You have to call a Member Services and transfer the points from one membership to the other before having them book the reservation.

As an alternative, you can book part of the reservation using one membership and the remainder using the other. Then call a Member Services and ask them to note them as “continuing reservations” so that you can stay in the same villa.

 

[badeacon]

Different UYs will have different memberships. You cannot can Maine points from different memberships online. You have to call a Member Services and transfer the points from one membership to the other before having them book the reservation.

As an alternative, you can book part of the reservation using one membership and the remainder using the other. Then call a Member Services and ask them to note them as “continuing reservations” so that you can stay in the same villa.

Thanks , that is very helpful. Since you have several use years, any problems except keeping use years straight and having to call MS to combine points?

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks , that is very helpful. Since you have several use years, any problems except keeping use years straight and having to call MS to combine points?

Just to be clear, you don’t “combine” points from different memberships. You “transfer” the points from one membership to the other. You can only either transfer in or out once per membership per UY. And you cannot transfer banked or borrowed points. Transferred points always retain their UY and home resort. And transferred points with a different UY don’t appear in your online account.

Having different UYs is not ideal and I would not encourage it unless you find an absolute steal on a contract with a different UY than what you already own. It adds layers of complications to a system that can be difficult to understand With just one UY.

 

[gharter]

It really depends how you travel.
We go twice a year, once for Flower and Garden and for Food and Wine. We have different UY at different resorts for each trip.
It does take a little more effort to keep everything straight, but it works for us.

 

[TCRAIG]

I have 4 UYs/Memberships - I generally use specific UY points to go at specific times...like April UY for our May trip, October for Christmas time etc. but at times I have had to transfer points between memberships - it’s not hard to do - I call MS - and these types of xfers are not limited to one per UY as someone else mentioned. Another benefit to multiple UY is the ability to purchase up to 24 one time use points per membership - so - in theory - I can get a total of 96 yearly

 

[badeacon]

I have 4 UYs/Memberships - I generally use specific UY points to go at specific times...like April UY for our May trip, October for Christmas time etc. but at times I have had to transfer points between memberships - it’s not hard to do - I call MS - and these types of xfers are not limited to one per UY as someone else mentioned. Another benefit to multiple UY is the ability to purchase up to 24 one time use points per membership - so - in theory - I can get a total of 96 yearly

Would you explain the one time use points? I have never heard of that. So each membership can buy 24 points each year for use at that time? If so what is cost of the points?

 

[Marionnette]

Would you explain the one time use points? I have never heard of that. So each membership can buy 24 points each year for use at that time? If so what is cost of the points?

OTUPs cost $19 each. You must call Member Services to purchase and use them. They cannot be purchased to make a reservation during the home resort booking period (i.e. they cannot be bought prior to 7 months before arrival).

Generally speaking, they are a convenience when you find yourself short a few points but probably should not be used on a regular basis due to their high price and restricted use.

 

[CarolMN]

If you think you will ever want to use your HHI points for a WDW stay, having the same use year simplifies booking - a lot! Same use year/same membership number means you can book your 7 month reservation ONLINE. Remember MS doesn't open until 9 am Eastern and online booking begins at 8 am Eastern. Sometimes, that 1 hour advantage means you get the reservation. That extra hour can mean not getting it or a waitlist.

Unless you will almost always use the HHI points at HHI and just use the resale points at WDW, my advice is to get the same use year.