Question about last-minute bookings

[Caren]

If I were to try for a booking at the last minute (last minute as defined in DVC time), am I correct in assuming that, because the last day to cancel without penalty is at 31 days, a good time to try to book last minute is at 30 days?

 

[Crystal_27]

I would think that the waitlists would start coming through when cancellations occur and would trump your new reservation request. Maybe someone more familiar with the process can chime in with actual knowledge?? I'm still a relatively new DVC owner.

 

[chalee94]

If I were to try for a booking at the last minute (last minute as defined in DVC time), am I correct in assuming that, because the last day to cancel without penalty is at 31 days, a good time to try to book last minute is at 30 days?

sorta. (and keep in mind that also means that you will be penalized if you have to cancel that last minute booking.)

some waitlists may still get to the reservation before you do. also, DVC makes "breakage" inventory available for cash booking at 60 days out...so you might also be competing with cash customers.

but there might also be some availability inside 30 days that wasn't there before...that is true. (but i still would never recommend DVC to someone who focused on last minute availability.)

 

[Caren]

sorta. (and keep in mind that also means that you will be penalized if you have to cancel that last minute booking.)

some waitlists may still get to the reservation before you do. also, DVC makes "breakage" inventory available for cash booking at 60 days out...so you might also be competing with cash customers.

but there might also be some availability inside 30 days that wasn't there before...that is true. (but i still would never recommend DVC to someone who focused on last minute availability.)

I'm not counting on it, just trying to get a feel for what is and is not possible. If, for instance, I get an urge in December to do a quick trip in late January rather than bank my points in March, might I get lucky at the 30-day mark.