Question about Rule of 4

[KarenPHughes]

New DVC member here with a question about the rule of 4.

We just closed this week, if I understand this correctly our UY is December but because it's within the last four months of our UY I can't book until December now correct? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Signed,
Confused in MA

 

[Christine & family]

I would call and ask. I think they sometimes waive that rule for people that have just closed. I closed within 4 months of my Feb use year with an add on and I seem to remember they let me book right away using those points. It may be the same in your situation. Never hurts to try! Let us know what they say.

 

[CarolMN]

That rule does not apply to reservations made for a stay at a DVC resort.

Subject to availability, you can book your home resort up to 11 months prior to arrival. You can book a non-home DVC resort up to 7 months prior to arrival.

Did you buy from Disney? If so, you probably got 2007 use year points. If you aren't going to use the 2007 points for a vacation that happens before 12/1/2008, you'll need to bank them asap. Normally, the banking deadline is July 31 for a December use year, but DVC makes an exception for new buyers.

The rule of 4 is for selected non-DVC resort reservations. For example, with a December use year, you couldn't make a points reservation for the Grand Floridian after July 31 if your trip is going to BTW, there is an extra $95 fee to make most non-DVC resort reservations. (Some exceptions apply). But you could make a reservation for a stay at the VWL or any other DVC resort as long as space permitted.

Use year can be a tricky concept for new members to understand, especially if they have a December use year. Here's a thread that may be of help to you:

Understanding Use Year

The thread is old, but the concepts are still the same. The only difference is that the booking policy has changed since it was posted (from 11 / 7 months prior to check out to 11 /7 months prior to check in).

Welcome to the DVC Forums and congratulations on your purchase!

 

[pakhowe]

We are about to by into AKV. I believe the thread linked to above is no longer current regarding the banking rules as well. If not I am way off base on my research and understanding (possible, but I hope not). The link describes different banking windows where you are allowed to bank different percentages of your points (25%,50%, and 100%). It is my understanding there is only one deadline now, before which you can bank 100% of the current years points into the following use year. Those banked points must then be used that following year, in other words they cannot be re-banked.

I hope this helps you, and if I am wrong I hope someone corrects me.

 

[CarolMN]

Yes - you are correct. The banking rules have changed as well.

The new rule for banking is up to 100% by the end of the 8th month following the beginning of the use year. Looks like I need to update that thread.

OK. Updated the thread - here's a link to the updated version:

Understanding Use Year - Updated 9/5/08

 

[Chuck S]

And here is a handy reference banking chart:

Basically, remember, that you can not call to make a non-DVC resort reservation after your banking window is closed. You can stay at a non-DVC resort on points during those last 4 months, but you must have called to make the reservation before then. This also does not apply to poins that may already be in "reservation status" due to previously cancelling a non-DVC resort stay.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Thank you everyone. I also was confused regarding the "rule 4".

 

[DebbieB]

FYI - the rule of 4 does not apply to Disneyland.

 

[KPH500]

Wow, you guys are awesome!!! Thanks for all the advice. And thanks for being patient with a newbie's questions. I'll get this all figured out sooner or later.