Question for all points experts?

[dvccruiser76]

Here is the scenario. I'm going to book WDW for Dec. 2012 and the Fantasy (I know people don't like to cruise on points but I like to) for May 2013.

My issue is timing. I can book DCL Oct/Nov 2011, but can't book WDW until Jan 2012. I'd like to book WDW first, but also want to book the Fantasy ASAP.

So, do you think I should book a dummy WDW trip for the same amount of points that I'm going to need for Dec 2012 now, in Oct/Nov book DCL, and then call in January when I can book my real trip for 2012 and change my dummy date?

I just think it makes sense to use my earlier points for my 2012 trip and not DCL's 2013 trip since those are considered trade outs once you do it.

Any thoughts? Or can I just have them hold the points I need for 2012 aside when I book DCL in Oct/Nov?

Thanks

 

[jekjones1558]

I think that your idea of booking the dummy reservation is a good one. Several folks have posted on here that they have had trouble getting MS to use "fresher" points before "older" points. I would avoid the hassle and just book the dummy WDW vacation before you call to book the cruise.
Sounds like you are having lots of good times with your points!

 

[CarolMN]

I agree with Jean.

 

[hollis]

Will Dec 2012 and May 2013 fall within the UY for your point? If not, I would think for your 2013 cruise, you can use the later UY points. I don't know for sure as I am one of those who doesn't use points for cruise. It is worth checking with MS. I do know they won't "hold the points".

Oh, if you do end up booking the dummy trip, it would be nice to be considerate and not book the dates with highest demand, since you know you will cancel it later.

 

[dvccruiser76]

Thanks for all the advice

Yes, I'll be sure to book a non busy time to not shut out others. The time I'm looking for is a lower season, so I'm going to book the same block to use the same amount of points.

 

[rillsung]

I guess I don't understand why you need to do this? Points are points... Does it matter when they get used as long as they do before they expire?

 

[Dean]

Here is the scenario. I'm going to book WDW for Dec. 2012 and the Fantasy (I know people don't like to cruise on points but I like to) for May 2013.

My issue is timing. I can book DCL Oct/Nov 2011, but can't book WDW until Jan 2012. I'd like to book WDW first, but also want to book the Fantasy ASAP.

So, do you think I should book a dummy WDW trip for the same amount of points that I'm going to need for Dec 2012 now, in Oct/Nov book DCL, and then call in January when I can book my real trip for 2012 and change my dummy date?

I just think it makes sense to use my earlier points for my 2012 trip and not DCL's 2013 trip since those are considered trade outs once you do it.

Any thoughts? Or can I just have them hold the points I need for 2012 aside when I book DCL in Oct/Nov?

Thanks

Without knowing your points accounting and UY, it's hard to suggest what seems best. Certainly booking a dummy reservation will accomplish your stated goal. Depending on your UY, that may or may not be best though. Ideally would be to use banked/borrowed points first in the cruise because the points will be gone anyway and "current" UY points in the DVC reservation because they'd be bankable if you had to cancel. Normally cruises are paid for with points in the UY the cruise occurs unless that time falls in the third UY going forward in which case YOU get to chose either the current or the next UY in which to pay points from, as I understand it.

 

[dvccruiser76]

Thanks, my use year is April and I have banked points that I need to use before the end of March 2013, so those will be used in December 2012. The cruise isn't until May 2013.

 

[Dean]

Thanks, my use year is April and I have banked points that I need to use before the end of March 2013, so those will be used in December 2012. The cruise isn't until May 2013.

With that additional info, I think it's a better choice to use the banked points for the cruise if possible. As I understand the system, and I do if they haven't made changes that alter the answers, you could only use the 2013 points by borrowing them to 2012 UY for this cruise assuming you would be booking during the 2011 UY. I'd suggest you call MS and discuss your options and their suggestions.

 

[dvccruiser76]

Thanks, I will give them a call.

I always thought that for a cruise in my 2013 use year (or one month after I get my 2013 points) that I could only use my banked 2012 points, my 2013 points and borrow from my 2014 points.

The ones that I have banked are my April 2011 points, which I can't use before March 31, 2012, so I banked them and need to use them by March 31, 2013 which is before the cruise date.

With that additional info, I think it's a better choice to use the banked points for the cruise if possible. As I understand the system, and I do if they haven't made changes that alter the answers, you could only use the 2013 points by borrowing them to 2012 UY for this cruise assuming you would be booking during the 2011 UY. I'd suggest you call MS and discuss your options and their suggestions.

 

[Dean]

Thanks, I will give them a call.

I always thought that for a cruise in my 2013 use year (or one month after I get my 2013 points) that I could only use my banked 2012 points, my 2013 points and borrow from my 2014 points.

The ones that I have banked are my April 2011 points, which I can't use before March 31, 2012, so I banked them and need to use them by March 31, 2013 which is before the cruise date.

Please let us know what you find out. I researched this issue in great detail a few years ago but never pulled the trigger on options because I ultimately felt they were overpriced and I did not get adequate value for my points. What I stated was the answer at the time, however, I haven't seen much on the specific issue in a couple of years and it's possible that the option of being able to book DCL out a couple of years has altered the landscape. The other issue that I concluded was that for such a situation, DVC would make it happen if there was any way they could do so. That's a situation where transferring banked/borrowed points, banking late, etc were viable options. Ultimately these are rules they could change tomorrow without input if they wanted. IF you can use those banked points in the DCL reservation and end up using then current UY points in the DVC reservations, that's your best option overall.