Question on Using Points

[rackle]

Hello, we just recently signed a contract for a DVC resale. I wanted to clarify what exactly qualifies as using points? Sorry if this exact question has been asked before, I couldn't find it while searching and I was trying to avoid calling the DVC rep since we went with a resale instead of thru Disney.

Do you have to actually use the points in the use year or can you just "use" them to book a future vacation?

For example, we know we will be taking a trip in Spring of 2015. If approved, our contract comes with points from 2013 (August Use Year). Can we book our March 2015 in April 2014 using the 2013 UY points? Or do we actually have to go on vacation sometime between August 2013 and July 2014?

If they actually have to be used to go on vacation in the UY, we would bank them but will not have them again until August 2014. Would we be able to make our reservation in April 2014 (for 2015) using the points that become available August 2014 or would we have to wait until August to book?

I think I'm just overthinking this and confusing myself. Thanks in advance!

 

[chalee94]

Do you have to actually use the points in the use year or can you just "use" them to book a future vacation?

use year = the dates you stay.

use year has nothing at all to do with when you call to book. zero.

For example, we know we will be taking a trip in Spring of 2015. If approved, our contract comes with points from 2013 (August Use Year). Can we book our March 2015 in April 2014 using the 2013 UY points? Or do we actually have to go on vacation sometime between August 2013 and July 2014?

If they actually have to be used to go on vacation in the UY, we would bank them but will not have them again until August 2014. Would we be able to make our reservation in April 2014 (for 2015) using the points that become available August 2014 or would we have to wait until August to book?

aug 2013 UY pts are valid for stays from aug 1, 2013 to july 31, 2014. if you bank those pts, they are valid for stays from aug 1, 2014 to july 31, 2015. if you don't use them for a stay by july 31, 2015, they are gone for good.

you can book your home resort 11 months out - so you can book a march 2015 stay in april 2014. when you call in april 2014, you have access to banked 2013 pts + current 2014 pts (again "current" based on dates of the stay - a march 2015 stay falls in your 2014 UY) + borrowed 2015 pts (if needed).

UY is a nonissue - any owner at that home resort can call at 11 months out using current pts + banked prior year pts + borrowed pts from the next UY.

be careful about traveling late in your UY. after march 31, your current pts can no longer be banked, so that can put you in a bind if you need to cancel a july reservation in may, for example.

 

[rackle]

Thank you so much! I think you cleared up everything.