Reservation Question/Help

[huntzilla]

Hi everyone, relatively new DVC members requesting opinions on how you think we should proceed. I could be misunderstanding some things or not completely up-to-date on post-COVID19 details, so if I am wrong about something please feel free to correct me.

We purchased direct points at Riviera in December 2019 and have a use year of December. We had a trip planned for the last week of March earlier this year that was canceled because of COVID. We are now hoping to go 29AUG-7SEP of this year. However, I am in the military, getting ready to move overseas, and have been receiving conflicting information if we are actually going to be able to go to WDW prior to leaving. In the event that we are not able to go, I am trying to figure out what steps I should take to protect our points.

From what I understand, we have to bank our December 2019 Use Year points by 31 July. If I am to cancel the trip after that time, the points would be moved into a holding account and forced to be used by the end of this Use Year. Because of this, would you recommend me banking my 2019UY points, and instead borrowing DEC2020 UY points to book this trip? In my mind, this would allow my 2019 points to have a little longer time to use and I would have cancellation flexibility by using borrowed points.

Is my thought process sound, or would everyone recommend me taking a different approach? Please let me know, thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

There is not currently holding, but with a December UY, that isn’t really the issue. Holding happens when you cancel less than 31 days out no matter when It happens.

If you cancel after your banking deadline, the points expire November 30th as you are not going to be given a late banking exception.

if you cancel and bank, that would save your 2019 UY points, but you are restricted to borrowing only 50% from 2020.

While they are currently allowing borrowed points returned, that could end at anytime, and you’d be in the same position...points expiring November 30th If by the time you cancel that trip, borrowed points are no longer returned.

 

[drusba]

As noted, holding (cancelling 30 days or less before arrival, meaning you must cancel 31 days or more out and thus by July 29 to avoid holding) and banking deadline, July 31 for a Dec use year, are two different issues.

Unless your are certain, come July 29, that you will be going to WDW in August, your only safe choice is to cancel on July 29 and then bank the points.

I would not rely on the continuation of the anti-holding or return-of-borrowed-points to original use year rules that are currently in effect to make a decision. The problem you have is that those temporary rules could be ended at any time. For example, you could wake up July 30 and find out DVC has returned to the original rules for holding and no return of borrowed points to the original use year, and you would be completely ruined if you have to cancel the trip Your safe choice is to keep the 2019 points in the reservation and make a final decision on or before July 29.

 

[huntzilla]

I appreciate the response from you both. Your insight helps! Thanks!