Some pre-purchase advise please

[nonnasally]

A few questions still stuck in my brain before we take the plunge and purchase our first DVC. I would really appreciate any of my Dis friends jumping in with any words of wisdom and info.

Here are my two questions: One, when reserving our desired time/place is there any chance of upgrades from standard to Pre.? I am asking because when I have paid cash at BWV in the past I will usually request a first floor/pool view villa even though I was charged for standard. Does this happen with DVC. Second, if you reserve a certain week and don't have enough points can you still offer to pay cash for the difference or do you have to make a separate ressie.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help

 

[thepops]

1) very little chance of getting an upgrade (without paying for it .. you could ask at check-in and use additional points)
2) it depends. If what you are short is 24 points or less, you can do a 1 time (per year) buy from them (15/point). Over that, you can borrow from the upcoming year, or you can pay cash (and they should link the 2 reservations)
These options are on a night basis (i.e. you can't do half a day on points and the other half on cash)

 

[nonnasally]

Thanks so much for answering so quickly. I understand now. Appreciate it so much

 

[JWG]

Note, the point purchase is up to 24 points at $15/point and only available at the 7 month mark or later. You can't get the 24 points within the home resort booking window.

Just in case you had hopes of a BLT Grand Villa with Theme Park view but would be 5 points short. Some room types (such as this) have a low likeliehood of availability making the per point purchase less valuable to certain people.

But, that is an option if you care less about location and only getting a room.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My understanding from long time BWV owners is that it is the Pool/Garden view category that goes to CRO although CRO refers to it as standard view so you might not have been getting an upgrade in the past. Some DVC booking categories are not turned over to CRO for cash stays.

 

[chalee94]

Here are my two questions: One, when reserving our desired time/place is there any chance of upgrades from standard to Pre.? I am asking because when I have paid cash at BWV in the past I will usually request a first floor/pool view villa even though I was charged for standard.

timeshares are different than hotels. here is a thread with more discussion:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2570544

 

[DVCconvert]

One, when reserving our desired time/place is there any chance of upgrades from standard to Pre.? I am asking because when I have paid cash at BWV in the past I will usually request a first floor/pool view villa even though I was charged for standard. Does this happen with DVC.

Almost certainly never - excepting a mechanical failure in the room you booked and no other available rooms in that catagory.

Second, if you reserve a certain week and don't have enough points can you still offer to pay cash for the difference or do you have to make a separate ressie.

No, cash and points don't mix - with the exceptions:
a) one time use points - up to 24 per contract, can be purchased from MS @ $15 at the 7month mark which might enable you to entend your reservations

b) if available MS offers a 25% member cash discount (off rack rates) so you could make a point stay for say 6 nights, and being short the points for a7th night ask if a member cash reservation could be done - but that would be 2 seperate reservations that would be linked together.