some strategic advice please...

[dznyacct]

We are planning on a 5 night stay at Vero next July (checking in on 7/13). We are bringing friends and their 2 young daughters. My husband, son, son's best friend and myself will be there too. I REALLY want to get a 2 BR so we can do our full meals together. Our friends are somewhat financially strapped, so we're trying to make this a budget trip by using our points for lodging and not eating out too much. I can begin making daily reservations on Monday 12/16 (for 7/13, 7/14 and 7/15). I called MS today to check on availability and there is a 2 BR available only 2 of our 5 nights (7/14 and 7/17). I know that I could wait list for the other nights, but I need a backup plan. We have 142 points now, getting our annual allotment of 200 in August. Should I take the 2 nights in a 2BR (58 points total) that are available, and also book 5 nights in a 1BR and one studio (180 points total) and auto waitlist for the other nights in the 2 BR? If I am lucky enough to get the other 3 nights in a 2 BR can the borrowed points that I used for the 1 BR (I think I would use 113 current year points and 67 borrowed points) be banked to my next use year? Confused...so am I! Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[RobDoc]

The borrowed points can't be banked, but they can be used for the same reservation (you can even use them for the 2 nights you already have reserved.) The current use year points can be banked into next year- based on banking deadlines.

I would do just what you suggest and accept the 2BR dates available now and auto-wait the other days- make sure they know to use the points from the 1BR/Studio reservations you'll have as a back-up. This way, you'll have the space you need for the vacation and, in all likelyhood, will get the full time in the same 2BR villa anyway. The waitlist does work and this far in advance, you should have a great chance for success.

Good Luck!