Still learning about DVC - A very technical question for the pros...

[MARCIAKAZ]

Ok, maybe not so technical for those with knowledge, just for me

Trying to understand exactly when points are available to use for making a reservation - for example:

Let's say my Use Year is October, at which time I will "receive" my points. Can I plan ahead 11 (or 7) months and secure a reservation for November, in anticipation of having those points in October? Or, must I already have the required # of points in my account in order to make the reservation?

 

[sndral]

The points must be available for your trip, when you book doesn't matter for which points you can use, it's which use year the trip falls in - so using your hypothetical Oct. use year - assume you have 0 2016 points left but want to go to WDW and stay at your home resort in Nov. 2017, you can book that trip in Jan. 2017 and use your 2017 use year points for the trip. If, on the other hand you want to go in Sept. 2017, that trip falls into your 2016 use year - so you would not be able to book that trip w/ your 2017 points as your use year for Oct. runs Oct. 1, 2017 - Sept. 30, 2018.
Note - you didn't ask, but you could borrow your 2017 points to book that Sept. 2017 trip.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

Thank you-that's exactly how I hoped it worked!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Couldn't you book that trip in December 2016 ??

 

[DebbieB]

Ok, maybe not so technical for those with knowledge, just for me

Trying to understand exactly when points are available to use for making a reservation - for example:

Let's say my Use Year is October, at which time I will "receive" my points. Can I plan ahead 11 (or 7) months and secure a reservation for November, in anticipation of having those points in October? Or, must I already have the required # of points in my account in order to make the reservation?

Your points are "received" years earlier. I was looking at my account last week. My April 2016 points were entered 4/1/2013. I have April 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 in my account. You never have to wait for points to deposit.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

Awesome-thanks for that additional info, that's even better news!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Couldn't you book that trip in December 2016 ??

Yes. Dec would be 11 months booking for a Nov trip.

 

[jasonv1]

Depending on when your use year is, when you are looking to book, and borrowing you'd be surprised how far in advance you can spend all your points (23 months if you think about it). All my August 2017 points are booked, and will be officially "spent" this coming January. Aulani, Food and Wine, New Years Eve, and the WDW Marathon weekend will do that to you.

 

[CarolMN]

When you have a few minutes -

Understanding Use Year

Make yourself the chart that is suggested in that thread and you'll always "get it".