Temporary change in Cancellation Policy

[Mickey]

I just got off the phone with membership services regarding the cancellation policy. Due to the war and travel concerns she indicated Disney is waiving all penalties for cancelling reservations. I was floored when they told me this. However, this is subject to change at any time. The reason for this is due to people being scared to travel at this time. So from what I was told, if you cancel now your points now or the day before your reservation then they would go back into your account as they were before you made your reservation. I called regarding this because I wanted to purchase travel insurance for my upcoming trip in May and this is what I was told. I asked her if they think this will change any time soon and she said she was unsure. But, they don't expect it to change until the war is over (or at least that is what she said) or until travel concerns subside. So I don't think it will be necessary for me to purchase travel insurance due to this. Please let me know if anyone has heard different.

 

[Mickey]

I did think it was kind of weird, so I did call again to confirm. I spoke to a different person the second time and they stated the same thing the first person did. They did indicated again this could change at anytime. But as stated, if you cancel your reservation due to the war or reason for not travelling you will be able to return your points as they were before you made your reservation.

 

[Scarlet]

I would be very surprised if they WEREN'T waiving the cancellation penalties for DVC members. I read somewhere yesterday that CRO and Disney Travel Co. were waiving ALL
cancellation penalties and protecting re-bookings at the same rate..... It would make sense that DVC members would be entitled to the same cancellation policy.


Still worrying about trip May 9th

 

[PamOKW]

Mickey, are you talking to Member Services or to "Disney"? That could be the source of the confusion. While I'm sure MS will be reasonable in cases of emergency (like being called to active duty), I don't think they can just have a blanket policy of restoring points. If they do, then there is the potential for too many points in the system throwing things out of whack. This could make booking more difficult for everyone down the line.

 

[Mickey]

I spoke to Membership Services at there 800 number. I know it sounds odd, that is why I confirmed it twice.

 

[InstImpres]

Mickey - Do you have either MS person's ame you could share with everyone?

 

[Dean]

I'm not surprised, I know they had some special considerations during the first gulf war and 9/11. Having the points not go in a holding account is helpful but not that much of a differnce. The big difference would be if they allowed one to bank points that would otherwise not be available to do so. Still it's a help and more than they would be expected to do. Remember that means that some people could still bank points at times they would not have been able to bank otherwise.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

On Wednesday, April 2, 2003 I made reservations for this coming November and was quoted the normal cancellation policy.

 

[edith76]

I cancelled my DLP reservation last week - no special considerations because of war. We had a back up plan for the points so I wasn't worried about them (AKL concierge). I did ask if they had had a lot of cancellations and was told no. I also cancelled a ressie for Eng. through RCI and got same response - not a lot of cancellations.

 

[DebbieB]

I believe after 9/11, they allowed cancellations and banked points exceptions until the end of October. So this does not surprise me but I think they are doing it as requested, not making a blanket public announcement.

 

[Mickey]

I don't remember the people I spoke to. I think I might call again later and then ask the same question, then find out who I am speaking to. I will say this much they did not come right out and tell me. They did quote me the old cancellation policy, but then I asked them what people are doing now and that is when they told me. Has anyone call to inquiry about this?

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I don't see why they wouldn't do this, the airlines are doing the same thing, or at least American is.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by ClarabelleCow
I don't see why they wouldn't do this, the airlines are doing the same thing, or at least American is.

American is absorbing the loss - by flying empty now and allowing customers to use their ticket on a future flight. American has no obligation to provided a flight to anyone who hasn't bought a ticket yet. This last is not true for DVC. In the case of DVC, Disney would not necessarily be absorbing the loss. Individual members may feel the impact of the policy.

As Pam OKW posted, if enough people cancel DVC under this policy, there is a potential that there will be more points than rooms in the future. You could potentially lose your points because someone who cancelled was allowed to bank his/her points. In other words, your points expire before you can book something due to the lack of availability. Lack of availability exists because those who cancelled under the policy can still use points that otherwise would not be valid. This possibility (losing points) is more likely for those who do not or cannot book 11 months in advance.

I also agree with Dean - it's probably not a large enough volume at this point to worry about right now. I'm sure MS is watching it and will not continue to allow this if it begins to harm the larger membership. That's why they said the policy could change. In the meantime, I glad DVC can be generous with those who are in a bind due to the war.

 

[Gigashadow]

What if you cancel a vacation that has "borrowed" points used in the reservation? Are they returning the points to the borrowed use year or allowing them to "bank them" (which would prevent the re-banking possibility for the following year with the borrowed points) ?

Normally the borrowed points would become use or lose during the year borrowed into. I just wondered how they were going to address this possibility.

 

[Tagrel]

I would think that no one should 'lose' their points, but DVC units might not be available if people waited to long (which is always the case).

You can always use the points at the other Disney resorts as a fall back to just losing them.

In times like these it is always good for a business to be as helpful and understanding as possible. Hardline policies only bring bad press and resentment from customers. Remember, Disney doesn't just want people there THIS year, they want them to return MANY times over the years! Happy customers spend more money and spread the good word.

This seems to only effect the holding account, right? It doesn't allow for points to be used past their original deadline does it?

I guess I don't see anything that couldn't happen anyway. If EVERYONE decided to bank one year, that could make for some serious shortages that next year. I know that our contracts have provisions to cover these contingencies...


just another couple cents...

 

[Mickey]

I called today to reconfirm and this time I spoke to Robin, who did confirm what I was told. The cancellation policy has been waived temporarly or until further notice. It is interesting, but it is good to know if people are considering changing there plans. At least you won't have to worry about lossing your points or having to rebook within 60days. I'm not changing my plans, but I thought it was good to know what the policy was just in case. This is my first time going with my points, I am very excited!