Timing of Points

[wallygirl]

Hi! New to Disboards so I apologize in advance if this info is available someplace else. If we buy DVC at resale and think we will primarily use our annual points in April should we only buy points that renew in May so we always are within our 11 month window to book our home resort? TIA!

 

[erionm]

You can always book your home resort at 11 months in advance of your stay regardless of UY month.

What most will recommend is a UY that begins prior to your normal vacation time. This way, if you have to cancel the reservation you would still have time to bank the points into the next year. Banking can be done only during the first 8 months of the UY.

You vacation habits will probably change over the years, but if you were to vacation mostly in April, a March UY would be much better than May.

 

[Sandisw]

When you book with DVC, everything is based on when you travel and not when you call. Your points are all there at the beginning. Why happens on your UY is they simply go from next UY's points to current UY's points. This is why you can always call 11 months in advance. What MS will do is look at when you will travel and look to see what points are available at the time of travel.

So with April travel, having a UY prior to it gives the most flexibility in case you have to change or cancel a trip. So I would think a March would be best but Feb and Dec will also work well.

 

[chalee94]

If we buy DVC at resale and think we will primarily use our annual points in April should we only buy points that renew in May so we always are within our 11 month window to book our home resort? TIA!

ideally, you never want to travel in the last 3 months of your UY. having to cancel an april reservation with a may UY greatly increases the risk that you would lose those pts.

as others have said, you can call to book 11 months out at your home resort regardless of your UY month.

 

[DebbieB]

They don't sell a May use year, also no January, July or November.

 

[Dean]

Hi! New to Disboards so I apologize in advance if this info is available someplace else. If we buy DVC at resale and think we will primarily use our annual points in April should we only buy points that renew in May so we always are within our 11 month window to book our home resort? TIA!

As noted, UY has nothing to do with when you an book. May would due the worst possible UY for stays that generally occur in May. April would be ideal if you don't think you're sure this is when you'd generally go.

 

[CarolMN]

Here is more info (with an example) on use years:

Understanding Use Year

 

[DenLo]

Like DebbieB said there is no May UY. It sounds like March or April would be a good UY for the OP.

Part of the problem with selecting a UY is that the one you select today may not be the perfect one for tomorrow (or probably in 10 years from now).

 

[wallygirl]

I really appreciate all the help and advice. We are researching DVC six ways to Sunday to make sure we understand it before we make the leap. I just learned a whole lot more! Much appreciated!