Trying to find a way to use One-Time-Use-Points for an already booked reservation . . .

[Anthony Vito]

Ok, looking for ideas or suggestions (and no judgment on my decision to try do this): So we have a trip booked for May that has been modified so many times (resorts, room type, who's traveling with us, etc.), and we also have a trip planned for after Thanksgiving (Nov/Dec). I have been crunching all kinds of numbers on these for a while on what will work and what rooms we can get. Part of what I'm trying to make happen between the two trips makes One-Time-Use-Points ("OTUP") necessary. Also, for $19/pt, the same the rental agencies are charging people to rent points, I think it's a good deal to try to utilize.

The problem is that with all of the changes we were making and changing our minds, then having to move up to a 2-BR (in-laws coming with us instead of my brother - I digress), we have been stalking availability, making changes, considering split stays, and had 2 waitlists set up to try to get something we wanted (even though we haven't seemed entirely sure what that was). Therefore, I couldn't use OTUP to set up any of the reservations because then I wouldn't be able to modify, and getting through to Member Services is brutal - as everyone has pointed out lately. I actually missed out on a room that opened up the other day because I wasn't in modify, was just in the regular booking availability, so I couldn't swap the reservation and by the time I tried to make that work, it was gone. Well, shockingly to me, today one of our waitlists came through (7 nights at Copper Creek), and now (I believe) we're sticking with this and are happy about it.

That being said, I would still like to be able to use OTUP for the trip to free up points for our December trip. (We have an October Use Year, by the way, so that's why I need to free up regular points.) The other time I used OTUP, I thought they said I could apply them to a trip I had (it was a split stay) and basically moved points around to make them used more ideally, but I could be wrong. In any case, MS just told me on the phone that I can't and the policy states they can't be used on an existing reservation, and I found similar language on DVC site.

Without bending or breaking any rules, it would seem that, based on what I read and what I was told, if I made a new reservation, it would be no problem to use OTUP (regardless of what points I have available), and then MS can modify or move a reservation for me that has OTUP. Right now, the first night of our trip (5/1), still has availability in the same room category that we have. So I'd assume I could book that night using OTUP, then subsequently modify my 7-night trip down to 6 nights, which would still give me the same 7 nights. Then they'd be able to merge the reservations into 1.

So, is there something else I'm missing why I couldn't do this? Another option? Would I just seem like a complete jerk to Member Services in calling them to ask them to do this?

Thanks in advance for indulging me.

 

[Sandisw]

The good news is that OTU points will show up online if you have to cancel a trip with them.

You can definitely call, book the first night or any random night for the number of points you want. Then go online and cancel it. The OTU points will go back and now you can modify the May trip to pick up the points.

The key about these Points is you can only purchase when making a new trip. They do not allow you to call, just buy, and then put into something you have. That is what the CM is referring to. As long as you are actually booking a new night with them when purchasing, that night can then be canceled and the points put into what you already had assuming it’s a trip made 7 months or less which your trip was.

If, after doing it, you have trouble getting the online system to pick them up, you may need to call, but it’s a nice new feature