UPDATE: Cancelling Reservations due to the worst thing possible

[ILuvDVC2]

I'm venturing into new territory here, and need to ask a question of other DVC members who may have experienced a similar unfortunate circumstance.

My partner and I were to be at Disney next week at AKL for four nights, but he died suddenly on May 17th and I now need to cancel the trip. It's terrible that I have to be dealing with this now, but I must due to how soon it has to happen. I can't even believe these thoughts are coming into my head, but I was the one who managed all this stuff, so dealing with it is keeping me busy until his funeral on Thursday. So please understand that while I'm grieving, this kind of activity helps me a great deal.

The reservation was made using both Aug 07 UY and Aug 08 UY points from our two contracts. 114 points were from the Aug 07 UY, and 96 were from the Aug 08 UY, for a total of 210 points for the trip. I had DVC take the 96 borrowed points from our add-on contract of 100 points, so I still have four points in the Aug 08 UY.

I understand that the points go into a holding account when you cancel a reservation within 30 days of the start of the reservation. Can someone explain how I'd be able to use holding account points? Can they be used for things other than the DVC resorts, like Concierge Collection? I have to go back to Chicago for a memorial service we are doing for him there later in June, and thought it would be nice to stay at the Whitehall Hotel if I'd wind up losing the points otherwise.

Also, both of our names are on the contracts as purchasers. Has anyone here had to deal with what happens when one of the purchasers on the contract passes away?

Thank you in advance for whatever informaiton you can give me.

Sincerely,

Steve Gutierrez

 

[shortypots]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

I would contact Disney directly as I a have heard of them making exceptions to the holding account rule due to unforeseen circumstances (or so they told us in the sales presentation.)

As for the contracts, I would say it would depend upon how your partner's will was written. Again, Disney might know better.

 

[Coach Rick]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

We had a circumstance that my dad was supposed to be coming with us at Thanksgiving, and he was rushed to the hospital. When I called DVC and explained the circumstances, they returned his points to the proper UY. They are very much caring people there. I would be surprised if they were rigid on this.


I can't even begin to advise on the contract thing... Good luck...

 

[ILuvDVC2]

As for the contracts, I would say it would depend upon how your partner's will was written. Again, Disney might know better.

I hope I'm right about this, but I believe that the membership goes to the surviving purchaser based on the contract agreement. We asked this question specifically before we purchased the points, and hope I understood this part of the contract correctly. Of course I can't read the contract until I get home, so I'll have to check what's in writing this weekend.

 

[Chuck S]

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your partner.

DVC has been known to make exceptions to the rules for such circumstances. It may not always be possible, as membership grows, but I do hope they are able to return your points to your use year and not go into holding.

 

[DeeCee735]

My condolences on your loss. I'm a firm believer in that those who love us never really leave us and that they remain with us, just in a different way. Stay strong.

 

[Disney_Villain]

My deepest sympathies for your loss.

Contact DVC Member Services and explain your situation. This has been done successfully before for situations such as yours, and could happen again.

If your name is on each DVC contract jointly, there is nothing to do - unless your partner was the primary contact. That you may want changed as the primary has the ability to undo reservations made by others. DVC will likely want proof to do this (certificate).

Take care,

Ken

 

[dianeschlicht]

Please accept my prayers and sympathy for your loss. I agree with the rest. Contact MS immediately and see if they can do something. Maybe even contact your guide.

 

[cseca]

I'm so sorry for your loss...
Just like everyone says, call Disney or your guide. There are wonderful people there I'm sure they'll work with you to figure everything out.
My prayer goes out to you...

 

[AKV707]

I am very sorry to hear about your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences.

I agree with everyone here. I would give MS or your guide a call.

 

[moredisneyplease]

sorry for your loss and I wish you best of luck.

 

[roselark]

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope things work out as quickly and easily as possible for you.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

The reservation was made using both Aug 07 UY and Aug 08 UY points from our two contracts. 114 points were from the Aug 07 UY, and 96 were from the Aug 08 UY, for a total of 210 points for the trip.... I understand that the points go into a holding account when you cancel a reservation within 30 days of the start of the reservation. Can someone explain how I'd be able to use holding account points? Can they be used for things other than the DVC resorts, like Concierge Collection?

Steve: so sorry for your loss.

As to your other questions, your UY ends July 07. Without an exception from DVC, all of those points need to be used by that time. Even if DVC bends the rule so that they are not "holding" points, this only allows you to book more than 60 days prior to your reservation, so it doesn't help you much.

You cannot book and stay at Concierge Collection resorts during the last 4 months of your UY. Again, unless DVC makes an exception for you, this is not going to be an option.

Sorry for piling on more bad news, but I wanted to make sure that when you spoke to DVC you asked for all the help you really will need. Ideally, they would not put the points in "holding," allow you to bank the 07 UY points (after your banking deadline) and return your 08 UY poitns to to the 08 UY.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[njmeisje]

my best prayers to you, find peace friend

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Bobbi

 

[TinkrLiz]

I'm new so I have no words of wisdom regarding DVC. I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[PamOKW]

I'm very sorry for your loss. Contact DVC, ask for a supervisor if you have someone on the phone who seems a "little green". Explain the situation that you have an upcoming trip and this tragedy has befallen you and your partner who is a fellow member and on this contract. Start there and see what happens. If you do have to use some of the points before the end of your Use Year, you will have to book non-DVC options quickly. They must be reserved 60 days before the end of your Use Year -- which is this month. You can travel during June & July. Once you hear what DVC offers, if you have points to use and would like stay at the Whitehall see if that same person can't help you with the reservations on the spot.

If you have airline tickets for this trip, contact the airline as well. They also used to be accomodating but these days...who knows.

Once again I'm very sorry.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Steve, I'm so sorry for your loss. You and your partner's family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Wishing you peace with all that lies ahead.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm very sorry for your loss. Contact DVC, ask for a supervisor if you have someone on the phone who seems a "little green". Explain the situation that you have an upcoming trip and this tragedy has befallen you and your partner who is a fellow member and on this contract. Start there and see what happens. If you do have to use some of the points before the end of your Use Year, you will have to book non-DVC options quickly. They must be reserved 60 days before the end of your Use Year -- which is this month. You can travel during June & July. Once you hear what DVC offers, if you have points to use and would like stay at the Whitehall see if that same person can't help you with the reservations on the spot.

If you have airline tickets for this trip, contact the airline as well. They also used to be accomodating but these days...who knows.

Once again I'm very sorry.

Pam, non_DVC options now have to be booked 4 months before the end of the use year. They changed it when they changed the banking deadline.