using points for cruise

[BethA]

Can you change your mind and use points to pay for a res you already booked? we are sailing on Dec 31 and if I have to cancel will not get the res back. We have a lot of points that we will lose if not used by the end of May and because I was told they were borrowed, (which I'm not so sure about that), but I can't transfer them to someone else. I have tried to use the rent board before but had people back out on me and spent a rediculous amount of time tryng to secure dates and then the people didn't want them.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Can you change your mind and use points to pay for a res you already booked? we are sailing on Dec 31 and if I have to cancel will not get the res back. We have a lot of points that we will lose if not used by the end of May and because I was told they were borrowed, (which I'm not so sure about that), but I can't transfer them to someone else. I have tried to use the rent board before but had people back out on me and spent a rediculous amount of time tryng to secure dates and then the people didn't want them.

No, you cannot transfer a cash reservation to a points reservation. DCL and DVC are two separate divisions of the WD Company and operate independently. You could cancel your cash reservation and book a new points reservation for the same sailing. You are still more than 75-days out for your sail date so you can get a full refund if you cancel your cruise reservation.

That said, I'm not sure you'd be able to make a new points reservation for the same sailing. Since you are sailing on New Year's Eve I'm guessing that is a sold out (or close to) cruise. You might find that in the time it takes to cancel your cash reservation with DCL and then call DVC to book a points reservation your stateroom has been reserved by another family. That is a very popular time to cruise and cabins often get snapped up as soon as they are let go by someone else.

Good luck with your situation.

 

[Dean]

Can you change your mind and use points to pay for a res you already booked? we are sailing on Dec 31 and if I have to cancel will not get the res back. We have a lot of points that we will lose if not used by the end of May and because I was told they were borrowed, (which I'm not so sure about that), but I can't transfer them to someone else. I have tried to use the rent board before but had people back out on me and spent a rediculous amount of time tryng to secure dates and then the people didn't want them.

While technically CM is correct, one can sometimes make a new points reservation and cancel the cash all as one event (sort of) and even possibly keep the same cabin. The cruise would have to be available for a new reservation and also still be open for DVC members to book on points which may not be so in your situation.

 

[CraftyMouse]

While technically CM is correct, one can sometimes make a new points reservation and cancel the cash all as one event (sort of) and even possibly keep the same cabin. The cruise would have to be available for a new reservation and also still be open for DVC members to book on points which may not be so in your situation.

Don't you have to go through DVC to make a points reservation? Will MS cancel a DCL-made reservaiton? I thought you would have to make two phone calls to cancel a cash reservation and then book a points reservation.

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

when we bought DVC, we'd already booked a cruise in cash. We were able to change the cruise to points very easily. Our guide told us to call MS, tell them we'd booked a cruise in cash and needed to "flip" it to points. MS contacted DCL while I was on hold and switched everything over no problem. DCL issued us a refund check for our deposit. If you've paid in full for your cruise you may not be able to flip it. But it's still worth calling MS.

 

[Dean]

Don't you have to go through DVC to make a points reservation? Will MS cancel a DCL-made reservaiton? I thought you would have to make two phone calls to cancel a cash reservation and then book a points reservation.

Several have been able to make a three way deal over the years by talking to DVC and to DCL and even get the same cabin. It's technically a cancellation and separate booking but it can work out in some situations. Here's a corollary from another timeshare I own. While they recently changed the rules, previously you could book 7 nights or more 11 months out and less than 7 nights 5 months out. So one could call and have the advisor cancel your reservation then resecure the nights you wanted in the same unit immediately. I did this likely 10-12 times after the resort was booked up as our needs changed in order to accommodate a large group this past summer. Certainly someone could have picked any given unit up if they were looking at the right time but it never happened. I didn't lose a single unit.