Waitlist Question

[Kelblum]

I am new to the whole DVC thing, so sorry if this has been covered!!

I am waitlisted for the first night of my stay and also the last. After reading a bunch of posts it sounds like the waitlists sometimes get overlooked when there is availibiltiy. Is it wrong to call MS occasionally to check? Any other way to find out and stay on top of it?

Also, anyone know why Oct. 29th, which is a Thursday, is booked everywhere except OKW and SSR? I tried Studios, 1BR, 2BR, no luck!!

Thanks!

 

[yitbos96bb]

I am new to the whole DVC thing, so sorry if this has been covered!!

I am waitlisted for the first night of my stay and also the last. After reading a bunch of posts it sounds like the waitlists sometimes get overlooked when there is availibiltiy. Is it wrong to call MS occasionally to check? Any other way to find out and stay on top of it?

Also, anyone know why Oct. 29th, which is a Thursday, is booked everywhere except OKW and SSR? I tried Studios, 1BR, 2BR, no luck!!

Thanks!

Because

1) OKW and SSR are the biggest resorts so there is usually more availability there.

2) Its Food and Wine festival so BWV and BCV go a lot faster in those time periods.

3) You called about 5 1/2 months out... Its always harder if you don't call at the 7 month window. Make sure you at least book OKW or SSR for the first and last night or you might end up with nothing.

 

[Kelblum]

Thanks! Yes, I would have booked sooner but we just closed and the points were just transferred into my account yesterday. I will definately do it that way next time!

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks! Yes, I would have booked sooner but we just closed and the points were just transferred into my account yesterday. I will definately do it that way next time!

Welcome home!

It wouldn't hurt to call to make sure your waitlists are entered correctly. Just ask the CM to tell you exactly how the waitlists were set up because you aren't sure you understood the CM who set them up for you.

If you don't already have a reservation for the missing nights or if the waitlisted reservation you want is more points than the back up one you already have, be sure to tell the CM you want the waitlists to expire at the 7 day mark (rather than the 31 day mark). All waitlists expire at 31 days unless you ask to stay on until the 7 day mark. It is not possible to waitlist once you get past that 7 day mark. At that point, you'd have to call periodically and hope to catch a last minute cancellation.

You will want the waitlists to expire at 31 days if the waitlisted reservations require less points than the back up reservations you already have. That's because if a waitlist comes through after the 31 day mark, the "extra" points go into the holding account.

Holding account points cannot be banked or transferred and expire at the end of the use year if not used before then. In addition, holding points can only be used to make a reservation that will occur no more than 60 days from the day you call. It can be very difficult to find availability at the 60 day mark, so holding points often expire before members can use them. Thus it's very important to avoid late cancellations whenever you can.

Once you are sure the waitlists are entered correctly, you really do not need to call again. You can check the members' website to see if the waitlists worked. You will not see the waitlists themselves, though. You will see the new reservations there if the waitlist worked.

HTH.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Thanks! Yes, I would have booked sooner but we just closed and the points were just transferred into my account yesterday. I will definately do it that way next time!

No worries... It can be a pain, I know. OKW and SSR are actually very nice resorts... in fact Amenities wise, SSR is one of the nicest of the all the DVCs... However, resorts like VWL, BCV, Boardwalk, and BLT will always be the most popular on property due to the fact they are heavier themed, in better locations, are part of beloved hotels or a combo of the above. AKL isn't great on location unless you are going to DAK but it is beautiful has one of the best restaurants on property in Jiko and has a fantastic theme.

 

[yitbos96bb]

You know... That would be a great thing for them to put on the website... your actual waitlist request and place in the queue. I mean I can look up my place on the Cubs Tickets list...

Welcome home!

It wouldn't hurt to call to make sure your waitlists are entered correctly. Just ask the CM to tell you exactly how the waitlists were set up because you aren't sure you understood the CM who set them up for you.

If you don't already have a reservation for the missing nights or if the waitlisted reservation you want is more points than the back up one you already have, be sure to tell the CM you want the waitlists to expire at the 7 day mark (rather than the 31 day mark). All waitlists expire at 31 days unless you ask to stay on until the 7 day mark. It is not possible to waitlist once you get past that 7 day mark. At that point, you'd have to call periodically and hope to catch a last minute cancellation.

You will want the waitlists to expire at 31 days if the waitlisted reservations require less points than the back up reservations you already have. That's because if a waitlist comes through after the 31 day mark, the "extra" points go into the holding account.

Holding account points cannot be banked or transferred and expire at the end of the use year if not used before then. In addition, holding points can only be used to make a reservation that will occur no more than 60 days from the day you call. It can be very difficult to find availability at the 60 day mark, so holding points often expire before members can use them. Thus it's very important to avoid late cancellations whenever you can.

Once you are sure the waitlists are entered correctly, you really do not need to call again. You can check the members' website to see if the waitlists worked. You will not see the waitlists themselves, though. You will see the new reservations there if the waitlist worked.

HTH.

 

[Kelblum]

Thanks for all the info and help!!

 

[PuckerupPiglet]

You know yitbos, I was thinking the EXACT same thing! I was just on the member website and was assuming I would see WHERE we are on the wait list. I have never done the wait list before so I didn't know what to expect. Of course when I didn't see what I wanted I knew I could come here and figure it out.

: )

 

[PiratesCove]

Even after you check to make sure your wait list is set up correctly, I would still call. We just had an experience of being on a wait list for extra days at the beginning of our trip and they told us no availability. Upon calling back to check on another ressie we thought we would double check to make sure nothing was available. Sure enough - it was! It never hurts to call and double check on cancellations, especially when you're relying on a computer!

 

[Kelblum]

Thanks everyone! I called MS to make sure my waitlist was correct and it was and then have been checking online a few times a day and in the last two days both of my waitlist days were approved!! Yeah!!! Thanks everyone!!!