We made a DVC res for sis. Possibly stranded in Chicago. What will DVC do?

[floridafam]

We made a reservation for sis and bil starting on Tuesday at Vero Beach. They were stranded in Traverse City, Michigan over the weekend and are making the drive back to Chicago today.

They are supposed to be on a plane to Orlando first thing tomorrow morning. If their flight is cancelled or delayed, will DVC work with us on allowing them to check in a day later? Will we lose the points from the first night if they can't make it on time?

We have never used the "one time exception."

Any suggestions?

We just want them to make is home safely and I don't care if we lose the points. We can't call to change anything until we are certain that the flight status changes. The weather looks like it will be okay in Chicago tomorrow. I have no idea about the weather between TC and Chicago. They are planning on the drive taking all day today.

 

[tedisney]

I haven't run into the situation where I've had to ask MS for help with something like this, so unfortunately, I'm little help on that.

However, I can tell you that the weather here on the Lake Michigan shore (Holland) isn't bad for traveling at this point, so hopefully they'll have a safe and timely drive back home.

I hope it all works out!

 

[bobbiwoz]

In your situation, and this is the day before check in...maybe I would call MS and have the first night "unhooked" from the rest. Keep it, but if there would be a penalty, perhaps only the first night's points would be lost. Can we do that? MS's spiel is that the whole reservation would be lost if you didn't arrive, but maybe if you arrange something beforehand all won't be lost.

Bobbi

 

[bwvBound]

Did you/they purchase the travel insurance?

 

[floridafam]

Nope, we didn't purchase the insurance because we never do. We usually use the points ourselves over at the resort and we are right around the corner so insurance has never been necessary.

Maybe I will give MS a call.

Thank you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Can you just add your name to the "guest list." That way you check in and when the others arrive, the room is there!

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

Can you just add your name to the "guest list." That way you check in and when the others arrive, the room is there!

Bobbi

That was going to be my suggestion too.

 

[floridafam]

I just added DH's name to their room so we will check in for them and the room will be waiting when they get there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have a great vacation time with your guests!

Bobbi

 

[DISNEY FIX]

What is the answer for when you do get stranded at the airport because of snow storm? Will they cancel your entire ressie? If MS is not open, what do you do?

 

[CarolMN]

What is the answer for when you do get stranded at the airport because of snow storm? Will they cancel your entire ressie? If MS is not open, what do you do?

Call the resort directly. IIRC, when you call MS and they aren't open, there are instructions and telephone numbers to call for situations such as this.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

On the slim chance this happens would it be prudent to put the resorts into a cell phone. Where would I find the numbers for the DVC resorts?

 

[LSchrow]

hopefully, MS will be able to help you.
our experience was not so good: we had to forfeit the points for the first days of a trip that was to start 2 days after 9/11 (without going into too many details, DH was working at the NYSE, & a zombie from what he had seen & friends lost ~ i felt that keeping with our "vacation" plans somewhat, & getting away, would give him some respite).
flights were cancelled, & i have nothing but wonderful things to say about Delta's willingness to help (they offered a full refund, or rescheduling ~ very sympathic & flexible). even the car service, etc were very flexible.
repeated talks with MS were not so pleasant: they flatly refused any consideration whatsoever (i had hoped that the points could be put into holding at least), saying that as we did not purchase TI, we were "not entitled". (honestly though, the MS CMs we encountered at that time were not of the caliber we have experienced at any other time. the 3 i had spoken with related the 9/11 "incident" with simply a weather related problem, & were not at all concerned or empathetic ).
we just forfeited the points (i didn't want to persue it any further). oh & btw, while the trip was not all "happy-happy-joy-joy", it did help bring just a bit of "healing" to DH, & a sense of normality to all of us.
so yes, there is a real possibility of losing the points.
good luck

 

[bobbiwoz]

hopefully, MS will be able to help you.
our experience was not so good: we had to forfeit the points for the first days of a trip that was to start 2 days after 9/11 (without going into too many details, DH was working at the NYSE, & a zombie from what he had seen & friends lost ~ i felt that keeping with our "vacation" plans somewhat, & getting away, would give him some respite).
flights were cancelled, & i have nothing but wonderful things to say about Delta's willingness to help (they offered a full refund, or rescheduling ~ very sympathic & flexible). even the car service, etc were very flexible.
repeated talks with MS were not so pleasant: they flatly refused any consideration whatsoever (i had hoped that the points could be put into holing at least), saying that as we did not purchase TI, we were "not entitled". (honestly though, the MS CMs we encountered at that time were not of the caliber we have experienced at any other time. the 3 i had spoken with related the 9/11 "incident" with simply a weather related problem, & were not at all concerned or empathetic ).
we just forfeited the points (i didn't want to persue it any further). oh & btw, while the trip was not all "happy-happy-joy-joy", it did help bring just a bit of "healing" to DH, & a sense of normality to all of us.
so yes, there is a real possibility of losing the points.
good luck

I am very sorry that MS didn't work with you. I think their response was terrible. We had a vacation elsewhere the week of 9/11 and would have encountered no penalty for cancelling.

Bobbi