What difference does the Use Year make?

[Bronco Joe]

In purchasing DVC points (most likely through resale) does it make any difference to give preference to a particular Use Year? I've read some posts which say you should have a Use Year prior to when you want to travel. Why is this? Are there other advantages to having a particular Use Year?

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by Bronco Joe
In purchasing DVC points (most likely through resale) does it make any difference to give preference to a particular Use Year? I've read some posts which say you should have a Use Year prior to when you want to travel. Why is this? Are there other advantages to having a particular Use Year?

Joe,

It really depends on when you will do the majority of your traveling. It's a personal decision based on your vacationing habits. For instance, I'm thinkin' of goin' with somethin' in the August-September time of the year because I do most of my traveling in Sept-March. So, having the next year's points available at that time would be ideal.

To me, it's not really a make or break thing, but keeps things a little more organized in my brain. Some of the 'real' DVC folks can help you with this one more than I can though.

Good luck again!

 

[RobDoc]

Use Year is when your points are renewed each year. It has no effect on when you can make reservations or travel.

The only other consideration is in the event you have to cancel a reservation- especially on short notice. If you have a Sep Use Year and cancel an August trip using those points, the returned points would have to be used or banked by Aug 31. Since Use Year also determines your banking schedule, it could create a situation where you would be unable to bank the points.

If you have a Sep. Use Year and cancel an Aug reservation the week prior- you would have to use the points by Aug 31 or they would be lost. If cancellation is a regular possibility, a Use Year just prior to travel works well, since you then have more time to bank or use the returned points.

For travel in Sep. or Oct., a September UY would work well.

If you are unlikely to need to cancel, Use Year is simply when your points are renewed each year.

 

[Bronco Joe]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
Use Year is when your points are renewed each year. It has no effect on when you can make reservations or travel.

Does this mean I can make reservations for points I have not yet received? In other words, (continuing on the September UY example) if it is January '04, can I make a reservation with the points I am scheduled to receive as of September '04, for a vacation in September '04, October '04, November '04, etc.?

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by Bronco Joe
Does this mean I can make reservations for points I have not yet received? In other words, (continuing on the September UY example) if it is January '04, can I make a reservation with the points I am scheduled to receive as of September '04, for a vacation in September '04, October '04, November '04, etc.?

You'd have to 'borrow' the next year's points in order to do that.

 

[JOC]

Originally posted by ArnyVee:

Some of the 'real' DVC folks can help you with this one more than I can though.

Arny,
As much research as you've been doing lately, you ARE one of the "real" DVC folks!

 

[Bronco Joe]

Originally posted by ArnyVee
You'd have to 'borrow' the next year's points in order to do that.

Would I still be borrowing if I actually planned on traveling after my UY?

BTW - Thanks for the feedback...

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Bronco Joe
Would I still be borrowing if I actually planned on traveling after my UY?

BTW - Thanks for the feedback...

Yes! You can make a reservation right now for a trip this October using the points you will get in September, 2003. You could make a reservation at your home resort for any date up to February 29, 2004 using the Sep '03 points.

Enjoy!

 

[Jimbo]

Far be it from me to contradict Doc, but unless I'm reading your question wrong it's <u>not</u> considered borrowing. Borrowing is when you move points from a future use year into the current use year. In Doc's example, you are using 2003 UY points within your 2003 UY, so no borrowing is necessary.

The thing to remember is that what matters is when the points are used, not when you make the reservation.

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by JOC
Originally posted by ArnyVee:

Arny,
As much research as you've been doing lately, you ARE one of the "real" DVC folks!

Awww Joc, you make me feel special!

By the way, I just received and responded to an e-mail from Shontell. Hopefully she'll find somethin' for me!

 

[poj7]

Originally posted by Bronco Joe
Does this mean I can make reservations for points I have not yet received? In other words, (continuing on the September UY example) if it is January '04, can I make a reservation with the points I am scheduled to receive as of September '04, for a vacation in September '04, October '04, November '04, etc.?
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You'd have to 'borrow' the next year's points in order to do that.


__________________
ArnyVee


I respectfully disagree with ArnyVee. Bronco Joe, you can absolutely make a reservation as described in your post without borrowing. Even though your points aren't in your account at the time you make the reservation, they will be in your account at the time of travel. No need to borrow.

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by poj7
I respectfully disagree with ArnyVee. Bronco Joe, you can absolutely make a reservation as described in your post without borrowing. Even though your points aren't in your account at the time you make the reservation, they will be in your account at the time of travel. No need to borrow.

Oops, I must've not read the post exactly right. Poj, you are correct, don't know what I was thinkin'.

 

[JOC]

Arny,
You gave someone bogus info? Oh, for shame!

 

[poj7]

LOL

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by JOC

Arny,
You gave someone bogus info? Oh, for shame!

You see, that's what I get for actin' like a DVC Member. Sheesh...

 

[crisi]

Its pretty simple....you make your reservation for the points that WILL BE in your account at the time you travel. So if you have an April use year and want to travel in July, you can go ahead and call before April to book that trip without borrowing (assuming you have enough points and aren't already borrowed to your chin - but even then, you can borrow from the next use year - as long as the trip itself (not the phone call for the reservation) is in the immediate prior use year to the borrowed points.

We have an April use year and an October trip planned in 2003. I made my reservations in November of 2002 using my 2003 points (which wouldn't have actually arrive in my account until April), and borrowed 2004 points.