What if you had to leave due to an emergency?

[gregburg]

Would you get the points back that you didn't use as part of the stay?

I ask since I have a relative who is fighting cancer (going well right now), but could turn quickly. If we had to cut our trip short would we lose the points or could we get credited to use them within a period of time?

-Greg

 

[CarolA]

Under the rules you would lose the points.

Some folks have reported success with calling MS and modifying their current reservation to "leaving tomorrow" Not sure about that.

And of course, MS does sometimes just let you keep the points because it's the nice thing to do. I think the problem there becomes folks know that "they did it for X" and expect it to become the rule. places like Disney are having to "crack down" on the exceptions in the information age. The internet makes "exceptions" seem like "rules".

 

[Chuck S]

Agreed, it will most likely be considered on a case by case basis depending upon the circumstances...but be aware that the official rule is that all points are considered spent on the first day of the reservation.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

This might be a case where the travel insurance DVC offers thru TravelGuard would make sense for you. It only refunds $5/point, but a sure $5 might be better than a possible refund of the points.

Before you buy, however, make sure that it will cover you if the waht you are concerned abotu really does happen. If you have already made your reservation, be aware that pre-existing conditions might be excluded unless you bought the policy within a certian itme limit after the reservation was made. Also, make sure that the ill relative you are concerned about is a close enough relation that his or her worsening condition is covered.

Best of luck --- Suzanne

 

[Caskbill]

There is another idea that you might consider. How long is your vacation? Let's say it's for 10 days. Make two 5-day reservations, one right after the other, and link them together so you don't have to check-out/check-in.

If you've checked in, but have to leave after 3 days for example, you can still cancel the 2nd 5-day vacation (points would go into holding), and not completely lose them.

Better yet, do the above by splitting your vacation between two different DVC resorts and get twice the DVC experience. That's a more legitimate reason to have two reservations, and gives you a little more protection.

 

[tjkraz]

Even if they do give you some of the points back, be warned that they will likely be Holding points. This happens whenever you cancel on less than 31 days notice. Holding points can only be used to book a trip 60 days prior to the check-in date. For example, if you wanted to try and use the Holding points for a trip ending on April 1, 2007, you couldn't even book the trip until February 1, '07 (or January 31...whatever 60 days out would be )

Holding points also cannot be banked--they expire at the end of your Use Year if unused.

If you won't be back to WDW before the end of your Use Year, getting the points refunded probably won't mean much to you. You could try to rent them, but it would have to be for a trip taken on pretty short notice.

 

[spiceycat]

you know I never tried to get my points back.

I just though it was part of the rule.

I had 4 emergenices requiring us to leave before we used all the days.

 

[Dean]

The rule says that once you check in all points are considered used. DVC should not be giving points back outside this situation unless there is a general situation where it's to all's benefit such as the hurricane circumstances. Other members should not be responsible to pay for individual circumstances no matter how touching the situation. I agree with Caskbill about having smaller chunks though it would likely mean moving during your stay.

 

[Pootle]

Would you get the points back that you didn't use as part of the stay?

I ask since I have a relative who is fighting cancer (going well right now), but could turn quickly. If we had to cut our trip short would we lose the points or could we get credited to use them within a period of time?

-Greg

I had exactly this situation but sadly my relative died and we had to cut short our visit to return to the UK for the funeral. We lost points as we expected.