When are points "charged"--at booking or actual travel dates?

[caseyem67]

I'm new to this--have yet to settle and use my first points. So in looking ahead I need help with points and UY.

If I get my points in December and plan a trip for that same Dec (let's say Dec. 10 - 17) how does that work with borrowing, etc. When do the points actually come out of my account--at booking or at time of travel?

Thanks for any help with this. I am sure it will be easier after making a few reservations.

 

[browniemtb]

The points would come out of your account at the time of booking. But not used until the time traveled. So if you own 200 points and book a trip for 150 points your account will read 50 points remaining even though you haven't traveled yet. Those points can be returned to you if the trip is cancelled with in certain guidelines.
Brownie

 

[dizplanner]

But you don't have to wait until your points are "active" to make your reservations. The computer will check to see how many points would be in your account at the time of the trip and allocate them. Member services is used to working with new people, so they would be glad to help you through your first reservations.

So the key dates to worry about are 11 months before check out day of your trip for your home resort and 7 months for other resorts. That is when you can call.

So for your example - say you want to travel Dec 10 - 17, 2006 (good luck getting the room this late though) and you have a December use year. Say the contract you are purchasing has already used the 2005 points and you will be getting the new 2006 allotment on Dec 1. You could book the room right now (and actually should have booked it months ago if you had been an owner then). If the number of points for the room is less than or equal to the number of points in your contract, you will just use your 2006 points for the trip - no banking or borrowing required.