When can i check for cash nights?

[tazleiten12]

Im looking to visit WDW in late October 05. I will have enough points for the 5 weeknights, but i would like to see if i can add 2 weekends nights at the cash discount rate. When do they usually make that available? (If it is available)??
Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

Just ask when you make the reservation. If there isn't availability then, call back periodically. There really isn't any set time (that we have been able to discover) for MS to release cash rooms. They don't announce them either - you have to call and hope to be lucky.

Best wishes -

 

[debbiedoo]

Another pointer--I would hold those cash ressies until AP rates come out. I got an AP rate for the one night I needed at a good price. Then I called MS to cancel the cash ressie I did have. ALways have to have that back up plan.

 

[Tigger7570]

Hi debbiedoo:
I have a question for you. I just found out that two of the nights I am on cash at the members cash discount (weekend nights) are higher then the discount that AP is offering for the same nights, same accommodations. I called MS and I have done this before because we usually do cash for the weekends, but rarely been able to get a AP rate because it just wasn't available for the nights (I think I've only gotten it once in ten years) and the gentleman I spoke to said that if I do do the discount through AP and cancel the weekend nights through DVC there is no guarantee that they will link them. Now, the two nights fall right in the middle of our vacation, so obviously, I have no intention of moving, so I was concerned about the way he seemed to imply that they wouldn't stay linked. Just curious about your conversation with MS. Thanks.
Also, tazletein12 - I just spoke to MS about October because I'm in the process of getting ready to book for October and he said right now the member discount for the weekends of the 7th, 14th and 21st were not available. But, like CarolMN said, keep checking, that's what I do.

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)...I just found out that two of the nights I am on cash at the members cash discount (weekend nights) are higher then the discount that AP is offering for the same nights, same accommodations. I called MS and I have done this before because we usually do cash for the weekends, but rarely been able to get a AP rate because it just wasn't available for the nights (I think I've only gotten it once in ten years) and the gentleman I spoke to said that if I do do the discount through AP and cancel the weekend nights through DVC there is no guarantee that they will link them. Now, the two nights fall right in the middle of our vacation, so obviously, I have no intention of moving, so I was concerned about the way he seemed to imply that they wouldn't stay linked. ......

At the present time, the points reservation system and the cash/CRO reservation system do not talk to each other. If you book the cash night through MS, the CMs can link the nights together such that it appears to be one continuous reservation. You won't have to check out and then in again when you change from points to cash and back again. Assuming you have the same room type/category booked for all the nights, you won't have to change rooms either. That's pretty much a guarantee.

If you book the cash nights through CRO, you can ask CRO & MS)to note the other's onfirmation number on each reservation with a request that you don't want to change rooms. You probably won't have to change rooms, but it cannot be guaranteed. You will have to go to the front desk and get new keys when you change from points to cash and then again when you change back to points. You might not mind the inconvenience if you get a less expensive rate. You should also get full housekeeping service on the CRO cash nights.

HTH explain how it works. (If the price difference isn't huge, my advice is to book the cash nights via MS if available - for me, it wouldn't be worth the worry over possibly changing rooms or the hassle of checking out and in several times)

Best wishes -

Carol

 

[Mike]

Hi debbiedoo:
I have a question for you. I just found out that two of the nights I am on cash at the members cash discount (weekend nights) are higher then the discount that AP is offering for the same nights, same accommodations.

Just curious, how much lower is the AP rate compared to the cash discount?

 

[Tigger7570]

Thanks Carol. Like I said I've only done the AP rate once in the past for the exact reasons you mentioned. We have always done the whole thing through MS switching from points to cash back to points without moving. Since DVC has grown so much, I truly see how things have gotten more chaotic through the years for them, so I will probably stick with what I have.

Mike:
The rate with the AP was $658 for two nights including all taxes - the member discount rate was $325 before the taxes. So I think it would be about a $50 savings, but to be honest, I don't want to arrive on Sunday and wonder if on Friday I'm going to have to move. I know my reservation is linked the way it is now booked, so we'll stick with that.