When should I buy into AKV?

[sdesimone]

I am hoping someone can help me. I am not a DVC member yet. We want to buy into the AKV BUT we cannot travel until May 2010. I would like to use 2 sets of 160 points (one banked from a previous year and one set borrowed) to have 320 points for a larger room.

We really only want to go to Disney every 2 years and already have points rented for May 2008and that cannot be changed.

So

When should be buy in? I understand that points can only be banked for so long and then you lose them.

Thanks!!

 

[castleri]

I would try to get a UY after August 2008 and before April 2009. That way for example you can bank the Aug 2008 points into the 2009 UY which is good for stays from Aug 2009-end of July 2010. Then you would use those points and the ones from the 2009 UY to book a May 2010 reservation. You can only bank the points for one year. You should discuss it with one of the DVC salespeople so you will know when they will be selling points for the time you need. I think at this point they have people on waiting lists but I don't know how far ahead the lists are at this point.

 

[sdesimone]

What is a UY?

 

[castleri]

UY is use year. - It is designated as the month that you get your points so an August UY is from August 1 to the last day of July of the following year. You can make reservations for stays that fall within the time frame you have points. You can bank one years points and borrow one years so could actually use 3 years points on one reservation in the middle year.

 

[Josh125]

As far as use year goes, I've read it's best to pick one 4 months or so before the time you usually travel so as to allow yourself time to bank the points if you have to cancel....correct? For example, if I travel in Jan as a rule a Sept UY would be best for me.

Hopefully someone will chime in if I'm wrong. That example would also allow you/us to bank 08 points...I think

 

[wildernessDad]

As far as use year goes, I've read it's best to pick one 4 months or so before the time you usually travel so as to allow yourself time to bank the points if you have to cancel....correct? For example, if I travel in Jan as a rule a Sept UY would be best for me.

Hopefully someone will chime in if I'm wrong. That example would also allow you/us to bank 08 points...I think

If you knew that you would be traveling in January every year, then December or January would be a good UY for you. However, if you feel confident that you will take the vacation that you book, then UY does not matter, however, it is always good to err on the side of caution.