Whooops - help with a blunder, please

[DizMare]

Well, I am normally very together and never, no never, mess up my precious points.

Never say never.

Just pulled out my file for my trip June 27- July 1 and, lo and behold, my ressies are for June 26- July 1. Seems that way back when, I thought my trip would start a day earlier. All plane reservations etc. start on June 27 and other committments will keep me from going until the 27th. I've known this for months. Why oh why didn't I cancel that one day?

Anyway, here I am on the wrong side of the 30 day mark and potentially into the dreaded holding account for 27 points (it WOULD have to be a Saturday night that I cancelled!)

I don't want to lose those points and would be willing to spend more points for this trip rather than lose 27. Please tell me if I have this right. In order to keep those points out of the holding account, can try to book a larger unit for more points for one less day? Or try for a room in another Disney hotel, non-DVC, using points?

I know this is short notice, but if I have the flexibility of accepting a larger unit or a Disney collection room, are my chances good for getting a ressie?

What say ye, oh DVC gurus?

 

[JimC]

You need to call MS and see what they can do. Possibly change size of unit, resort or go into Disney collection. Can you add on the other end? My experience with MS is that they know the system pretty well and can come up with strategies to assist.

When is your use year? Do you have the flexibility book another trip later to use the points before they expire?

Good luck, but don't stress too much over it or let it ruin your trip home!

 

[DebbieB]

A Disney collection room or a larger room is going to cost you more than 27 points difference, unless you just move for 1 or 2 nights. Do you have any other trips planned before the end of your use year? You could put them up for rent on the rent/trade board. Or you could call member services, explain what happened and beg for mercy !

 

[Cruelladeville]

What is your use year? If you have time left till those points expire, you can use them toward another trip later in the year. You can also watch the rent-trade board for someone who just wants a few points, and rent them out, which is another $270 for you. Of course, it would be good to have other points to use in case someone wants, say 50 points. Or if they wanted to rent a night or two in December you could rent the nights with other points, then change when you are within 60 days of arrival, so you don't have to take a financial hit with those points. You could also ask if someone wants to take a last-minute trip and is willing to trade points with you, so they are using your points in holding, and you can hold on to their regular points.

 

[DizMare]

Thanks for the replies!

Looks like I have a few options, especially if I'm willing to spend a few more points to save my problematic 27.

I have a June use year and another trip already reserved for January.

As I understand it, I would have to wait until 30 days out to make a ressie using those points. I need the ressie for the marathon, so wouldn't I be taking a chance waiting until that close to the date to try and snag a room? Can I call at the 30 day mark and ask MS to use the 27 points in holding for my January reservation and put the "regular" 27 points they replace in my account?

 

[DebbieB]

Holding account points can be booked 60 days before arrival. You could try to substitute some of your January points at the 60 day mark (if rooms are available) then bank the freed up ones.

 

[Doctor P]

News is actually a little better, I think. You can make a reservation with the points beginning 60 days out, so that should give you a little more flexibility and time to work through a waiting list if necessary.

 

[DizMare]

Thanks! I like my options. Thanks for taking the time to explain them. I sure appreciate it!

 

[Laurabearz]

Let us know how it works out!

 

[wdwstar]

do you have another vacation in the works maybe 60 days out you can switch out the 27 points from another ressies as long as your points havent expire by then, and if you still are within your banking the points that are switched you could bank, just another option.

 

[PamOKW]

If you are not going to use the points on June 26 and cancel that night, they will be put into holding (unless you get MS to give you a special exemption). You can only use the points to book a trip 60 days in advance and you can't bank the points.

Chances are probably pretty good that you will be able to use them for your January trip. If you absolutely have to have a room for that trip, book something now. At the 60 day mark, call and see if you can use the Holding Account points. Technically, you can't just "swap" them (or what would be the point of the Holding Account penalty?) However, if they have availability, you'll be cancelling the reservation you have, booking a new reservation with the holding account points and then linking it to the existing additional nights (if any).

 

[manning]

27 points. Your lucky, I've got over 400 in holding. Thankfully I have to Feb 28 to use them.

Holding account points can be booked 60 days before arrival.

It's 60 days before checkout date.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by manning
27 points. Your lucky, I've got over 400 in holding. Thankfully I have to Feb 28 to use them.

It's 60 days before checkout date.

Actually, it's 60 days before your new check-in date. See page 14 of the 2004-2005 vacation planner. It's check-in because 60 days is the point where they release unrented rooms to CRO.

 

[manning]

That's interesting MS told me check-out. I said are you sure and they said yes.

 

[manning]

Pulled out the book and sure enough it says check-in

Great, if that is true it sure would help if MS was on the same page. I guess I'll call Monday.