Yet another UY question (sorry!)

[NatMomto2]

We were ready to make an offer on a 130 pt resale for SSR w/a Feb UY and turns out we were a few hours late, it was gone. Then we saw an October one that might work for us, next day gone too.

Ok so clearly I need to be a bit quicker on the trigger here! LOL

Here's my question though...we normally travel in March. I can't imagine that changing anytime soon as the kids enter their school years. We like the snow at Christmastime and summer is too hot for us in FL so that leaves us with March break.

Based on that and all my reading here, a February UY is best for us. After speaking w/a couple of the resalers they said a Dec or Oct UY could work us too. Ok I get that, although they are bit funny to wrap your brain around because your UY points are technically good for the next calendar year.

So should I be considering a June or September UY as well? Its sort of the same deal for us isn't it, I would use that years points in the following calendar year. Right? If not, why not? Is it all about the possibility of cancelling and then being out of your window to bank the points? Is that the issue because while I can see it happening once or twice in a lifetime I can't see vacation cancellation becoming such a big thing.

Your advice (as always!) is appreciated!

 

[Sandisw]

I would not consider June for March vacations since having a UY right before you travel allows for more flexibility in case you want to change or cancel a reservations.

The closer you can get your UY to March, the better it is. Sept UY would work as you would have until April 30th to cancel a reservation and still be in your banking window.

The only draw back with this would be if you borrow points for a March trip and have to cancel--in that case, you would have to use those points during the summer or they would expire on August 31st.

But, if you can hold out for Dec or Feb, that would be better. If you think that taking a trip during Xmas break is something you want down the road, then I might go with Dec.

Good luck!

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....... Is it all about the possibility of cancelling and then being out of your window to bank the points? Is that the issue because while I can see it happening once or twice in a lifetime I can't see vacation cancellation becoming such a big thing.

Your advice (as always!) is appreciated!

Yes -it's all about having flexibility (more time to use the points) if you have to cancel a vacation that is set to occur late in your use year.

Many have not had to cancel a vacation and so use year hasn't mattered to them.

Others anticipate that their travel patterns may change over the course of their membership, so what starts out as a good use year may end up as not so good. (Or the opposite).

If you plan to travel in March on a regular basis, use years of August, September, October, December, February and March would all allow you to bank points from a canceled March vacation. Of course you must cancel at least 31 days prior to arrival or the returned points go into the holding account and cannot be banked.

 

[Redbudlover]

Yes -it's all about having flexibility (more time to use the points) if you have to cancel a vacation that is set to occur late in your use year.

If you plan to travel in March on a regular basis, use years of August, September, October, December, February and March would all allow you to bank points from a canceled March vacation. Of course you must cancel at least 31 days prior to arrival or the returned points go into the holding account and cannot be banked.

I keep seeing people list these months as good UY months, but they always exclude November and January. Why is this?

 

[5forDiz]

I keep seeing people list these months as good UY months, but they always exclude November and January. Why is this?

January, May, July and November are not Use Years.

 

[Redbudlover]

That certainly explains it!