Noob question about points and the year they get pulled from

[Robotpedlr]

Hi, I am relatively new on here and want to understand the process of using points when I have potential points I am going to rescue. I have searched and although I found a lot of great info, not specifically the answer to this.

I have 4800 points this year (2015)
I have 4800 points next year (2016).
I am looking to book (over the next few days) several nights in Italy for about 2-3k points during 2016.

If I book a reservation now for next year (above). Will it use 2015 or 2016 points? I am going to rescue whatever I have left over later in the year... but I am concerned I will consume my 2016 points if I make the reservation before I rescue. My goal would be to use 2015 points first, regardless of the order I book / rescue.

Hopefully this makes sense...

 

[JSparling]

If you book in 16 it will pull 16 points. If you don't have any 16 points available then it will pull 17 points. A reservation with "non-bonus" points always uses points in this order (bonus points are an entirely different conversation):

1) Rescued points from prior year (example - You had 2014 points that you rescued to 2015. Then you book a reservation for use in 2015. It will first go to rescued points and pull from there).

2) Current year points - you book a reservation for use in 2015. If you don't have rescued points it will pull from your 2015 points.

3) Following year points - you book a reservation for use in 2016. If you have already used all your 2016 points then it will look to 2017 for points to pull from. No matter how many you have, it won't pull points from your 2015 balance*. If you want to use 2015 points for a 2016 reservation then you first have to rescue them to 2016 and then book your reservation.

Another thing to keep in mind is it doesn't matter when you make the reservation as far as what points are used. The "use of points" decision comes down to the dates of your reservation and what year it falls in.

 

[PigsDad]

JSparling gave a great response, but I wanted to emphasize one point:

I am going to rescue whatever I have left over later in the year...

If you want to use 2015 points for a 2016 reservation then you first have to rescue them to 2016 and then book your reservation.

This is key! Make sure you rescue first, then make your Italy reservation. This is the only way to use your 2015 points for your 2016 Italy reservation.

Kurt

 

[Robotpedlr]

Thanks guys...that is exactly what I was looking for.