Prepare for the Upcoming Change on CXL'ed Points

[Bigrob]

For those that hadn't read the other (long) thread about the email Wyndham sent out; there are a couple of changes coming. You will probably want to take some steps in advance of the changes. At a minimum I recommend you do the following:

1. by end of day August 3rd, take a screenshot of your points status.
2. by end of day, copy your reservations.
3. Plan for any special or unique requirements; i.e., if you have credit pooled points expiring early in 2016; make a reservation in 2016 and cancel it.
4. Cancel and rebook as much as you can before the cutover, and use the points to make reservations as late as you can, to extend the life of the points as long as possible. (Sorry, not much you can do about this year's Thanksgiving and Christmas reservations.)

These tips should help and if anything doesn't go right during the transition, be sure to call as quickly as possible to get it rectified. My guess is there will be about a 2 day window as the call center will be slammed on August 4th, but after the first 2 days or so, the "blanket exception" will go away and it will require an escalation to get what you want, and it may get marked as a "one-time exception". Not much help if you have a lot of current reservations made with 2016 points that the system will most likely route back to 2015.

(I'm referring to reservations that were made prior to August 3rd with cancelled 2016 points).

 

[Richardsdeals]

Thanks Rob! I just went through the list you suggested.

Also, just a word of encouragement to others. Per Rob's recommendation from a previous post, I started taking screen shots every time I made a reservation, cancelled, etc. It came in really helpful, because I noticed some points missing after booking & canceling to pull some points over from next year. I called and it took forever to get it worked out.....but I was able to give an exact accounting of my points.....even when I was being assured by the VC that I had the wrong numbers.

In my case, the issue was one of my contracts is a converted fixed weeks to points contract and when I book/cancel it does some weird things with those points......and my weird I mean they disappeared.

Anyways, thanks for the advice!

I would add to it: Make an excel spreadsheet to track your points usage. If you are a big nerd like me, you can also use it to learn what you are paying per night based on your MFs.

RC

 

[Bigrob]

Thanks Rob! I just went through the list you suggested.

Also, just a word of encouragement to others. Per Rob's recommendation from a previous post, I started taking screen shots every time I made a reservation, cancelled, etc. It came in really helpful, because I noticed some points missing after booking & canceling to pull some points over from next year. I called and it took forever to get it worked out.....but I was able to give an exact accounting of my points.....even when I was being assured by the VC that I had the wrong numbers.

In my case, the issue was one of my contracts is a converted fixed weeks to points contract and when I book/cancel it does some weird things with those points......and my weird I mean they disappeared.

Anyways, thanks for the advice!

I would add to it: Make an excel spreadsheet to track your points usage. If you are a big nerd like me, you can also use it to learn what you are paying per night based on your MFs.

RC

I've also used a spreadsheet, but to track where I get the highest $ per point yields, where the best leads come from, etc. Unfortunately, as my volumes have increased, my ability to maintain the spreadsheet has declined.

The screen shots have saved me more than once.

 

[jebloomquist]

I further recommend that before you make a cancellation or reservation, look at your RCI points availability.

This can be done by hovering over the MY MEMBERSHIP tab.
Within the drop down menu go to RCI - External Exchanges.
Click on it.
Then click on Request RCI Deposit.
Scroll down and note what points you have available at each Use Year End Date.

After a booking or cancellation, check it again. This gives an immediate update on point changes available to deposit into RCI.

The difference between the before and after readings should give you exactly what the system has done to your points.

Jim

 

[markb53]

I further recommend that before you make a cancellation or reservation, look at your RCI points availability.

This can be done by hovering over the MY MEMBERSHIP tab.
Within the drop down menu go to RCI - External Exchanges.
Click on it.
Then click on Request RCI Deposit.
Scroll down and note what points you have available at each Use Year End Date.

After a booking or cancellation, check it again. This gives an immediate update on point changes available to deposit into RCI.

The difference between the before and after readings should give you exactly what the system has done to your points.

Jim

Both regular and cancelled point can be deposited in RCI so I am not sure why you would see a difference.


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[Joe33426]

Both regular and cancelled point can be deposited in RCI so I am not sure why you would see a difference.


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Sometimes I check the RCI portal to see what use year my cancelled reservations were returned to since I have overlapping use years. But I usually do this after the cancellation, not before. It's just a way to see how Wyndham handled the cancellation prior to the nightly update.

 

[jebloomquist]

Both regular and cancelled point can be deposited in RCI so I am not sure why you would see a difference.

You may never have done what I am suggesting.

If I look at my RCI points available and it shows 100,000 regular and 100,000 cancelled.

Then I make a reservations for 50,000 points, but the system says that I already have 10 reservations that are for the same resort for that date, and won't give me the reservation. So, then I look at my RCI numbers and see 50,000 regular points plus the 100,000 cancelled points, I will know that I have been punished the 50,000 points for trying to overbook.

Or, if I start with the same 100k and 100k and cancel a reservation for 50k. And I don't see the RCI regular points increase to 150k, I can see that the system did not return the cancelled points to be regular, which it will supposedly begin to do on or about Aug 4.

All that I am suggesting is that if I look at both the before and after RCI points available, I will see an instant picture of Wyndham's accounting of the point changes as I make reservations, or make cancellations.

Jim

 

[Bigrob]

You may never have done what I am suggesting.

If I look at my RCI points available and it shows 100,000 regular and 100,000 cancelled.

Then I make a reservations for 50,000 points, but the system says that I already have 10 reservations that are for the same resort for that date, and won't give me the reservation. So, then I look at my RCI numbers and see 50,000 regular points plus the 100,000 cancelled points, I will know that I have been punished the 50,000 points for trying to overbook.

Or, if I start with the same 100k and 100k and cancel a reservation for 50k. And I don't see the RCI regular points increase to 150k, I can see that the system did not return the cancelled points to be regular, which it will supposedly begin to do on or about Aug 4.

All that I am suggesting is that if I look at both the before and after RCI points available, I will see an instant picture of Wyndham's accounting of the point changes as I make reservations, or make cancellations.

Jim

I can't see the difference between regular and cancelled points. Perhaps because I don't have any regular use points left to deposit? Does it split them out if you have both?

 

[Bigrob]

Then I make a reservations for 50,000 points, but the system says that I already have 10 reservations that are for the same resort for that date, and won't give me the reservation. So, then I look at my RCI numbers and see 50,000 regular points plus the 100,000 cancelled points, I will know that I have been punished the 50,000 points for trying to overbook.


Jim

FYI, we have been told it will not behave this way. The system will allow you to make the reservation. But it will get automatically cancelled after the fact... it will not be a "block". Unless you are inside the 15-day window, the points should be returned to you as well, you shouldn't be "penalized" anything.

 

[winnipiseogee]

Hey Rob-

Thanks for the screen shot suggestion. Just logged in to Wyndham and 180,000 cancelled points have disappeared. At least now I have ammunition when calling them.

Why can't they make it easy......

 

[Bigrob]

Hey Rob-

Thanks for the screen shot suggestion. Just logged in to Wyndham and 180,000 cancelled points have disappeared. At least now I have ammunition when calling them.

Why can't they make it easy......

Disappeared? Or been converted to regular points?

 

[bnoble]

Big thanks to Rob (along with Ron and several others) who called their contacts to help clarify what would happen during the changeover. I'm one of those who used to cancel credit pool credits to deposit in RCI. I was able to rescue all but a handful of my pool credits back to 2016 regular use year points in preparation for learning how pool credits vis-a-vis RCI will work.

 

[Cheryl20772]

I cancelled a reservation originally made with credit pool points expiring end of March 2016.

When I cancelled they went to cancel points expiring Dec 2015.

Now they are regular points expiring Dec 2015.

Do you think they should have gone back to the credit pool?

 

[Bigrob]

I cancelled a reservation originally made with credit pool points expiring end of March 2016.

When I cancelled they went to cancel points expiring Dec 2015.

Now they are regular points expiring Dec 2015.

Do you think they should have gone back to the credit pool?

No. If you had used those points to make a reservation in 2016, they would have gone to points expiring Dec 2016. But apparently the reservation you made was in 2015.

In the future (starting from today) if you make a reservation with credit pooled points, those points are supposed to go back to the credit pool. But that would not apply retroactively to reservations booked before today.

I am interested in seeing if the points actually work that way (cancelling a reservation made from credit pool and seeing if the points go back). Hopefully someone will post as soon as they have that experience.

 

[Cheryl20772]

No. If you had used those points to make a reservation in 2016, they would have gone to points expiring Dec 2016. But apparently the reservation you made was in 2015.

In the future (starting from today) if you make a reservation with credit pooled points, those points are supposed to go back to the credit pool. But that would not apply retroactively to reservations booked before today.

Thank you, Bigrob. Your help is appreciated. And yes, the cancelled reservation was for Sept 2015. I wish the points had gone back where they came from. Oh well....

 

[Vacationfuntips]

Wyndham has updated their website for canceled points and rules.

You can check the update by clicking onto "Help an Learn" then go to "Online Learning Center"and go to the Purple box topic and click on "Planning My Vacation" Go to the topic "What to know Before I Book" then click on "What to do if I can't vacation" Look for the topic "Canceling My Reservation" reading the paragraphs under the topic of cancelling a reservation.

Here is the link to the page, but you must be logged in first to www.myclubwyndham.com to access it.

https://www.myclubwyndham.com/ffr/member/help/learningCenter/details.do?id=LIB-0002109

For rules regarding "Borrowing Points" use this link:
https://www.myclubwyndham.com/ffr/member/help/learningCenter/details.do?id=LIB-0002066

Happy reading!

Cynthia T.

 

[spackler]

If I:

1. Credit pool 2017 points to make a 2016 reservation
2. Sell the contract associated with those points/reservation
3. Cancel the reservation in 2016

...what happens? I'll have other deeds in my account; do I get those points back as Regular Use points or do they revert to the new owner?

 

[Vacationfuntips]

Wyndham Points Credit Pool link:

https://www.myclubwyndham.com/ffr/member/help/learningCenter/details.do?id=LIB-0002110

Cynthia T.

 

[Bigrob]

If I:

1. Credit pool 2017 points to make a 2016 reservation
2. Sell the contract associated with those points/reservation
3. Cancel the reservation in 2016

...what happens? I'll have other deeds in my account; do I get those points back as Regular Use points or do they revert to the new owner?

They should go back to the credit pool they came from. There's no association to a contract once the points are used to make a reservation and then cancelled.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Can search 5 resort NOW (verses 3 resorts!)

DID YOU NOTICE?

I can now search 5 resorts (as from before) for a reservation instead of 3 (as in the past several years!)

Happy Camper Here!

 

[ronparise]

They should go back to the credit pool they came from. There's no association to a contract once the points are used to make a reservation and then cancelled.

Eric

have you noticed? are points from the pool, going back to the pool?

I put all my points in the pool as soon as I can, therefore all my reservations are from pooled points. Recent cancellations have gone back to "regular" points that expire this year. (actually it looks like the "forward roll" is working as before, as they now expire June 30 2016)

Unfortunately I didnt do a screen shot as you suggested before the rule change. But Im not sure that would have worked to answer my question, as the screen shot wouldnt have shown, where the points in every reservation came from anyway

 

[Explorer7]

DID YOU NOTICE?

I can now search 5 resorts (as from before) for a reservation instead of 3 (as in the past several years!)

Happy Camper Here!

I've been searching 5 resorts for quite some time as in at least a couple of years.

 

[traveldaddy]

DID YOU NOTICE?

I can now search 5 resorts (as from before) for a reservation instead of 3 (as in the past several years!)

Happy Camper Here!

I NEVER realized you could do this before!

That is AWESOME!

Thanks for pointing it out. Saves time.

 

[Vacationfuntips]

Eric

have you noticed? are points from the pool, going back to the pool?

I put all my points in the pool as soon as I can, therefore all my reservations are from pooled points. Recent cancellations have gone back to "regular" points that expire this year. (actually it looks like the "forward roll" is working as before, as they now expire June 30 2016)

Unfortunately I didnt do a screen shot as you suggested before the rule change. But Im not sure that would have worked to answer my question, as the screen shot wouldnt have shown, where the points in every reservation came from anyway

I called a Wyndham vacation counselor in their customer service department to inquire about the changes since Aug 4th. I was told that any points in my account that were canceled would become regular use year points. Anything that I did prior to Aug 4th would not be treated the same way as things done after. For example, if I made a reservation using my 2016 points that I borrowed and brought over to 2015 - then canceled on Aug 4th, those points would stay in 2015 and not be returned to 2016. I would need to use them by the end of my use year Dec 31 2015. If I tried to bring 2016 points on or after Aug 4th to 2015 and then canceled those points would go back to 2016 (new rule). I would not be able to do what I was able to do borrowing points that way anymore. Yes, you can borrow to make an Express reservation, if you cancel points go back to the use year borrowed from (new rule). The vacation customer service specialist told me in the future I could use the Credit Pool if I needed points for a reservation. If I booked a vacation in the future after I pooled new points, those points would be returned back to the credit pool if I had to cancel a reservation, in other words - once placed into the credit pool points would go back to Only the Credit Pool. Points credit pool points cannot be used for ARP or can they be used to deposit into RCI, they cannot be used for cruises either. You can deposit all or some of your points into the Credit Pool to give your points a shelf life of 3 years from date of deposit. I have Never used the Points Credit Pool yet, now I may have to consider it or point plan better.

Everyone now has Regular Use Year Points - the new rules for other things only effect New Transactions that occur after the change (points that have not been, used, moved, canceled, etc.. )

There is some printed information on the Wyndham website regarding the changes. There is also a Wyndham Directory Supplement which I posted a PDF link to download and view which I found on the Wyndham website. It is posted next to the Regular 2014-2015 Club Wyndham Plus Member's Directory.

Ron, I am sure you have your sources of information and you are much more versed than I am. I am not a Mega Owner or Mega renter. This is the only information that I have found, and have read. I "tested" use of my points. Eric was told what he was told. I called and was told my points would not be returned to 2016. I could deposit to RCI or find away to use those recycled regular use year points placed into 2015 or lose them. No adjustments. In the future, with the new rules, I wouldn't be able to do what I did.

Cynthia T.

 

[Vacationfuntips]

Eric

have you noticed? are points from the pool, going back to the pool?

I put all my points in the pool as soon as I can, therefore all my reservations are from pooled points. Recent cancellations have gone back to "regular" points that expire this year. (actually it looks like the "forward roll" is working as before, as they now expire June 30 2016)

Unfortunately I didnt do a screen shot as you suggested before the rule change. But Im not sure that would have worked to answer my question, as the screen shot wouldnt have shown, where the points in every reservation came from anyway

I called a Wyndham vacation counselor in their customer service department to inquire about the changes since Aug 4th. I was told that any points in my account that were canceled would become regular use year points. Anything that I did prior to Aug 4th would not be treated the same way as things done after. For example, if I made a reservation using my 2016 points that I borrowed and brought over to 2015 - then canceled on Aug 4th, those points would stay in 2015 and not be returned to 2016. I would need to use them by the end of my use year Dec 31, 2015. If I tried to bring 2016 points over on or after Aug 4th to 2015 and then canceled those points - they would go back to 2016 (new rule). I would not be able to do what I was able to do prior (new rule) borrowing points anymore. Yes, you can borrow to make an Express reservation, if you cancel the reservation the points go back to the use year they were borrowed from (new rule).

The vacation customer service agent told me in the future, I could use the Credit Pool if I needed points to use for now or later. After I pooled new, never used points - those points would be returned back to the credit pool. If I had to cancel the reservation, once placed into the credit pool - the points would go back to ONLY the Credit Pool. Points credit pool points cannot be used for ARP or be used to deposit into RCI, they cannot be used for cruises either. You can deposit all or some of your points into the Credit Pool to give your points a shelf life of 3 years from date of deposit. I have Never used the Points Credit Pool - now I may have to consider it or plan to use my points better.

Everyone has Regular Use Year Points - the new rules for other things only apply to "New Transactions" that occur after the Aug 4th change (points that have not been, used, moved, canceled, etc.. )

There is some printed information on the Wyndham website regarding the changes. There is also a Wyndham Directory Supplement which I posted a PDF link to download and view which I found on the Wyndham website. It is posted next to the Regular 2014-2015 Club Wyndham Plus Member's Directory.

Eric and Ron, I am sure you have your sources of information and you are much more versed than I am. This is the only information that I have found out, and have read. I "tested" use of my points. Unfortunately, for me I have just one use year and can no longer "roll points" forward like I was able to do before my account got realigned by Wyndham (when I purchased a new small contract). I called and was told my points would not be returned to 2016. I could deposit to RCI or find away to use those recycled regular use year points (placed into 2015) or lose them. No adjustments. In the future, with the new rules, I wouldn't be able to do what I did.

Cynthia T.