Question about Cancellation of Destination Points

[Bunk]

I am a weeks owner who jointed the Destination Program. I'm a basic owner and have no priorities. I booked a week using Destination Points 11 months before my trip. I just called up Marriott Vacation Club and asked them to cancel the last night and to use those points and some remaining points I have to book 2 nights at the Custom House in Boston in December.

They told me that I have the right to cancel that one night, and those points will be restored to me, but because I reserved a week 11 months out and not 10 months out, I can only reserve those points within 60 days of my stay.

Does that make sense to you?

I then asked them if I cancelled one night of my 7 day week a few days before my reservation started, would I then be able to book another night in Boston if it were available within 60 days, and they said yes. So it seems that I can wait until the end, and if Boston is available cancel and book Boston within 60 days at no penalty or cost to me. If Boston is not available, I can stay with the full week reservation.

Does that make sense to you?

Thank you for your help.

 

[dioxide45]

This makes sense. This is from page 9 of the DC Exchange Procedures.

If a reservation is modified prior to the first day of a confirmed Use Period to result in a shorter duration than would have been permitted at the time the reservation was made, any Exchange Points restored to the Program Member shall be placed into the Program Member’s Holding Account, subject to the restrictions on Holding Accounts as set forth in these Exchange Procedures.

 

[GreenTea]

Prior to 10 months you pay additional points to reserve less than a full week. So the rule you're describing is to eliminate booking the week, then canceling the unwanted days.

 

[dioxide45]

Prior to 10 months you pay additional points to reserve less than a full week. So the rule you're describing is to eliminate booking the week, then canceling the unwanted days.

You are on the right track, but I don't think any such rule exists for what you are specifically referring to. The rule you are thinking of is the 20% premium to book 7+ nights at 13 months. There is no way for anyone to book 1+ days at more than 10 months out unless they are Executive level or above.

 

[Fasttr]

To the OP... assuming you are < 10 months and > 60 days from check in, if a 6 night ressie is currently available, the VOA can hold the 6 night ressie and then cancel your 7 night ressie in full, then book the 6 nighter thus freeing up your 7th night points without having them go in the penalty box.

I have worked it this way a couple times in the past.

 

[GreenTea]

Dioxide is of course right. Wrong example on my part.

You can't book early to circumvent the booking rule and then cancel without penalty.

 

[Bunk]

Thank you. Is there any penalty for me to cancel a few days before my reservation begins as opposed to cancelling 5 months before the reservation begins. It seems that in both cases I can only rebook within 60 days.

 

[Fasttr]

To the OP... assuming you are < 10 months and > 60 days from check in, if a 6 night ressie is currently available, the VOA can hold the 6 night ressie and then cancel your 7 night ressie in full, then book the 6 nighter thus freeing up your 7th night points without having them go in the penalty box.

I have worked it this way a couple times in the past.

Thank you. Is there any penalty for me to cancel a few days before my reservation begins as opposed to cancelling 5 months before the reservation begins. It seems that in both cases I can only rebook within 60 days.

Under the scenario I outlined, you don't have to wait to within 60 days to book CH because your points would not be in a holding account. But again, for this to work, there has to be a 6 day ressie available at the time you pull the switcheroo.

But if you are just modifying the 7 night ressie to a 6 night by dropping the 7th night, then no, there is no difference if you do that at 5 months or a couple days prior to check in

 

[Bunk]

I asked the rep is I can cancel the entire week and reserve 6 days. The Marriott rep told me that if I cancel the 7 days, there is no guarantee that I can get the 6 days that I want. I'll call again tomorrow and see if I get the same answer from someone else.

 

[dioxide45]

I asked the rep is I can cancel the entire week and reserve 6 days. The Marriott rep told me that if I cancel the 7 days, there is no guarantee that I can get the 6 days that I want. I'll call again tomorrow and see if I get the same answer from someone else.

That is true if there is no other availability. You could cancel your current reservation and someone else could snatch it up or perhaps a wait-list could hit on it.

 

[Fasttr]

I asked the rep is I can cancel the entire week and reserve 6 days. The Marriott rep told me that if I cancel the 7 days, there is no guarantee that I can get the 6 days that I want. I'll call again tomorrow and see if I get the same answer from someone else.

That is true if there is no other availability. You could cancel your current reservation and someone else could snatch it up or perhaps a wait-list could hit on it.

Correct. Its only worth the risk (in my opinion) if a 6 night ressie is currently available. I wouldn't risk it the other way.