Tactic: Would booking now, planning to cancel later to rebook with restricted points make sense?

[bobpark56]

I see a unit we would like to book with restricted points, but we are a month short of the 120-day booking window. Would booking now with unrestricted points, planning to cancel in a month to rebook with restricted points make sense? If it didn't work, would not our regular points be returned to us? Any penalties here?

 

[StevenTing]

That is an interesting question. With the idea that the points you originally book with would be outside of the 60 day window, you should theoretically be able to swap in the restricted points.

I have always cancelled the reservation and then rebooked the reservation. I think the big question is if another Tugger has been able to call up to have points swapped out. I know it's been done between points from different years or different buckets. I don't know if it's been done with restricted points.

 

[Steve Fatula]

I see a unit we would like to book with restricted points, but we are a month short of the 120-day booking window. Would booking now with unrestricted points, planning to cancel in a month to rebook with restricted points make sense? If it didn't work, would not our regular points be returned to us? Any penalties here?

You will need to cancel and rebook, no penalty. Since you can cancel outside of 60 days and book within 120, it's the way to go. In the past using regular points and 60 day window, they were resistant to swapping holding points for regular points reserved long in advance. If they are still resistant, the only problem you will have is hoping there is still availability within 120 days. If you have to go that way, make the new reservation first, then cancel the old one. You *might* to able to find someone who would cancel, hold, and rebook.

 

[gln60]

I would book with unrestricted points now...then rebook with the restricted points(if the time frame is available)..and immediately after confirmation of the restricted points reservation,cancel the unrestricted points reservation...just make sure you are cancelling the unrestricted points reservation more than 61 days out so those point don’t go into a holding account...I called owner services about that scenario 2 days ago

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I was just wondering the same thing. Will set a calendar reminder for my trips to see if they have any availability to rebook with the holding account points.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Well the other reason to do so (and almost always do so in the future) is if you make a new reservation within 30 days (executive) or 60 days (presidential +) you use less points. So, they go further.