Help with use year

[spurs444]

After a lot of thought i think we will look to buy resale early next year.
Our plan is to buy in 2021 hopefully a contract with 2021 points intact and bank these for use in September 2022.

Would a September use year work for a 2022 holiday that may start mid September or do i need December in order to keep the 2021 points live ?

I hope that makes sense.

[PoohBears#1fan]

General advice is to buy a UY that’s just before when you’re most likely to go, then you have the longest time to use or bank them.

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

Your use year should be before and as close as possible, to the start of your usual holiday time to give you maximum time to reschedule or bank in case of issues. A June, August or September would work, Sept would be best if you never travel before 1st.

October, December, February and April would be putting the points at risk if you couldn't travel.

Use year Banking deadline
February September 30
March October 31
April November 30
June January 31
August March 31
September April 30
October May 31
December July 31

[spurs444]

So if we buy August Use year and bank 2021 points they become 2022 use year and are good for September 2022 is that correct ?

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

Originally Posted by spurs444

So if we buy August Use year and bank 2021 points they become 2022 use year and are good for September 2022 is that correct ?

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Yeah, points issued on 1st August 2021 must be banked by March 31st 2022. This moves them into the 1st August 2022 use year and means they must be used before they expire on 31st July 2023.

[spurs444]

Originally Posted by Dr.JumbaJookiba

Yeah, points issued on 1st August 2021 must be banked by March 31st 2022. This moves them into the 1st August 2022 use year and means they must be used before they expire on 31st July 2023.

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Perfect thank you - I had it correct but needed reassurance

thanks again for your help

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

No problem, just make sure when you buy your contract the points are either already banked, or it's in the terms that the points are banked before closing or you are (to be safe) twelve weeks away from the banking deadline for the points.

I placed a bid on a resale on the 11th October and will have access to the points on the account by 16th December.

[Shooby doo]

We have a Jun UY on a typical Sept/Oct travellers but you only mention Sept '22, what are the plans after this ? Base your UY around when you are likely to travel for the majority of the time IYKWIM
I also wouldn't rule out looking at a stripped contract, if you don't "need" those '21 points: They will be cheaper, no dues for points already used & Disney are less likely to ROFR the contract as they generally want points that they can sell right away
SD

[YorkshireT]

Plans change over time. We bought only intending to go in summer every 2 years, now go Xmas as well and next year Easter.

I would personally not worry much about use year unless you are certain a trip time is set in stone and will be until the end or disposal of the contract.

More important for me, was the right contract at the right price.

Use year can be important first year especially in terms of the ability to use or lose or bank points that may be on the contract- will you still have the time after closing to bank, or make that first visit for example? In that respect a use year as far away from your closing date as possible can be helpful.

Add ons I would always get the same use year as the first contract if possible so it is in the same membership. Much easier to manage then with pooled points.

[spurs444]

Thanks all - the 2022 trip is looking at being a big one with a 3 bed villa for us and our two girls and their partners.
After that it will be much more flexible with enough points for 2 for two per year or a big trip every other or every 3rd year.
I think as has been said the right contract at the right resort should take priority and then try to get the use year etc if at all possible.
There a couple on there now but not ready to buy just yet so fingers crossed at the time.