Point Borrowing Guide: Using Future DVC Points Today
Point borrowing lets DVC members use next year's points during their current use year. It's straightforward but permanent once you borrow, those points come out of your following year's allocation. We've helped hundreds of members understand when borrowing makes sense and when it doesn't.
What Is Point Borrowing?
When you borrow points, you're moving allocation from your upcoming use year into your current year. If you need 150 points for a reservation but only have 100 available, you can borrow 50 from next year to complete the booking.
The borrowed points work exactly like your regular annual allocation once they're moved. You can use them for any reservation during your current use year, and they're subject to the same home resort priority windows and booking restrictions as your other points.
How Borrowing Works
Disney moves the points electronically from your future allocation to your current year when you request borrowing. The process happens instantly through your member account or when you call member services for a reservation.
Once borrowed, those points are permanently deducted from next year. If you borrow 75 points from your 2025 allocation in December 2024, you'll start 2025 with 75 fewer points than your contract provides. The reduction is immediate and can't be undone.
Borrowing Limits and Rules
You can borrow up to your entire next year's allocation, though we'd suggest more conservative borrowing for most situations. You can only borrow from the immediately following use year, not from years further out.
The key restriction is permanence. Once points are borrowed, they stay in your current year whether you use them or not. If you borrow points for a vacation that gets cancelled, those points don't return to next year they remain in your current allocation until they expire.
Disney has occasionally modified borrowing policies during unusual circumstances. During the pandemic, they temporarily limited borrowing amounts to help manage system-wide point availability. While rare, it's worth knowing that policies can change.
When Borrowing Makes Sense
Special occasions often justify borrowing. Family reunions, milestone anniversaries, or once-in-a-lifetime trips might warrant using future points to secure larger accommodations or prime dates. These memorable vacations can be worth having fewer points next year.
Timing mismatches also create good borrowing opportunities. If your use year starts in February but you want to book a holiday vacation in December, borrowing lets you make reservations before your new points arrive.
- Large Family Gatherings: Multi-generational trips often require more points than a single year provides
- Peak Season Reservations: High-demand periods sometimes require borrowing to secure your preferred dates
- Special Celebrations: Anniversaries, graduations, or other milestone events might justify the extra point cost
Risks of Borrowing
Heavy borrowing creates a cycle that's difficult to break. If you borrow significant points this year, next year starts with a deficit that might require more borrowing. We've seen members get caught in patterns where they're consistently behind on points.
Life changes unexpectedly. If you borrow for a vacation that gets cancelled due to illness, job loss, or other circumstances, those points are still gone from next year. Consider whether you can handle reduced future allocation if plans change.
Borrowed points can also complicate membership sales. If you decide to sell your DVC contract, potential purchasers often prefer memberships with full upcoming allocations rather than reduced balances from borrowing.
Borrowing Versus Banking
These features work in opposite directions but complement each other well. Banking moves unused current points forward, while borrowing moves future points backward. Both provide flexibility when your vacation timing doesn't match your use year schedule.
Strategic members use both tools together. Bank points when you can't travel this year, borrow when special opportunities require extra points. The combination helps match your point availability to actual vacation plans rather than forcing plans around your allocation schedule.
Making Borrowing Requests
You can borrow points directly through your online member account or by calling member services. When making a reservation that exceeds available points, the system automatically offers borrowing as an option. You simply confirm the amount you want to borrow and complete the reservation.
Alternatively, you can borrow points proactively before making specific reservations. This moves points into your current year where they remain available until used or until your use year expires. Some members prefer this approach for better point management visibility.
Responsible Borrowing Strategy
Conservative borrowing preserves long-term membership value. Occasional borrowing for special occasions rarely creates problems. Habitual heavy borrowing puts you in a perpetual deficit that limits future vacation flexibility.
Before borrowing, consider whether a smaller vacation using only available points might work better. Sometimes scaling back accommodations or shortening trips makes more sense than creating next year's point shortage. Balance immediate vacation desires against long-term membership enjoyment.
Understanding Your Point Situation
Track your complete point picture including current allocation, banked points from previous years, any borrowed points, and upcoming allocations. This comprehensive view helps you make borrowing decisions that support both immediate plans and future vacation goals.
Your member account shows detailed point breakdowns including borrowing history and future impact. Review this information regularly, especially before making borrowing decisions. Understanding exactly where you stand helps avoid overcommitting future allocations.
Point borrowing gives you valuable flexibility when used thoughtfully. The key is remembering that borrowed points create real obligations against future vacations. Used occasionally for special circumstances, borrowing enhances your membership. Used excessively, it can limit your future vacation options. For more guidance on managing your DVC membership effectively, explore our membership management resources.
