I want to book a few nights in December (2020) in a 1BR, looking at the first week right now. Preferences are BLT or BWV. My home resort is Poly so I'd have to book 7mos out, which is May. I have to bank by 3/31. I should bank my existing points, correct? Or, do I use them to book a back up at Poly and try to edit that reservation at 7mos out to get what I want? If banked, can they still be used in May to book something or do I have to wait until August? I've never banked points, I'm always borrowing. This is only my third time using DVC points. I'm really conflicted on how best to achieve this. I'm fairly flexible with my dates at the moment, trying to stay flexible with the room, but I do want something larger than a studio for 5 of us.
Ok, so I'm reading between the lines here, and if your banking deadline is 3/31, that means you have an August UY, correct? Remember, your UY does not determine
when you can book. Your UY only determines
your points expiration, and as such which "bucket" of points will be used when you make your booking. You can book vacations at any time. The time you want to travel determines your 11 month and 7 month booking windows.
Right now, since we are past August 1, we are in the current UY for August. Absent any banking or borrowing, these current year points will expire on July 31, 2020. Therefore, if you are not planning to travel before July 31, 2020, you should bank your points. This will give those points a new expiration date of July 31, 2021. But do make sure your travel plans don't change - banking points is a final transaction and
cannot be reversed.
With regard to your question about booking, since you want to book a December vacation, your 7 month window as you stated is May. Alternatively, you may book your home resort of PVB 11 months ahead of time beginning in January. While 1 BRs are relatively easier to book, BWV is one of the most sought after resorts in all of DVC, and the first two weeks of December are the highest demand period for DVC of the entire year. I would book PVB at the beginning of your 11 month window just to make sure you have a room. Then, in May, you'll be able to edit that reservation at 8 AM EDT on the first day of your 7 month booking window and grab a BWV 1 BR, if it's available. If it isn't, no harm no foul, at least you have PVB and you'll be able to travel when you want. What you don't want to happen is have nothing booked at 7 months and turn up empty handed at 7 months because all of BWV is already booked.
A note about changing your reservation at 7 months - BWV Standard and Boardwalk View are extremely unlikely. At other times of the year, it's easier to get a 1 BR in those categories, but for the first week of December, I would plan on BWV Pool/Garden View and be pleasantly surprised if another category is open.
I hope that makes sense. UY is a tough concept to wrap your mind around, and I find it's very helpful to talk it out. Think of your UY as your calendar year for using a specific bank of points. Feel free to ask more question if you have them!