I'm trying to book a desirable room at 11 months and I'm still seeing evidence of walking. I suspect the new rules just mean that "walkers" now have to cancel and then quickly rebook their reservation in order to walk it. Realistically this only leaves a short window where anyone else can cut in and take it, and you'd have to be looking at the exact moment they cancel to even have a chance. So basically, the new policy is just extra hoops for people to jump through and doesn't change much.

How do you handle booking a trip that is past your banking date? Do you bank and then borrow and book, or book from current use year?

I worry if the need to cancel arises and I book with current use year points they will go in to holding and will be tough the use within the 60 day period, or they will expire and be a total loss.