Point Strategy: How do you work the most out of your points!

[DISNEY FIX]

Just from reading a ton of threads I know there has to more than just a few of you out there with certain point strategies. Like:
Owning more than one resort.
Mutliple Stays. Duration of stay...
Banking one year to go next then doing the same with a different resort the next year......
I am sure there are a bunch more, let's hear your strategy.:thumbsup2
Chris

[PSC]

Here are a couple of common ones I can think of:


Weekends (Fri / Sat) are very expensive. Many of us check in on Sunday and check out on Friday. Some move offsite or to a moderate resort if we want to stay a couple more days. You can also try paying cash for Fri / Sat with the member discount.

Two studios is cheaper than one two bedroom. And it gives the advantage of some seperate time from the friends you are treating. :rolleyes1

[Cruelladeville]

Also having an AP, so you can get rooms at a real discount. We will often go to POR when they have $79 per night, or getting our same DVC room from central reservations for a cheaper price, like $233 for a one bedroom, or $169 for a studio, so we don't have to move. We also bought a Marriott timeshare for cheap, so we do 5-6 days at DVC, and then move to Marriott for a week. And I just bought Mystic Dunes, over in Celebration, for $5, so we could stay an extra week there, so now I can stay 3 weeks in Florida, for just dues! That's the cheapest of all!:rotfl:

[mjy]

In addition to the other two people above, I would say that one of my biggest strategies is this: Off Season!

Using time during the Adventure Season -- and if booking at Disney's Boardwalk Villas to get into a standard room instead of a preferred room -- is probably my greatest way to conserve points.

[DVC Grammy]

One other "tip" is to book at resorts that offer "bargain" point values.........BWV, OKW, and soon........AKV (where the "cheapest" rooms, point-wise will be available).:thumbsup2

[DISNEY FIX]

Not getting off topic what do you guys think when you see some of the contracts trading @ low 70's? Within the 7 mo. window they all spend the same. It strikes me odd.......does this stuff play into your strategy?:confused3

[jdvm]

We REALLY don't like to move once we've checked in so we often switch to a cash reservation for Friday and Saturday nights (hopefully with a Member discount) to conserve points. It ain't cheap but it has the effect of doubling the amount of time you can stay.
John

[DISNEY FIX]

We REALLY don't like to move once we've checked in so we often switch to a cash reservation for Friday and Saturday nights (hopefully with a Member discount) to conserve points. It ain't cheap but it has the effect of doubling the amount of time you can stay.
John

I understand completely. How often have you not gotten a member discount for Fir. + Sat.? You book it this way ahead of time?

[blueroses]

We REALLY don't like to move once we've checked in so we often switch to a cash reservation for Friday and Saturday nights (hopefully with a Member discount) to conserve points. It ain't cheap but it has the effect of doubling the amount of time you can stay.
John

I understand completely. How often have you not gotten a member discount for Fir. + Sat.? You book it this way ahead of time?

Do you mean a DVC discount or an AP discount? Do DVC members get a discount on cash reservations at DVC resorts?

[Dean]

A thread like this could get really convoluted when some of the options available for special situations are really tedious. Here are a few.


Book day by day at either the 7 or 11 month window.
Book one resort at 11 months with the idea of changing to something else part of the time at 7 months out.
When you want to make a reservation using points from multiple home resorts for a difficult to get reservation. One option is to say make the first 3 days with points from that resort then at 7 months from the first day call back and change the first day on the other points then use the freed up points to make the next day of the reservation just before the 7 month window opens and you can do that daily extending the reservation day by day before the 7 month window opens.
Wait list for any and all options when necessary, esp using the wait list where you take each day as it comes up.
Reserve weekdays and wait on weekends if you don't have enough points. Possibly doing cash for those weekends in any one of a number of ways.
Reserve through DVC but also put in an exchange request through II for DVC and cancel the reservation if the exchange comes through.
Studios and 2 BR are the best value.
For the DDP change resorts or units so you can get it for a reduced length of time.
Rent distressed points to extend a stay at a reduced cost.
Standard View at BWV
OKW has cheaper points, esp for the 3 BR and esp for weekdays.
OKW also has larger units and 2 queens in the second BR
Reserve 11 months out then call back at 7 months out day by day for the preferred resort but keeping the original reservation until the replacement is reserved.
Back up cash reservation when one is on the wait list or trying at the 7 month window, also works for exchange options.
Rent points out rather than using an exchange option that would return a significantly lower per point value.
12 days but only one weekend stays.

[JimVL]

Somebody mentioned the AP. I go to WDW for Thanksgiving. This year I'll buy the discounted AP and check in the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I'll avoid the parks while they're crowded, activate the AP, and check out on 12/1. In '08 I'll check in on the Friday or Saturday before Tday and still have days on my AP.

[DISNEY FIX]

A thread like this could get really convoluted when some of the options available for special situations are really tedious. Here are a few.


Book day by day at either the 7 or 11 month window.
Book one resort at 11 months with the idea of changing to something else part of the time at 7 months out.
When you want to make a reservation using points from multiple home resorts for a difficult to get reservation. One option is to say make the first 3 days with points from that resort then at 7 months from the first day call back and change the first day on the other points then use the freed up points to make the next day of the reservation just before the 7 month window opens and you can do that daily extending the reservation day by day before the 7 month window opens.
Wait list for any and all options when necessary, esp using the wait list where you take each day as it comes up.
Reserve weekdays and wait on weekends if you don't have enough points. Possibly doing cash for those weekends in any one of a number of ways.
Reserve through DVC but also put in an exchange request through II for DVC and cancel the reservation if the exchange comes through.
Studios and 2 BR are the best value.
For the DDP change resorts or units so you can get it for a reduced length of time.
Rent distressed points to extend a stay at a reduced cost.
Standard View at BWV
OKW has cheaper points, esp for the 3 BR and esp for weekdays.
OKW also has larger units and 2 queens in the second BR
Reserve 11 months out then call back at 7 months out day by day for the preferred resort but keeping the original reservation until the replacement is reserved.
Back up cash reservation when one is on the wait list or trying at the 7 month window, also works for exchange options.
Rent points out rather than using an exchange option that would return a significantly lower per point value.
12 days but only one weekend stays.




Wow impressive list. I assume most are standard point savers practices, tedious, but standard? You should write a book.:cool1:

[Dean]

Wow impressive list. I assume most are standard point savers practices, tedious, but standard? You should write a book.:cool1:Maybe, there are others. I could likely extend the list to double if I put an effort towards it. Simply realize one uses the methods that work for them. Many of these are not routinely used by anyone, much less myself. My main personal methods have been owning multiple resorts for the 11 month window, Sun-Fri, trading in through II, staying at OKW and reserving early. Then for timeshares in general I've moved to a own to use and trade for variety/sport approach then rent out off years whether it be DVC or Marriott. My methods will change when I get down to just the 100 AKV points and some of these issues may be more important to me personally.

And my number one tip is to learn any system well and be willing to put the effort into playing the game. For example, I was up to almost 1 AM this morning making my first class frequent flier reservations for HI for Jan-Feb, 2008. So I have currently FF tickets first class for 2 to HI with a Marriott hotel reservation at the Waikiki Marriott for a week using reward points followed by a 1 BR exchange to the Westin on Maui (gotten with an exchange that cost me only a few hundred $$$ total). All I have to do now is one night in between on priceline, a rental car for Maui and ? Oahu and interisland. Plus my favorite travel activity, planning restaurants. Total cost for the trip including indirect timeshares costs about $2000-2500 out the door with food and activities.

[DISNEY FIX]

Maybe, there are others. I could likely extend the list to double if I put an effort towards it. Simply realize one uses the methods that work for them. Many of these are not routinely used by anyone, much less myself. My main personal methods have been owning multiple resorts for the 11 month window, Sun-Fri, trading in through II, staying at OKW and reserving early. Then for timeshares in general I've moved to a own to use and trade for variety/sport approach then rent out off years whether it be DVC or Marriott. My methods will change when I get down to just the 100 AKV points and some of these issues may be more important to me personally.

And my number one tip is to learn any system well and be willing to put the effort into playing the game. For example, I was up to almost 1 AM this morning making my first class frequent flier reservations for HI for Jan-Feb, 2008. So I have currently FF tickets first class for 2 to HI with a Marriott hotel reservation at the Waikiki Marriott for a week using reward points followed by a 1 BR exchange to the Westin on Maui (gotten with an exchange that cost me only a few hundred $$$ total). All I have to do now is one night in between on priceline, a rental car for Maui and ? Oahu and interisland. Plus my favorite travel activity, planning restaurants. Total cost for the trip including indirect timeshares costs about $2000-2500 out the door with food and activities.


Any more nuggets of wisdom you can throw the new peoples way are more than appreciated. I don't enjoy the trial by fire methods if I don't have to.
Thanks
Chris

[jdvm]

In 15 years of making reservations, I can only remember one night where I wasn't able to get a Member discount. It's a 25% DVC Member discount. Sometimes, I would have to check daily with Member Services. I never make reservations more than three months out...not becaue I'm brave...just disorganized!
John

[Dean]

Any more nuggets of wisdom you can throw the new peoples way are more than appreciated. I don't enjoy the trial by fire methods if I don't have to.
Thanks
ChrisI know what you mean and I'm the same way. I think most of the major ones have been covered to a degree though not necessarily explained in detail. I don't think many of the members here enjoy people talking about some of the methods that can give you an advantage. Learn the system and plan ahead. Here are a few more or at least some variations.

Make multiple reservations for different times and/or unit sizes or even resorts until you know what you want.
Consider direct exchange options for other timeshares.
A big one that I think got left out - if you want a certain resort most trips, buy there esp at BCV, BWV, VWL and AKV.
Consider the cost of dues, it can make a large $$difference over time.
Buy less points initially and supplement with many of the suggestions above including transfering points in, cash reservations and off site stays.
Consider an off site timeshare that either ends on Sunday or starts on Fri and stay the 5 weekdays before (Fri) or after (Sun) at DVC.
Don't buy in, just rent or buy a cheaper II resort to trade in.
do a 25 point or similar add on then change the registration to include friends or relatives so that all can get the discounts with the membership card, esp for the AP/PAP discount.
Buy a use year such that most of your trips are fairly early in your use year so that you have more options to rent, use or bank points if you have to cancel your trip.
Remember there are rules then there are rules. DVC has two sets of rules generally. They are the written ones and the actual implementation and they are often quite different.
balance your points like a check book.
When you make reservations tell them which points to use, how many you have left in any reachable use years.
If you have an existing reservation then end up with banked, borrowed or less desirable points in that use year later, try to reallocate the less desirable points into the reservation thus freeing up the more desirable ones to give a banking option or a better home priority option.
Avoid a few common mistakes such as believing everything you hear, even from me. Ask the same question of different people on different days in different ways. You'll be surprised how much variability you see.
When speaking to MS or anyone else, if what you hear just doesn't make sense either call back or ask to speak to someone else such as a supervisor.
Gather as much info over time that applies to your situation in the areas that are important to you.

[kimberh]

Dean, When you say reserve DVC, but put in a exchage request with II what size villa are you depositing and are you doing all of this through Member services?

[Dean]

Dean, When you say reserve DVC, but put in a exchage request with II what size villa are you depositing and are you doing all of this through Member services?No, this is through II as an II member owning other timeshares. I sometimes reserve the time or times I want at Disney using DVC points then put in a request through II to trade in using other non DVC timeshare deposits for the same time frame. In every case I've been successful so far but I am somewhat realistic in my expectations. BTW, one cannot trade DVC back in to DVC through II.

[DISNEY FIX]

Thank you Dean.:thumbsup2
Chris

[pbharris4]

Maybe, there are others. I could likely extend the list to double if I put an effort towards it. Simply realize one uses the methods that work for them. Many of these are not routinely used by anyone, much less myself. My main personal methods have been owning multiple resorts for the 11 month window, Sun-Fri, trading in through II, staying at OKW and reserving early. Then for timeshares in general I've moved to a own to use and trade for variety/sport approach then rent out off years whether it be DVC or Marriott. My methods will change when I get down to just the 100 AKV points and some of these issues may be more important to me personally.

And my number one tip is to learn any system well and be willing to put the effort into playing the game. For example, I was up to almost 1 AM this morning making my first class frequent flier reservations for HI for Jan-Feb, 2008. So I have currently FF tickets first class for 2 to HI with a Marriott hotel reservation at the Waikiki Marriott for a week using reward points followed by a 1 BR exchange to the Westin on Maui (gotten with an exchange that cost me only a few hundred $$$ total). All I have to do now is one night in between on priceline, a rental car for Maui and ? Oahu and interisland. Plus my favorite travel activity, planning restaurants. Total cost for the trip including indirect timeshares costs about $2000-2500 out the door with food and activities.


Wow, Dean!! Can you plan my next Hawaiian trip? :)

[Dean]

Wow, Dean!! Can you plan my next Hawaiian trip? :)Doing it professionally would take all the fun and excitement out of it but you're not the first person who said I should do so.

[goofymax]

:confused3 I plan on making BWV ressies for Aug. 2008 next September. I also have booked a cruise for April 2008. I want to borrow points from my June 2009 use year for the BWV ressies.I will change the cruise to pts. next february. I am also using points for the 2008 cruise, but have now only paid a cash deposit. I have enough points to cover both, but only if I can borrow 2009 pts. for the Aug. 2008 ressie and use my June 2008 use year pts. for the cruise. Can I borrow from the 2009 pts. and months later use my 2008 pts. for the cruise? In other words, borrow first from 2009 without yet touching the 2008 June use year pts., in order to use them for the cruise after I book in Sept. for 8/08?

[edk35]

A thread like this could get really convoluted when some of the options available for special situations are really tedious. Here are a few.


Book day by day at either the 7 or 11 month window.
Book one resort at 11 months with the idea of changing to something else part of the time at 7 months out.
When you want to make a reservation using points from multiple home resorts for a difficult to get reservation. One option is to say make the first 3 days with points from that resort then at 7 months from the first day call back and change the first day on the other points then use the freed up points to make the next day of the reservation just before the 7 month window opens and you can do that daily extending the reservation day by day before the 7 month window opens.
Wait list for any and all options when necessary, esp using the wait list where you take each day as it comes up.
Reserve weekdays and wait on weekends if you don't have enough points. Possibly doing cash for those weekends in any one of a number of ways.
Reserve through DVC but also put in an exchange request through II for DVC and cancel the reservation if the exchange comes through.
Studios and 2 BR are the best value.
For the DDP change resorts or units so you can get it for a reduced length of time.
Rent distressed points to extend a stay at a reduced cost.
Standard View at BWV
OKW has cheaper points, esp for the 3 BR and esp for weekdays.
OKW also has larger units and 2 queens in the second BR
Reserve 11 months out then call back at 7 months out day by day for the preferred resort but keeping the original reservation until the replacement is reserved.
Back up cash reservation when one is on the wait list or trying at the 7 month window, also works for exchange options.
Rent points out rather than using an exchange option that would return a significantly lower per point value.
12 days but only one weekend stays.



WHEW that made my head spin. LOL Okay....can you reserve cash stays at DVC without using the 11 or 7 month window?? Can you then convert those cash stays to points at the 11 or 7 mo. wiindow??? Do the cash stays cost differently depending on the time of year? Is it better always to pay cash even if you have the points? Thanks

[Dean]

WHEW that made my head spin. LOL Okay....can you reserve cash stays at DVC without using the 11 or 7 month window?? Can you then convert those cash stays to points at the 11 or 7 mo. wiindow??? Do the cash stays cost differently depending on the time of year? Is it better always to pay cash even if you have the points? ThanksNow I have vertigo. Others may know better on the cash but my understanding is the 7/11 month windows do not apply other than you must be inside the 11 month window for them to even have the days. Remember these cash rooms come from several different sources so the availability may vary over time. You cannot convert the cash rooms to points but you can make a points reservation for the same thing if it's available and cancel the cash reservation. I don't know if you can cancel day by day, esp for a day in the middle of the cash reservation, maybe someone else knows more. The cash prices will be based on the rack rates which are significantly different seasons than the DVC seasons. The only question is whether it's rack rate or 25% off. Sometimes CRO is cheaper but you can't formally link CRO cash reservations to a DVC reservation.

Sometimes cash reservations are a better deal and other times it's better to use points. Variables are how the DVC seasons stack up to Disney hotel seasons, weekend vs weekday and whether you can get the discount or not.

[Dean]

:confused3 I plan on making BWV ressies for Aug. 2008 next September. I also have booked a cruise for April 2008. I want to borrow points from my June 2009 use year for the BWV ressies.I will change the cruise to pts. next february. I am also using points for the 2008 cruise, but have now only paid a cash deposit. I have enough points to cover both, but only if I can borrow 2009 pts. for the Aug. 2008 ressie and use my June 2008 use year pts. for the cruise. Can I borrow from the 2009 pts. and months later use my 2008 pts. for the cruise? In other words, borrow first from 2009 without yet touching the 2008 June use year pts., in order to use them for the cruise after I book in Sept. for 8/08?You may want to talk to MS about that one. My understanding is you can't do that by borrowing your 2009 points with existing 2008 points sitting there. If I understand correctly you're effectively you're trying to borrow 2 use years ahead to use points for the cruise. If so, you won't be allowed.

But I suspect it will still work out. Talk to MS, you'll likely need to talk to a supervisor. Record their name if they give you favorable info. My guess is they will tell you to book the 2008 use year BW trips then when the time comes they will borrow 2009 use year points and reallocate them into your existing reservation and allow you to borrow the points into your 2007 use year to complete the cruise reservation.

Interesting way to use points but avoid some of the negatives of doing so. I know some have been able to convert cash to points and keep the same unit, etc, but that chance would make me nervous. I'm also reminded that DVC only gets a certain number of cabins which may be gone by the time you want to convert and if they are gone, I bet they won't allow it simply because you have an existing reservation. Remember the points reservation is a totally new reservation even if you can get the same cabin. I'd also suspect you'd lose any credits such as from the Disney CC. Please let us know how the variables work out so others can learn from your experience.

[edk35]

Now I have vertigo. Others may know better on the cash but my understanding is the 7/11 month windows do not apply other than you must be inside the 11 month window for them to even have the days. Remember these cash rooms come from several different sources so the availability may vary over time. You cannot convert the cash rooms to points but you can make a points reservation for the same thing if it's available and cancel the cash reservation. I don't know if you can cancel day by day, esp for a day in the middle of the cash reservation, maybe someone else knows more. The cash prices will be based on the rack rates which are significantly different seasons than the DVC seasons. The only question is whether it's rack rate or 25% off. Sometimes CRO is cheaper but you can't formally link CRO cash reservations to a DVC reservation.

Sometimes cash reservations are a better deal and other times it's better to use points. Variables are how the DVC seasons stack up to Disney hotel seasons, weekend vs weekday and whether you can get the discount or not.


Now I think I should have NEVER OPENED THAT THREAD. This really confuses me. So....you can make a cash ressie at a resort that is not your home resort...before the 7th month window. IS there a chart that tells us the discount for the various seasons of rack room rates????

[Dean]

Now I think I should have NEVER OPENED THAT THREAD. This really confuses me. So....you can make a cash ressie at a resort that is not your home resort...before the 7th month window. IS there a chart that tells us the discount for the various seasons of rack room rates????Potentially you can make a cash reservation regardless of home resort, they are not the same pool of rooms. You already have access to both the DVC points seasons and the Disney cash season lists. The only variables are whether the room is available on cash at all and whether the discount applies. Go to the Disney website (not DVC) listing of the resorts and rack rates for each season plus season dates will be shown.

[edk35]

Potentially you can make a cash reservation regardless of home resort, they are not the same pool of rooms. You already have access to both the DVC points seasons and the Disney cash season lists. The only variables are whether the room is available on cash at all and whether the discount applies. Go to the Disney website (not DVC) listing of the resorts and rack rates for each season plus season dates will be shown.

:worship:
YOU ARE SO WISE. LOL Thanks so much. So is the discount always 25% off rack room rate? Oh and can you get that cash rate discount for all Disney resorts or just DVC ones? I am really pushing it aren't I? :rolleyes1 ha ha

[Dean]

:worship:
YOU ARE SO WISE. LOL Thanks so much. So is the discount always 25% off rack room rate? Oh and can you get that cash rate discount for all Disney resorts or just DVC ones? I am really pushing it aren't I? :rolleyes1 ha haDVC only. Currently it's either all or none for the discount. They decide if you get it but one good feature is if you book now and they apply the discount later, you can get it. I don't know if they automatically apply it or if you have to ask, I'm sure others who have more direct experience in htis area can easily answer that for you. And I trust they will chime in if I don't represent things quite correctly.

[DISNEY FIX]

Dean,
I don't know what you do for a living but.... I you did this as a business and received a percentage of what people saved it would be nice $$$$$$.:cool1: Teach a staff this stuff at Dean's DVC Emporium sit back and watch it roll in. I'll be your first 'paying' customer.:thumbsup2
Chris

[nisiemouse]

We now own at 3 resorts. Am I able to borrow 2008 points from one resort to complete a reservation if I still have 2007 points from another resort that have not been used. This, of course would be if I was within the 7 month window. Thanks. :)

[edk35]

DVC only. Currently it's either all or none for the discount. They decide if you get it but one good feature is if you book now and they apply the discount later, you can get it. I don't know if they automatically apply it or if you have to ask, I'm sure others who have more direct experience in htis area can easily answer that for you. And I trust they will chime in if I don't represent things quite correctly.

Okay I went on line at Disney and did weekend nights in Aug. when we are staying at SSR to see what the cash price is. It was 1158. 76 and if the discount was available then I would get 25% off of that I guess????

[hsmamato2]

Don't buy in, just rent or buy a cheaper II resort to trade in.
do a 25 point or similar add on then change the registration to include friends or relatives so that all can get the discounts with the membership card, esp for the AP/PAP discount.
[/LIST]

??? What's a II resort? just wondering how you buy in,and trade for dvc....
And- How does that work, adding 25 points,and changing registration? for discounts? What registration,for the room? or for the dvc membership?
sorry, I don't know much yet, I'm trying to learn as much as possible though...

[beachblanket]

One other "tip" is to book at resorts that offer "bargain" point values.........BWV, OKW, and soon........AKV (where the "cheapest" rooms, point-wise will be available).:thumbsup2

BWV standard view point levels are a bargain, but the word was out on that a decade ago. Consequently, it is very hard to book those unless you own at BWV and book right at the 11th month window, particulary for fall dates.

[kimberh]

No, this is through II as an II member owning other timeshares. I sometimes reserve the time or times I want at Disney using DVC points then put in a request through II to trade in using other non DVC timeshare deposits for the same time frame. In every case I've been successful so far but I am somewhat realistic in my expectations. BTW, one cannot trade DVC back in to DVC through II.

I own two other timeshares also. Does a Studio with DVC get a larger unit elsewhere or are you depositing a one bedroom? Thank you so much for your help and experience and for sharing!!

[Dean]

??? What's a II resort? just wondering how you buy in,and trade for dvc....
And- How does that work, adding 25 points,and changing registration? for discounts? What registration,for the room? or for the dvc membership?
sorry, I don't know much yet, I'm trying to learn as much as possible though...II is Interval Exchange, a timeshare exchange company which DVC belongs to with a corporate membership. Having other timeshare I have traded in to DVC a number of times but I can do with 1 BR units and can travel truly off season like Jan, May and Sept.

As for changing the registration, here is my situation. I just bought 100 AKV points. I plan to eventually sell all my other points and have just those left. I actually did four 25 pt contracts and will change the deed so my daughter and possibly my son, sister and brother will be on the deed and make them members with a card and all that meet the criteria will then have access to all the perks and discounts. This will make that 25 pt contract stand alone all by itself. I'll then transfer those 25 pts back to the other contract which will be 75 points plus the transferred ones or do reservations and link them from the two contracts depending on exactly what we want to do at the time. Changing the deed will cost me around $50 currently.

[Dean]

I own two other timeshares also. Does a Studio with DVC get a larger unit elsewhere or are you depositing a one bedroom? Thank you so much for your help and experience and for sharing!!Actually the reverse is true. I assume you are in II so you have a feel for how their system works as it's a little different than RCI. With II in general you can't ask for a unit larger than the deposit you are using but you can ask for a unit that a resort doesn't have. So I could use a studio with II (NON DVC) and ask for a unit for 2 people at a resort that only had 2 BR units. In effect I'd be requesting a 2 BR with a studio though my chances of success would be less.

All this breaks down with DVC. You cannot ask for a unit size the resort doesn't have. If they only have 2 BR units, you can only ask for 2 BR units. If you call for an exchange request and they have what you want you pay the points according to the grid for the season and unit size. For an ongoing search you will occasionally get a larger unit. Say you ask for a 1 BR at one of the Royal's with an ongoing search, you may actually get a 2 BR instead but no way to know ahead of time or increase your chances of that happening. In that case you'd only pay the points for the 1 BR and that is the only situation where you'd pay less than what you got. Even in flexchange time (less than 60 days) DVC members are charged full points for any exchange. That is a travesty IMO, esp since many other points systems that deal directly with II (ie. Worldmark or Starwood) have much lower points costs in flexchange.

[Dean]

Duplicate post caused by board connectivity issues.

[hsmamato2]

As for changing the registration, here is my situation. I just bought 100 AKV points. I plan to eventually sell all my other points and have just those left. I actually did four 25 pt contracts and will change the deed so my daughter and possibly my son, sister and brother will be on the deed and make them members with a card and all that meet the criteria will then have access to all the perks and discounts. This will make that 25 pt contract stand alone all by itself. I'll then transfer those 25 pts back to the other contract which will be 75 points plus the transferred ones or do reservations and link them from the two contracts depending on exactly what we want to do at the time. Changing the deed will cost me around $50 currently.
Wow- a whole new world here.... what if one of your family members had bought,say a small 25 point contract thru resale,and attached it to your contract,planning to be mimimal members, but in reality could combine trips with family,and thus all people involved got perks access?
Or if they bought it,would it be in theirs,or your name, or do you,the member, get to choose that,thus ensuring member perks for your family also?
thanks...

[DISNEY FIX]

Is there anybody willing to glean (which rymes with Dean) the nuggets of money/point saving information/strategies from this type of thread. Would the Mods make a stickey out of it? I would volunteer but you could fit what I know about the DVC into a thimble. Mods any input, or should I pipe down? It could be called Dean's Means hehehheh, sorrry Dean. ;)

[Dean]

Wow- a whole new world here.... what if one of your family members had bought,say a small 25 point contract thru resale,and attached it to your contract,planning to be mimimal members, but in reality could combine trips with family,and thus all people involved got perks access?
Or if they bought it,would it be in theirs,or your name, or do you,the member, get to choose that,thus ensuring member perks for your family also?
thanks...For the contracts to be combined the registration has to be the same. In my case the registration is the same but will change so that will no longer be the case and that will make it an entirely new contract all to itself. So relatives couldn't buy and then attach to my contracts unless either I changed my current contracts first or they put it in our name only. Once anyone's name is on a contract they are members and get all perks. Remember some of the perks are points stay specific and some are not. I can see people who live close and have certain family makeup buying 25 points just for the perks and discounts alone. And I know of several people who own small contracts and stay off property but use the small amount of points to get a studio a day at a time here and there so they get pool hopping access and now DDP options even if not actually staying in that unit. For certain families and with a little planning I could see paying for a 25 pt contract by using perks in one to two years if you planned it right from the start. Take four families of 4 who go in together to get the 25 points at say $2500-3000. Two years of AP discount alone would pay for it. The savings on an AP would be less for FL residents but with free valet, a minor AP discount and the dining discounts plus occasional PH options, it could still easily make sense.

Some timeshares offer day use options. I know of several people who bought a timeshare simply for the day use options for the pool instead of joining a community pool club or country club.

[Dean]

Is there anybody willing to glean (which rymes with Dean) the nuggets of money/point saving information/strategies from this type of thread. Would the Mods make a stickey out of it? I would volunteer but you could fit what I know about the DVC into a thimble. Mods any input, or should I pipe down? It could be called Dean's Means hehehheh, sorrry Dean. ;)LOL. I bet there are a number of people reading this thread who are hoping it will go away and shuddering when you post things like this. Some look down on some of the tricks I've shared with you and on the people who may use them so I doubt they want them repeated too often. Frankly I haven't used most of them, however, when I see a system my mind jumps directly to how it can be used and abused though I'm generally not one to abuse it personally. There are those that don't want some of the ways to work the system repeated and even those that post the way they wished it was hoping people will believe it's really that way. Me, I'd rather just lay it out on the table. If that means it goes away sooner as some found when they abuse the DDP, so be it.

[WebmasterDoc]

We now own at 3 resorts. Am I able to borrow 2008 points from one resort to complete a reservation if I still have 2007 points from another resort that have not been used. This, of course would be if I was within the 7 month window. Thanks. :)


If all 3 resorts are under one membership, there is no need to transfer any points, as you will have access to all points in the contract - although you will still be subject to the 11 month priority and could only combine the points at 7 months.

If they are 3 separate contracts, you could transfer between contracts, but the points will retain the original Home Resort status and could not be used at another resort until 7 months. You could easily reserve individual days from each account and link them all together without the need to transfer points (and you would still be subject to the one transfer per year policy anyway).

As Dean pointed out earlier, MS will usually allow points to be combined for reservations at the non-DVC options (like the cruise) which can be reserved at 11 months, but not at DVC resorts until 7.

[nisiemouse]

If all 3 resorts are under one membership, there is no need to transfer any points, as you will have access to all points in the contract - although you will still be subject to the 11 month priority and could only combine the points at 7 months.

If they are 3 separate contracts, you could transfer between contracts, but the points will retain the original Home Resort status and could not be used at another resort until 7 months. You could easily reserve individual days from each account and link them all together without the need to transfer points (and you would still be subject to the one transfer per year policy anyway).

As Dean pointed out earlier, MS will usually allow points to be combined for reservations at the non-DVC options (like the cruise) which can be reserved at 11 months, but not at DVC resorts until 7.

Thanks Doc for clarifyng. We are all under one contract. I also wanted to make sure that if I was reserving at say OKW at 6 months out that I could borrow points from the next year (OKW points) even if I had BCV points still remaining from the current year. Does that make sense? I know I have done this at greater than 7 months but of course I could not use points from another resort at that time. Thanks.

[dianeschlicht]

Dean gave a very good list of how most of us conserve points. I do know that some feel it is best to always be in a borrowing status, since when the contract ends, you will kind of "miss" a year. For us, that doesn't make much difference, since we are not likely to outlive our contract, and it's doubtful our offspring can afford the maintenance fees.

Our preferred method is to mostly book at our main home resort (OKW), where the points are lower in the first place. Then we tend to try to most often go during the lower point seasons as well.

[alldiz]

OK...this thread got me thinking....

Can u get the ddp with a cash ressie w/o buying a 1 day pass?

Can I buy my hubby and daughter a discounted AP
if they are not on dvc contract.....only my name....:eek:
Kerri

[alldiz]

OK...this thread got me thinking....

Can u get the ddp with a cash ressie w/o buying a 1 day pass?

Can I buy my hubby and daughter a discounted AP
if they are not on dvc contract.....only my name....:eek:
Kerri

I'm answering my own question:lmao:

In case anyone else wants to know...I called ms...
You CAN get ddp with cash ressie....no 1 day ticket needed....

AND....I can buy DD and DH passes....they are at
the same address.....
at least for now....DH...has been very annoying lately:lmao:
Kerri

[DISNEY FIX]

I'm answering my own question:lmao:

In case anyone else wants to know...I called ms...
You CAN get ddp with cash ressie....no 1 day ticket needed....

AND....I can buy DD and DH passes....they are at
the same address.....
at least for now....DH...has been very annoying lately:lmao:
Kerri


Tell DH you are going to trade him in for Preminm AP! :rotfl2:

[alldiz]

Tell DH you are going to trade him in for Preminm AP! :rotfl2:

Good thing that "perk" is not in the handbook:lmao: :goodvibes
Kerri

[DISNEY FIX]

Good thing that "perk" is not in the handbook:lmao: :goodvibes
Kerri



Really??????????????? I thought I read somewhere :surfweb: about trading in the wife for a DDE card..........just kidding dear........................maybe a free boat ride?!?:rolleyes1

[DISNEY FIX]

Who else out there has some point useage tips?

[Machta]

LOL. I bet there are a number of people reading this thread who are hoping it will go away and shuddering when you post things like this. Some look down on some of the tricks I've shared with you and on the people who may use them so I doubt they want them repeated too often. Frankly I haven't used most of them, however, when I see a system my mind jumps directly to how it can be used and abused though I'm generally not one to abuse it personally. There are those that don't want some of the ways to work the system repeated and even those that post the way they wished it was hoping people will believe it's really that way. Me, I'd rather just lay it out on the table. If that means it goes away sooner as some found when they abuse the DDP, so be it.

This is a very interesting point. I always figured that if someone else sets up the "rules" and I simply figure out the best way to work within them to my advantage, that's absolutely fair. For example, with my credit card rewards program, I charge as much as I can to get the maximum rewards, but then pay it off every month. It's within the credit card company's rules, but I've always assumed that they're betting the majority of people won't pay off their card balance every month. It's their system, but I use it as I see fit. How is that different from "working" the DVC system?

[alldiz]

LOL. I bet there are a number of people reading this thread who are hoping it will go away and shuddering when you post things like this. Some look down on some of the tricks I've shared with you and on the people who may use them so I doubt they want them repeated too often. Frankly I haven't used most of them, however, when I see a system my mind jumps directly to how it can be used and abused though I'm generally not one to abuse it personally. There are those that don't want some of the ways to work the system repeated and even those that post the way they wished it was hoping people will believe it's really that way. Me, I'd rather just lay it out on the table. If that means it goes away sooner as some found when they abuse the DDP, so be it.

This is a very interesting point. I always figured that if someone else sets up the "rules" and I simply figure out the best way to work within them to my advantage, that's absolutely fair. For example, with my credit card rewards program, I charge as much as I can to get the maximum rewards, but then pay it off every month. It's within the credit card company's rules, but I've always assumed that they're betting the majority of people won't pay off their card balance every month. It's their system, but I use it as I see fit. How is that different from "working" the DVC system?

Dosen't seem fair that some people would be upset....
Although....I understand why...

I joined this board.....after lurking.....because of all the wonderful
information...and sharing nature of most people...

I'm sure those people learned a tip or two....on these boards...
we all start somewhere:confused3

I personally would share any info....just my nature...
Kerri

[WebmasterDoc]

Thanks Doc for clarifyng. We are all under one contract. I also wanted to make sure that if I was reserving at say OKW at 6 months out that I could borrow points from the next year (OKW points) even if I had BCV points still remaining from the current year. Does that make sense? I know I have done this at greater than 7 months but of course I could not use points from another resort at that time. Thanks.

Yes, you can do that too. If MS suggests that you can use the BCV points, just let them know you have "other plans" for those BCV points that will require the 11 month priority.

Enjoy! :)

[nboicepardee]

We are going to Disney January 2008, and had decided to stay at a value or moderate for our Saturday night stay in order to save points. Upon further reflection, I decided that hauling our children back and forth between resorts to check-in on Sunday morning just didn't make sense. We are only doing 6 nights and I want maximize our time (our children will be 4 and 2 years old). So instead of using what seems like a ridiculous amount of points for a Saturday night stay in a two bedroom, we are getting a studio for Saturday night and a two bedroom for the remaining 5 days. They are linking our reservation and requesting a two bedroom lockoff, so we may not even need to move. This felt like the best option both financially and for our peace of mind.
That is my new strategy!:)
Natalie

[bevski]

If I want to make a ressie for August. I have points transferred to my acct. from someone who's home resort is SSR, use year Sept. My home resort is BWV, April use year. Can I combine these points to make a ressie at any resort?

[kimberh]

I'm answering my own question:lmao:

In case anyone else wants to know...I called ms...
You CAN get ddp with cash ressie....no 1 day ticket needed....

AND....I can buy DD and DH passes....they are at
the same address.....
at least for now....DH...has been very annoying lately:lmao:
Kerri

I did not know this, I just changed one of my reservations from weekend points to cash. I will have to call and add the DDP! Thanks!!!