Free Internet for DVC members, but not renters?

[trivial]

I see that DVC members will now have free Internet, but PassPorter's most recent newsletters states that this will not be the case for those renting points from DVC members, which seems strange. Can anyone confirm that?

[Chuck S]

Technically renters aren't supposed to receive ANY member perks at all, only the normal onsite perks for all WDW guests, trasportations, room charging, resort delivery, free park parking, etc.

[trivial]

Technically renters aren't supposed to receive ANY member perks at all, only the normal onsite perks for all WDW guests, trasportations, room charging, resort delivery, free park parking, etc.

I wasn't aware of that. In a WDW Radio interview with a DVC manager (?), I thought he had said that DVC member guests were entitled to the same perks as the booking DVC member. I must have mis-heard him. That seems strange to me if that is not the case; the member is still paying their dues on those points, right?

[Chuck S]

I wasn't aware of that. In a WDW Radio interview with a DVC manager (?), I thought he had said that DVC member guests were entitled to the same perks as the booking DVC member. I must have mis-heard him. That seems strange to me if that is not the case; the member is still paying their dues on those points, right?


Guests means people that are not paying rent. They are your guests. The POS distinguishes between the two, and technically, by the POS, we are supposed to inform Member Services if the person is a renter.

[Brian Noble]

In practice, we won't really know until it rolls out how guests, point renters, and inbound exchangers will fare with respect to internet access.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that guests and point renters will be covered, but inbound exchangers will not.

[wheelcap]

OK - so renters aren't supposed to get member perks . . . like the free internet. What if A member rents points from another member to add a day or two. They're a member, but they're renting - so do they get the free internet for their own days, but not for the rented days?

[Chuck S]

OK - so renters aren't supposed to get member perks . . . like the free internet. What if A member rents points from another member to add a day or two. They're a member, but they're renting - so do they get the free internet for their own days, but not for the rented days?


One would assume that since the renter is a Member, that they would get free internet. Since no one, as of yet, knows how this is going to be coded, no one really has any answers as to what will actually happen.

All we have to base any opinion on is what the rules say...but how they are enforced is often quite different.

[scotttrippett]

I would say as long as you have your member card with you it should be ok and free.

[tjkraz]

In practice, we won't really know until it rolls out how guests, point renters, and inbound exchangers will fare with respect to internet access.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that guests and point renters will be covered, but inbound exchangers will not.

I'd have gone the opposite way on that, Brian. Inbound exchangers pay the resort services fee. My understanding was that by paying that fee, they were entitled to the same benefits as those native to the system.

Actually the theory that tops my list is that it will be free for anyone but cash guests. Aside from the annual pass, Disney hasn't seemed particularly interested in restricting other "member" perks.

Guess we'll know in a couple of weeks.

[dizplanner]

And the other question is by saying renters don't get it, did they really mean people who book through CRO? Although I wouldn't normally call them renters.

[Brian Noble]

Inbound exchangers pay the resort services fee. My understanding was that by paying that fee, they were entitled to the same benefits as those native to the system.
On my last inbound, my confirmation/billing statement listed me as an "Interval Member", and my KTTW did not have the "DVC Member" denotation on it. My understanding is that guests (who have not been identified as rentrs) do have such a notation, but I do not know for sure.

The exchage certificate has this to say about the fee:
A pre-paid, non-refundable USD 95 resort services fee, per unit is required. This fee covers the use of DVC Member Services for making advance dining reservations, golf tee times and other vacation planning.
so it really just allows the inbound to call MS. While the spirit of "exchange" is that the inbound has all the privileges of an owner, that's often not the case. Westgate makes similar distinctions with their activities fees.

We'll all know soon enough. I've got an inbound over Memorial Day weekend to test that particular corner case, but if it is not covered, I don't particularly mind, as I've got EVDO to fall back on.

As an aside, the resort services fee no longer needs to be pre-paid. Starting with confirmations issued in 2008, the fee will be placed on the room account at check-in.

[tjkraz]

On my last inbound, my confirmation/billing statement listed me as an "Interval Member", and my KTTW did not have the "DVC Member" denotation on it.

I did not know that about the exchange process. Thanks for the info. :)

My understanding is that guests (who have not been identified as rentrs) do have such a notation, but I do not know for sure.


DVC has sort of a "don't ask, don't tell" philosophy on renter vs. guest. The burden is on the member to communicate that someone using their points is a renter. IF the member reports that the person is a renter, the "DVD Member" notation is removed from the room key. If they don't make any comment about the individual using the room, it is assumed that the person is a non-paying guest who is entitled to member benefits.

The problem is there is no incentive for a member to list someone as a "renter" rather than a "guest." In fact, I'm sure many members make it part of their "pitch" to mention that renters will have access to DVC member perks.

AFAIK, the annual pass and valet parking perks are the only ones where the blue DVC id is required. On the member website it states that the room key is adequate for receiving other perks. With all of the things DVC has apparently been doing to reduce the rental market, I'm surprised they haven't gone to requiring the blue ID for all perks. That would remove one more benefit associated with renting points.

Regarding the Internet, it's conceivable that the free service will only be offered when the deeded owner is present.

[goofydad99]

I know this isn't much information, but we did have to show our member card to receive the MNSSHP discount.

[Mamiamjo]

We have rented points from an owner in 2006 and have exchanged into DVC last year. Both times our KTTK said "DVC Member" on them. I didn't try any DVC perks to see if we would get them or not.

This year I have a combination points stay with an II exchange. I'll have to inquire when checking in but I guess I'll be prepared for having free internet on my points stay days and not on the exchange stay.

[FLYNZ4]

On my last inbound, my confirmation/billing statement listed me as an "Interval Member", and my KTTW did not have the "DVC Member" denotation on it. My understanding is that guests (who have not been identified as rentrs) do have such a notation, but I do not know for sure.
Like Brian, my KTTK has never had "DVC Member" on it for any of my inbound exchanges. We generally book 2 weeks with DVC points... and then substitute II inbound exchanges if they become available.

On our last trip... we went to pick up a movie on the II exchange portion of the trip... but we did not have a "DVC Member" on the KTTK card. We were still given free movies when we showed the the blue DVC member card. I think that was an annomoly based on the individual cast member. I suspect that the coding of the internet billing system will charge for inbound exchanges.

Like Brian... I do not mind. I also have an aircard that I can use for access... but I do prefer the broadband service since I can set up a wireless router... and all of us can use our individual laptops.

/Jim

[starbox]

The way the internet stuff seems to be worded is that the existing fee is going to be "waived" for DVC members. I am assuming this works like valet parking - on our last trip I had to show my blue DVC member card to get valet charges waived.

No DVC membership card = no waived charges.

[Brian Noble]

We have rented points from an owner in 2006 and have exchanged into DVC last year. Both times our KTTK said "DVC Member" on them. I didn't try any DVC perks to see if we would get them or not.
It is possible that a Member exchanging in is treated differently from a non-Member. For example, when I use RCI to exchange into a Wyndham property, I am listed as an "Internal Exchange" guest. Among other things, that means the sales force asks me to attend an "owner's update" rather than a "welcome tour". ;)

DVC may have a similar mechanism. In DVCs case, they can't depend on II to tell them, because to exchange in I presume a DVC owner would need to use a separate, standalone or other corporate II account. When paying the resort services fee, MS may be tasked with flagging inbounds who are also Members. MS being MS, that may be a hit-or-miss process.

Or, as with many other things Disney, the whole thing may be hit-or-miss, with nary a rhyme nor reason to be had. ;)

[Simba's Mom]

What I wondered about was what about extended family? Recently, we "paid" (in points) for DS and his new bride to stay at BWV. They weren't renters, yet they weren't the owners either. I understand that renters don't get free internet, what about these? I really think, though, like a PP poster said, we probably won't really know until it's been in practice a while.

[2Princes2Princesses]

We will be guinea pigs, as we check in on 5/4 and need internet for checking things at work at night (and blogging! :thumbsup2 ).

I will post when we get there and let y'all know what the deal is. My guess is they will require us to show the blue card to get the fee waived, just as you need to show it for APs, party tickets, and things like that.

[JandD Mom]

I would like to know too. My brother, SIL and their kids are going to be going and staying at BW on my points, and I would like to know if they can take advantage.

[Janet Hill]

We own DVC and also exchange in with other timeshares we own. It's been about 50/50 on the exchanges if our KTTW had dvc member on it. I've always wondered which is correct. We've always been able to get the discounts by just showing our membership card.

[TisBit]

It will be interesting to see how they roll out the free internet. I would think that they put some software program in place for the free internet, not just comping the room any charges. They could have easily just comped rooms and rolled out the free internet sooner.

I almost wonder if they will require a login using member id's or something.

[ZekeKelso]

I would think that they put some software program in place for the free internet, not just comping the room any charges. They could have easily just comped rooms and rolled out the free internet sooner. This is total speculation with no facts to back it up, but it sounds like they are switching from an outside vendor to an in-house system, which is why they can't just waive the charges today.