New double points for new dvc members

[famgel]

JUST RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM DVCNEWS.COM. Basically get DOUBLE points for NEW DVC members and you can bank them for the following year. We were able to take advantage of this kind of deal almost 4 yrs ago. It doesn't say anything about add-ons but it doesn't hurt to ask. If anyone has been on the fence about buying now is the time!:cheer2:

------------
Double points in first year with purchase
Written by Tim Krasniewski | February 18, 2010

For a limited time buyers who purchase an ownership in the Disney Vacation Club will receive double their normal allotment of points to use within the first year.

DVC is currently offering buyers a March Use Year which includes all of the 2009 points. 2009 points are normally valid for stays which run from March 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010. However new members are permitted to bank those points into the 2010 Use Year for use along with the normal allocation of 2010 points.

A new member purchasing 200 points with a March Use Year will receive the 200 points from 2009 and an identical amount for 2010 for a total of 400 points available for use between March '10 and February '11.

This double points offer ends on February 28, 2010.

The double points are offered in addition to substantial cash discounts which vary by resort. Click HERE for approximate info on the discounts available for each DVC property.

[bwvBound]

Doesn't sound like "double points" to me ... simply making a purchase near the very end of the Use Year.

[paulabarber]

March use year only? Well that is a bummer.
I need Sept.

[famgel]

Doesn't hurt to call and ask, I'm sure they will listen!

[drusba]

Actually if you ask for Sep or after, that would likely be something for which they would normally give you points going back to Sep 2009 since we are currently only 5 to 6 months into the use year. So if buying new and want to purchase with Sep, just give them a call and find out.

[dansamy]

Yep. I asked and got Oct UY. I currently have the '09 points available (or bankable) and will get '10 points in Oct. If I had kept the Mar UY offered to me, I would have gotten the auto-banked '09 points plus the '10 points. Moving my UY to Oct means I have to be responsible myself for using/banking them. DVC didn't package them for me as auto-bannked like they are doing the Mar UY points.

And really they are only offering this as an "incentive". It looks like you are getting something, but really you aren't. You're getting the points you would have gotten, but since the UY is almost over, they are being "nice" enough to bank them for you into next year's UY.

[WebmasterDoc]

If they would give you 2009 points (and allow you to bank them) for a February Use Year - that would be a great incentive. Otherwise, it is exactly how it has been done for years where buyers get points from the current Use Year and then another allocation of points on when the new Use Year begins.

This sounds nothing more than selling the same old thing with a "marketing" spin on it.

[5forDiz]

just my opinion but I don't like this DVC 'play on words' - - calling it double points okay fine but I get the distinct impression from how this is being presented that they'd like it to convey that a purchaser is getting something that isn't typical given. Saw this in a recent webcast, think it was holiday webcast, they were referring to the current UY points but using the double points lingo; as if to say " and can you believe this? &/ or can you actually pass up purchasing now that you'll get double points? ". It irks me.

:goodvibes

[paulabarber]

Yep. I asked and got Oct UY. I currently have the '09 points available (or bankable) and will get '10 points in Oct. If I had kept the Mar UY offered to me, I would have gotten the auto-banked '09 points plus the '10 points. Moving my UY to Oct means I have to be responsible myself for using/banking them. DVC didn't package them for me as auto-bannked like they are doing the Mar UY points.

And really they are only offering this as an "incentive". It looks like you are getting something, but really you aren't. You're getting the points you would have gotten, but since the UY is almost over, they are being "nice" enough to bank them for you into next year's UY.

Thanks! That makes sense, and it does make the "double-points" incentive sound like no incentive at all. :rolleyes1

[KAT4DISNEY]

If they would give you 2009 points (and allow you to bank them) for a February Use Year - that would be a great incentive. Otherwise, it is exactly how it has been done for years where buyers get points from the current Use Year and then another allocation of points on when the new Use Year begins.

This sounds nothing more than selling the same old thing with a "marketing" spin on it.

Yep! Gotta love marketing. (BIG roll eyes here!) I guess they haven't had any other "enhancements" to talk about for awhile so they came up with this. :lmao:

[tjkraz]

If they would give you 2009 points (and allow you to bank them) for a February Use Year - that would be a great incentive. Otherwise, it is exactly how it has been done for years where buyers get points from the current Use Year and then another allocation of points on when the new Use Year begins.

This sounds nothing more than selling the same old thing with a "marketing" spin on it.

Sure there's an element of "spin" on the offer, but this thread seems to show that there were people unaware of the ability to receive two sets of points so quickly after the purchase.

People new to the DVC world don't know the product well enough to realize that the purchase can be structure in such a manner. Having two sets of points available--without borrowing--for a trip in mid-2010 can be the proverbial tipping point for a purchase.

Additionally, with new resorts opening there have been situations lately where current and new owners purchased and did not receive points immediately for their current Use Year. People with a DEC Use Year who bought BLT in October or November '08 did not get 2007 or 2008 points AFAIK. There were also recent buyers in AKV and VGC who had to wait to receive their first points.

Personally I think it's an aspect of the new member purchase experience that's worth highlighting right now. YMMV.

[Sandisw]

Sure there's an element of "spin" on the offer, but this thread seems to show that there were people unaware of the ability to receive two sets of points so quickly after the purchase.

People new to the DVC world don't know the product well enough to realize that the purchase can be structure in such a manner. Having two sets of points available--without borrowing--for a trip in mid-2010 can be the proverbial tipping point for a purchase.

Additionally, with new resorts opening there have been situations lately where current and new owners purchased and did not receive points immediately for their current Use Year. People with a DEC Use Year who bought BLT in October or November '08 did not get 2007 or 2008 points AFAIK. There were also recent buyers in AKV and VGC who had to wait to receive their first points.

Personally I think it's an aspect of the new member purchase experience that's worth highlighting right now. YMMV.

And, if someone is debating on which UY to get, this might help them choose. For example, someone who finds that both Feb and March UY will work for them, it is certainly to their advantage to go with a March UY over that Feb one as they will be paying the same price but getting that extra set of points.

[KAT4DISNEY]

Sure there's an element of "spin" on the offer, but this thread seems to show that there were people unaware of the ability to receive two sets of points so quickly after the purchase.

People new to the DVC world don't know the product well enough to realize that the purchase can be structure in such a manner. Having two sets of points available--without borrowing--for a trip in mid-2010 can be the proverbial tipping point for a purchase.

Additionally, with new resorts opening there have been situations lately where current and new owners purchased and did not receive points immediately for their current Use Year. People with a DEC Use Year who bought BLT in October or November '08 did not get 2007 or 2008 points AFAIK. There were also recent buyers in AKV and VGC who had to wait to receive their first points. JMO

Personally I think it's an aspect of the new member purchase experience that's worth highlighting right now. YMMV.

I responded to one post a day or two ago that had read your article Tim and thought it meant double 2009 points - thus making it a real special. And there's been another post or two that you need to buy by Mar 1st in order to get 2009 points. I tend to think the way it is worded is causing excess confusion and to accomplish what you say above an article on the timing of buying DVC might be better. DVC purchasers are used to the specials ending and with the wording used it gives an urgency to buying that just isn't there.

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Sure there's an element of "spin" on the offer, but this thread seems to show that there were people unaware of the ability to receive two sets of points so quickly after the purchase.

People new to the DVC world don't know the product well enough to realize that the purchase can be structure in such a manner. Having two sets of points available--without borrowing--for a trip in mid-2010 can be the proverbial tipping point for a purchase.

Additionally, with new resorts opening there have been situations lately where current and new owners purchased and did not receive points immediately for their current Use Year. People with a DEC Use Year who bought BLT in October or November '08 did not get 2007 or 2008 points AFAIK. There were also recent buyers in AKV and VGC who had to wait to receive their first points.

Personally I think it's an aspect of the new member purchase experience that's worth highlighting right now. YMMV.

Tim, Where did all of these 2009 March UY points come from anyway? If you remember, at the VGC March 2009 UY wasn't given any 2009 points because they didn't have the "inventory"-even though almost everyone else was given 2009 points! Now all of sudden, there are loads of March 2009 points to give away. Where are my March 2009 points? This is ridiculous. :mad:

[tjkraz]

Tim, Where did all of these 2009 March UY points come from anyway? If you remember, at the VGC March 2009 UY wasn't given any 2009 points because they didn't have the "inventory"-even though almost everyone else was given 2009 points! Now all of sudden, there are loads of March 2009 points to give away. Where are my March 2009 points? This is ridiculous. :mad:

I've since heard that VGC won't get 2009 points with the March UY.

[kdepot]

We bought at the end of May 08 and a Dec UY. Got our 07 points and banked them right away. So after Dec 08 we had double points.
Worked well for us as we were not going back in 08. Used 243 points of our 320 on a 1BR at SSR. What a GREAT trip.

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

I've since heard that VGC won't get 2009 points with the March UY.

Okay, thanks- at least that make sense. So then this double point March 2009 UY incentive is just for AKV and BLT?

[tjkraz]

Okay, thanks- at least that make sense. So then this double point March 2009 UY incentive is just for AKV and BLT?

Actually it appears to be for any resort except VGC. DVC has access to points at each of the older properties via ROFR and is even selling HHI and Vero for just $80 per point right now.

[WebmasterDoc]

Sure there's an element of "spin" on the offer, but this thread seems to show that there were people unaware of the ability to receive two sets of points so quickly after the purchase.

People new to the DVC world don't know the product well enough to realize that the purchase can be structure in such a manner. Having two sets of points available--without borrowing--for a trip in mid-2010 can be the proverbial tipping point for a purchase.

Additionally, with new resorts opening there have been situations lately where current and new owners purchased and did not receive points immediately for their current Use Year. People with a DEC Use Year who bought BLT in October or November '08 did not get 2007 or 2008 points AFAIK. There were also recent buyers in AKV and VGC who had to wait to receive their first points.

Personally I think it's an aspect of the new member purchase experience that's worth highlighting right now. YMMV.

I don't really think many here are unaware that they are getting points from the current Use Year and then more points when the Use Year begins again. DVC has ALWAYS had this policy and this is nothing more than a marketing spin. However, we have had posts by new members who have the mis-understanding they received Developer Points with this "new" promotion - when all they actually got was points from the current 2009 Use Year.

I've since heard that VGC won't get 2009 points with the March UY.

Perhaps the "new" incentive may still cause confusion when there is a resort that will NOT receive any current points for some Use Years and still get no Developer Points.

YMMV

[Nikisha421]

this is the same offer I received when I joined in 2006

[CrazyDuck]

You'll probably get "Double Points" if you ask for a April, May, June, or July use year as well because by the time you close on your contract you will be within the 4 month window where you can't bank your 2009 points. ;)

[tjkraz]

I don't really think many here are unaware that they are getting points from the current Use Year and then more points when the Use Year begins again. DVC has ALWAYS had this policy and this is nothing more than a marketing spin. However, we have had posts by new members who have the mis-understanding they received Developer Points with this "new" promotion - when all they actually got was points from the current 2009 Use Year.

Well, I'll have to respectfully disagree.

There are thousands of members who purchased over the last 12-18 months who did not receive points immediately. AFAIK, some had to wait up to 2 Use Years before receiving points.

Thousands more potential members have contacted DVC over that same time period and/or are mulling a purchase with the understanding that they would not receive their first points until some time in the future.

I agree that this is the way Disney has done things for many years in the past, but new and potential members do not have the perspective necessary to understand that. When we talk about an owner receiving his/her allotment of points annually, the basic understanding is that one receives "X" points at the time of purchase and "X" additional points about 12 months later.

The idea that a buyer can receive "X" today and another "X" in 40 days is not common knowledge among non-members based upon my experiences.

I agree that this is not a "new" promotion. Never said it was--that's OP's word. But I still believe the basic concept is worthy highlighting at this time.

[5forDiz]

You'll probably get "Double Points" if you ask for a April, May, June, or July use year as well because by the time you close on your contract you will be within the 4 month window where you can't bank your 2009 points. ;)


If you are interested in April or June Use Year it doesn't hurt to ask but note that it mentions offer ends on Feb 28 so call to guide before that.

Also May and July are not Use Years ( neither are January and November )

:)

[tjkraz]

If you are interested in April or June Use Year it doesn't hurt to ask but note that it mentions offer ends on Feb 28 so call to guide before that.


Chances are that yes, you can get an April or June UY and receive the immediate 2009 points (except VGC.) For the older resorts it would be dependent upon DVC having an immediate supply of points available. And you won't quite get the same immediate benefit of 2010 points being issued within a couple of weeks.

The information I was given indicates that March UY points are (or were) readily available for all resorts and that buyers had only until the end of February to buy and get the '09 + near immediate '10. I suspect circumstances will be very similar in March (for April UY) but didn't want to make that assumption and have it end up being incorrect.

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well, I'll have to respectfully disagree.

There are thousands of members who purchased over the last 12-18 months who did not receive points immediately. AFAIK, some had to wait up to 2 Use Years before receiving points.


When and where was this wait other than for new opening resorts? If that is what you're referring to that is just a very different situation - the points never existed to give. Even now with this "special" if those resorts didn't have points available for a UY - they still aren't giving them out with this supposed promotion (aka - GCV). When I bought points in the recent past - if points weren't available at the resort themselves then there were DP's b/c it's tough to sell something that isn't current.

The post just below yours is an example of what I was talking about - the article is creating an exaggerated urgency - ie, that it ends Feb 28th when we know this has been standard practice and a person with a July or Dec UY will get the 2009 points if they purchase in the 2009 UY. They do not need to purchase within the next two weeks or it's gone. It will only be gone for the March UY's just as they did last month - buy by Jan 31st and all UY's get 2009 points.

This would be an actual special if they were still giving 2009 points to a Feb UY.

I think my problem with the article written is that many newbies look to your website for factual information. Yes, your story is factual in that it is what DVC is saying but in a way it's not factual in that it this is standard practice. It may lead new people to think they need to look for this special in the future or they won't get current points. I do understand that you think there are people that don't know this - and agree it's good information to know-but the marketing spin of it is actually also misleading.

[5forDiz]

Chances are that yes, you can get an April or June UY and receive the immediate 2009 points (except VGC.) For the older resorts it would be dependent upon DVC having an immediate supply of points available. And you won't quite get the same immediate benefit of 2010 points being issued within a couple of weeks.

The information I was given indicates that March UY points are (or were) readily available for all resorts and that buyers had only until the end of February to buy and get the '09 + near immediate '10. I suspect circumstances will be very similar in March (for April UY) but didn't want to make that assumption and have it end up being incorrect.


Just curious Tim what your thoughts might be on a scenario like this : could DVC decide to just not issue current UY point at all resorts & tell purchasers that their first allotment would be in next UY after purchase ?(of course the purchaser could borrow the points if they didn't want to wait)

I would lean towards agreeing with what Kat4Disney's post said about it making it tougher to sell if there's no current points. But I'm wondering if by not issuing current UY points this actually may give DVC some advantage like they'd have more inventory to turn over for cash reservations ? and if they didn't issue current UY points(don't know if this is even legal:confused:) but instead gave DPs at the newest resort(s) regardless of which resort is being purchased by the prospective buyer could that be a worthwhile strategy to get more members to add-on at newer resorts after using DPs for a stay?

:)

[tjkraz]

When and where was this wait other than for new opening resorts? If that is what you're referring to that is just a very different situation - the points never existed to give. Even now with this "special" if those resorts didn't have points available for a UY - they still aren't giving them out with this supposed promotion (aka - GCV). When I bought points in the recent past - if points weren't available at the resort themselves then there were DP's b/c it's tough to sell something that isn't current.

At other times there has been a wait in situations where buyers were looking for a sold-out resort and DVC did not have the points readily available.

Regardless, what you describe above is exactly the reason for the post. Due to backlogged construction schedules, people have not been getting immediate points for many purchases in the recent past. Some received Developer's Points...many more did not.

You may know that this type of arrangement was commonplace dating back 18 months or more...Doc knows that...I know that...but people considering DVC now have very little chance of realizing it on their own.

This is not described as a "special." I didn't call it a "bonus" or an "incentive" or a "promotion." Really I think you are reading far too much into it. It was merely an attempt to draw attention to a procedure that has fallen by the wayside in recent years.

The post just below yours is an example of what I was talking about - the article is creating an exaggerated urgency - ie, that it ends Feb 28th when we know this has been standard practice and a person with a July or Dec UY will get the 2009 points if they purchase in the 2009 UY. They do not need to purchase within the next two weeks or it's gone. It will only be gone for the March UY's just as they did last month - buy by Jan 31st and all UY's get 2009 points.

The main problem I have with your statement here is that we do not know with 100% certainty that what you describe will continue to be the case. You are also ignoring the fact that many buyers want a specific UY--not just whatever UY will get them the most points when they decide to pull the trigger.

I was specifically told that people who buy by Feb 28 will get the March '09 points. Would it have been MORE responsible of me to simply say "oh, no urgency to buy now because you'll always be able to do that"? Can any of us state--unequivocally--that people who purchase by May 31 will always get points from the prior June?

I would rather err on the side of caution.

But if a buyer WANTS a March Use Year, now is certainly the time to buy. Waiting two weeks and still insisting on the March UY would cost the buyer a set of points. If my comments help a potential buyer understand that they very much have something to gain by purchasing in the next couple of days, then mission accomplished.

[Ryansdad0727]

I recieved a call from them the other day and they gave me the sales pitch. I was looking at a 160 point account. I said so i will get 320 points this year that i can bank next year. She said i would get the other 160 next year. I told her i would think about it and get back with her. I will probably buy through resale.

[WebmasterDoc]

...
Regardless, what you describe above is exactly the reason for the post. Due to backlogged construction schedules, people have not been getting immediate points for many purchases in the recent past. Some received Developer's Points...many more did not.

But, those purchasing thru DVC have ALWAYS received points from the current Use Year. True, there have been some situations when some Use Years had no current points since the resort was not yet open (thus there were 0 points in that Use Year), but the policy for DVC since 1991 has been to provide the current points. In some cases - and as recently as AKV sales - Developer Points or other discounts were offered when a resort was not yet open.

In the early 90's DVC was strict about NOT allowing points from a new purchase to be banked beyond the banking deadlines, but that policy was relaxed years ago.

You may know that this type of arrangement was commonplace dating back 18 months or more...Doc knows that...I know that...but people considering DVC now have very little chance of realizing it on their own.

This is not described as a "special." I didn't call it a "bonus" or an "incentive" or a "promotion." Really I think you are reading far too much into it. It was merely an attempt to draw attention to a procedure that has fallen by the wayside in recent years.

Except for some Kidani buyers and now BLT and GCV, none of the other resorts have had such Use Year delays without getting some appropriate incentive along with an explanation about the policy and at this time, none of the other resorts (OKW, VB, HH, BWV, VWL, BCV, SSR) purchased thru DVC directly have any such restriction unless DVC just has no contracts available for a specific Use Year - in which case the contract would not be available at all - with or without current points.

When SSR began sales prior to opening, there were incentives to balance the lack of current points for some Use Years. When OKW sold reopened sales for buildings 62 - 64, there was no regard for use year and all buyers received current points even before the new villas opened. When BWV sold the new villas recaptured by the relocation of the sales center, there was no regard for use year and all buyers received current points even before the new villas opened. Buyers at Jambo and also Kidani received some incentives to replace the lack of current points.

The main problem I have with your statement here is that we do not know with 100% certainty that what you describe will continue to be the case. You are also ignoring the fact that many buyers want a specific UY--not just whatever UY will get them the most points when they decide to pull the trigger.

I was specifically told that people who buy by Feb 28 will get the March '09 points. Would it have been MORE responsible of me to simply say "oh, no urgency to buy now because you'll always be able to do that"? Can any of us state--unequivocally--that people who purchase by May 31 will always get points from the prior June?

I would rather err on the side of caution.

But if a buyer WANTS a March Use Year, now is certainly the time to buy. Waiting two weeks and still insisting on the March UY would cost the buyer a set of points. If my comments help a potential buyer understand that they very much have something to gain by purchasing in the next couple of days, then mission accomplished.

The mission of posting static content (in a headline font announcing
Double points in first year with purchase) is a little different than having an open discussion about the same DVC policies and practices on a forum like this.

When the lead sentence in the "news" article suggests urgency ( For a limited time buyers who purchase an ownership in the Disney Vacation Club will receive double their normal allotment of points to use within the first year. ) for a policy that has always been the case, it's certainly open to discussion here - where it's not as important to worry about "caution".

Without any editorial comment to provide the background history, I can see where potential new buyers might believe this is indeed a new policy. Simply reporting the historical past speaks volumes about the current "Double points" incentive.

I suppose there are some who will view "Double points" as news, but if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it may just be the same old policy used for years with nothing more than a misleading marketing spin.

[LisaS]

I think I got something from DVC about this, maybe back in January, offering "double points" available until Feb 1st. I remember thinking that they must have a lot of Feb UY contracts available for sale! And then I wondered how many members who received that postcard would have been mislead by the marketing spin about this being a "special limited time offer" for "double points". It really bothers me when DVC does something like this because it makes them seem sleazy.

[tjkraz]

Except for some Kidani buyers and now BLT and GCV...

But that's exactly my point. Kidani, BLT and VGC are the resorts they've been actively marketing for the last 18 months. Countless people who have met with or spoken to a Guide have been told that they would not get points immediately. (And there were no additional incentives offered at any of those three resorts specifically "because points are not immediately available.")

Now that situation is changing.

You and I may know that this is status quo for completed resorts when points are available, but non members and even many new members can't make that distinction.

I wholeheartedly agree that there is a lot of "spin" going on here. I said so in my first post here. But I still think it is information worth the consideration of anyone contemplating a DVC purchase. Much better to draw attention to the info than leave it buried in an FAQ, wait for someone to ask on a message board or just assume that people should know that's how things have "always been done."

[WebmasterDoc]

But that's exactly my point. Kidani, BLT and VGC are the resorts they've been actively marketing for the last 18 months. Countless people who have met with or spoken to a Guide have been told that they would not get points immediately. (And there were no additional incentives offered at any of those three resorts specifically "because points are not immediately available.")

Now that situation is changing.

You and I may know that this is status quo for completed resorts when points are available, but non members and even many new members can't make that distinction.

I wholeheartedly agree that there is a lot of "spin" going on here. I said so in my first post here. But I still think it is information worth the consideration of anyone contemplating a DVC purchase. Much better to draw attention to the info than leave it buried in an FAQ, wait for someone to ask on a message board or just assume that people should know that's how things have "always been done."

DVC has also been actively marketing SSR over the past 18 months - and still are today - and those buyers have been receiving the same "double" points as anyone purchasing DVC for years - without anyone hyping it as "Double Points" on any "news" websites. It's fine to single out 3 resorts where current points were not available immediately, but maybe "news" articles should even point out that inconsistency instead of contributing to the misleading statements made by the DVC marketing people.

There is nothing wrong with posters here criticizing the misleading qualities of both the DVC "promotion" and those that hype that same "spin" in their "news" reports.

I agree with LisaS, it makes DVC seem a bit sleazy, just like many other timeshare companies who mislead potential buyers.

[KAT4DISNEY]

But that's exactly my point. Kidani, BLT and VGC are the resorts they've been actively marketing for the last 18 months. Countless people who have met with or spoken to a Guide have been told that they would not get points immediately. (And there were no additional incentives offered at any of those three resorts specifically "because points are not immediately available.")

Now that situation is changing.

But the situation isn't changing - it's still the same as it's always been. It's just that currently all resorts except Aulani are open and selling. It would be a changed situation if GCV March and Apr UY's also got the "Double points in first year with purchase". But as you had to confirm, they don't. So it's the same as DVC has always done. Not a limited time offer.

This marketing also plays upon calendar year and is disregarding UY in many ways. To a December UY they are just at the start of 2009. Not 2010. So of course they should get 2009 points. Your wording posted also does the same spin...."For a limited time buyers who purchase an ownership in the Disney Vacation Club will receive double their normal allotment of points to use within the first year." It's not receiving double the points. It's receiving current points and next years points b/c you must consider the UY calendar.

Of course it's your option to report as you wish but I've just hoped to point out that it has confused some people and left them thinking they need to act now. It's also helping DVC make them think they're getting something other's won't in the future. Unless you've heard otherwise I fail to believe that DVC would look at an Oct or Dec UY, or any UY that is still in 2009 and say "sorry, the calendar says 2010 and you don't get those points until xxx 2010". Never say never but it doesn't follow the DVC operation set up.

DVC marketing has done their job so good for them. Hopefully buyers won't feel too much dismay if they miss the offer.