Pay cash for weekends?

[johnnyd727]

We just joined DVC in August and just made our first reservation for next August. Is it common for members (or even possible) to pay for the weekend nights of a week long stay at the DVC member discounted rate in order to save points? Is this typically worth the cost? If so, how do we make those reservations - just by calling DVC and telling them we want to use our points for sun - thurs and pay cash for fri-sat?

[DebbieB]

I have done it. You call member services and ask if there is availability. I did it for an OKW 1 bedroom, at the time it was around $325 and saved me 48 points. That came to under $7 a point.

[eliza61]

Originally Posted by johnnyd727

We just joined DVC in August and just made our first reservation for next August. Is it common for members (or even possible) to pay for the weekend nights of a week long stay at the DVC member discounted rate in order to save points? Is this typically worth the cost? If so, how do we make those reservations - just by calling DVC and telling them we want to use our points for sun - thurs and pay cash for fri-sat?

Yes it is possible to pay for your stay on the weekends. You have to decide on the worth though. I use my points for the entire trip (usually 10-11 nights) so I wouldn't have to pay cash. I also use my points to trade out to other vacations (which everyone says is not an economical use of points) so I'm not the person to ask about worth because the value of my points is the ability to not use cash.

[bunny]

I received a pin code from CRO for 40% deluxe resorts. Could I make a reservation from CRO and then at check-in ask to remain in the same room? I know you can do that with cash reservations made through Member Services. I really don't want to move if I don't have to.

[TDC Nala]

I don't think it's possible to link a CRO or WDTC reservation with a DVC points reservation - they're two entirely different systems. You can link two reservations, cash and points, that were both booked through Member Services, but to take advantage of that discount you have to book through WDTC. No reason you can't ask to remain in the same room when you check out and check back in though, just that you probably can't link the reservations ahead of time.

If I am booking a cash reservation in addition to a DVC stay I do it at a value resort and then switch resorts - I am not interested in paying what it costs to stay in a DVC villa for cash.

[DebbieB]

Originally Posted by bunny

I received a pin code from CRO for 40% deluxe resorts. Could I make a reservation from CRO and then at check-in ask to remain in the same room? I know you can do that with cash reservations made through Member Services. I really don't want to move if I don't have to.

I did it with an AP rate once and was able to keep the same room. They can't be officially linked and your CRO dates are considered non-member (so no free internet but you get housekeeping).

[Cinderella1122]

Can you pay cash and not use points? I am thinking about taking a small trip and not using my points. How much is the discount usually?

[LSchrow]

once, we had a dvc room, then weekend thru cro, then dvc, then weekend thru cro.
unfortunately they upgraded the cro portions of our ressies.
after a while of pleading at the fd, we had to move twice, but did get the same room for the end of our vacation.
now i try to book only thru dvc (i hate moving)

[LSchrow]

Originally Posted by Cinderella1122

Can you pay cash and not use points? I am thinking about taking a small trip and not using my points. How much is the discount usually?

25%, subject to availability yada-yada
btw, i was told you cannot book a bw view villa on cash, only points

[PatMcDuck]

Sometimes we stay at Universal for Fri/Sat night.

[photobob]

We sometimes book an offsite cheaper accommodation for arrival day, I won't pay the cash rates for a villa. Some will stay a day or two at the WDW values resorts to save points, but my last visit we stayed at an offsite place that had a two bedroom spacious condo for much cheaper than Pop Century.

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Originally Posted by photobob

We sometimes book an offsite cheaper accommodation for arrival day, I won't pay the cash rates for a villa. Some will stay a day or two at the WDW values resorts to save points, but my last visit we stayed at an offsite place that had a two bedroom spacious condo for much cheaper than Pop Century.

Wow. How did you find that?

[Crystal_27]

We wouldn't even consider paying cash when we could use points. Before DVC, I *hated* having to pay $300+ per night for a room (but we did it to be on the monorail) and, even discounted, Disney hotel rates are still incredibly high...much higher than "free" when booking with DVC points. We bought our points to use them, and the thought of moving rooms mid-vacation or staying offsite unnecessarily to save a few points just doesn't appeal to me. However, for some it works well - - just not with me.

[lark]

If you're creative, cash can be a really good strategy.

I think part of the analysis depends on when you're planning to go. The seasons for DVC and the seasons for rack rates at DVC resorts do not line up. So, for example, after the first couple of weeks of July, DVC resorts are still in the relatively high "magic" category through the summer, while rack rates are in "value" season. DVC rents to members at the rack rate, minus the 25 percent if available.

[DebbieB]

The 3 times I did it was because I really was not in a position to do an add-on. I figured out the cost of buying more points and the dues on those points and it broke out about even with the less than $7 per point for the room on member cash. I stayed in the same room each time.