25 Point Add-on Question

[ELMC]

I have a question that I'd enjoy hearing differing opinions on. There seems to be a consensus that given the most recent resale restrictions, it makes financial sense to purchase resale and then add on a 25 point direct contract for access to AP discounts, etc.

Here's my question. We currently have resale points purchased after the first round of restrictions but before the second round. We have the blue DVC card. Is there a situation where it makes sense for us to purchase a 25 point direct add-on? What do you think?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

As of right now, no. There is no further benefit to an add-on, and if things change again, you will likely remain grandfathered. New benefits may have excludes, but it really depends what those benefits are if they're worth bothering for. Current benefit trend are things like the special events (one of which they announced then changed the date of) and stuff like the Soarin' tour (20 people a week!).

 

[TCRAIG]

As of right now, no. There is no further benefit to an add-on, and if things change again, you will likely remain grandfathered. New benefits may have excludes, but it really depends what those benefits are if they're worth bothering for. Current benefit trend are things like the special events (one of which they announced then changed the date of) and stuff like the Soarin' tour (20 people a week!).

I agree - no benefit

 

[Dean]

I have a question that I'd enjoy hearing differing opinions on. There seems to be a consensus that given the most recent resale restrictions, it makes financial sense to purchase resale and then add on a 25 point direct contract for access to AP discounts, etc.

Here's my question. We currently have resale points purchased after the first round of restrictions but before the second round. We have the blue DVC card. Is there a situation where it makes sense for us to purchase a 25 point direct add-on? What do you think?

Yes there is but probably not for the reasons you ask. It doesn't make sense to do so for benefits but IF one needs to add on 25 points, going resale is worth it for that situation.

 

[LAX]

Yes there is but probably not for the reasons you ask. It doesn't make sense to do so for benefits but IF one needs to add on 25 points, going resale is worth it for that situation.

I don't keep a close eye on all resale listings, so I might have just missed them. However, I have yet to see any 25 point contract available on the resale market. Has anyone actually seen one? The closest I have seen is 35 points. I think this should be enough reason to add on direct. Not to mention the closing cost is likely lower direct as well.

LAX

 

[ELMC]

Thanks for the replies. To be clear, we are comfortable with the amount of points we own now. I guess I'm just asking people to weigh in on the value of having a small portion of my portfolio be direct points and/or speculate as to the potential future benefit of having direct points.

 

[Dean]

I don't keep a close eye on all resale listings, so I might have just missed them. However, I have yet to see any 25 point contract available on the resale market. Has anyone actually seen one? The closest I have seen is 35 points. I think this should be enough reason to add on direct. Not to mention the closing cost is likely lower direct as well.

LAX

I likewise don't follow them that closely but I know there have been those that bought under 50 points resale. I suspect they don't list them and have a waiting list. I don't think there is enough savings to fool with it but there may be a situation where getting points that would not be available retail would be helpful.

Thanks for the replies. To be clear, we are comfortable with the amount of points we own now. I guess I'm just asking people to weigh in on the value of having a small portion of my portfolio be direct points and/or speculate as to the potential future benefit of having direct points.

I can envision a situation where this could be helpful but I think it's unlikely and certainly not enough of a potential benefit to buy now just in case. OTOH, I feel strongly one should give themselves options and for most resale only buyers with non qualified points, it's worth the investment in future options. Now the best way is to do that planning up front and buy with that end point in mind taking into account home resort, UY and number of points to end up with. But there are other reasons to buy resale outside of this question.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The only benefit that you might be missing that 25 points direct would give is access to a member cruise. Anything else of value you already have access to as the 25 points would be the only qualified points that could be used towards any of the trades you don't have access to - and would probably price out better to rent and pay cash anyway.

I don't keep a close eye on all resale listings, so I might have just missed them. However, I have yet to see any 25 point contract available on the resale market. Has anyone actually seen one? The closest I have seen is 35 points. I think this should be enough reason to add on direct. Not to mention the closing cost is likely lower direct as well.

LAX

I have but it's rare.

 

[ELMC]

I can envision a situation where this could be helpful but I think it's unlikely and certainly not enough of a potential benefit to buy now just in case. OTOH, I feel strongly one should give themselves options and for most resale only buyers with non qualified points, it's worth the investment in future options. Now the best way is to do that planning up front and buy with that end point in mind taking into account home resort, UY and number of points to end up with. But there are other reasons to buy resale outside of this question.

This is kind of what I'm getting at. I'm trying to be a little bit predictive to see if there might be some unknown reason why having qualified points might justify ownership. I'm all about resale, but they have made it pretty clear where they are going in creating two different classes of memberships. If you can't beat em, join em.

 

[Nie0214]

The only benefit that you might be missing that 25 points direct would give is access to a member cruise. Anything else of value you already have access to as the 25 points would be the only qualified points that could be used towards any of the trades you don't have access to - and would probably price out better to rent and pay cash anyway.

You also don't get access to the Gold AP but that's not a guaranteed benefit either.

 

[Dean]

This is kind of what I'm getting at. I'm trying to be a little bit predictive to see if there might be some unknown reason why having qualified points might justify ownership. I'm all about resale, but they have made it pretty clear where they are going in creating two different classes of memberships. If you can't beat em, join em.

IMO for your situation there's little up side unless you just need that few points. It's possible it could have an effect on any potential VIP program but unlikely since such a program would likely require volume. There just isn't much it can do other than a few special events related to DCL, ABD, concierge program options or the like. I feel strongly it gives options and future protection for those with unqualified points but I don't believe that's the case for the rest.

 

[Dean]

You also don't get access to the Gold AP but that's not a guaranteed benefit either.

In this example Dan would get access because he has points that are qualified for that sense but not for cash exchanges.

 

[Nie0214]

In this example Dan would get access because he has points that are qualified for that sense but not for cash exchanges.

Ah! I missed that. Yeah, no reason to buy direct then, IMO!

 

[Aron1012]

Don't mean to hijack thread but have a question along these lines: Are the 25pt direct add ons regularly available for all resorts? I mean if you buy resale at say AK or SSR, can you just call up Disney and get the 25 direct add on (for MB) in same UY without much issue?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Don't mean to hijack thread but have a question along these lines: Are the 25pt direct add ons regularly available for all resorts? I mean if you buy resale at say AK or SSR, can you just call up Disney and get the 25 direct add on (for MB) in same UY without much issue?

For AKV and SSR it should be quick if not immediate. Some of the older resorts they are getting fewer points back on so it can take longer.

 

[Aron1012]

For AKV and SSR it should be quick if not immediate. Some of the older resorts they are getting fewer points back on so it can take longer.

Ok thanks. Didn't want to purchase resale based on the idea of a direct add on then it not be available. Still not certain it is worth it only for the AP discount. Right now it is showing only $100 off. I was thinking in past it has been as much as $200 off, but maybe I am mistaken.

 

[BEW]

For AKV and SSR it should be quick if not immediate. Some of the older resorts they are getting fewer points back on so it can take longer.

I am in the process of buying AKV via resale right now so had the same concern/question. I called a Disney Guide that I was referred to and gave him my UY to see if I needed to go on the "waiting list" of if he was able to get points easily. He did some research and found he has points available and I am able to buy them as soon as I close on my resale purchase.

 

[Dean]

Don't mean to hijack thread but have a question along these lines: Are the 25pt direct add ons regularly available for all resorts? I mean if you buy resale at say AK or SSR, can you just call up Disney and get the 25 direct add on (for MB) in same UY without much issue?

To be more general, I think it's smart to investigate this issue up front. I do believe that someone going in new planning retail and resale should buy the resale first then the retail portion assuming it's an add on situation like 25 points. But I do think the resort and likely retail availability should have some impact. Maybe it's VGF or VGC and one may not be able to get the same home resort and UY. In that case they may want to buy a few more points resale and consider a non home resort retail like SSR. Or buy and hold out trying to get the same UY and home resort but if they can't resort to plan B of a different home resort. For some situations it may be worth trying to time it to get them ASAP as in BEW's situation.

 

[bigtony777]

No benefit at this time. If I decide to sell our contract down the road as we may no longer need 290 points a year when our children get older, I think I will buy a small contract direct before selling. Being an owner will allow me to buy a smaller number of points than first time buyers. This will allow me to possibly keep getting discounts on annual passes and other perks. But who knows what the perks will look like in another 5 years.

 

[Dean]

No benefit at this time. If I decide to sell our contract down the road as we may no longer need 290 points a year when our children get older, I think I will buy a small contract direct before selling. Being an owner will allow me to buy a smaller number of points than first time buyers. This will allow me to possibly keep getting discounts on annual passes and other perks. But who knows what the perks will look like in another 5 years.

This was our goal when we bought the 100 points at AKV when it went on sale. We bought 100 because of the discounts and 4J*25 with the intent of selling all but 25 including our BWV contract. We sold several OKW contracts though.