$95 fee

[Homemom]

I'm trying to figure this whole DVC thing out and just really got interested after watching Samantha Brown today. DH & I have different ideas of this $95 fee. Can someone explain it to us, please. Is it every time you book using your points? Is it if you book a DVC other than your home resort? Is it if you book a non DVC property? Thanks in advance!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

It doesn't cost you anything to book a Disney Vacation Club resort (7 WDW resorts, one in DL, one in Hilton Head, Vero Beach, and Aulani in Hawaii), but if you use points to book a cruise, an Adventures by Disney trip, book through RCI, or book a non-DVC Disney resort such as the Poly, you will have to pay the $95 fee each time.

Personally, I would not use points to book anything outside of DVC. I would either only buy enough points to book DVC every 1, 2 or 3 years, or I would rent my points and pay cash for other vacations.

Best of luck with your decision. It's not for everyone, but we love DVC!

 

[Sandisw]

And, to add, the $95 fee is charged for any changes to those reservations. So, say you book a room at a non-DVC resort (ie: Poly) and then decide that you need to change the dates--it will cost you another $95.

I even believe name changes will cost you money. As mentioned, DVC provides the greatest value for booking and staying in the DVC resorts. For the occasional trips, I think its okay as we will not hesitate to use points for a cruise, for example, if we decide one year to replace our WDW trip with a Disney cruise. However, for something to do more regularly, it really may not be worth it.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

And, to add, the $95 fee is charged for any changes to those reservations. So, say you book a room at a non-DVC resort (ie: Poly) and then decide that you need to change the dates--it will cost you another $95.

I even believe name changes will cost you money...

All I can say is... Sure didn't know that!

 

[maddhatter_34]

I have used my points and paid the 95 dollar fee for the Cruise Line twice - paying a 95 dollar fee vs the cost of paying cash for the cruise line is WELL worth its weight in gold.. or points

 

[Longhairbear]

There is no fee charged to use points at any of the three Disneyland hotels.

 

[Joey7295]

There is no fee charged to use points at any of the three Disneyland hotels.

Is this still the case with GCV being there

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Is this still the case with GCV being there

From what I understand, it won't apply to the Disneyland and PP. When staying at GC, you have to stay at the villas.

 

[normr]

I have used my points and paid the 95 dollar fee for the Cruise Line twice - paying a 95 dollar fee vs the cost of paying cash for the cruise line is WELL worth its weight in gold.. or points

Wouldn't it be cheaper if you just rented out your points and paying cash for the cruise?

 

[disneynutz]

I'm trying to figure this whole DVC thing out and just really got interested after watching Samantha Brown today. DH & I have different ideas of this $95 fee. Can someone explain it to us, please. Is it every time you book using your points? Is it if you book a DVC other than your home resort? Is it if you book a non DVC property? Thanks in advance!

You should know the the $95 fee was added by Disney a few years ago. Like most DVC rules and policies, Disney can change the fee without notice.

Bill

 

[normr]

But wouldn't it be cheaper if you rented out your points for cash and then paying cash for the cruise or putting it on a credit card that will pay you back some and then paying off the card with the cash from the rented points, plus not having to pay the $95 on top of that?

 

[Sandisw]

But wouldn't it be cheaper if you rented out your points for cash and then paying cash for the cruise or putting it on a credit card that will pay you back some and then paying off the card with the cash from the rented points, plus not having to pay the $95 on top of that?

In most cases, yes, you will come out financially ahead by renting out your points and paying cash direct vs. using points and the fee.

However, for someone like me, it would not be worth the savings to have to go through the hassle of renting.

If we were to take a cruise one year, it would most likely be as a replacement to our WDW trip so using points would make the best sense for me.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Wouldn't it be cheaper if you just rented out your points and paying cash for the cruise?

Why is this always the "solution"?

Some of us didn't buy the points to run a business renting them.

I use mine to cruise and find the "rent" chant on here

It's like the "collective" wisdom is the only way you should be allowed to use your points!

 

[dzorn]

But wouldn't it be cheaper if you rented out your points for cash and then paying cash for the cruise or putting it on a credit card that will pay you back some and then paying off the card with the cash from the rented points, plus not having to pay the $95 on top of that?

Yes that makes more sense and it gives you better options if you need to cancel or change your cruise. Given the points/cruise cancellation policy it would not book a cruise on points again.

You will get the best value on DVC points used at DVC resorts.

Denise in MI

 

[Lynne M]

Why is this always the "solution"?

Some of us didn't buy the points to run a business renting them.

I use mine to cruise and find the "rent" chant on here

It's like the "collective" wisdom is the only way you should be allowed to use your points!

It's one solution, not the only solution.

Some prefer the convenience of using points over the flexibility in cancelling and possible cost savings of paying cash.

Some would rather pay cash for the cruise and keep their points for other vacations.

Some would rather pay cash and rent their points to cover the cost of the cruise.

Whatever works best for your family is the 'right' way.

 

[kendzee94]

From what I understand, it won't apply to the Disneyland and PP.

Correct. We just booked on 5/16 to stay at the Disneyland Hotel on 5/18, and were NOT charged the $95 fee. We also showed our DVC card and got the free parking (YEAH!) Now point wise, in our standard hotel room, we were charged 29 points, if we were to stay at VGC, we would have only paid 20 points for a studio, but is was not available. For us, we made reservations two days out (I'm sure total pixie dust!) and it was worth paying 9 points more for that night, as rack rate was $315. With tax, our two rooms would have cost us $737 vs 58 points I would have just banked and we aren't even sure what we are doing for our trip next year (which is a first for us, we usually have two or three trips out planned!) We are very happy with our DVC choice.