A Few Add-On Questions

[tjmaxwell]

Hello all,

I'm sure these questions have been answered a million times on here, so I apologize in advance. I wasn't sure what specifically to search for. If a knowledgeable DVC member might be willing to answer these questions, I would really appreciate it.

As a little background, I purchased a 200 point resale contract at BLT a couple of years ago with a September use year. Our family likes to split trips between Disney World and Disneyland and would like to add on a contract at the Grand Californian because it's really hard to get rooms there around Christmas time at the 7 month booking window. I found one I'd like to purchase that has the same use year, so I think I'm going to go through with it. Now, my questions:

1. The contract I'm looking at buying has some banked points that must be used by August 31, 2017. By the time I make it through all the approval process and everything, I assume I'll finally be able to book around May or early June. That gives me about three months (June, July, August) to use those points, and I don't really like going to Disney in the summer. Do you know if I'd be able to rent those points, or do you think they'd essentially be worthless? I wonder if I could use some of my existing BLT points, rent those out, and then contact member services once my contract comes in and ask them to change the points to the ones that will be expiring soon? A long shot, I know. Anyone know if they would do that? Any other suggestions?

2. Let's say my new contract was for 80 points and I wanted to stay at VGC on a trip that cost 180 points. Even with borrowed points, I'd only have 160 available (in theory). Am I right to say that I could not use my other points from BLT to book this during the 11-month window? Would there be any other options at all if I'm just a few points short?

3. Since I originally bought my first resale contract before Disney changed the rules about not receiving store/restaurant discounts, etc., I should still be able to do that once this contract is added to my profile, right?

Anything else I should be aware of about this? Thanks so much in advance for your help!

 

[drusba]

1. If you cannot use the points, you can attempt to rent them through a broker such as David's. The issue will be whether there is any rental to be had. If you cannot book before May, there will be limited availability at WDW and elsewhere through August. Likely SSR will still be open and possibly OKW and even AKV Kidani, so there is some chance but you still need a buyer on the other end.

You could possibly rent BLT points and then try to switch the VGC points for those in the reservation. That could work as long as the BLT points are themselves not used to make a reservation until 7 months out (obvious in your situation because the reservation would have to be in August 2017 or before) and the VGC points are in the same use year. However, you have a different issue that may make it unusable. You have a Sep use year. If you rent with BLT points, you would have to make the change by no later than April 30, 2017, because past that date you will not be able to bank the BLT points that come out of the rental reservation, i.e., you will be in the same position with those BLT points that you currently have with those VGC points that must be used by Aug 31, 2017.

2. You can use only home resort points for any particular resort at 11 months out. VGC points can be used at VGC and BLT points at BLT but they cannot be combined for one resort until 7 months out. Your other options are to find someone else to transfer or rent VGC points to you, or book the total nights you can and then try to add a night or two at 7 months out.

3. As long as you own any points that you purchased before April 2016, you can get any of the discounts and other perks except for trading out to the Disney Collections.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

1. The contract I'm looking at buying has some banked points that must be used by August 31, 2017. By the time I make it through all the approval process and everything, I assume I'll finally be able to book around May or early June. That gives me about three months (June, July, August) to use those points, and I don't really like going to Disney in the summer. Do you know if I'd be able to rent those points, or do you think they'd essentially be worthless? I wonder if I could use some of my existing BLT points, rent those out, and then contact member services once my contract comes in and ask them to change the points to the ones that will be expiring soon? A long shot, I know. Anyone know if they would do that? Any other suggestions?

2. Let's say my new contract was for 80 points and I wanted to stay at VGC on a trip that cost 180 points. Even with borrowed points, I'd only have 160 available (in theory). Am I right to say that I could not use my other points from BLT to book this during the 11-month window? Would there be any other options at all if I'm just a few points short?

!

1. To add to what Drusba shared - I'd just wait and try to rent the VGC points after closing. I think the likelihood of doing so is pretty high. As was pointed out, because of the banking window you wouldn't be able to do the BLT points and then switch if your closing did go into May and since you would be renting you would be obligated to keep the reservation even if you couldn't switch.

2. With banking and borrowing you'd have up to 240 points VGC points available to use at one time.

 

[MouseOfCards]

Just an FYI, but DVC has been known to allow a one-time banking exception so that you can bank points beyond their banking deadline - so your idea in question #1 could work. You should contact member services to verify this option.

 

[CarolMN]

Just an FYI, but DVC has been known to allow a one-time banking exception so that you can bank points beyond their banking deadline - so your idea in question #1 could work. You should contact member services to verify this option.

Don't think I would attempt this unless there are a LOT of points involved. It's not a guarantee, for sure. If it were denied, the OP would still be in the same position with the BLT points.

 

[tjmaxwell]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. Everything is as I expected. I think I'll just hold off and hope that there is some use for my banked points even though the booking window is short. I assume lots of people go to Disney in the summer and wouldn't mind staying at places like Saratoga or OKW.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just an FYI, but DVC has been known to allow a one-time banking exception so that you can bank points beyond their banking deadline - so your idea in question #1 could work. You should contact member services to verify this option.

This is a little different though - it's not that they are past their banking deadline - it's that these points have already been banked.

And yes, that's been done in a case or two but banking past the deadline is much more likely to occur than banking already banked points which really shouldn't.

 

[MouseOfCards]

This is a little different though - it's not that they are past their banking deadline - it's that these points have already been banked.

And yes, that's been done in a case or two but banking past the deadline is much more likely to occur than banking already banked points which really shouldn't.

Kat,

I was actually addressing drusba's comment. OP wondered if they could use or rent out their existing BLT points, then when the new VGC contract with banked points come in, ask MS to swap out the BLT points with the VGC banked points. Drusba said that the swap would need to occur no later than April 30, 2017, their banking deadline, otherwise the BLT points would not be able to banked.

My response was essentially saying that MS could possibly make an exception and bank those BLT point that had not been banked by the banking deadline.

I can see where there may have been some confusion. Thanks for clarifying. I've always found your responses to be very helpful!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Kat,

I was actually addressing drusba's comment. OP wondered if they could use or rent out their existing BLT points, then when the new VGC contract with banked points come in, ask MS to swap out the BLT points with the VGC banked points. Drusba said that the swap would need to occur no later than April 30, 2017, their banking deadline, otherwise the BLT points would not be able to banked.

My response was essentially saying that MS could possibly make an exception and bank those BLT point that had not been banked by the banking deadline.

I can see where there may have been some confusion. Thanks for clarifying. I've always found your responses to be very helpful!

Ah - gotcha. I didn't see the reference for the BLT points. MS might make an exception but the concern for me would be that you wouldn't know until you were actually able to do it.

Honestly, I think the OP will be able to rent out the VGC points just waiting. Lots of people are looking for last minute just a few days here and there. It won't be quite as easy as renting earlier but I wouldn't be concerned about getting it done.