A few newbie questions--please help!

[RTownsend]

I am obviously not a DVC member, and have a few questions for all you experts out there.

I am interested in "renting" some points for a WDW stay sometime in the next 12 months.

1) I see posts about renting and transferring..is there a difference? If so, what?

2) If I were to "rent" points what is the procedure for actually using them to book and check-in to a resort? I understand I buy the points (seems $10 a point is the norm lately) from the DVC member, but the points are in their name, not mine--so how do I got about using them?

3) If I "rent" enough points from a DVC member, can I use them at non-DVD resorts such as Grand Floridian, etc? Would the process be the same? Who do you call to make ressies for non DVC resorts?

Thanks to all of you!!

 

[Ms. WDW]

I just sent you a PM.

 

[crzy4mickey]

I would like to know the answers too, can you pm me or post the answers? We are also interested in doing the same within the next 18 months or so.

Thanks

 

[MamaAdams]

I too am interested in this information. I am driving my 4 kids to Disney July 23-29 of this year and am looking for the least expensive way to go. I thought it would be a great experience to see whats it like to acually stay "IN" Mickeyland, but after seeing prices....whew.

Thanks,
Melissa

 

[Caskbill]

If you are not a member, then the part about transferring points is not relevant. A transfer occurs when one member transfers points from their account into another member's account. For a transfer to occur, both parties must be members with their own membership accounts.

When you rent, you are basically sub-renting, or sub-leasing so to speak, the use of that member's points. A member makes a reservation in your name, but using their own points. You pay the member some type of enumeration for use of those points. All transactions are between you and the person renting the points. Disney is not involved in any way.

Control of the reservation remains in the hands of the rentor, not the rentee. The rentee can confirm with Disney that the reservation was indeed made, but that's it. They cannot change it in any way. Only the member (owner of the points) can change a reservation, or cancel it.

There is by necessity a great deal of trust involved between both parties.

When you rent points, you are not entitled to regular member benefits such as some of the restaurant discounts members receive. Many places have been getting more strict about this, requiring both a room key (showing you're currently staying at a DVC resort) AND a member's regular 12-digit membership number card, before allowing the discounts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually, points are worthless to non-members. What you are really renting is a reservation at a DVC resort made by a member. Think of them as your travel agent, with possibly stricter cancellation policies. They have to do all the talking to MS. You won't have access to MS.

 

[dianeschlicht]

To have complete control of the reservation process, you have to be an owner, and not a renter.

 

[JeanJoe]

If I "rent" enough points from a DVC member, can I use them at non-DVD resorts such as Grand Floridian, etc? Would the process be the same? Who do you call to make ressies for non DVC resorts?

I think if you rent points, you're unlikely to want to go to the non-DVD resorts, as the points per night are pretty high.

In fact, even at a DVC site, the weekend (Fri and Sat overnight) points/night are high enough that you might be better off not staying those nights either.