A small Add on Contract from different resort benefits versus issues

[DVCMinnie2532]

AKL is my home resort. I am very close to considering a small add on contract at another resort just to receive 11 month availability. If i purchase the add on contract from a different resort than my home resort and make sure that a new member number is provided for the new resort (very small add on-I calculated exactly what i will need for a specific trip), will i be able to have access each year for the 24 one time use points if I require them at each resort? In other words if I handle it right, i will actually have access to 48 use points each year if i need them to book at the 7 month mark. I like the flexibility to having access to those use points if needed. However, will I be making a huge mistake in the long hall? I know its convenient just to add on to my AKL contract but I really would like to gain the home booking advantage at a magic kingdom or epcot area resort for one nite (i.e. a poly bungalow or a 2 bedroom at Baylake tower or GF in the magic kingdom area_ for a special event that I am planning. Does that just sound like a stupid idea to others on this board? If i do that, do you have any special advice or recommendations?

 

[erionm]

The limit is 24 per use year, per membership. If you purchase the same UY and it's titled in the same names (resort doesn't matter), it would be added as a sub-contract to your existing membership.

 

[DVCMinnie2532]

The limit is 24 per use year, per membership. If you purchase the same UY and it's titled in the same names (resort doesn't matter), it would be added as a sub-contract to your existing membership.

If i purchase a different use year (possibly a month apart) but same ownership in order to avoid this, does this seem like a ridiculous thing to do to you? Let me apologize in advance as I have been over thinking things so much, I am afraid that I am considering something that most people would never consider doing?

 

[supersnoop]

If you purchase a different use year, you'll have access to 24 one-time-use points for each of them. But remember that one-time-use points are only available at 7 months.

I own one small (25 point) contract with a different use year, but I use it for a very specific trip and never mingle points. Otherwise, different use years are difficult to manage.

 

[erionm]

If i purchase a different use year (possibly a month apart) but same ownership in order to avoid this, does this seem like a ridiculous thing to do to you? Let me apologize in advance as I have been over thinking things so much, I am afraid that I am considering something that most people would never consider doing?

It's really personal preference, but there are a few things to take into consideration if looking at different UYs.

Different UYs would result in multiple memberships and you would have different banking deadlines. You would not be able to seamlessly use points from both memberships for a single reservation.

Some people have no issue managing different UYs, others prefer to stick with one for the simplicity.

 

[Dean]

AKL is my home resort. I am very close to considering a small add on contract at another resort just to receive 11 month availability. If i purchase the add on contract from a different resort than my home resort and make sure that a new member number is provided for the new resort (very small add on-I calculated exactly what i will need for a specific trip), will i be able to have access each year for the 24 one time use points if I require them at each resort? In other words if I handle it right, i will actually have access to 48 use points each year if i need them to book at the 7 month mark. I like the flexibility to having access to those use points if needed. However, will I be making a huge mistake in the long hall? I know its convenient just to add on to my AKL contract but I really would like to gain the home booking advantage at a magic kingdom or epcot area resort for one nite (i.e. a poly bungalow or a 2 bedroom at Baylake tower or GF in the magic kingdom area_ for a special event that I am planning. Does that just sound like a stupid idea to others on this board? If i do that, do you have any special advice or recommendations?

Yes, it it was a separate master you'd have access to 24 one time points per year per master. Plus you'd have added wait list options as well. But financially why do that given the price of the one time points compared to owning. $$$ wise one would be far better off just buying an appropriate amount of extra points with the new purchase. In the situation you asked you'd just buy the other contract plus an extra 25-50 depending on how frequently you anticipated to need to buy points. In this situation I'd rather have a few extra points and do a rental every few years than have to do the one time points regularly. It'd also give more home resort benefit and allow reserving at 7 months online rather than calling in.

 

[DVCMinnie2532]

Yes, it it was a separate master you'd have access to 24 one time points per year per master. Plus you'd have added wait list options as well. But financially why do that given the price of the one time points compared to owning. $$$ wise one would be far better off just buying an appropriate amount of extra points with the new purchase. In the situation you asked you'd just buy the other contract plus an extra 25-50 depending on how frequently you anticipated to need to buy points. In this situation I'd rather have a few extra points and do a rental every few years than have to do the one time points regularly. It'd also give more home resort benefit and allow reserving at 7 months online rather than calling in.

Thank you! Good advice!

 

[DVCjj]

Your question was a good one as I was thinking the same thing....Small Add On and utilize One Time Points.

Appreciated the answers.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Since you can only use the bought points at 7 months, I do not think that will help you at the monorail resorts particularly.

 

[Supplanter]

At 15 a point you'd break even in about 10 years, minus the dues. But keep in mind the value the thing has at that point. Those points will be worth something... Something you don't get buying them each year

 

[nabi]

We have 3 different UYs with two different resorts per UY. I booked Aulani at the 7 month mark, last year, using all 3 memberships and some purchased One Time Use points. For that application, our variables worked, but had to book 3 separate legs to that trip- stressful, but achievable.
Now we book each resort separately and resort hop- 4 or five days at an Epcot resort, a MK resort, and SSR. We bank and borrow often to vary each year.
The drawbacks- the smaller contracts cost more, but have since risen substantially by $30-$50 pp (who knows how the market will hold up with the member/non-member BS). Three UYs takes a lot of keeping track and management. I've never transferred between two but may do so next year for a more cost intensive stay ( bringing friends, wish me luck). We are Fort Wilderness junkies too, so the DVC discount for annual passes helps to defer costs for frequent stays. Mostly the biggest drawback is managing multiple for use.
I have empathy and feel sad for those caught in this most recent membership- criteria change. Knowing and making a purchase is one thing, but being blind-sided was just LOW! I hope the newest grandfathering email holds true.

 

[ziravan]

Yes. I do it all the time.

 

[ziravan]

We have 3 different UYs with two different resorts per UY. I booked Aulani at the 7 month mark, last year, using all 3 memberships and some purchased One Time Use points. For that application, our variables worked, but had to book 3 separate legs to that trip- stressful, but achievable.
Now we book each resort separately and resort hop- 4 or five days at an Epcot resort, a MK resort, and SSR. We bank and borrow often to vary each year.
The drawbacks- the smaller contracts cost more, but have since risen substantially by $30-$50 pp (who knows how the market will hold up with the member/non-member BS). Three UYs takes a lot of keeping track and management. I've never transferred between two but may do so next year for a more cost intensive stay ( bringing friends, wish me luck). We are Fort Wilderness junkies too, so the DVC discount for annual passes helps to defer costs for frequent stays. Mostly the biggest drawback is managing multiple for use.
I have empathy and feel sad for those caught in this most recent membership- criteria change. Knowing and making a purchase is one thing, but being blind-sided was just LOW! I hope the newest grandfathering email holds true.

If DVD honors 25 point direct add on contracts as qualifying for full membership, then I expect that small contracts won't be nearly so valuable on the resale market:

1. More will buy direct instead
2. That, over time, will create more small contracts on the resale market.

 

[Dean]

If DVD honors 25 point direct add on contracts as qualifying for full membership, then I expect that small contracts won't be nearly so valuable on the resale market:

1. More will buy direct instead
2. That, over time, will create more small contracts on the resale market.

If they're smart they'll require the minimum new purchase contract size to qualify.

 

[DenLo]

If they're smart they'll require the minimum new purchase contract size to qualify.

Since its inception DVC has had much higher minimum purchase amounts than the current 25 add on and 50 new purchase. I expect if this new requirement works and people believe adding direct is worth it for the perks then, DVC will once again raise the minimum number of points for a first purchase. I doubt it will ever return to the days of early OKW which was over 240+ points, but I would not be surprised to see a 100 point minimum new member and 50 point add on.

 

[Dean]

Since its inception DVC has had much higher minimum purchase amounts than the current 25 add on and 50 new purchase. I expect if this new requirement works and people believe adding direct is worth it for the perks then, DVC will once again raise the minimum number of points for a first purchase. I doubt it will ever return to the days of early OKW which was over 240+ points, but I would not be surprised to see a 100 point minimum new member and 50 point add on.

I recall 150, 190, 210 & 230 as minimum's. I said at the time they lowered the minimums that it was a mistake to go too low. One thing I could see them doing, one that some others do now, is to charge a flat rate for maint plus so much per month. Something like $300 plus $4 a point compared to $6 a point. I'm not saying they'd do it but I am saying they probably should and that if they did, those of us with multiple UY or separate masters would likely pay the minimum for each one. No more premium for small contracts on resale. To allow the benefits they likely should raise the minimum for initial purchase or to qualify but I see no reason not to allow the add ons at the same levels otherwise.

 

[michelleiada]

When we became interested in DVC back around 2006, I believe the minimum was 160 points and they were priced at $99 per point.

 

[jlovesee]

Don't forget if you buy a small contract you can use bank/borrow work for you and in most cases have 3X the actual points to work with. I own four different resorts (I am the extreme side of small contracts and multiple resorts, I own 50 at 3, and 63 at 1), I don't recommend doing what I do unless your crazy like me (*smile*), but as crazy as it sometimes gets to juggle different points, I love the fact that last year I booked Poly and WLV at 11 months and booked BLT standard view for this year at 11 months. Its nice. Plus though I only own 50 points at each because of how I make it work I actually end up with 150 points with bank and borrow.

Jennifer

 

[Dean]

When we became interested in DVC back around 2006, I believe the minimum was 160 points and they were priced at $99 per point.

Yes, I was referring to early on. Since it went back to 150 then up to 160 and now who knows but generally 100.

 

[disBOBney]

in regards to the OP, an "add-on" is an add to an existing membership. Since you are seeking a new membership, I suspect, that would be a new sale and subject to new sale minimums. Also, the past experience of being able to do 25 point "add-on"s could be considered a perk and not available to new resale buyers, until they have acquired a minimum direct sale purchase. Just a thought.