About to rent points-help!

[peaches0313]

I have rented points before from a broker, but never a person. I am looking to "rent" someone's points for a vacation they have booked for August. She sounds like a perfectly normal person, but then who really knows? So how do I get over the nervousness of it all? I don't like the fact that the person has control over the reservation after I've paid, and can cancel at any time. Do people do contracts? Trip insurance? Also, what is best way to pay for my protection? Paypal or a credit card or does it matter? Thanks for any tips!!!! Is there no way to transfer the reservation to my name with MS?

 

[maburke]

You should do a contract. You can do insurance if you want, but you'll need that contract. No way of paying really protects you (though Western Union is a bad idea).

You just have to develop trust. August is not far away, so it's not for long.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The owner is required to do a contract with you by their own contract with DVC.

But they cannot transfer ownership of the reservation to you. The DVC member always owns their own reservation, no matter whose name is on it as lead guest. That's been true using a broker as well.

 

[Missyrose]

I have rented points before from a broker, but never a person. I am looking to "rent" someone's points for a vacation they have booked for August. She sounds like a perfectly normal person, but then who really knows? So how do I get over the nervousness of it all? I don't like the fact that the person has control over the reservation after I've paid, and can cancel at any time. Do people do contracts? Trip insurance? Also, what is best way to pay for my protection? Paypal or a credit card or does it matter? Thanks for any tips!!!! Is there no way to transfer the reservation to my name with MS?

To be completely honest? There's no way to eliminate the risk when renting points. You will have a contact, but if something goes wrong, you would end up spending a lot of money to get that contract enforced.

The best you can do is check the owner's info on the Orange County Comptroller site and talk to references. But even then, it still requires you to put your trust in the owner. If renting was risk-free, almost no one would book through Disney ever again.

 

[peaches0313]

They are wanting to confirm with MS they can put in my name, then they want payment, then they will complete the transfer of name on the reservation to my name, after they get payment from me. Is this how most do it? Seems to me I'd want the email confirming reservation in MY name PRIOR to paying, no? Since they as owners can just as easily take me off??

 

[ErinC]

If the owner is borrowing points to make the reservation, there may be part of it that they can't just cancel if you back out. I know that I personally wouldn't make the reservation without at least some payment from a renter. You will need to trust them. If you don't, then don't use them.

 

[Missyrose]

They are wanting to confirm with MS they can put in my name, then they want payment, then they will complete the transfer of name on the reservation to my name, after they get payment from me. Is this how most do it? Seems to me I'd want the email confirming reservation in MY name PRIOR to paying, no? Since they as owners can just as easily take me off??

So they are making the reservation in their name, sending you the confirmation of dates/resort and then, after you've paid, they'll switch the name on the reservation to yours? Just so you know, there's no "transferring" of the reservation to you. Your name will be on it and you will be able to link the confirmation to your MDE account. But the owner retains ownership of the reservation until you check in. You won't be able to make changes or room requests without them doing it.

The difference between renting through a broker and directly through an owner is the owner dictates the terms, so if you want to rent from them, you'd need to pay and then they'll put your name on the reservation.

 

[CarolMN]

As soon as the owner puts the reservation in your name and gives you the confirmation number, you can link it to your MDE account. If the owner cancels or modifies the reservation after that, you will know by looking at your MDE account.