Add-On Questions

[BCVOwner in MA]

Hi, everyone--

We're thinking of doing an add-on now, and we thought we'd ask for thoughts and opinions from those who have already done that.

Basically, we're trying to decide between doing the add-on at our current resort (BCV) or a new resort. Either would be through resale, and we recognize that BCV resales aren't plentiful. Also, we're trying to decide about whether to match our current use year (April) or go for a different use year.

We understand the mechanics of the booking windows, home resort preference, etc.

We understand that everyone's situtation is different, but we thought that reading about the add-on experiences of other DVC members would help us. So....

What have your experiences been with doing an add-on? What are your opinions on whether to do it at the same resort or a different resort? What about the use year-- is the same or different better? Do you wish you had done your add-on differently?

Thanks!!

Mark and Ed

 

[IndianaDVCMember]

It's definitely better to have the same use year, if it is available of course. We recently added on a different use year to our main contract. The disadvantage is that you'll have to keep track of different banking deadlines when you plan. That didn't deter me because the deal was a good one.

If you are looking at a different resort for add-on, that would depend on your travel tendencies. If you plan to make reservations with both contract points pooled together on a regular basis, then there is no advantage. The 11-month reservation privelage only applies to points you own at the resort you wish to stay at.

 

[SimbaCub]

I have 4 add on contracts and all of them are the same use year which makes tracking them a lot easier. Granted I have only 2 home resorts but it still helps knowing the banking window is the same. I could have done a different use year but I like mine--Dec--so I wasn't going to create more work for myself. Some here do have different use years and may offer up tips to manage your points if you go that route. Good luck on whatever you choose!!

SimbaCub
BCV 2004

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have both of our contracts at the same resort with the same use year. When we purchased ur first 230 point contract, we assumed we would add on at another resort later. We added another 150 the very next year, and ultimately decided to keep it at the same resort so we would have access to all points at the same time and at the same resort. It didn't take us long to figure out that works the best for us. I like to know that I can reserve all of my points at the 11 month window.

 

[jekjones1558]

Another vote for same resort, same use year. Our current 3 and another that is in ROFR process now are all at BWV. For ressies at hard-to-get times of the year we like having all of our points available at the 11 month window at that resort. (Like the 600+ point trip we're doing in October). If you'll never need lots of points at once and you won't be using the 11 month window for a big point ressie, then it would seem that points at multiple resorts would be fine.

 

[Dean]

Personally I feel it varies with the situation. How many points do you own and how many do you plan to add? Also, which resorts do you routinely like to visit?

Example #1: You own 200 BCV points and plan to add 50 or less, I'd say add the same resort unless you are set on the home resort priority of another resort. Definitely the same use year. If so, make sure you add enough points to fullfill your needs, preferably without having to combine more than 2 years worth of points.

Example #1: You own 200 BCV points and plan to add 150 or more, I'd say buy a different resort if you at all have interest in anywhere other than BVC. In this situation there are slight advantages to the same use year and slight advantages to having more than one use year. Since you have to track each resort separately, I don't think the use year makes that much difference. The only advantages of the same use year are the combined points totals for banking windows and the slightly simplified acccounting. For different use years, it's choseing the best use year for a specific trip to maximize the protection from cancellations or changes.

Of course one could go on and on but I think these will cover most of the principles involved.

 

[BCVOwner in MA]

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions, all of which are helpful to us.

Have a great day.

Mark

 

[Connears]

We purchased add-on at HHI(original points at OKW in 1994)in 2002 and used Shontell at dvcbyresale.com She was wonderful, very thorough no problems and all was done in less than 6 weeks. We purchased HHI points in the same use year as our OKW points so it is convenient to only remember one banking/borrowing time-frame. I would recommend Shontell! Have fun...
Connears