Add On vs renting/ transfering points

[TyGuy]

I'm sure a lot of you were nodding your head when you read the title because you went through the same thought process... Mine is going something like this:

Hey, I need an additional 100 points to make a trip work next year... So instead of spending the money to rent/transfer them, why don't I just add on 50 points...

OK, so I've caught addonitis....

So outside of calling my guide with credit card in hand.. what should I know about adding on... I think I read that there is no closing cost but I'm not sure about that...

Any info would be appreciated before I pitch this to my DW

 

[DenLo]

We added on 50 points to our BLT contract a month after purchase. We realized belatedly that the 160 points we originally bought really didn't go far for a one bedroom at BLT. We just called our guide, gave him our credit card for the down payment. The points were in our account that afternoon. The paperwork arrived a few days later. No closing costs and instant gratification.

However, we also just bought points at AKV through resale. Saved us over $1000 even with closing costs and the extra MF for 2009. So unless you really need the points now, I'd think about resale. It took us about 7 weeks before the points were in our DVC account when buying resale and we did a cash transaction.

 

[Sandisw]

Depending on your UY and resort, you should get current UY points.

I am considering doing another 25 point BLT add on in January. I have a June UY. I was told that when I do, I will get my 2009 points (which I can bank) and then in June 2010, get another 25.

And, since it will already by 2010 when I add on, I will only have to pay 2010 MF's on those 25 points since MF's are by calendar year and not UY.

Easy to do as I have done it before.

 

[DMKEDM]

You've described most of my progression from 150 points (at the time, the minimum buy-in) to my current 465 points--in 3 years..3 of my four add-on's came when I needed more points to take a trip ... currently, I'm resisting the temptation to do it yet again...

First--it's super easy...you call your guide, give your credit card, and same-day, current year points are in your account--and you can bank them no matter where you are in your use year (one year I bought 115 new SSR points, Feb use year, on Jan 24...had 115 points on Jan 24 and another 115 points on Feb 1)...no closing costs...paperwork comes via Fed Ex...you sign, put in a copy of your driver's license (the "hardest part" for me...didn't have a printer/copier that would accommodate a drivers license, so had to go to Kinko's for that), and send it back in the enclosed, pre-paid Fed Ex envelope. Easy-peasy.

And I'm STILL in perpetual borrowing mode! My 2010 use year hasn't even started yet and I'm already more than half-way through my 2011 points! The only thing keeping me from my fifth add-on is the niggling thought that my family circumstances will change in 2 years (DS no longer a student, hopefully will be working and hence a whole lot less flexibility/availability for Disney vacations!)...really should wait to see how that plays out before adding on more points! On the other hand, I have two years left of DS availability for 2-3 Disney weeks each year...I don't want to give them up for lack of points (and somehow, telling myself I could just pay cash for a CRO reservation seems like such the wrong thing to do! Silly, aren't I?)

So...be aware that your contemplated add-on will be very easy, very quick and very satisfying...and could no doubt start you down (up?) the same "points spiral" I'm on!

Good luck!!