Adding an associate member

[married@wdw]

My mom is thinking of adding on to our existing membership -- she wants to own some points, but not enough to buy a new contract. What priveleges does adding her as an associate member give her? She won't ever make her own reservations (I plan all her vacations now and that won't change) but will she get her own membership card so she can get discounts on admissions and restaurants? She mostly wants to be able to get a discount at SS spa when I'm not with her.

Thanks!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am not sure if associate members get cards or not, but I seem to remember them asking us if we wanted our grown kids to have cards when we added them as associates. They declined them though.

 

[floridafam]

I thought associates did not receive cards. From what I remember when we were buying in is that only the member who is named on the card(s) is entitled to any discounts.

For example, if I had just been on as an associate, my DH would have to go with me to the Disney Store if I wanted to use the DVC discount.

I could be totally wrong. I would call your guide and ask.

Could you have her added on to your existing contract and then do an add-on?

 

[spiceycat]

No the associate does not get the Member cards

they can make reservations at a DVC resort using points - yours or hers

they can't make a cash DVC discount reservation - you must stay in that room.

when they arrive at the DVC resort they do get all the discounts that you as a member get - expect the cash reservation discount.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sorry for the missinformation. I seemed to remember them asking us if we wanted the kids to have cards.

 

[married@wdw]

So this sounds to me like my mom can get the discounts at WDW with her room key. Is that right? I never realized that before -- always used by member card for discounts -- but that would be great because then I don't even need to add her as an associate!

 

[spiceycat]

yes - all the ID cards (room key cards) that you or her make on DVC points - will have DVC member - that entitles you or her to all the DVC discount at WDW - not the Disney store (you must have a member card for that)

your parking permit now also has DVC member on it. So the all he security guards at the different resorts know that you are DVC member not just a guest.

 

[married@wdw]

Thanks Spiceycat and everyone else who tried to help! All she cared about was the spa and restaurant discounts (assuming will still get it when the spa reopens) so she'll be happy to know she can get those without having to actually be on the membership. She likes the idea of owning a little piece of DVC without having to do all the work (i.e., I'm her travel agent!).

 

[Candace]

Diane - how old do the children have to be in order to be added as an associate member? And upon my death, does the associate automatically become the Member? Hope this makes sense, and thanks!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not sure about the age, since ours were adults by the time we purchased. I think they retain rights after your death, but you can also deed it in a will.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by married@wdw
So this sounds to me like my mom can get the discounts at WDW with her room key. Is that right? I never realized that before -- always used by member card for discounts -- but that would be great because then I don't even need to add her as an associate!

There are a couple of discounts that are member specific. The member must be present and in the unit. The one for the 10% on UMP is not enforced. The one for member room discount for cash is enforced. Everything else she can get when staying on points.

 

[5infam]

I'm not sure how many points she wants to add on to your contract, but you could always look for a small resale contract she could buy. Although the minimum purchase through Disney is 150 points, if you buy resale, there is no minimum, you just have to find a small contract for sale. This would make her a full member on her own.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

If I remember correctly you have to be 18 to be listed as an associate member. At the time of my initial purchase only my oldest DD was 18 so she is the only one listed, and she has a member card. But I wonder if she has a card, because they sent me two and I only needed one???

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DisneyHumbug
If I remember correctly you have to be 18 to be listed as an associate member. At the time of my initial purchase only my oldest DD was 18 so she is the only one listed, and she has a member card. But I wonder if she has a card, because they sent me two and I only needed one???

My guess is she has your extra card as Associate members don't get cards.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think the card issue I was thinking of was that they asked if we wanted our "kids" on the deed when we first purchased. I think that was the explanation of if they would have membership cards or not. We decided since they would have reservation rights with Associate membership, that was what we chose.

 

[married@wdw]

Originally posted by 5infam
I'm not sure how many points she wants to add on to your contract, but you could always look for a small resale contract she could buy. Although the minimum purchase through Disney is 150 points, if you buy resale, there is no minimum, you just have to find a small contract for sale. This would make her a full member on her own.

Thanks, but we get a CM discount if we go through Disney which makes the price much cheaper than the resale market.