Adding-on in small amounts--how does this help with ressies?

[bounceytigger]

I have a newbie question, that is probably easiest to ask thru an example....

A person has a DVC contract with 200 points at SSR. They add-on to their contract by purchasing 50 points at BCV because they want to have access to the 11-month reservation window at BCV. (And because they keep hearing how awesome SAB is!!) Can they use both their BCV points AND their SSR points to make a ressie at BCV 11 months out? If not, how are the 50 points going to help them do much of anything? (Besides staying at BCV for a few nights during the week.)

I notice that LOTS and lots of people mention having small add-on contracts at resorts other than their "main home" resort. But I keep wondering how these small contracts help, if you can only use the points for that add-on resort when making an 11-month ressie there. (sorry if I'm totally confusing people here! I'm starting to confuse myself!)

Unless....do people bank points, and borrow points, and therefore come up with more to use at these add-on resorts? Or, are people staying at more than one resort on these trips, and just using the small add-on contracts for Sun-Thurs nights?

Thank you for endulging me in my confusion here!!!

--Sarah

 

[nisiemouse]

Sarah,

We have an add on of 70 points at BCV. The first time we banked and borrowed to have 200 points for 5 nights in a 2 bedroom.

For April I am using 10 banked points plus my 70 I get on April 1st fpr 2 nights at BCV. I hope to switch over my OKW nights to BCV at the 7 month window.

These are our favorite two resorts. We got a great price on our OKW resale a couple of years ago which was the only way I could get dh to join DVC. Then we added on at BCV so we could be sure we could stay there at least every 3 years.

It works out perfectly for us.

 

[crisi]

No, you end up getting the eleven month window only on the 50 points you have at BCVs.

But, you can bank and borrow those 50 points into a 150 point stay once every three years, for a decent stay.

Or you can book part of your vacation at BCV at eleven months, and then move at seven months if there is availability. You'd be assured of SAB for part of your trip.

I suspect most people have "small" add ons at other resorts because few people can afford to have (and have enough vacation to use) big contracts at multiple resorts. So their "main" contract is one place, their smaller add ons someplace else. Its probably much easier if you are doing small add ons to have them at your home resort, but if you really want the eleven month window - even if its only going to be for a small part of your stay or once every few years - then the "buy where you want to stay" mantra enters in.

 

[Dean]

Sarah, you will only be able to use the 50 points at the 11 month window. Some do banking and borrowing to get up to 150 BCV points at one time. Others might book part at 11 months and the rest at 7 months out. I think most use a combination of all available options depending on their specific circumstances.

 

[bounceytigger]

Thanks!....that's more or less what I was guessing people did (go once every 3 years, or else just stay for a portion of a trip), but wasn't entirely sure. I can definitely see the appeal of having add-ons...especially at the smaller resorts like VWL or BCV.

Does it seem to be fairly easy to work with different Use-Year's, if the add-on is a different UY than your home resort? I'm assuming it's not always easy to get the same UY, at least if the add-on is purchased through a resale. (It sounds like you can get the same UY if you do an add-on thru Disney, though??)

I can see wanting to add-on somewhere down the road, and want to do my homework prior to doing so!

 

[LIFERBABE]

There are many people on the boards that manage different UY's. I am not one of them.

It is more difficult to manage and you have to be very diligent in keeping track of your points. MS also has more difficulty managing and you will have to work a little harder at keeping them straight, so it is imperative to keep good records in case you ever have a problem.

Now you should do this anyway so it may not be that much of an issue, but I have been known to let things go for periods of time so for me, it would be out of the question.

 

[Dean]

I think different use years work well for some, not for others. I'd never get a different use year for just 50 points though, doesn't make sense. Put in a request with your guide for the extra points and also start looking resale if you are ready to do the add on.