Adding Points-Policies?

[Chic]

I currently own a contract at Saratoga Springs and want to add more points. Is there a minimum amount required? If so, what is the current minimum? If I purchase the extra points through Disney, are there any closing costs? Are there any incentives involved?

 

[drusba]

Purchasing through Disney, minimum is 25 if paying cash, I believe 50 if you want to finance. Current incentives, like $10 per point discount at SSR, kick in at 100. I am not sure of the current closing cost rule but I know for me, as a long-time member who recently added on at AKV, there were no closing costs.

If you purchase resale, there is no minimum but it cannot be less than 25 because Disney has not sold any add-ons (contracts you can get in resale) below 25.

 

[GusMan]

I am not sure of the current closing cost rule but I know for me, as a long-time member who recently added on at AKV, there were no closing costs.

When I bought my initial contract through DVC a few months back, they told me that if you buy additional points through them, there will be no additional closing costs.

 

[bwvBound]

If you are nearing the end of your use-year and are planning to purchase the add-on through DVC -- consider making your Go/NoGo decision ASAP. The add-on will carry your current year's points (which may be banked even if past the normal banking deadlines) with new points coming at the next UY anniversary.

Specific example: We made a recent add-on decision on Sept 30th (a Sunday) for our Oct UY contract. We received the full 2006 points on 9/30 and the very next day brought us fresh, new 2007 points. This "incentive" works regardless of add-on contract size.

 

[Dean]

If you are nearing the end of your use-year and are planning to purchase the add-on through DVC -- consider making your Go/NoGo decision ASAP. The add-on will carry your current year's points (which may be banked even if past the normal banking deadlines) with new points coming at the next UY anniversary.

Specific example: We made a recent add-on decision on Sept 30th (a Sunday) for our Oct UY contract. We received the full 2006 points on 9/30 and the very next day brought us fresh, new 2007 points. This "incentive" works regardless of add-on contract size.

True except for AKV since there are no 2006 points for that resort.

 

[ldo]

in the above case--getting points on Sept 30, 2007 then another batch on Oct 1, 2007 points, do you have to pay the maintenance fee for the 2006 points---I assume so, but just wondering. If not, that's a nice bonus!

 

[Dean]

in the above case--getting points on Sept 30, 2007 then another batch on Oct 1, 2007 points, do you have to pay the maintenance fee for the 2006 points---I assume so, but just wondering. If not, that's a nice bonus!

As far as I can remember you've only had to pay dues from the date you sign up to the end of the UY, remember signing not closing. So if you bought August points the end of July, you'd pay for slightly more than 5 months of points and potentially get all past years points for free. In some cases you pay even less such as your when the unit you're buying into isn't ready yet or you are not yet getting points such as with AKV. So yes, you do get free points in some cases. A couple of times DVC has had a special where you paid NO dues for that year no matter when you buy, I think the last time I recall hearing that was in 2006 or possibly very early 2007. And DVC has routinely waived the banking deadlines in this situation.

On a related note, you can find the same thing resale as well only even better at times. At times you can find resale contacts with all points banked from the previous UY, all current UY points and all next UY points. Generally the most you'd have to pay in that situation is a full year of maint fees.

 

[ldo]

are you saying you pay maint. from when you sign to end of calendar year? I don't understand how getting July points with an Aug UY means you only pay 5 mths maint., unless it's to the end of the calendar year.

 

[tiggerrr]

are you saying you pay maint. from when you sign to end of calendar year? I don't understand how getting July points with an Aug UY means you only pay 5 mths maint., unless it's to the end of the calendar year.

Pardon me for stepping in to reply on Dean's behalf, but the 5 months maintenance is from when you sign to the end of the calendar year. Maintenance fees are for a calendar year and are unrelated to your UY.

While the Maintenance Fees are calculated on a per point basis, they are not technically "payment" for the use of those points, they are your share of the annual costs of that resort for the period of time that you owned at that resort. That's why there is such a perceived benefit to adding on just before your new use year starts (particularly if you have a UY late in the year). You get the use of a full year's worth of points without having to pay for the full year of MF.

 

[alldiz]

So if I have an April use year....

and I add on before april....will I get 07 points?
thanks
Kerri

 

[ldo]

and am planning on adding next year--this is good to know--I'll add on in Aug--thanks.

 

[Dean]

So if I have an April use year....

and I add on before april....will I get 07 points?
thanks
Kerri

As a rule, yes and also be able to bank those points. As noted, the exception might be AKV and any new resorts such as CA.

are you saying you pay maint. from when you sign to end of calendar year? I don't understand how getting July points with an Aug UY means you only pay 5 mths maint., unless it's to the end of the calendar year.

DH answered as I would have. The idea that you get the points you pay the dues is one that stems from the traditional timeshare where if you get the week you normally pay the dues. It is simply incorrect, DVC does not work that way. A couple of other points systems works as DVC does with a calendar year for points and prorated points the first year of ownership. It is something to look out for if you look at resale since most resale companies incorrectly extend this approach to DVC as well.

 

[LisaS]

So if I have an April use year....

and I add on before april....will I get 07 points?
thanks
Kerri

Yes, provided that they still have Apr 2007 points available when you call to add on. Depending on the resort you want to purchase they may not have any 2007 points left for your Use Year when you call, particularly if you wait until the last few days of your UY to try to purchase your add-on.