Adventures by Disney: Better to use points or cash?

[AKLFan3]

We're looking into taking an Adventures by Disney safari trip (within the next year or two) to South Africa. Has anyone taken an ABD trip via DVC using their points? Or has anyone just paid cash? We're wondering whether it is worth it to save up several years worth of points or use a combination of points/cash. Thanks for your responses.

 

[hakepb]

... The general rule with a Disney Cruise on points is, you get a better value if you rented out your points, take the cash from that rental, then book the cruise and pocket the extra cash (and the cancellation policy is better for cash bookings). I assume the math works similiarly with ABD...

Now, renting points takes more of your time (you essentially have to book the rental(s) and the ABD) but your points are your points. Use your points in the way that makes you happiest! (whether that is saving money or saving time)

 

[Inkmahm]

... The general rule with a Disney Cruise on points is, you get a better value if you rented out your points, take the cash from that rental, then book the cruise and pocket the extra cash (and the cancellation policy is better for cash bookings). I assume the math works similiarly with ABD...

Now, renting points takes more of your time (you essentially have to book the rental(s) and the ABD) but your points are your points. Use your points in the way that makes you happiest! (whether that is saving money or saving time)

Or, do a transfer of points to a fellow member instead of renting them. Once the points are transferred, you don't have any connection to them anymore. The other member uses them as they wish and you have the cash to go on your merry way.

I will only transfer, never rent, my extra points. (Not that I have extra points too often...)

 

[Pakey]

The South Africa, non signature, trip is currently 628 points per person with the early booking discount.

The same trip is $4800 per person if you pay cash.

So selling/transferring your points at $10 per pt would net you $6280 for those same 628 pts vs $4800 you will pay OOP. This assumes you value your pts at $10 per point which is the avg going rate to rent/transfer them.

This is based on 2009 prices/points. The prices/points went up about 10% from 08 to 09. The new tours/prices will come out next month so you will be able to tell how many points it would take to do a 2010 tour.

I don't think it's ever the best value to use your DVC points outside of the DVC resorts. However, they are your points to use however you want.