Advice Needed

[Laurafoster]

We are hoping to go back in December this year with my parents. We are both DVC members so we were planning on staying at Saratoga. The dates we want are the 28th November - 12th December (2 weeks). That comes to 191 points. Here's the problem, due to our trip in May and my parents using some of their points for my grandparents accomodation they dont quite have enough.

Me and DH have 194 points which means we would have 3 points spare.

My parents have 178 points which mean they are 13 points short.

Now i was going to transfer the 3 points over to my parents which would give them 181 meaning they would only need 10 extra points, which i thought i could get transferred from the rent/trade board.

But ive heard that you can only do 1 transfer per year? Is that right?

 

[Mrs Hobbes]

You can only do one transfer per year. Your best bet is for your parents to book for one less night and have another DVC member book the last night for you and rent points for the entire night. This is what we had to do for our forthcoming trip

 

[mikki.young]

Can they borrow from the following year? Or you borrow and transfer over more points?

 

[Halo]

Cash bookings for Friday and Saturday Nights are often cheaper than the rental value of points, so it might be worth your while looking into this for any Friday and Saturday nights in your stay periods.

e.g. say for example you need 30 points to stay for a Friday or Saturday night - these are worth $300-$330 or so. Yet you might be able to do a cash booking for, say, $200 a night instead. (Don't forget your DVC Owner discount.) Playing with your booking should enable you to get the length of stay you want with your existing points and to even recover some money to put towards your holiday. i.e. pay cash for dates you want and rent points out to others rather than borrowing from them. Just an option.

 

[UKDEB]

I'd probably be tempted to go for a 2 bed and pay cash for some of the weekend nights. I know that would mean shelling out quite a bit of money, which may be totally out of the question, but having the lounge, kitchen and washing facilities makes such a big difference, especially for a 2 week stay. Also, you get the gorgeous master suite with its whirlpool tub and separate shower.

 

[Laurafoster]

I'd probably be tempted to go for a 2 bed and pay cash for some of the weekend nights. I know that would mean shelling out quite a bit of money, which may be totally out of the question, but having the lounge, kitchen and washing facilities makes such a big difference, especially for a 2 week stay. Also, you get the gorgeous master suite with its whirlpool tub and separate shower.

That was my first idea but im a bit concerned that once ive done the 2 bed villa there will be no going back

 

[CarolMN]

I'd look for a point transfer for your parents. It's still early in the year and you might be able to find someone to transfer the points they need.

Sometimes you see posts on the Rent/Trade Forum for smaller amounts of points. Would they be interested in perhaps accepting a few more than they need? Once the points are transferred, they can be banked.

A transfer (at $10 or less / point) would be the lest expensive option for your parents since they only need 13 points. Be sure any points that are transferred will be good for the dates you need to reserve.

The best cash price I've seen for this past year for an SSR studio through CRO (it was discounted) was $179/night plus tax. Rack rate for an SSR studio for your dates is either $370/night (for 11/28) or $325/night (for 11/29 - 12/17). Those amounts are before tax. So even after the 25% discount is applied, the rate would be at least double what it would cost to get a 13 point transfer.

Another option is to rent a reservation from another member for the night you need. Then the two reservations can be linked and it will be as though there is only one continuous reservation. Of course, that night's reservation will be under the other person's control until you arrive, but if you do your due diligence, the chances of something going wrong are very, very, very small.

My advice is to book the room night you need now thorough MS for cash with the member discount (if it is available). This will be a back up so you have a place to stay and can book the rest of the trip. Then look for the transfer. When you get it, book the night you need for points and cancel the cash reservation. I do not think SSR will sell out for points for your dates before the 7 month window opens, so there is time to work out a transfer.

Good luck!

 

[mark&sue]

I could transfer the points to them for the going rate. PM me if you are interested.


Susan