Advice please: What to "charge" my friends for their part of the room

[jbish]

We are traveling in two weeks with friends of ours. We are a family of 5 and they are a family of 3. Our kids are about the same age and not exactly sure what the sleeping arrangements will be. We are in a 2 BR villa at BLT - total points used is 229. I figure the split is probably 2/3-1/3, us vs. them.

FWIW, I have waited until the last minute to buy park tickets (was really hoping for that DVC discounted PAP) and so now I have to buy them quickly as I'm worried we will not even be able to reserve any good FP+ options! So I think I'll have to pay for all of those, too. Obviously, they can just pay me the cash equivalent for those.

I have not ever done the calculation as to what my "per point" costs are and I should have tried, several months ago, to see what the nightly rate would have been if they had paid for cash. But I also don't think that's a fair rate to charge (rack rate or a discounted rate) since, if they were to go on their own, they may not choose a deluxe villa at a monorail resort.

So what would you charge them?

 

[AppleDisneyDad]

If they are good friends, just ask them to pick up as many meals as they think are fair and graciously accept what they do. If not so good, go with 1/3 x whatever price you think the points would cost to rent.

 

[DbleTheFun]

Did you discuss this all before agreeing to share a unit? Do they know how much park tickets etc cost? They can buy their own tickets and you can still link them to your plans... I would have them pay for their own- who knows they may want the points on their credit card! As for charging them for the room- it's going to be hard to charge them if you never had the discussion prior to agreeing to stay together. Perhaps they think that since you "own" at DVC there is no cost to you, and thus it's free to them? I have travelled several times with other families but we always offer to book the other family another unit and link the reservations. I usually tell them it's $10 a point and let them choose what type of accommodations they want. Since I too have a family of 5, we always use a 2bedroom- so if we invited anyone to share the room, we wouldnt charge- since we would be needing it anyway. I think if you never brought up cost before inviting them- it would be hard to now turn around and charge them.

 

[DebbieB]

We are traveling in two weeks with friends of ours. We are a family of 5 and they are a family of 3. Our kids are about the same age and not exactly sure what the sleeping arrangements will be. We are in a 2 BR villa at BLT - total points used is 229. I figure the split is probably 2/3-1/3, us vs. them.

FWIW, I have waited until the last minute to buy park tickets (was really hoping for that DVC discounted PAP) and so now I have to buy them quickly as I'm worried we will not even be able to reserve any good FP+ options! So I think I'll have to pay for all of those, too. Obviously, they can just pay me the cash equivalent for those.

I have not ever done the calculation as to what my "per point" costs are and I should have tried, several months ago, to see what the nightly rate would have been if they had paid for cash. But I also don't think that's a fair rate to charge (rack rate or a discounted rate) since, if they were to go on their own, they may not choose a deluxe villa at a monorail resort.

So what would you charge them?

You didn't discuss this when you invited them? If you didn't say, they probably assume they are your guests (free).

Why do you have to buy their tickets? You can't buy the DVC AP for them. They can buy their own.

 

[MouseMomx2]

When we invite friends to join us we usually have them buy the groceries and one dinner. I never bring this up. If they say they want to contribute to the cost this is the deal I offer them. It has been accepted every time.

 

[luckyman_apd]

The first question is do they know they are paying you for the room? This is something that probably should have been discussed before hand. We were lucky enough to be invited by friends before we owned DVC. We bought our own tickets. They DID NOT charge us for the room. They insisted on inviting us. Since they didn't charge us for the room, we opened a garden grocer account, had them and us add groceries to the list, and we paid for it. I also am an airfare nazi so I found a way cheaper flight out of BWI (they never even thought of driving to BWI) and we all saved some coin.

As far as what to charge (if they are aware you are charging) there are other threads on this so do a search. It's a personal decision, but reading other threads, many people don't charge. Now, points have value and I have taken compensation (free airfare from my dad's miles) in return so I don't judge how people charge for their points. It is nice to have a comparison to get an idea.

 

[bilzer]

I agree that you should allow them to purchase their own tickets because they may want it on a credit card. I always think it's harder on me if someone leaves something open ended...like you get some meals...well, how many? Table or Counter service? I would rather just be charged a number figure, pay them and then not have to think about it. Have these people been to Disney? That makes a difference.

 

[k3chantal]

We are traveling in two weeks with friends of ours. We are a family of 5 and they are a family of 3. Our kids are about the same age and not exactly sure what the sleeping arrangements will be. We are in a 2 BR villa at BLT - total points used is 229. I figure the split is probably 2/3-1/3, us vs. them.

FWIW, I have waited until the last minute to buy park tickets (was really hoping for that DVC discounted PAP) and so now I have to buy them quickly as I'm worried we will not even be able to reserve any good FP+ options! So I think I'll have to pay for all of those, too. Obviously, they can just pay me the cash equivalent for those.

I have not ever done the calculation as to what my "per point" costs are and I should have tried, several months ago, to see what the nightly rate would have been if they had paid for cash. But I also don't think that's a fair rate to charge (rack rate or a discounted rate) since, if they were to go on their own, they may not choose a deluxe villa at a monorail resort.

So what would you charge them?

I am with the current majority of other posts. I really hope your friends understand they are going to be charged. We have done this twice with two different sets of friends. Each family bought dinner for us and paid for incidentals throughout the trip for us but did not pay for the room. They paid also for the other costs associated with traveling to DW: tickets, airplane costs, and their food.

Our trip is more enjoyable with another family so it is worth 'treating' them. Plus, in both of our cases, we initiated the idea so both families originally did not intend to spend a dime to travel to WDW.

 

[Murron]

We recently had brother and sister-in-law with us at a 2 bedroom villa at BWV. They paid for their airline tickets, park tickets, expenses while there, and an amazing dinner for all at Shula's. We did not charge for the room. All of this was discussed as the plans were being made well in advance.

Disney is an expensive place.....you just have to have the sit down way ahead of time to be realistic about the cost and who pays what.

 

[MrShiny]

Whether you do with meals or with direct payment, it sounds like you want to know what the value of the points is to you.

Well, the most obvious thing is your dues. You paying dues per point on those points, so you'd at least want to recoup that. Not sure what your home resort is, but you can easily find out the cost in your dues section online.

Above that, it's all what you feel comfortable with. Reservations rent at $11-12/point these days. Disney charges $15 for one time use, so think of that as a high number. Reservations were renting at $10/point for a long time, so that is not unreasonable and does represent a discount over what you could make if you rented them out yourself.

You know your friends. They may be the type who want it all spelled out and resolved. Or they might be the "you pay this and I'll pay that" type.

Either way, I'd try to get at least what I paid in dues back (be it in cash, meals, or whatever).

 

[JimMIA]

You didn't discuss this when you invited them? If you didn't say, they probably assume they are your guests (free).

Debbie makes a great point here.

Most folks who don't know anything about timeshares will ASSUME that the lodging is costing you ZERO, so it would be perfectly logical for them to assume there would be no lodging cost for them.

If you haven't already, you should have a real discussion with them about who is paying for what. Once you establish what they are paying for, point them in the right direction for tickets, etc, and let them handle their own expenses. If you buy tickets and other stuff, you are likely to either a) get stuck with a bill, or b) have bad feelings result because you obligated them to major expenses without their approval.

In many situations like this, the other party has bailed out when they start adding up travel costs, food, and especially park tickets. There is no such thing as an inexpensive Disney trip; it's an expensive vacation...much more than many people anticipate.

 

[mort1331]

I will try not to be as negative as some of the others and give you the positive benefit that you did talk with them about it before. So to answer the question that you actually asked.
I would look at if you would have used the 2 bedroom already or just gone with the one bedroom. If you upgraded to the 2 bedroom, then I would and have just charged the difference between the two at the MF for that year. I cant expect friends to pay for my initial outlay, just as if I was letting friends use my cottage for a week. I would have them pay for the heat and hydro, but not for my mortgage.
Just my 2 cents and 1 cent I charge my friends

as a side note, I am heading down in 1 week with my oldest daughter, good friend and his oldest son. We are doing a split stay with AK and SSR both with studios. Since I would have stayed in the studio anyway I am not asking for anything. He did asked, but I said no just glad he could make it. I then gave him the link for UT and he has looked after there flights and passes. I will pay for the meals only because I will be getting the TIW but he will cash out half of that, no issues.

 

[JimMIA]

Also, you'll see from the responses above that most of us don't really charge our guests. If someone wants to buy a nice meal as a thank you, fine -- but I think you will find that most don't "charge."

If you want to charge them, MrShiny has given you some valid cost figures that you can use.

If I were going to charge a guest (I wouldn't, and don't), I would charge them something like the lesser of the difference between MF's for a 1BR and 2 BR and MF's X 1/3.

But I'd only do that if I'd had an agreement up front.

 

[disfanforlife]

That is a tough one, we have friends going with us. We did not ask for any money towards the room but they are covering all of their other expenses. I doubt they would have even come to Disney if they weren't staying with us. We are happy to have them and our son has friends to hang out with so that will make the trip even more fun for him!

 

[Hisgirl]

Speaking from one who is relatively ignorant of the whole time share scenario, if a friend told me she had a time share at Disney and did I want to bring the kids down and share a villa, honestly, I would think of it as we do when we bring folks to our mountain house. It's our house and we have invited guests to come to our home. No money is leaving our pockets besides a slightly increased electricity bill.

If they are seeing it as a split financial arrangement, they will offer to pay. So wait for that. If they are assuming they are your guests, they won't. Wait for that. You'll know soon enough. And maybe give them some grace if they don't cause I'm sure they are good people and wouldn't do anything to hurt you.

Get them on board now with the tickets. Let them pay for their own. And don't expect anything from them towards the room unless they offer. If you mention it and they are shocked, it could be embarrassing and awkward. Just my two cents. I do financial counseling and when money gets involved, the transaction suddenly goes from social to business and relationships can be harmed. Just tread carefully and learn from this time. You're a good friend to host the trip and plan. All the best!

 

[jbish]

Thanks everyone. All very good points!

So to answer the first question, yes they've brought it up to us about what they owe us. Background: we have talked for YEARS about trying to do a vacation together and we're finally doing that. Originally they said they would just get their own room (possibly in a different hotel) but I just felt that defeats the purpose of taking a vacation together. Our kids are so young that they would all be in bed by 8 and then we would each be stuck in our own rooms and missing out on grownup time. So it was our insistence that we share a 2BR.

My husband thinks we shouldn't charge them but they did ask. They have been to WDW many times. In fact they often get to go with his work for conferences so they don't even have to pay that often. So it probably shouldn't be a big deal that they pay for some portion of the accommodations. I'm not trying to be a cheapskate but I'm also not trying to take advantage of them either. While on the one hand, it is kind of like inviting someone to your vacation home, I also kind of look at it like we are splitting a beach house with them. Hmm...no right way I guess. When DH and I each brought our moms last time, we didn't charge them, obviously. That was our treat.

I like the idea of using the points rental rate for an estimate on price and then apply it to just the point differential with what we would have taken on our own, which is a 1 BR. I will also look at our MF and see what that might be, too.

Thanks for all of the input!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Most DVC point calculator sites will tell you the cash value it would cost to stay if you didn't stay using points. I would use that as a guide if you are trying to come up with a price.

If you can afford it as other people said maybe just have them buy dinner one night at the parks or something and call it even. There is no "right" answer to this question.

 

[jbish]

Indeed - there is definitely no right answer. I will not be bringing it up - if they do bring it up, I just want to have some idea as to what the value would be. DH may just nix the whole thing and say not to ask for anything but I feel like they will insist.

They can buy their own tickets and you can still link them to your plans... I would have them pay for their own- who knows they may want the points on their credit card!

So a question about tickets - if they buy their own MYW tickets online, can I link it to my MDE plans for this trip? I need to do FP+ reservations soon, right? I'm worried that all of the FPs for the headliner rides will all be gone before we even get to FL!!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I don't officially own DVC yet (it's in ROFR, cross your fingers!) but in November we're staying with a friend of ours on her DVC points. We asked her what we owe her and she said she'll do the calculations and get back to us. I'm not worrying b/c I know she won't charge us a ridiculous rate.

In the past I stayed with my friend at his BCV room and he didn't give me a price. I myself calculated the price at $10 per point and split the cost amongst how may people were there. He was very grateful but I know he would have taken less. Either way, I still made out b/c I would never be able to stay there if I booked through Disney. Plus it helps him out with the MF and stuff. I was more than happy to pay that.

Since I'm in the process of buying DVC, I also did a few calculations about what the points per year cost me, taking into consideration MF and stuff. For 2014, my price per point is about $6.70 according to my math, so if I were to have friends and family come with me, I would most likely ask for $7-$9 per point (split up evenly even for myself).

That's just my mentality. I know there will be trips when I'll be able to offer my DVC up for free to my best friends and close family but I wanted to be prepared with prices in case anyone asked.

 

[quandrea]

I'm in the minority here, but we don't host anyone with our points, not even immediate family. If family has joined us (one time) they paid $11 per point. Once my SIL rented from us, also at $11 per point. I had a friend rent from us recently at twelve a point. I've liked the rentals in a past as a means to offset mf. I find we use all our points and can't "afford " to give them away. You are very generous. I would have made the dollar per point value clear immediately with final, non refundable payment due at thirty one days. I also won't book travel for others if a cancellation will preclude me from banking. I'm very protective of our points. Anyone else like that?