Associate Member benefits...

[jagson]

Are there any, specifically dining, shopping, and tix discounts? TOWL entrance with guests without a DVC member present, when staying at a DVC Resort?

 

[bumbershoot]

We were able to pick up our specially priced APs without DH there, but he had injured himself and wasn't up to going to Epcot. He was with us on the trip and called to ask that we be allowed to get them.

Other than that outlier and exception, and booking stays, there are no other benefits. At least none that can be relied on.

(Though I do feel that a case can be made for being able to pick up tickets or aps without the member there, since family members in the same house are entitled to them...but I suppose that not all Associates are family members in the same house)

 

[jagson]

Then what benefits are available to associate members (AM)? I added my daughter as an AM a while back, but don't remember what the benefits were.

 

[BillPA]

Other than being able to make or change reservations, there is none.

 

[jagson]

Oh yeah, now I remember. Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

they can also borrow points - don't think they can bank points. there are no discounts that they get w/o the member present.

 

[southerngirl528]

The way I like to tell people about options for Associate Members is that it's like you handed the keys to your house to a family member or friend. You have given them free usage of that property, but they are not liable for any taxes on it, their name is not on the deed, and they cannot sell it.

Adding an associate is apple-pie easy because it does not impact the deed. At all. Adding someone to your deed is much like it would be to add someone to your home's deed. It costs $$ and papers have to be refiled with all the respective gov't agencies.

ONLY members on the deed get DVC Member cards, and in virtually all cases a DVC member card (and very often a photo ID to verify you are indeed the card holder) is required to get any DVC discounts. The situation bumbershoot describes is very unusual and it sounds like the powers that be were very gracious to allow the discount under those circumstances.

I have heard members get all bent out of shape because someone else in their family can't get the discounts without them there with their member card, but only those that have actually PAID for the right to be members get the perks. As said before though, the member themselves may get discounts for their family.

 

[erionm]

they can also borrow points - don't think they can bank points. there are no discounts that they get w/o the member present.

Associate Members can bank points.