Best time of year to stay on DVC Points vs. Cash

[Cfabar1]

Wondering if anyone knows currently if there are any times of year that using points is much better or worse when compared to cash rates? Has anyone researched this over the years? I know DVC moved the calendar around - my guess is the Fall is not as good a value as it used to be, but I don't have any data. Someone looking to buy might find they are better just getting a cash room Christmas week or spring break week maybe rather than owning?

 

[VGCgroupie]

While Ive never compared, this might help. https://www.dvcrofr.com/tools/dvc-vs-rack-rates

 

[Sandisw]

Nope…only time I’ll stay cash is if I have to or I’ve been given the room at a substantial discount for work!!

 

[JackosinDIS]

Using points is nearly always better than cash rates… except occasionally for discounted 1br cash rates, where you may be better off not using points for certain resorts. Times of year when you can get the most value from points Vs cash rates seems to be September and early December.

 

[R2Daddy]

In the last 13 months we’ve done 3 cash stays, all using the 30% off offer. I can’t really help you with the times of the year, but I’d suggest looking up reservations using that offer on the first day of the promotion releasing.

 

[Genie+]

I’d say December is hands down the biggest difference. Rack rates are pretty much high all month long, not just Christmas and weekends. December rack rates are near double the cheapest rack rates during that year. For DVC it’s a relatively cheap season.

It’s a huge difference, like 65-75% savings. Even the best cash discounts average double the cost, even if you estimate $20pp for the cost on DVC point charts. Last year we booked Poly Lake View Dec 16-22 for 22pts/nt. Rack rate was $1400 and the best deals still crossed $1000/nt line. I rented at $21pp and $500/nt but if we were able to use our own points would’ve cost under $300/nt and no more than $400/nt after applying TVM.

That may be one of the bigger differences but they are all significant.

 

[Disney.dad]

Highest savings for DVC vs cash seems to be the week right before the Christmas rates in December in a Studio. Cash rates are very high then but DVC still low.

 

[CastAStone]

Wondering if anyone knows currently if there are any times of year that using points is much better or worse when compared to cash rates? Has anyone researched this over the years? I know DVC moved the calendar around - my guess is the Fall is not as good a value as it used to be, but I don't have any data. Someone looking to buy might find they are better just getting a cash room Christmas week or spring break week maybe rather than owning?

I did this analysis in 2021 for SSR, so it’s a little old and specific to one resort. It took some effort so I’m not going to redo it any time soon but I’d be happy to advise anyone with decent excel skills on what to do.

The worst savings are the days of and week after Easter, and it’s not close. DVC rates stay high after Easter, cash rates go almost back to normal.

Next is in late August after cash rates adjust to the southeast going back to school, and then just generally summer, especially the weekends.

Christmas is also a poor value.

The 2 weeks leading up to Christmas are the best value on the calendar, and again it’s not close.

Most of September, January, and May are also strong values.

In all cases, weekdays are much better values than weekends. The difference is not trivial.

 

[Disdreaming479]

I have a 2 bdrm at BRV for spring break week. It is 353 pts. Rack rate is $15897! I didn’t see any discount available but it would be about $31.53 pp with a discount.

 

[Cfabar1]

I have a 2 bdrm at BRV for spring break week. It is 353 pts. Rack rate is $15897! I didn’t see any discount available but it would be about $31.53 pp with a discount.

I'd imagine BWV, BCV, and BRV win the game of best value compared to rack rate too....

 

[atthebeachclub]

I'd imagine BWV, BCV, and BRV win the game of best value compared to rack rate too....

Probably Copper Creek, too.

 

[Sandisw]

I'd imagine BWV, BCV, and BRV win the game of best value compared to rack rate too....

Yup…because the cash rate when those charts were created was so much lower that it really shows the power of a point chart that can’t be changed or raised without new units!

 

[darkconz]

Yup…because the cash rate when those charts were created was so much lower that it really shows the power of a point chart that can’t be changed or raised without new units!

Kinda new at this new unit concept. So if the PLY tower is release, the point chart will change too?

 

[chazas]

I did this analysis in 2021 for SSR, so it’s a little old and specific to one resort. It took some effort so I’m not going to redo it any time soon but I’d be happy to advise anyone with decent excel skills on what to do.

The worst savings are the days of and week after Easter, and it’s not close. DVC rates stay high after Easter, cash rates go almost back to normal.

Next is in late August after cash rates adjust to the southeast going back to school, and then just generally summer, especially the weekends.

Christmas is also a poor value.

The 2 weeks leading up to Christmas are the best value on the calendar, and again it’s not close.

Most of September, January, and May are also strong values.

In all cases, weekdays are much better values than weekends. The difference is not trivial.

I went and looked at all my upcoming reservations with this in mind. Yes I’m a nerd.

This next year it looks like rates (at least at SSR and CCV) revert back to “normal” March/April rates the day after Easter.

 

[Sandisw]

Kinda new at this new unit concept. So if the PLY tower is release, the point chart will change too?

Since they are adding new units to the tower, then can make those point charts whatever they want.

Once they set the chart and tie it to total points to be sold…this is being added to the current association and sold as a leasehold it will be determined from the start… that total can never change.

So, PVB tower can indeed have higher point costs for their rooms than the current longhouses do…however, other than rooms that have an upgraded view or are a diffeeenr size, speculation is that the point costs for studios will be similar.