Best use of DVC points outside of WDW?

[wrighter]

I mean no disrespect to the fine DVC resorts at WDW - I am certain we will continue to vacation there often, and love every minute of it. But I'm not sure we'll want to go to WDW every year until we're 85.

With all the recent discussion about the switch from II to RCI, I was wondering what the DVC pros out there thought about using DVC points outside of WDW. Of course there is HH, VB, and the upcoming Hawaii. But what about Disney Cruises and Adventures by Disney, in addition to RCI? Are any of them worth using DVC points for? It seems like we'd be better off paying cash for these types of things.

Looking forward to the good, bad and the ugly on this one.

 

[tomandrobin]

Rent your points and pay cash for a room. Most II and RCI trades are not worh the points required. The exceptions that are worth they trade, never seem to come thru.

Second option would be to do a direct exchange with someone for a location you want to travel.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DL.

DCL and ABD are both pretty points expensive.

 

[mm4mm]

We just got back from using our points at the Fairmont in San Fran and the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. We joined DVC looking for Disney and other options.

The Fairmont is a beautiful hotel, it is on Nob Hill, and at the intersection of two trolley lines. One goes from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf, the other goes to the Embarcadero(large mall with restaurants,etc.). We had a nice room, with a nice view.

We loved the Hotel Del Coronado even more. I would recommend booking the Ocean View at Hotel Del, we booked standard view. We had a beautiful room with a large plasma TV, but overlooked the parking lot. The Hotel Del is an incredible resort, but $$$$. There are some restaurants within walking distance and a Von's grocery store nearby, if you are looking to save some money.

We have also used points in Maui, Holland America (Alaskan Cruise) and Disney Cruise Line. You don't get as much value as you would staying within the DVC resorts, but we have had some amazing vacations. We do not regret our choice.

 

[AnnaS]

I would sign up with TUG - Timeshares Users Group for $15 a year - $10. after the first year.

Except for our four DCL cruises (used a combination of points/cash), we are really officially exchanging this July for the first time (after owning 8 years).

I do check TUG website on and off for reviews.

I am sure we will try an exchange again in about two years. My friend owns two weeks at Divi Little Bay in St. Maarten and always raves about it. I might give this a shot then (rating is high 8 on TUG). We used to be able to trade here but then it cames off the II exchange. Just a thought for now anyway and if this is on the exchange list of the resorts selected.

Hopefully with this new RCI trading - there will be some feedback/experiences to see if it's worth it or not. If we have limited vacation time and we have the points - I can't see putting cash out. I personally don't want the hassle of renting them out.

 

[RobDoc]

Some of the answer will depend on how you personally choose to value your points. If you place a "value" of "what can I rent them for" - then most of the non-DVC options will be very costly - but if you simply value them at the rate you actually paid that year, most of the non-DVC options can have a great value.

We sometimes get caught up in the thought that since some have rented their points for $10 - 14 per point, that is the true "value" of a point. Since our contracts "paid" for themselves many years ago, I tend to place a value of just what the points cost me for the year - the actual maintenance fees. If you consider that cost, you may find more "value" with some of the non-DVC options. IMO, the best "value" is still staying at DVC resorts - but other options are certainly more valuable than what our maintenance fees cost for the year.

There is certainly something to be said for calling MS and making the reservation right then versus finding renters, dealing with deposits, final payment, confirmation letters, reporting the rental income and then making a cash reservation for the non-DVC option. YMMV!

 

[jimmacmn]

We've never been to Viro but we have used Hilton Head several times. My brothers and I used it as a center for a great golf vacation and another time DW used it as a base for a ladies trip to see Savannah. Both of those are good alternatives while still staying in the "family"

 

[ACDSNY]

I've only done one exchange through II, but we really enjoyed our trip to the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club on Kauai. I'm sad to see the change from II to RCI has the HI resorts on RCI don't interest me.

 

[jodifla]

We stayed at the Whitehall Hotel in Chicago, pinnacle level, and felt it was a good use of our points. It came with free room service continental breakfast and hour hour at the bar from 5-7 ( it was a winter promotion.)

We would not have wanted to fork over the cash at that hotel for two nights!

 

[Dean]

There are a few RCI resorts and weeks that will be worth exchanging for from a value standpoint but not many and less than was in II. And these are very unlikely to be available. Otherwise there are NO options that fit the value you are asking about. Certainly for a one time deal it's reasonable to do any exchange and get less value than you give but it's not reasonable to do so consistently. They are your points and you can do as you wish.

 

[Tozzie]

I am of the opinion the best use of points is using them for where you want to go and enjoying yourself. That is the best use of points. I personally don't want to deal with the renting thing. I am staying at the Grand Californian hotel in June, I used developer points and some regular points. If I were to rent I would have to rent the points for $14 per point just to pay for the room to me it was easier to use my points to stay where I wanted to stay and enjoy myself.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Some of the answer will depend on how you personally choose to value your points. If you place a "value" of "what can I rent them for" - then most of the non-DVC options will be very costly - but if you simply value them at the rate you actually paid that year, most of the non-DVC options can have a great value.

We sometimes get caught up in the thought that since some have rented their points for $10 - 14 per point, that is the true "value" of a point. Since our contracts "paid" for themselves many years ago, I tend to place a value of just what the points cost me for the year - the actual maintenance fees. If you consider that cost, you may find more "value" with some of the non-DVC options. IMO, the best "value" is still staying at DVC resorts - but other options are certainly more valuable than what our maintenance fees cost for the year.

There is certainly something to be said for calling MS and making the reservation right then versus finding renters, dealing with deposits, final payment, confirmation letters, reporting the rental income and then making a cash reservation for the non-DVC option. YMMV!

I totally agree with Doc here regarding point value. Personally, I am not inclined to, nor do I have the time to rent out my points. So that comes right out of the equation for me. Barring any unforseen emergency, I do not anticipate renting them out.

I have taken some fabulous Disney Cruise Line vacations that I otherwise would not have budgeted money for such as last year's Mediterranean Cruise and the 2010 Baltic cruise that I am booked for on points.

What I like about the cruise is the fact that the cruise itself includes transporting us between ports, our stateroom accommodations for length of cruise, entertainment and all meals. This is something that I do not receive, of course, with a WDW resort room. Again, the best use of points may be at WDW and DL, but I feel DCL sure matches them point for point as far as our family's use is concerned!