Blue card expiry

[Inga]

We have been DVC owners for almost 20 years and the membership cards have changed every few years. As the current blue cards have expirations on them (not sure why) we have ordered new ones in June - only to receive our new card with an expiration of Dec 31, 2021! Our trip is in Feb 2022 - we live in Canada so it is doubtful we will receive our new un-expired card before our trip If we need to order it in the new year. We know we can print off the card from the membership website - but really curious why they have expiration dates so soon in the future (or at all). Any thoughts or insights on this one? What is the rationale?

 

[Great3]

So you can't sell off your membership and still have a blue card that shows unexpired!!!

Great3

 

[Sandisw]

I think we will see the change away from physical cards and digital will be it with the 3 month expiration.

As mentioned, it’s to prevent someone from selling and still using it.

 

[Inga]

So you can't sell off your membership and still have a blue card that shows unexpired!!!

Great3

So….this is the first card in our DVC membership that has an expiration - they are just concerned NOW that someone might abuse the card? And it can only be good for 6 month intervals? Still makes no sense to me, even with your 3 exclamation points.

 

[CarolynFH]

So….this is the first card in our DVC membership that has an expiration - they are just concerned NOW that someone might abuse the card? And it can only be good for 6 month intervals? Still makes no sense to me, even with your 3 exclamation points.

The physical blue cards with expiration dates of 12/31/2021 were first issued in 2016 (basically a 5-year term). To my knowledge, all physical cards sent out since then have had that same expiration date on them. The digital cards expire 3 months from the date accessed online, with the expiration date changing whenever the card is accessed online. Speculation has been that the expiration dates were to minimize people enjoying DVC benefits after selling their ownership, but DVC never sent out an official statement to confirm that. I agree with Sandi that we may not get new physical cards in future, after our current ones expire. Confirming membership will be digital after that point.

 

[chalee94]

So….this is the first card in our DVC membership that has an expiration - they are just concerned NOW that someone might abuse the card?

Well, it started a few years back as DVC execs began adding more and more resale restrictions...

No point adding restrictions if owners who sold 5 years ago can still flash their old member cards for discounts.

You don't need a printed version of your blue card. Just a smartphone. Go to the member site and pull up a digital copy of your member card the month before you travel - then take a screenshot to use in case you are having wifi access issues at the parks.

 

[ScubaCat]

So….this is the first card in our DVC membership that has an expiration - they are just concerned NOW that someone might abuse the card? And it can only be good for 6 month intervals? Still makes no sense to me, even with your 3 exclamation points.

All blue cards ever issued expire 12/31/2021.

 

[Inga]

The physical blue cards with expiration dates of 12/31/2021 were first issued in 2016 (basically a 5-year term). To my knowledge, all physical cards sent out since then have had that same expiration date on them. The digital cards expire 3 months from the date accessed online, with the expiration date changing whenever the card is accessed online. Speculation has been that the expiration dates were to minimize people enjoying DVC benefits after selling their ownership, but DVC never sent out an official statement to confirm that. I agree with Sandi that we may not get new physical cards in future, after our current ones expire. Confirming membership will be digital after that point.

Thank you, very helpful!

 

[D-Trick]

I don't mind them going digital, as long as it's something that we can add to a digital wallet so we don't have to take screen shots.

 

[kes601]

FWIW when we had our Welcome Home call in late February we were told they would send new cards out before the end of the year. She stated the cards had expiration dates on them because they were for the 30th anniversary of DVC. I realize the CM we spoke to may not have really been “in the know”, but that is what we were told. I would be fine with a digital card if I could simply add it to my Apple Wallet. They can put expiration dates and have it auto-update if they did it that way.

 

[Inga]

Sounds like changes are in the works - don't mind electronic, but prefer to not have to have my phone with me on vacation all the time, esp poolside.

 

[heynowirv]

All blue cards ever issued expire 12/31/2021.

Not true, my original card which I still carry simply says Use Year Begins AUG and Membert's since 12/93 the one with 2 snow capped mountains .I've never carried any other card.

 

[Carol_]

If you want to stay unplugged, I was told by MS to print out a copy from the website and carry the paper copy and an ID. (This was when we purchased and waited a long while to receive our cards to begin with. I balked at the idea of needing to keep my awful phone charged to show proof of membership.)

 

[Inga]

Not true, my original card which I still carry simply says Use Year Begins AUG and Membert's since 12/93 the one with 2 snow capped mountains .I've never carried any other card.

yes I thought those snow capped cards were not to be used anymore, we have those too!

 

[heynowirv]

yes I thought those snow capped cards were not to be used anymore, we have those too!

No one ever questions us ,at least not pre covid.We're going back in October.We never received a notice that they weren't any good anymore.

 

[mel&me]

Not true, my original card which I still carry simply says Use Year Begins AUG and Membert's since 12/93 the one with 2 snow capped mountains .I've never carried any other card.

Same here with me,
Still have my original from 03 and is all I have ever brought with me,
Never had an issue ever.

 

[macman123]

I think we will see the change away from physical cards and digital will be it with the 3 month expiration.

As mentioned, it’s to prevent someone from selling and still using it.

I love my blue card so much. I carry it, even though I am in the UK

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

Wish it could be linked on my magic band so I could leave my wallet in the room. Logging onto the website to show it will be a pain.

 

[macman123]

Wish it could be linked on my magic band so I could leave my wallet in the room. Logging onto the website to show it will be a pain.

Just take a screenshot on your phone and save to photos.......

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

Just take a screenshot on your phone and save to photos.......

I thought of that but take a lot of pics. Might make it my background for length of visit