Buying more points to use for DCL?

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Hi all -

I’m curious - has anyone done the math on purchasing DVC points to use on cruises? This would be swapping vs. direct.

We’re finishing up our first and already considering another next summer.

I had planned to buy more points anyway, but now considering an increase above that original amount. When I consider how much next summer’s cruise will cost, putting that cash towards more points and swapping as needed down the road would make more sense?

But I’m cruising blind without my spreadsheets

 

[VGCgroupie]

I have not but I’d love to see if others have and the answers you get.

 

[intamin]

Is there an actual need for the points? I'm sure you haven't forgotten but after the initial purchase you're still stuck with the dues for another 40+ years

 

[OKW Lover]

Generally, it's not a good use of points to exchange them for a cruise. You'll find that the price of a cruise, in points, is not a really good deal. Excess points can be rented out for anywhere between $15 and $25 per point. Use a number of $20/point to see how much you would be paying for a DCL cruise if you used points.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Is there an actual need for the points? I'm sure you haven't forgotten but after the initial purchase you're still stuck with the dues for another 40+ years

It’s pretty impossible to forget about the dues!! In the off- cruise years, I would use to bring family/friends to WDW. Also - it wouldn’t be one cruise. It could be 10 + over the next however many years.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I think it's safer to only buy more points if you want to use more points for DVC most of the time. A cruise or 2 in a 10 year period might be convenient if you for sure want those points for DVC the rest of the time. Am I correct that you are saying you would use a service like the board sponsor to rent your points for you and essentially be your travel agent for the cruise?

 

[PoppyJ]

I didn't buy points specifically to use for cruising but it happened to work out that way because I couldn't stomach paying almost $9,000 for a one week cruise (Disney Alaska).

I did the cruise swap through David's. Had a great experience.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I think it's safer to only buy more points if you want to use more points for DVC most of the time. A cruise or 2 in a 10 year period might be convenient if you for sure want those points for DVC the rest of the time. Am I correct that you are saying you would use a service like the board sponsor to rent your points for you and essentially be your travel agent for the cruise?

Exactly - that’s what I was thinking.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Exactly - that’s what I was thinking.

Okay so that’s totally different than what I thought you were asking about.

Whatever the going rate is at a rental place is what you will get towards your cruise. There’s not a lot of variables. However with the new checkbox I’d probably not buy intending to rent.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Here’s a thread I posted awhile back https://www.disboards.com/threads/cruise-swap-via-3rd-party-brokers.3947775/

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Here’s a thread I posted awhile back https://www.disboards.com/threads/cruise-swap-via-3rd-party-brokers.3947775/

Thank you!! I knew you had started something before but couldn’t find it earlier!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thank you!! I knew you had started something before but couldn’t find it earlier!

Welcome. I did the process and it was very easy. We cruise in April.

 

[intamin]

Hrmmm now you guys have me thinking, for what they have on the cruise swap website the prices aren't horrible. I definitely wouldn't do it all the time but maybe a one off every 10 years or so



I assume that's 227 points per couple and not per guest based on they've written it otherwise it's a complete ripoff. 413 for the Alaskan cruise isn't bad either. I'm sure it'll be higher than that because my resale points like AKV and AUL probably aren't valued as high as their "gold" points but even so. It'd be nice to avoid another 1099.

Once we move back to the West Coast this could make things more interesting if we don't necessarily want to fly the 5 hours to Orlando

 

[muppets3d]

The best value for your points will always be to use them for booking villas at DVC properties.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Hrmmm now you guys have me thinking, for what they have on the cruise swap website the prices aren't horrible. I definitely wouldn't do it all the time but maybe a one off every 10 years or so

View attachment 974031

I assume that's 227 points per couple and not per guest based on they've written it otherwise it's a complete ripoff. 413 for the Alaskan cruise isn't bad either. I'm sure it'll be higher than that because my resale points like AKV and AUL probably aren't valued as high as their "gold" points but even so. It'd be nice to avoid another 1099.

Once we move back to the West Coast this could make things more interesting if we don't necessarily want to fly the 5 hours to Orlando

They charged me exactly what was on the Disney Cruise site, then you rent your points at a certain dollar figure to cover the cost. Some resorts and times will earn more than others.

 

[Cfabar1]

How does the program work? Do you agree to rent? or do you transfer the points to one of the World of DVC subsidiaries? If it is the latter I wonder how much longer this program sticks around.

 

[Kingkonig]

How does the program work? Do you agree to rent? or do you transfer the points to one of the World of DVC subsidiaries? If it is the latter I wonder how much longer this program sticks around.

The program works by renting your points out through a third party, they take their cut, then they act as your travel agent for the DCL side. It's not a bad idea in theory, and I imagine its worked well in practice before. However, if Disney is cracking down on commercial renting, this program may not be long for this world. Impossible to tell.

It also is one of those things that they claim is acceptable under IRS rules so you don't have to claim the rental income on your taxes, but....I don't know enough about this side of the personal tax code to believe them or not. I certainly wouldn't take the risk, but I'm rather risk-averse to begin with.

 

[VGCgroupie]

It’s n

How does the program work? Do you agree to rent? or do you transfer the points to one of the World of DVC subsidiaries? If it is the latter I wonder how much longer this program sticks around.

It’s not done via transfers. It basically just like the rental boards here but the rental store advertises and finds the renter, they deal with the renter not you. The funds they receive from the renter is held and funds the cruise that they book for you as the travel agent.

 

[Girlstar30]

It’s n

It’s not done via transfers. It basically just like the rental boards here but the rental store advertises and finds the renter, they deal with the renter not you. The funds they receive from the renter is held and funds the cruise that they book for you as the travel agent.

I look forward to doing this in the future, did you do it with David's or the rental store?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Rental store. @Girlstar30