Buying points for DVC members

[misscrossbee]

Hi everyone,

I'm not a DVC member, but I've got a question that hopefully you might be able to help me with.

Is it possible for a non-DVC member to buy points for someone who is a DVC member?

My parents have been very generous with their points, allowing my partner and I to stay in a studio at the BC twice in the last three years. They've both recently lost their jobs though while my partner and I have had some recent good fortune. Now that we're in such a position, we'd like to repay their past generosity but we couldn't be 'blatant' about it, if you know what I mean, as they wouldn't accept it. However, if we could sneakily buy them some additional points to give them a long weekend away, that would be perfect!

In case it makes a difference to the answers, while I live in the UK, my parents are both US-based members of DVC.

Thanks so much for any advice!

 

[CarolMN]

Maybe. The owner of the points would need your parents' name and address and possibly, your parent's DVC membership number. MS may be able to do the transfer without the membership number - i think the CM could look that up, but I am not sure. Perhaps if you posted your request on the Rent/Trade Forum (read the sticky threads first), an owner with points to transfer would be willing to call MS and see if that would work.

However, there would be no way for you to verify that the transfer was actually made. Your parents' would have to do that. MS will not talk to anyone who isn't a DVC member.

Are you per chance a named Associate on your parents' membership? If so, you would have the authority to do this all without your parent's being any the wiser (unless they happened to check their account before you told them).

Before you proceed, be sure your parents are in a position to take the vacation - it's bound to cost them something, even if you pay for transportation, resort, tickets and food. Maybe it would be easier if you sent them a gift certificate for dinner at a favorite restaurant near their home or something similar?

 

[Mike©]

I have to agree with Carol, your parents have points already. Something like a AMEX Money card as a gift to enable them to take a trip would be far easier to do. Other wise, with you in the UK it would be easier for you to puchase the points and have your parents "named" on the contract. ( also the exchange rate works in your favor )

 

[LisaS]

Do you know if they pay their dues in full every year or do they pay monthly? If they make monthly payments, maybe you could surprise them by paying off their 2008 dues. Since they aren't working, they might really appreciate having that bill paid off for the rest of the year.

 

[iloveokw]

Ditto what Lisa said

 

[CarolMN]

Do you know if they pay their dues in full every year or do they pay monthly? If they make monthly payments, maybe you could surprise them by paying off their 2008 dues. Since they aren't working, they might really appreciate having that bill paid off for the rest of the year.

Good idea! Wish I'd thought of it first!

 

[PutnamDS]

I agree with Lisa, too. Paying their dues would be a wonderful gift and I guarantee they would love it. Increasing their points would, in turn, increase their dues - and if they are going through hard financial times, that would be a surprise that's not so good.