Can Associated Members get a membership card?

[DVC Grandpa]

If we put our son on our membership as an Associate Member, would he get a membership card stating that he was an Associate Member?
Currently my wife and I are the only persons on our membership I have the better knowledge of the two of us about the “rules” of membership. How many members add Associate Members onto there membership just as a “back-up” in the event something would cause the member to be incapacitated?
In our case our son would not have a clue of what number to call or our member member number unless he were issued a card, be it an Associate Member card

 

[Dean]

If we put our son on our membership as an Associate Member, would he get a membership card stating that he was an Associate Member?
Currently my wife and I are the only persons on our membership I have the better knowledge of the two of us about the “rules” of membership. How many members add Associate Members onto there membership just as a “back-up” in the event something would cause the member to be incapacitated?
In our case our son would not have a clue of what number to call or our member member number unless he were issued a card, be it an Associate Member card

No cards for associate members and no perks. The only reason to add him is if he would contact MS for reservations and the like. He would also have to be at least 18 but sounds like he is. Sounds like it would be best not to add him at this time.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

No cards for associate members and no perks. The only reason to add him is if he would contact MS for reservations and the like. He would also have to be at least 18 but sounds like he is. Sounds like it would be best not to add him at this time.

Dean, what is your reason(s) for not adding an Associate Member? We were thinking that at our age someone else should have the authority to manage the points.

 

[Dean]

Dean, what is your reason(s) for not adding an Associate Member? We were thinking that at our age someone else should have the authority to manage the points.

That they could make reservations, which could be done not in accordance with your wishes. I was at the barber shop a week ago and one of the guys there was talking about a dad that gave his son his AMEX for gas home and emergencies. I guess it was an emergency to buy an $18K dollar jeep with all the bells and whistlers. One way first class tickets to Europe for himself and 3 friends along with $1500 worth of clothes for the trip. He should have bought round trip because dad found out while he was gone and cancelled the card.

But only you know the situation. If you really want him on, I'd recommend you consider going to the trouble of changing the deed.

 

[RobDoc]

Most likely, the only reason to add someone as an associate is if they will be making reservations as Dean noted. If you are worried about someone to handle your affairs should you be unable to do so, you might consider just giving him a Power of Attorney - I think it can be restricted to just DVC if you wish or as broad as you want.

I can't think of any reason to add him unless he will be making reservations. As already noted, there is no membership card and no perks are available for associates. All mailings will still come to the owner of record.

You might consider writing up the basics of DVC- contact phone numbers, membership number and general instructions about managing points - just to have something available - just in case.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Doc, At I understand the “rules” no one other than the member or Associate Member can manage the points. If something would happen to my wife and I, points could be lost if not banked or a reservation may be not used if no one had the power to do so. Even if one of my kids did call DVC, they could do nothing unless they were a member (which we will not do) or an Associate Member. Wills could take time to process.

 

[RobDoc]

Doc, At I understand the “rules” no one other than the member or Associate Member can manage the points. If something would happen to my wife and I, points could be lost if not banked or a reservation may be not used if no one had the power to do so. Even if one of my kids did call DVC, they could do nothing unless they were a member (which we will not do) or an Associate Member. Wills could take time to process.

Power of Attorney should address that. It is a lot faster than processing a will and would have the same abilities that you do regarding your account. Disney would likely just need to have a faxed copy of the POA. I look at the POA as a more powerful option than an associate member since you can direct what the POA is able to do thru the document without having to do anything thru DVC.

The associate membership will allow very limited access to your account. It all depends on what you would want done if you are unable to manage the account yourself. If all you want is for someone to be able to make a reservation, then the associate member status would work. If you want someone to have further abilities, the POA may be a better option.

A will shouldn't need to be "processed" before someone could manage your account. The executor would have authority to manage the account, just like all other aspects of the estate. This all depends on what level of involvement you want your son to have. If it's just the ability to make a reservation, then any of these options should work. If you want him to truly manage your account, then POA may be the better option.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

I think I need a little of both. I’ll have to sleep on these options. Thanks for your insite.
Thanks

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...]If something would happen to my wife and I, points could be lost if not banked or a reservation may be not used if no one had the power to do so. [...]

Now here's a real hard-core DVC owner. Even after he and his wife are dead, he doesn't want to miss a banking deadline....

 

[spiceycat]

my brother is my associate member. He wanted to be a real member. but with his credit history - we are both better off with his just being an associate member.

he does get the discount - the only ones member service told me he couldn't get was the annual pass discount (he does not live with me) and the member discount on DVC rooms. all the other he was entitled to get.

he can make, cancel reservations - which so far he has not done.... much less abused...

 

[Figment2]

Just a FYI - it will need to be a FL power of attorney form. FL did not recognize my IL POA (for my Mom) when I sold my WLV points. She had to sign the deed (which was interesting since her signature has changed since her stroke).

Cyn

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...]he can make, cancel reservations - which so far he has not done.... much less abused...

That's the dicey part, though. When DS was younger, we put money in a mutual fund in his name (he contributed, too, as he got older) and he used it for college (UMich!). However, friends of ours did the same, but when their son turned 18, he decided on a new Harley .

 

[Terry S]

I have my own points, but I am also an associate on my parents account for just the reasons you are asking. I do not get a membership card for thier account which is kind of a pain because i make reservations for them and I have their membeship number written down on this little slip of paper. It would be nice if I had an actual card.

 

[PatsMom]

A power of attorney won't take the place of a will. Once you die, the power of attorney pretty much dies with you. The only way that would work for managing points after you were dead would be if the kids said you were just incapacitated. You might want to speak with an estate planning attorney.

 

[crisi]

You know, with a name like DVC Grandpa, I'm not guessing the son here is an eighteen year old kid who is going to use the associate membership to take his fraternity brothers to Disney World to see how much beer they can drink in three days. Given his concerns, an associate membership may work fine. However, MS has never questioned who I was when I called - other than asking for the last four digits of my SSN - so all he probably really needs is your name, your SSN, your member number and just not to 'fess up that he isn't you.

 

[sagwanamu]

just as a “back-up” in the event something would cause the member to be incapacitated?

If I were you, I would worry about my health and well being, rather than worrying about "points". If my dad (although he is already passed away) is "incapacitated", I wouldn't worry about the "points". So what if you loose few points? It's sad that you lost some points but I would be a lot sadder (is it a word "sadder") you being "incapacitated". I think your will will take care of it if your lawyer did the job right. Let your children worry about it when time comes.

Don't worry about points, just worry about your health until your last breath.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

I am a planner, I make my reservations, day by day at the eleven month window and now I want to make sure my kids and grandkids get the fullest benefit they can with out any problems. We purchased the points after we retired, have a will and POA but unless we know how to correctly handle the points we will continue to search out to find the best scenario so that we can and convey to our kids our intentions.
Thanks for all the thoughts.