Can someone explain how renting points works?

[caroline1851]

I'm trying to figure out if this is something i'd want to do for our next trip. But i'm completely clueless. I have no idea how it works..... Anyone?

 

[disneynutz]

You rent a reservation from an owner who makes and controls the reservation. You are considered a guest of the owner. You can look up owners here on the DIS or you can go through a broker.

Bill

 

[crisi]

And you'll want to plan ahead. DVC rooms book fairly quickly. Its also an owners market - there are more people looking to rent than owners interested in renting their points - especially for higher demand options.

 

[katriscari]

Dates must be set (no flexibility to move dates around based on flights, etc.), Renting usually requires payment for the reservation up front. Some renters will allow payments, other will not. Some will let you cancel within a specific time frame, others will not. Most will book dining plan for you if you want it. They have to book your ME, I believe. I've rented 3x before. 4th time is booked for May 2017. If you want to message me feel free, I was you a couple of years ago!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When you "rent points" you are actually renting a reservation at a DVC resort made for you by a DVC member.

• The member will control the reservation until you check in.
• Your booking is generally non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for refund due to the restrictions of a timeshare booking by the owner.
• You will often need to pay in full up front, versus the $200/first night's stay deposit on a booking with Disney.
• Any changes, special room requests or adding the dining plan have to be done through the owner. Dining plans must be paid in full at the time that they are added to the reservation because that's the way that DVC works.
• Tickets, FP+ and ADRs are your own responsibility.
• DVC units are not the same as staying in a hotel room. Aside from not getting daily housekeeping, you will not get 2 beds in a studio unless you're staying at OKW. What you get in a studio is a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa. Some studios will also have a Murphy bed that is smaller than a twin bed that will accommodate a 5th person. Most 2BR units are a 1BR+a studio, so if you're looking at a bigger unit for a larger group, know the bed set up.
• You will have all of the advantages that any Disney resort guest gets (like EMH, access to the resort's theme pool, ADRs at 180+10, FP+ at 60 days prior to arrival, MBs) but none of the benefits that DVC members have (such as member discounts or events or Top of the World Lounge).
• You will not qualify for any additional Disney discounts. You also are unlikely to get any kind of upgrade (and should not ask for one, as the owner who made the reservation for you may be charged for it).
• Demand for DVC rental far exceeds the number of available units and owners willing to use their points for a rental. DVC is designed to be at or near 100% occupancy all year long.
• Your chances of getting exactly what you want are much greater if you have lined up someone, who owns at the resort that you are interested in booking, at least 11 months in advance of the day you wish to arrive. The probability of success goes down from there.
• A broker is a go-between between a renter and an owner. To meet your reservation request, they need an owner, with the right number of points, in the right use year, at the right resort -- AND the unit needs to be available. This can be a challenge to get alignment on.
• In general, as a renter do not expect to book Boardwalk Standard Studios or 2BR, BLT Standard Studios or 2BR units, Grand Floridian studios, or Animal Kingdom Value or Club Level units. You can ask, but have backup plans (and budget, in the case of the Standard/Value units).
• DVC "busy season" does not align to what people think of as high season at Disney, and starts in late September and runs through marathon. Epcot resorts and near-park can be hard for owners to book during Food & Wine.
• Renting from a DVC owner can get you staying at a deluxe resort, in a villa-type room, for less than a standard room at that resort would cost from Disney. But it is non-refundable.
• If there is any issue, Disney will not be a part of any fix, as your transaction is not with them.

 

[Lynne M]

Essentially, you're paying a DVC owner to make a reservation for you. They will control the reservation right up until you check in, so a bit of trust is required.

Points are the "currency" that owners use to make DVC reservations. The number of points the owner has to "spend" to make the reservation depends on the resort, the room type and view, and the time of year. The owner sets the price per point that they will charge you to make the reservation.

There are a couple of ways for you to do this. You can find an owner and work with them directly (see our DVC Rent/Trade board for that), or you can work with a broker like dvcbyrequest.com. They act as a middleman, find you the owner who can fill your reservation, handle all communications with the owner, and handle the money. They're a bit more expensive, but I think well worth it, especially for someone who's new to renting.

Probably the most important difference between doing a rental and booking a room through Disney is that with a rental, you can't change or cancel your reservation. Well, you can, of course, but you won't get your money back.

The next most important difference is that DVC owners book EARLY. So, in order to have the best shot at getting what you want, you need to be starting the process about a year out.

 

[JOEJENN]

I have rented my points several times and always presented a contract to the renter. That contract protects both the owner and the renter. This way, all issues are in written form and there is a clear understanding of what is included in the rental. You can also ask the owner for referrals as well.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You rent a reservation from an owner who makes and controls the reservation. You are considered a guest of the owner. You can look up owners here on the DIS or you can go through a broker.

Bill

Not really a guest in DVC terms. A guest is someone who either goes with the owner on the trip or is gifted a trip by an owner. Meaning no payment or barter or trade for the reservation. There are some perks a true guest may be entitled to. You are actually a paying customer of the owner if you "rent points". You get zero DVC perks as a paying customer.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There are some perks a true guest may be entitled to.

At this point, I think it's rare they get any perks, just because that requires Disney to care/determine the difference between your beloved second-cousin thrice removed, and someone you booked in exchange for sweet, sweet cash. On Disney's end, there is no real way to tell the difference.

 

[Headlesshorseman]

You rent a reservation from an owner who makes and controls the reservation. You are considered a guest of the owner. You can look up owners here on the DIS or you can go through a broker.

Bill

Bill can you please direct me to that location?? I would love to use one of you for an October 17-22 2017 Reservation at Bay Lake Tower...THANK YOU Edit to add never mind I found it Thanks...I see you are in North Texas...I am in DFW

HH

 

[disneynutz]

Bill can you please direct me to that location?? I would love to use one of you for an October 17-22 2017 Reservation at Bay Lake Tower...THANK YOU Edit to add never mind I found it Thanks...I see you are in North Texas...I am in DFW

HH

Log into the DIS and the rent/trade forum is below in the DVC section. You have to be logged on to see it.

Bill