Canceling a rental?

[margot31]

Not sure if that is a great title....but wondering.

If I were to rent from a DVC member here and needed to cancel a trip how many of you have a policy that allows that?

Are most of you sent on not allowing the renter to not cancel or willing to cancel?

 

[Cyberc1978]

My best guess is that the greater part of members who rent out, wont allow you to cancel. This is partially due to the points which could be banked, borrowed to make the reservation.

Those that do allow you to cancel, I guess they might have a strict policy about it.

Regards

 

[margot31]

My best guess is that the greater part of members who rent out, wont allow you to cancel. This is partially due to the points which could be banked, borrowed to make the reservation.

Those that do allow you to cancel, I guess they might have a strict policy about it.

Regards

Thats what I was thinking...just thought I would see what actual owners say.

 

[crisi]

When I rented, I went through a broker which doesn't allow cancellations. If I rented direct there would be no way I'd allow cancellations. Too much risk to the points - for which I have to pay dues on every year.

 

[jerseygal]

When I rented, I went through a broker which doesn't allow cancellations. If I rented direct there would be no way I'd allow cancellations. Too much risk to the points - for which I have to pay dues on every year.

AGREED. We have never rented our points, but if I did it would be a final transaction. Dues are too expensive to be at risk with going into holding, losing points, etc. GOOD LUCK if you decide to rent!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If I were within the banking deadline and all of the points were bankable, I might consider it, but it would be on a case by case basis. It would depend on the timing of the booking and I would discuss it up front.

 

[larissawbb]

When I rent points , I get travel insurance. You can get a reasonable policy through Trutravel a Nationwide insurance company. They cover timeshare rentals that are non refundable. They even covered a damaged suitcase last year.

 

[Chuck S]

Brokers don't allow cancellations. ANd whether or not a private rental directly through a member would is quite "iffy." I would depend upon many factors. Did the owner use banked or borrowed points for your reservation, if so, the owner may be stuck with them. How close to the travel date are you cancelling, as again, the owner may be stuck and unable to bank or have points go into holding status. With so many factors, I would venture to say that almost all owners would consider the transaction final and non-refundable, some may try to reschedule for you, if the banking, borrowing, and holding windows are OK, but there are no guarantees.

 

[DMKEDM]

I'm not a regular renter but I have rented out my points 3 times...one of those times, the person who rented from me had a death in the family (an aunt) 2 days prior to her arrival date. She called me to ask if she could cancel. I said I'd try to reschedule for another time but explained that the points would go into holding and so options would be limited. She seemed to appreciate the flexibility I could give her, and understood the issues. Ultimately (after about 24 hours of thinking things over and with the funeral scheduled enough later that it was after their trip), she decided to take the trip and reported in later that they'd had a great time, despite the family sadness.

So, my policy would be "no cancellations" but I would tell my renter that if something happens, call me and I'll do what I can (within reason)...but I'm not willing to risk the loss of the income the rental brings in, or to re-do all the work I did to do the rental in the first place w/out some kind of really compelling reason. And that's what I expect from those I've rented points from, too (something I've done twice).

 

[maburke]

My contract says no refunds, because the value of my points goes down as time passes and availability disappears. But I am willing to work with people to reschedule, or to re-rent to recoup some of their money. I'm willing to put my time in for people who have the unexpected occur, but renting is not a good match for people who might just change their minds.

 

[Lynne M]

If you think a cancellation is likely, or even possible, your options are to purchase travel insurance that covers vacation rentals, or look for an owner that will guarantee in writing that they will refund your money on cancellation. I think it will be pretty hard to find someone willing to do that, so I would go with travel insurance.

 

[maburke]

If you think a cancellation is likely, or even possible, your options are to purchase travel insurance that covers vacation rentals, or look for an owner that will guarantee in writing that they will refund your money on cancellation. I think it will be pretty hard to find someone willing to do that, so I would go with travel insurance.

There's just no way someone is going to refund money at the last minute. It's a massive loss. I've actually written contracts that are stricter than usual for people who have asked for that to get travel insurance. (It would only cover an absolute "no refunds" contract.)

 

[Disneypapa]

I have rented points to non DVC members about ten times. The contract I use says no refunds. I am willing to try and reschedule or possibly try and re-rent the points, but once rented they are the renters.