Cash Nights vs. Point Nights ...

[jdg345]

I've seen quite a few comments from posters indicating that they make part of their reservations in Cash and part in Points ... is there a rule of thumb to apply here? The cash rates at the DVC resorts seem pretty high ... wouldn't it be wiser to just use the points if you have them ??

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike]

I've seen quite a few comments from posters indicating that they make part of their reservations in Cash and part in Points ... is there a rule of thumb to apply here? The cash rates at the DVC resorts seem pretty high ... wouldn't it be wiser to just use the points if you have them ??

Thanks in advance.

If you value your points at $10/pt then it makes sense to pay cash and use the 25% Member Discount on weekends. I stay on points Sun-Thurs and pay cash on Fri and Sat using the discount.

 

[tink4ever]

How do you book your cash nights? Do they book them thru member services or do you have to go thru the regular disneyworld bookings? Thanks

 

[Kick Save]

Does the 25% member discount always apply? I can't seem to find any info on nailing that one down, but I seem to remember coming across, "Based on availabilty," somewhere.

 

[jdg345]

If you value your points at $10/pt then it makes sense to pay cash and use the 25% Member Discount on weekends. I stay on points Sun-Thurs and pay cash on Fri and Sat using the discount.

I see ... that makes sense ... but where does the $10/pt figure come from? I was thinking of doing OKW in July ... arriving on a Saturday. I believe that one night is 47 points (or $470 @ $10/per) for a 1BR ... if I book it cash, it's $400 / night, minus the 25% discount for approx $300 night (but I need to factor in 11.5% tax here, right? So approx $335 ... still $135 or 13 points cheaper.

Of course, if I factor in approx (3) trips a year like this, that's approximately $1000/year ... isn't it still cheaper over the long haul to buy more points?

 

[Boston5602]

I payed cash for a Sat night ( w/ discount) because I've been to Disney this year and next year's trip I'm bringing friends and family .I have since decided I want to bring my niece this year so I booked a studio for Sat - Fri and I figured it out that the points I need next year were all there IF I didn't use the points for that one Saturday night this year so I changed it to cash.


P.S.
If I had enough points to use the way I wanted to I would never go back to work

 

[DebbieB]

It's really a personal decision based on your points availability. I have booked cash nights for Friday and/or Saturday to extend a trip because I really did not want to add-on points. By using the member discount on a Saturday night at OKW (1 bedroom), it was under $7 a point. I figured when you add the initial cost of an add-on and dues, it was close to that and I didn't have the long term committment of more points.

 

[clhcpaca]

How do you find out what how much the cash points are for a Friday and/or Saturday night?

Cindy

 

[DebbieB]

How do you find out what how much the cash points are for a Friday and/or Saturday night?

Cindy

If you book it through member services, it's 25% off, see regular rates here. Add 11.5% tax.

http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2006.html

 

[pickles]

for those of you who stay in the same resort and pay points sun-thur and then pay cash for fri/sat is that 2 seperate reservations? How does that work/look like?

 

[Mike]

for those of you who stay in the same resort and pay points sun-thur and then pay cash for fri/sat is that 2 seperate reservations? How does that work/look like?

It is technically 2 separate reservations, but since they are both made through Member Services they will link them together so you will be able to stay in the same unit without the possibility of having to move. If you book Sun-Thurs on points but then use an AP discount for Fri and Sat, then that cash reservation has to be made through CRO so the reservations cannot be linked. You can note the other reservation on your original reservation and there is a good chance you will not have to move, but that is not guaranteed.

It is also worth noting that when staying on the Member Discount, you still do not get daily housekeeping. But when you are staying on the AP discount, you are considered a cash customer and you will get daily housekeeping.

The Member Discount is based on availability, but it is easier to get on weekends than weekdays. For the past two July trips, I've been able to get the Member Discount about 10 months out, once for a 1BR and this year for a 2BR.

 

[Mike]

I see ... that makes sense ... but where does the $10/pt figure come from? I was thinking of doing OKW in July ... arriving on a Saturday. I believe that one night is 47 points (or $470 @ $10/per) for a 1BR ... if I book it cash, it's $400 / night, minus the 25% discount for approx $300 night (but I need to factor in 11.5% tax here, right? So approx $335 ... still $135 or 13 points cheaper.

Of course, if I factor in approx (3) trips a year like this, that's approximately $1000/year ... isn't it still cheaper over the long haul to buy more points?

I based the $10 on what you could easily get for your points over on the rent/transfer board. Some points go for $11 or $12.

If you are going to do this every year, then yes it would be cheaper to buy more points for all of the reasons that DVC makes sense ... ie locking in hotel rates, break-even over X number of trips. But, as someone mentioned, it is a personal choice. For instance, as my kids get older I can see us staying weekends at Universal to get the FOTL access. So for now, for me, it makes sense to continue to stay Sun -Thurs on points, Fri and Sat on cash, and Sun-Thurs on points. Doing this uses up exactly 220 points and that is how many I currently own. I think this approach gives me flexibility.

 

[jdg345]

It is technically 2 separate reservations, but since they are both made through Member Services they will link them together so you will be able to stay in the same unit without the possibility of having to move. If you book Sun-Thurs on points but then use an AP discount for Fri and Sat, then that cash reservation has to be made through CRO so the reservations cannot be linked. You can note the other reservation on your original reservation and there is a good chance you will not have to move, but that is not guaranteed.

It is also worth noting that when staying on the Member Discount, you still do not get daily housekeeping. But when you are staying on the AP discount, you are considered a cash customer and you will get daily housekeeping.

The Member Discount is based on availability, but it is easier to get on weekends than weekdays. For the past two July trips, I've been able to get the Member Discount about 10 months out, once for a 1BR and this year for a 2BR.

Which is better? The member discount or the AP discount? Also, what is CRO?

 

[jdg345]

I based the $10 on what you could easily get for your points over on the rent/transfer board. Some points go for $11 or $12.

If you are going to do this every year, then yes it would be cheaper to buy more points for all of the reasons that DVC makes sense ... ie locking in hotel rates, break-even over X number of trips. But, as someone mentioned, it is a personal choice. For instance, as my kids get older I can see us staying weekends at Universal to get the FOTL access. So for now, for me, it makes sense to continue to stay Sun -Thurs on points, Fri and Sat on cash, and Sun-Thurs on points. Doing this uses up exactly 220 points and that is how many I currently own. I think this approach gives me flexibility.

Cool! Thanks! btw, what is FOTL?

There are way tooooooo many acronyms on this board ... someone should have a cheat sheet ... :lol:

 

[Boston5602]

Cool! Thanks! btw, what is FOTL?

There are way tooooooo many acronyms on this board ... someone should have a cheat sheet ... :lol:

FOTL = Front Of The Line

Universal's Fastpass type system


CRO = Central Reservation Office


and here is a link to common abbreviations


ALLEARSNET

 

[DebbieB]

Which is better? The member discount or the AP discount? Also, what is CRO?

You need to compare. Right now there is a $110 AP discount for 7/5 to 8/5, which would be a great discount on a studio, more than the member 25%.

CRO is where non-members book, 407-W-DISNEY.

 

[jdg345]

FOTL = Front Of The Line

Universal's Fastpass type system


CRO = Central Reservation Office


and here is a link to common abbreviations


ALLEARSNET

THANK YOU!

Or ... shall I say ... TYVM !

 

[jdg345]

You need to compare. Right now there is a $110 AP discount for 7/5 to 8/5, which would be a great discount on a studio, more than the member 25%.

CRO is where non-members book, 407-W-DISNEY.

Is there a website or link that lists the discounts? I have an AP (the Premium -- PAP?) ...

 

[DebbieB]

You can sign onto the AP website:

https://secure.disney.go.com/wdw/passholder/passholdersGate?id=PassholdersGatePage

You have to sign in with the info from the back of your AP.

 

[jdg345]

You can sign onto the AP website:

https://secure.disney.go.com/wdw/passholder/passholdersGate?id=PassholdersGatePage

You have to sign in with the info from the back of your AP.

Awesome! Thanks! I was always just going by what was in the little book that my AP came in ... how often does this update? Is it wise to check it weekly/monthly/quarterly?