CASH or POINTS?

[nezy]

At what point is it better to choose one over the other? I can get a 1BR at SSR for 2 nights (Thurs and Friday) for 89 points but I can book a studio for the same 2 nights for total incl tax of $630.oo

I know 1 BR is different than a studio so not a direct comparison. A studio for those same dates would be 45 point, but there are none available. There are only 2 of in the room so the studio is fine. Just trying to figure if it is worth because I would love to bank the points into next use year if possible! But not sure that 630 for the 2 nights is a fare trade off.

 

[Dean]

At what point is it better to choose one over the other? I can get a 1BR at SSR for 2 nights (Thurs and Friday) for 89 points but I can book a studio for the same 2 nights for total incl tax of $630.oo

I know 1 BR is different than a studio so not a direct comparison. A studio for those same dates would be 45 point, but there are none available. There are only 2 of in the room so the studio is fine. Just trying to figure if it is worth because I would love to bank the points into next use year if possible! But not sure that 630 for the 2 nights is a fare trade off.

If you have a plan to use the points that benefits you otherwise, I'd do the cash in this situation though I might do it at a non DVC resort. If you don't have a plan to use the points I'd likely just do the 1 BR. Personally I'd look at it as an opportunity to stay somewhere I normally wouldn't going forward, as a DVC owner that means a moderate or deluxe for me or an off site stay.

 

[a742246]

Here is another way.....

You can pay cash for the studio. Then rent out those 89 points at $13.00 a point, and that would come out to $1157.00. Subtract $630 from $1157 and you get a net of $527.00. But this will require a little work!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd also consider cash for another location, likely not DVC if the price were comparable and I had another use for the points. If not, then I've already paid for points and would likely book the 1br, but we often do anyway even with 2 ppl.

 

[Deb & Bill]

How about a moderate resort like POR or POFQ or CSR? Then you get two real queen sized beds instead of one bed and one sofa.

 

[Dean]

I'd also consider cash for another location, likely not DVC if the price were comparable and I had another use for the points. If not, then I've already paid for points and would likely book the 1br, but we often do anyway even with 2 ppl.

Swan/Dolphin often have great prices.

 

[nezy]

Does Swan/Dolphin give discounts for AP...thinking not because not actually Disney. Added to this we have friends staying at SSR so we wanted to stay with them or near them.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you have a plan to use the points that benefits you otherwise, I'd do the cash in this situation though I might do it at a non DVC resort.

Same. If renting a studio for that much I'd honestly just look to a value.

But you want to be near friends at SSR so...

 

[kniquy]

I would bank your points and just look at a value or moderate resort. It might be nice to check out a resort that you typically would never stay at. Might actually make you appreciate your DVC even more. Not that the rooms are bad in a value or mod, but certainly the space and amenities are a little different. It is only 2 days so not the end of the world if you have a so-so room at a value or mod. That is pretty expensive for a studio -- I don't think i would pay that especially for SSR. If you were talking about poly or GF maybe. but not for SSR.

 

[kniquy]

Added to this we have friends staying at SSR so we wanted to stay with them or near them.

Just saw this comment. Are they DVC memebers? if so could you transfer points your points to them so that you could get a larger room with them? I'm not sure of the points difference between what they have and what you would need to get to be with them.

I guess it is a matter of what you want to do with your points next year, if you need them book a value and bank and just meet up with them at the parks.

 

[abdgeek]

At what point is it better to choose one over the other? I can get a 1BR at SSR for 2 nights (Thurs and Friday) for 89 points but I can book a studio for the same 2 nights for total incl tax of $630.oo

I know 1 BR is different than a studio so not a direct comparison. A studio for those same dates would be 45 point, but there are none available. There are only 2 of in the room so the studio is fine. Just trying to figure if it is worth because I would love to bank the points into next use year if possible! But not sure that 630 for the 2 nights is a fare trade off.

Because I use my points for everything (ABD, DCL, RCI, DVC), IMO it is always better to use points than come out of pocket for something that your points could have paid for. That being said, it seems that the larger issue is that you want to stay at SSR to be near your friends. Unless using your 89 points for this reservation means you won't be able to do whatever you have planned next year for your points, you have a tough decision to make. Either way, it seems that you will have to pay OOP at some time. Traveling solo, I understand that a 1BD can be too much for 2 people and hard to justify. I stayed in one once and decided I preferred the studio better and it was a better use of points. Unfortunately, if the 1BD is all that is available I would stay there and not pay $630 for the studio.

 

[zavandor]

What about booking something cash with free cancellation and create a waitlist for a studio at SSR? Cancellations last minute do happen even for DVC and SSR is a big resort so more chances. Also, shortly before the arrival date, CRO inventory that hasn't been booked is released to be booked again for points (I think it's 30 days), so you might be able to get a lst minute reservation. But do not book a 1BR hoping to change shorlty before your arrival, or you might end with points in holding.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I always wondered about that-points versus member's cash-but the same room type. For example, I just made reservationist Hilton Head island and the villa I wanted was 28 points a night. At the same time, it cost $238/night, including tax for the same night. I estimate $10/point, and figure that's roughly the "value" of the points. So paying points "costs", roughly, $280. That means that the better value is paying the $238 member's cash. I don't know if this is right, but that's my rough estimating.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The other thing is that if you're considering waitlisting for a studio to open up, be aware that, according to a MS CM, just over 30 days, 35-40, is when there are the most cancellations. Lots of times, people may know 6 months out that they're going to cancel, but they just don't "get around to" calling until they see "Oh, @#$%, it's close to 30 days so I'd better call now, otherwise those points go into holding." Maybe at 5 months, 4 months, 3..., they're hoping for a miracle so that they don't have to cancel. That's how we got our waitlist once at exactly 31 days.