Cash Reservations?

[dkostel]

Hello,
How do cash reservations w/DVC discount work? Does it only apply at my home resort or at all DVC resorts (or all WDW resorts)? Who do you book through and are the rates published?

Thanks much!

 

[DebbieB]

DVC resorts only. 25% off, subject to availability, through member services.

 

[stitch1094]

DVC resorts only. 25% off, subject to availability, through member services.

When you say "subject to availability" what does that mean?

We all know that a certain percentage of the inventory is set aside at each DVC resort and it can't be booked with points. So, if I call and want to book AKV and they say its "full". Does that mean I can then pay a discounted cash price for the cash inventory rooms or does the discount only apply if there are "point" rooms available.

 

[DebbieB]

When you say "subject to availability" what does that mean?

We all know that a certain percentage of the inventory is set aside at each DVC resort and it can't be booked with points. So, if I call and want to book AKV and they say its "full". Does that mean I can then pay a discounted cash price for the cash inventory rooms or does the discount only apply if there are "point" rooms available.

They don't automatically discount the empty rooms. Kind of like CRO. There maybe empty cash rooms but only for full price.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

DVC resorts only. 25% off, subject to availability, through member services.

I thought you could get the 25% discount for all WDW resorts but you had to pay a $95 fee to member services (for cash reservations). Am I thinking of something else?

 

[DebbieB]

I thought you could get the 25% discount for all WDW resorts but you had to pay a $95 fee to member services (for cash reservations). Am I thinking of something else?

No, that is non-DVC resorts at WDW for points. Plus any other non-DVC reservation (cruise, conceirge collection) except Disneyland.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I'm confused. You mean we do get a 25% discount on cruises? On another thread I was told no discounts on cruises.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm confused. You mean we do get a 25% discount on cruises? On another thread I was told no discounts on cruises.

No, the 25% discount is only for DVC resorts. The $95 fee is for cruises and other non-DVC accomodations, except Disneyland, booked with DVC points.

 

[hellerjw]

A good example:

We recently wanted to plan a quick weekend trip for 2 to HHI (our home resort is AKV) for Feb 20-22. The only day they had available on points for studios or 1BR units was the 21st, however we were able to book both Friday & Saturday night in a studio on cash with the DVC 25% discount. The studio came to $82/night which is cheaper than just about any local hotel we could find. We got our confirmation letter just like if we used points and don't have to pay for the room until we check-in. Everything was done through MS and it went very smootly.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

No, the 25% discount is only for DVC resorts. The $95 fee is for cruises and other non-DVC accomodations, except Disneyland, booked with DVC points.

So why would I pay a $95 fee when I can just go on the basic DCL site and book a cruise or just book my own Poly stay on-line?

 

[hellerjw]

The $95 fee is when you are using points to book a non-DVC resort. It doesn't apply when paying cash.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Ok - I think I've got it.

You get a 25% discount on DVC resorts if you are paying cash. You book thru member services & they charge you $95. You just need to make sure you're saving more than $95 with your 25% discount to make it cheaper than booking it yourself. Right???

 

[hellerjw]

The $95 fee should only apply if you are trying to use some of your points for stays at non-DVC resorts (even other Disney property like the Polynesian or Grand Floridian). DVC has to trade-out for those type reservations and charges this fee to help cover some of that cost.

The 25% DVC discount should only apply when you want to book a DVC resort with cash instead of using your points. The 25% cash discount isn't always available. Since some of the DVC inventory is set aside for cash reservations (due to member trade-outs, etc) you can sometimes get a reservation on cash when the same size unit and dates are unavailable on points. This is how DVC recoups those trade-outs by renting some units for cash. You don't pay the $95 fee when booking a DVC resort using the 25% cash discount.

 

[DebbieB]

Ok - I think I've got it.

You get a 25% discount on DVC resorts if you are paying cash. You book thru member services & they charge you $95. You just need to make sure you're saving more than $95 with your 25% discount to make it cheaper than booking it yourself. Right???

No, 2 separate things.

1. You can get a 25% discount on cash stays at DVC resorts. No fee.

2. If you use your points outside of DVC resorts (except Disneyland), there is a $95 fee.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

No, 2 separate things.

1. You can get a 25% discount on cash stays at DVC resorts. No fee.

2. If you use your points outside of DVC resorts (except Disneyland), there is a $95 fee.

OMG - my brain isn't working, sorry.

This seems to make sense to me now. The only time I have to pay the $95 fee is to use my points for something other than a DVC resort (except DL). Cash stays at DVC get 25% discount, no fee. This is much better than what I thought.

Thanks Debbie!!!

 

[DebbieB]

OMG - my brain isn't working, sorry.

This seems to make sense to me now. The only time I have to pay the $95 fee is to use my points for something other than a DVC resort (except DL). Cash stays at DVC get 25% discount, no fee. This is much better than what I thought.

Thanks Debbie!!!