Considering DVC Please Help Me Understand Concierge and World Passport Collection

[2kidsnutsfordisney]

Okay my parents are seriously considering DVC but I am doing most of the legwork for them. Here is my ? I have spoken with our sales rep at Disney and she has explained to me how to use points under the Concierge and World Passport Collection but I need "real" feedback if you know what I mean. Give the +/- about using your points to travel to other destinations. Although my parents will be using points to travel to Disney they are also very interested in visiting places such as Sanibel/Captiva (World Passport Collection) and Big Cedar Lodge and The Coronado (Concierge). Any "real" advice would be so appreciated

 

[simpilotswife]

The rule of thumb is that if you are not going to use DVC at the resorts you may want to consider buying a different timeshare. DVC maintenance fees are almost the highest in the industry. The general feeling is to buy a resale at a very tradeable location and trade through their system rather than using DVC for that.

 

[Dean]

It is not reasonable to buy to trade. They should either buy another timeshare, maybe Hilton for Sanibel, or buy less DVC points and another timeshare. They should also spend a number of months getting to know the system. No way they should buy without developing a feel for this themselves unless you're going to continue to do everything for them. A timeshare is not something you rush into.

 

[OnMedic]

As illuded to above, DVC points loose their value greatly when exchanging into World Passport. 250-270 pts. for a 2 BR Red seaon, OUCH!

If they do want to trade on an OCCASSIONAL basis, try and find a direct trade with an owner from the desired location, and even better if they also own DVC as you can simply exchange points in return for time. Ie. Offer up a Studio at DVC for a Sanibel or Marco week. I am not sure how this sits with the other members and the Sr. posters here, but this is my newbie approach.

 

[Dean]

As illuded to above, DVC points loose their value greatly when exchanging into World Passport. 250-270 pts. for a 2 BR Red seaon, OUCH!

If they do want to trade on an OCCASSIONAL basis, try and find a direct trade with an owner from the desired location, and even better if they also own DVC as you can simply exchange points in return for time. Ie. Offer up a Studio at DVC for a Sanibel or Marco week. I am not sure how this sits with the other members and the Sr. posters here, but this is my newbie approach.

I'd think it depends on what you exchange to and what it would "cost" you otherwise to get it a different route. Some things are a good value and others are not.

 

[OnMedic]

Dean,

Yes, very true. If you can grab Four Seasons, or CI & Marriott desired location and time, it may return a bit of value to the points being exchanged.

In the case of HGVC, as you know I own HGVC too, I have figured an equitable trade to be 0.03-0.04 DVC pts. per HGVC point. Ie. 5,000 HGVC pts. = 150 DVC pts.

 

[Dean]

Dean,

Yes, very true. If you can grab Four Seasons, or CI & Marriott desired location and time, it may return a bit of value to the points being exchanged.

In the case of HGVC, as you know I own HGVC too, I have figured an equitable trade to be 0.03-0.04 DVC pts. per HGVC point. Ie. 5,000 HGVC pts. = 150 DVC pts.

I can't speak to HIlton per se. There are several ways to figure cost and value. I think the best for possible trades is to compare what you could have gotten the destination for otherwise. This includes timeshare rentals and clearance sites like skyautions, etc, as well as condo's that are comparable. For what you're giving up, you should decide it's value to you as well as what you could rent it for.

There are a number of resorts that would be a great value at certain times of the year and a poor one otherwise. Same can be said for owning. Anyone who wanted to own DVC HH to stay Dec to early March excluding Xmas, would simply be nuts. One could get a 1 or 2 BR through trading easily for a total cost of around $500-600 per week including all fees. And one would have almost a guaranteed chance of success each and every week. And one would also have the option of staying at other resorts in the area for the same price such as the oceanfront Marriott's.

 

[2kidsnutsfordisney]

I think I understand a little better! Clearly, there are situations that owning DVC can be helpful in staying in other locations other than Disney but if my parents intend to visit non-Disney locations on a yearly basis or even more frequently then they would be better served to purchase a different timeshare? With that being said, where can I go to check out other timeshares and really understand what they have to offer? Any advice on "good" timeshares to look into? Thank you for your helpful info!

 

[Dean]

I think I understand a little better! Clearly, there are situations that owning DVC can be helpful in staying in other locations other than Disney but if my parents intend to visit non-Disney locations on a yearly basis or even more frequently then they would be better served to purchase a different timeshare? With that being said, where can I go to check out other timeshares and really understand what they have to offer? Any advice on "good" timeshares to look into? Thank you for your helpful info!

Timeshare Users Group

I would add one thing and that is to buy into DVC to exchange (of any type) is a poor decision. Having the option, however, is never bad as long as it does not cost you if you don't use it.