Cruise Swap via 3rd party brokers

[VGCgroupie]

Which cruise line are you going to do? Do they let you select the cruise before the swap reservations are booked?

We will be doing a Disney cruise.. Yes you can select ahead of time as long as the cruise is pretty far in the future. Mine will be April of 26

 

[Sandisw]

We will be doing a Disney cruise.. Yes you can select ahead of time as long as the cruise is pretty far in the future. Mine will be April of 26

Just curious. Do they monitor promotions and allow you to get money back?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Just curious. Do they monitor promotions and allow you to get money back?

Great question I didnt think to ask, but I will. I know they didnt have any on board credit or anything like that to offer. The price was what matched the current price on the Disney cruise site.

 

[Sandisw]

Great question I didnt think to ask, but I will. I know they didnt have any on board credit or anything like that to offer. The price was what matched the current price on the Disney cruise site.

Thanks! I know that prices can change and that a cash guest can get a promo applied….like they can with other Disney promos…so was wondering if they allow the same flexibility or not.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks! I know that prices can change and that a cash guest can get a promo applied….like they can with other Disney promos…so was wondering if they allow the same flexibility or not.

Im for sure going to find out and will report back

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks! I know that prices can change and that a cash guest can get a promo applied….like they can with other Disney promos…so was wondering if they allow the same flexibility or not.

DCL doesn't offer many promotions that can be applied to existing reservations. Most are the *GT which requires a new booking, and usually (not always) those come out after the PIF date which requires a cancellation with penalty and rebook.

 

[Sandisw]

DCL doesn't offer many promotions that can be applied to existing reservations. Most are the *GT which requires a new booking, and usually (not always) those come out after the PIF date which requires a cancellation with penalty and rebook.

While I agree it’s not often, there certainly have been times.

So, it’s at least something to inquire about when deciding to do the swap.

 

[VGCgroupie]

While I agree it’s not often, there certainly have been times.

So, it’s at least something to inquire about when deciding to do the swap.

She said it would be a cancel rebook to get the lower rate.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Just an update. We have now rented enough to cover the cost of the cruise and a little extra. Gratuities and excursions can also be paid via the swap.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Just an update. We have now rented enough to cover the cost of the cruise and a little extra. Gratuities and excursions can also be paid via the swap.

That sounds great! I can't wait to hear about the cruise. It's 2026?

 

[VGCgroupie]

That sounds great! I can't wait to hear about the cruise. It's 2026?

Yep April of 2026 on the Wish

 

[Moonspinner]

Yep April of 2026 on the Wish

I am so curious about this. It seems like a great way to go. Thanks for documenting your experience. If they rent your points for $20/point, is that all yours? Or do they give you a different value towards your cruise bank? Like $18/per? Did you happen to look at what it would have cost you in points if you had gone direct through dcl? I know you said you are resale. I’m wondering if they ever told you how much you are saving by going through them. This is very interesting!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I am so curious about this. It seems like a great way to go. Thanks for documenting your experience. If they rent your points for $20/point, is that all yours? Or do they give you a different value towards your cruise bank? Like $18/per? Did you happen to look at what it would have cost you in points if you had gone direct through dcl? I know you said you are resale. I’m wondering if they ever told you how much you are saving by going through them. This is very interesting!

They have different options but since I was renting a reservation I had already booked I could choose how much I wanted up to $20pp. If you go the route where you find a reservation someone wants the payout is less. I get the whole $20pp but they charge the renter $28pp.

I didn’t check what it would’ve cost with Disney exchange because I’ve always been told how terrible of a value it is. I also wanted to use my cheap resale points not my direct. My direct are at VDH where I can only use VDH points since it’s restricted. So I have to hold on to those for my stays at DL.

 

[ShaneDJ]

I am so curious about this. It seems like a great way to go. Thanks for documenting your experience. If they rent your points for $20/point, is that all yours? Or do they give you a different value towards your cruise bank?

https://dvcrentalstore.com/members/cruise

 

[Moonspinner]

They have different options but since I was renting a reservation I had already booked I could choose how much I wanted up to $20pp. If you go the route where you find a reservation someone wants the payout is less. I get the whole $20pp but they charge the renter $28pp.

I didn’t check what it would’ve cost with Disney exchange because I’ve always been told how terrible of a value it is. I also wanted to use my cheap resale points not my direct. My direct are at VDH where I can only use VDH points since it’s restricted. So I have to hold on to those for my stays at DL.

Ok I didn’t realize they were charging the renter a higher rate and that is the spread. Obvious, but I missed it!

 

[atthebeachclub]

They have different options but since I was renting a reservation I had already booked I could choose how much I wanted up to $20pp. If you go the route where you find a reservation someone wants the payout is less. I get the whole $20pp but they charge the renter $28pp.

I didn’t check what it would’ve cost with Disney exchange because I’ve always been told how terrible of a value it is. I also wanted to use my cheap resale points not my direct. My direct are at VDH where I can only use VDH points since it’s restricted. So I have to hold on to those for my stays at DL.

Thanks for sharing this info! Very helpful for future knowledge.

 

[sethschroeder]

Alternative is people can rent their points out here or elsewhere like Facebook where you don't give away a bunch to a 3rd party.

When you rent out your own points you are pretty well protected since you can get money months prior to the actual rental. Essentially making it so they couldn't try to challenge it at that point on things like Paypal.

This also means you have more control on your cruise and can even go outside of DCL if you want since their pricing has went up so much in recent years.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Alternative is people can rent their points out here or elsewhere like Facebook where you don't give away a bunch to a 3rd party.

When you rent out your own points you are pretty well protected since you can get money months prior to the actual rental. Essentially making it so they couldn't try to challenge it at that point on things like Paypal.

This also means you have more control on your cruise and can even go outside of DCL if you want since their pricing has went up so much in recent years.

For me I decided it wasnt worth it due to taxes of 30% (yes its debatable if the swap should still be reported)

Also I actually already had one renter cancel and the board sponsor has full responsibility to find another renter. Im still getting paid either way. It's just a lot less hassle with a 3rd party. I spoke to someone about renting on my own and they were so flighty even as a DVC owner.

But I do know many people rent on their own and much prefer that.

 

[sethschroeder]

yes its debatable if the swap should still be reported

I wouldn't say its debatable at all as it would be a barter and something that is taxable.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc420


Additionally found this that seems to help explain it further as I would understand it:
https://pmanagementgroup.com/complete-guide-on-timeshare-tax-deductions-2/

When a timeshare owner participates in an exchange program, the IRS considers it a barter transaction. The fair market value of the property received in exchange must be reported as rental income on the owner’s tax return. Additionally, any expenses related to the exchange, such as exchange fees or membership dues, may be deductible as rental expenses.

The deduction if it applies likely is a good portion of your value and the income would be fairly minor likely for most people trading in 100-150 points for $10 of net proceeds each point.

Not an expert though at all.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I wouldn't say its debatable at all as it would be a barter and something that is taxable.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc420


Additionally found this that seems to help explain it further as I would understand it:
https://pmanagementgroup.com/complete-guide-on-timeshare-tax-deductions-2/



The deduction if it applies likely is a good portion of your value and the income would be fairly minor likely for most people trading in 100-150 points for $10 of net proceeds each point.

Not an expert though at all.

Cruise swaps with Interval dont get taxed as a barter so that is where the debate comes in. Why is one taxable and not the other.