Current Magical Beginnings promotion with Direct

[amywilkh]

I believe the AKV ends tomorrow but you’d still be eligible to sell back your 2023 points.

Do we know whether the deal would end for other resorts tomorrow? VGF or RIV?

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

Do we know whether the deal would end for other resorts tomorrow? VGF or RIV?

The AKV is a different flash sale and that is supposed to end 5/1. The VGF and RIV incentives are ongoing through the end of May (and then those incentives are probably replaced by new/diff ones). The Magical Beginnings promo seems to be ongoing, but varies from $10/pt to the current $22/pt (with a minimum of 150 pts purchased - available to either new or current members).

 

[mamaofsix]

I wonder if it’s to do with tax. I think to rent points through most agencies based in the US you need to provide your tax number. That’s why we rent via David’s if not renting privately. They are based in Canada and don’t require you to provide a tax number. That’s my vague recollection from trying to rent points during the pandemic. They also, according to the guide I spoke to, send you a cheque in the post after completion. That might be harder to cash for those not based in the US. It’s a shame you can’t just offset it against your dues for the next three or so years.

Ahhhh... that makes sense.

You're right - too bad they can't offset your dues instead of sending a cheque...

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I just took a peek over at the ROFR thread and saw how much VGF contracts are going for. I will be keeping my resale instead! That was a fast decision!

I’m currently buying VGF resale at ~140/pt (counting value of banked points), which is decent but not amazing compared to how others have done—I could not imagine why you would be selling around $140/pt minus whatever broker fees are, to buy at $175/pt (plus fees), if you already have a blue card. If you didn’t have the blue card and wanted the perks, then it would make more sense to me.

 

[DVCRookie2023]

I’m currently buying VGF resale at ~140/pt (counting value of banked points), which is decent but not amazing compared to how others have done—I could not imagine why you would be selling around $140/pt minus whatever broker fees are, to buy at $175/pt (plus fees), if you already have a blue card. If you didn’t have the blue card and wanted the perks, then it would make more sense to me.

Well if you want to stay at future resorts or RIV you just won’t be able to use those points at all. That would be a solid reason.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Sure, but both the Wanderlustin and I already have a lot of direct points to sample other resorts… and I can’t speak for wanderlustin, but I seriously doubt DVD will build anything I like much better than VGF/PVB so why would one pay a premium to buy direct at VGF (vs AKV or other flash sales) if you want them as SAP? If anything, I’d buy AUL resale for dedicated AUL use at $90/pt and then use my AUL direct points to sleep around.

If Disney builds new amazing resorts I want to stay at more often than VGF, I’ll buy there direct (or resale, depending on the price delta)—for now I don’t find that value proposition compelling since VDH is going to be hard to book at 7m and RIV is inferior to BCV and BWV, for my purposes. It costs at least $40/pt to upgrade to direct at VGF, I’d put that money in a money market fund or blue chip index fund and wait to buy something new.

 

[DVCRookie2023]

Sure, but both the Wanderlustin and I already have a lot of direct points to sample other resorts… and I can’t speak for wanderlustin, but I seriously doubt DVD will build anything I like much better than VGF/PVB so why would one pay a premium to buy direct at VGF (vs AKV or other flash sales) if you want them as SAP? If anything, I’d buy AUL resale for dedicated AUL use at $90/pt and then use my AUL direct points to sleep around.

If Disney builds new amazing resorts I want to stay at more often than VGF, I’ll buy there direct (or resale, depending on the price delta)—for now I don’t find that value proposition compelling since VDH is going to be hard to book at 7m and RIV is inferior to BCV and BWV, for my purposes. It costs at least $40/pt to upgrade to direct at VGF, I’d put that money in a money market fund or blue chip index fund and wait to buy something new.

Yes your right. I didn’t realize you were referring to a specific case where someone might have other direct points.

As for me I have ZERO points and this seems great to get in direct!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Yes your right. I didn’t realize you were referring to a specific case where someone might have other direct points.

As for me I have ZERO points and this seems great to get in direct!

Completely agree. VGF direct at those prices would look great me if I didn’t already own direct at Aulani—but I still wouldn’t sell resale points and incur broker fees at today’s prices.

 

[Orange Fanatic]

So, magical beginnings applies only to the 2022 points of the contract that you are acquiring now, not the 2022 points of the contract that you already have?

 

[Sandisw]

So, magical beginnings applies only to the 2022 points of the contract that you are acquiring now, not the 2022 points of the contract that you already have?

Correct. They will buy back the current UY points for buying a new contract of at least 150 points.

So, for Feb to April UY, it’s 2023 points. For June to Dec UY, it’s 2022 points.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Correct. They will buy back the current UY points for buying a new contract of at least 150 points.

So, for Feb to April UY, it’s 2023 points. For June to Dec UY, it’s 2022 points.

So if I’m following this thread correctly, if you’re buying direct, if possible, you always want to buy direct the month before your UY ends, to maximize points to dues?

 

[Sandisw]

So if I’m following this thread correctly, if you’re buying direct, if possible, you always want to buy direct the month before your UY ends, to maximize points to dues?

I wouldn’t ever wait until the last month but yes, as far as you can into the UY so you pay less dues.

But, DVD does have to have points to sell you and if one wants a sold out resort, like AKV, they could say they don’t have them.

Active resorts are typically a sure bet. The drawback of waiting is that price could go up or incentives end. But if adding in small amounts it can work.

For example, if I decide to add more RIV o my Dec UY, I’ll do it in September so I only pay 4 months of dues for 2023 vs now which would mean I’d owe 8 months.

 

[intamin]

Correct. They will buy back the current UY points for buying a new contract of at least 150 points.

So, for Feb to April UY, it’s 2023 points. For June to Dec UY, it’s 2022 points.

I assumes this means if you had a Feb to April UY, you would then have to pay the dues on the 2023 points and THEN get reimbursed the 22 per point. So effectively you’re bringing the value of selling the points back down to 14 (assuming your average MFs is 8 dollars per point).. and then of course losing the current UY points..

 

[PrincessKL]

If use year does not matter to me, then even if I have an April use year, I can buy 150 points now for a June use year so that I don’t pay dues on the 2022 points and get them for $22 per point. Is this correct?

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

If use year does not matter to me, then even if I have an April use year, I can buy 150 points now for a June use year so that I don’t pay dues on the 2022 points and get them for $22 per point. Is this correct?

I personally have not tried to do this, but several people have commented here that you cannot chose a UY when buying direct other than the UY (or UYs) you already have.

 

[ocdb8r1]

I personally have not tried to do this, but several people have commented here that you cannot chose a UY when buying direct other than the UY (or UYs) you already have.

So long as they have the use year available to sell, they will happily let you choose whatever use year you'd like (even if you already have one). However, you must purchase at least one contract in a new use year that meets the minimum contract size requirement (currently 100 points); effectively you cannot "add-on" a contract under 100 points unless it's in your current use year. This is a moot point if you plan on using Magical Beginnings as it requires at least one of the contracts you purchase be 150 points in order to take advantage of Magical Beginnings.

I was told I could pick a new use year for AKL, do a contract of 150 points and another contract of 50 points and both take advantage of the 200 point pricing for AKL and use Magical Beginnings for all 200 points. I was told I could do contracts of 100/50/50 with a new use year and take advantage of the 200 point pricing for AKL but could NOT then use Magical Beginnings (because at least one contract would need to be for 150 points).

 

[Sandisw]

I assumes this means if you had a Feb to April UY, you would then have to pay the dues on the 2023 points and THEN get reimbursed the 22 per point. So effectively you’re bringing the value of selling the points back down to 14 (assuming your average MFs is 8 dollars per point).. and then of course losing the current UY points..

Dues are calendar year and not based on UY...everyone will pay 2023 dues, prorated from the date of purpose, regardless of what points you get and what you decide to do with them...keep or sell back.

Now, if what you point is that those who are still in their 2022 UY have an added benefit because they haven't yet started their 2023 UY...sure. But, the discount is still $22/point for selling back current UY points.

Even if one doesn't sell back points, those still within their 2022 UY are getting both 2022 and 2023 UY points today and pay the same 2023 dues that those with UY's that have begun the 2023 UY.

Its why guides try to frame it as getting "double" points and its not...its simply buying at a strategic time for UYs.

 

[CherryDB]

So long as they have the use year available to sell, they will happily let you choose whatever use year you'd like (even if you already have one). However, you must purchase at least one contract in a new use year that meets the minimum contract size requirement (currently 100 points); effectively you cannot "add-on" a contract under 100 points unless it's in your current use year. This is a moot point if you plan on using Magical Beginnings as it requires at least one of the contracts you purchase be 150 points in order to take advantage of Magical Beginnings.

I was told I could pick a new use year for AKL, do a contract of 150 points and another contract of 50 points and both take advantage of the 200 point pricing for AKL and use Magical Beginnings for all 200 points. I was told I could do contracts of 100/50/50 with a new use year and take advantage of the 200 point pricing for AKL but could NOT then use Magical Beginnings (because at least one contract would need to be for 150 points).

The price they quote you, is it the current member pricing or new member pricing since you are trying to add a new membership (different use year from the one you currently have)?

Thinking of taking advantage of magical beginnings as well… but holding off closer to end of month to see if new incentives will be better for VGF or Riv

 

[pinkxray]

I briefly mentioned buying more VGF instead of waiting for Poly2 this morning. He listened and didn’t immediately say no. I was going to work on my convincing facts all day and convince him tonight. Went back to read this thread again. Didn’t realize you still had to buy 150pts as one contract to get the $22pp off 2022 pts. I don’t want 150 in one contract.

Oh well. Guess we are back to waiting for Poly2 or a great deal to pop up on Copper Creek. We don’t have a blue card and I always have FOMO that we don’t so would love to have it sooner than later.

 

[ocdb8r1]

The price they quote you, is it the current member pricing or new member pricing since you are trying to add a new membership (different use year from the one you currently have)?

Thinking of taking advantage of magical beginnings as well… but holding off closer to end of month to see if new incentives will be better for VGF or Riv

Still add on pricing even if requesting a new use year.