DDP for non members renting DVC

[999 Happy Haunts]

I know this question has probably been asked before, but I'm planning to rent a reservation to a non DVC member, and I'm just wondering what the story is with the dining plan.

My understanding is that I have to book it for them BEFORE they arrive? Is there any sort of deadline as to how far in advance it needs to be booked?

And also, they pay for it upon arrival?

Could I, as a member, incur any charges if they change their mind or something when they check in?

Just wondering what the pitfalls are as I've never rented before and never used the dining plan either!

Thanks so much for any insight.

999

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think you have to call a couple days ahead of the start of the ressie to let them know about the DDP. They do indeed pay for it upon check-in, but I don't believe you can be held responsible if they choose last minute not to take it. I think they can drop it last minute, but I don't think they can add it last minute.

 

[999 Happy Haunts]

Thanks for that....every little bit of info helps!

I'll ask Member Services the next time I call too. I just figured I'd probably get more reliable info here! Seems things vary from operator to operator.

The Magical Express needs to be booked in advance as well, yes? Do you know if there are deadlines with that?

Also, renters can make room charges as long as they leave a credit card at check-in, yes?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Sammie]

Could I, as a member, incur any charges if they change their mind or something when they check in?

Not on the DDP. The only charges you can be held accountable for, is if they damage the room, or skip out on their bills at check out.

 

[999 Happy Haunts]

Not on the DDP. The only charges you can be held accountable for, is if they damage the room, or skip out on their bills at check out.

Wow, now there's something to think about! Yikes. Maybe I should discourage them from charging things to the room! LOL.

Thanks, Sammie. BTW, I like your RWE quote.

 

[Newcastle]

I could be totally out in left field here but don't you have to leave your credit card information at the front desk if you want the option of charging to your room? My understanding was that this would eliminate any chance of someone charging things to their room key and then trying to ditch those charges as Disney would be able to charge it to the credit card that they have on file. Of course, I don't think that this would help when it comes to damages incurred to the room. Anyone else know anything about this?

 

[Chuck S]

I could be totally out in left field here but don't you have to leave your credit card information at the front desk if you want the option of charging to your room? My understanding was that this would eliminate any chance of someone charging things to their room key and then trying to ditch those charges as Disney would be able to charge it to the credit card that they have on file. Of course, I don't think that this would help when it comes to damages incurred to the room. Anyone else know anything about this?

There is always the possibility that the people could report the card stolen, or cancel the card after charging to the room but before the carge is done by the resort...or perhaps they go over credit limit and a charge is declined...or perhaps they'll dowhat some of may cards do, the CC company sees an "unusual" charge, done outside your home area, and their internal loss prevention software shuts down the card until the cardholder contacts them. Any number of things can happen with credit cards, they are not a fool proof guarantee.

In any of those instances, DVC would then go after the owner for the charges.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I could be totally out in left field here but don't you have to leave your credit card information at the front desk if you want the option of charging to your room? My understanding was that this would eliminate any chance of someone charging things to their room key and then trying to ditch those charges as Disney would be able to charge it to the credit card that they have on file. Of course, I don't think that this would help when it comes to damages incurred to the room. Anyone else know anything about this?

This would work if they had room on the credit card on file, but if they used a credit card that had limited funding availability, and the charges exceeded the amount of available credit, it would go back on the owner. We had this happen, and although it worked out fine in the end, it made for some tense moments while it was being straightened out.

 

[JimMIA]

I could be totally out in left field here but don't you have to leave your credit card information at the front desk if you want the option of charging to your room? My understanding was that this would eliminate any chance of someone charging things to their room key and then trying to ditch those charges as Disney would be able to charge it to the credit card that they have on file. Of course, I don't think that this would help when it comes to damages incurred to the room. Anyone else know anything about this?

There was one situation reported here several months ago where leaving a credit card did NOT prevent problems. As I remember it, a relative of a DVC owner did leave his card imprint, but the front desk made a mistake and did not charge the room charges to the credit card. When the bill was unpaid, they simply applied it to the owner's account...without notifying anyone.

The owner only discovered the mistake when he was trying to book another vacation and was told there was an unpaid bill and his whole account was shut down. It eventually got resolved, but it was a mess for a while.

Obviously, if that guest had been unscrupulous, the DVC owner would have had to pay the bill.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I know this is slightly OT, but couldn't members vote to ONLY let members charge on their room key, like a member perk? Renters wouldn't even have the option.

Then if my mother has another attack of having to buy $50 mickey sweatshirts for my kids, I'm not sweating about it accidentally ending up on my dvc bill eventually.

It would really protect the owners, I'd think!

 

[Chuck S]

I know this is slightly OT, but couldn't members vote to ONLY let members charge on their room key, like a member perk? Renters wouldn't even have the option.

Then if my mother has another attack of having to buy $50 mickey sweatshirts for my kids, I'm not sweating about it accidentally ending up on my dvc bill eventually.

It would really protect the owners, I'd think!

Disney/DVC has no compelling reason to protect owners from the people they rent to, do they? It is a private transaction between the owner and the renter. Disney derives no income from that transaction, so why should they do the work to see who is an owner, a guest of an owner, or a renter and then track that to see that reters can not charge? And besides, would owners even be honest and tell DVC that the person in the room is a renter and not their familiy of friend?

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Disney/DVC has no compelling reason to protect owners from the people they rent to, do they? It is a private transaction between the owner and the renter. Disney derives no income from that transaction, so why should they do the work to see who is an owner, a guest of an owner, or a renter and then track that to see that reters can not charge? And besides, would owners even be honest and tell DVC that the person in the room is a renter and not their familiy of friend?

Doesn't Disney know when you check in who's not the member? In other words, the charging on the room ONLY works for the OWNER of the room.

Don't I own the room? Technically? I like how well Disney protects me and my family in other areas of Disney, why not here?

Isn't it ok to tell Disney that the people in the room are renters? I thought we were allowed to rent our points if we had to?

And plus I was wondering how much sway, as owners, we have with Disney when we'd like something changed or added. Like, how did they get the slide added at OKW? I'm guessing Disney had no compelling reason to do that, either, (they already had the pool and the rest of the place built), but somebody got it done.

 

[Chuck S]

Doesn't Disney know when you check in who's not the member? In other words, the charging on the room ONLY works for the OWNER of the room.

Actually, the resort itself only tracks whether the room was reserved with cash through CRO, or on points through MS. That is why any room key on points states *DVC MEMBER*

Don't I own the room? Technically? I like how well Disney protects me and my family in other areas of Disney, why not here?

You do in fact "own" the reservation, not the actual room. Since it is YOUR reservation YOU are responsible for the actions of the occupants, not Disney or DVC. It is not Disney's or DVC's position to police your renters and give or deny them the same charging privileges extended to any other resort guest. Their charges are ultimately YOUR responsibility...you accepted the money for the reservation. You make the profit on the ressie, not Disney, thus you are responsible for charges, not Disney.

Isn't it ok to tell Disney that the people in the room are renters? I thought we were allowed to rent our points if we had to?

In fact, according to our paperwork we are supposed to inform DVC that they are renters. My point is, I doubt most DVCers would if it meant that charging privileges or any other onsite perks would be automatically denied...it may affect their rental price if folks perceive less value or amenities. Charging is an ON SITE perk, not a DVC owner perk.

And plus I was wondering how much sway, as owners, we have with Disney when we'd like something changed or added. Like, how did they get the slide added at OKW? I'm guessing Disney had no compelling reason to do that, either, (they already had the pool and the rest of the place built), but somebody got it done.

Actually, they did have a compelling reason...complaints from their own cash renters. We DVCers didn't get the slide added, and in fact voted AGAINST adding it at our expense through a previous survey in the mid 1990s. Disney/DVC retains the right to add physical amenities to any DVC resort AT THEIR EXPENSE, with the owners picking up the maintenance and operating tab. It's right there in the POS.

There is no compelling reason to protect owners from their own, personal, financial rental agreements. In fact, the POS states that Disney will NOT be involved, that it is a private transaction between you and the renter. If you do not want your renter to have the ability to charge, the renter should agree, in writing, to not use the room charge when offered, as part of your rental contract. It should also state what recourse you could take against them if they violate the agreement.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Actually, the resort itself only tracks whether the room was reserved with cash through CRO, or on points through MS. That is why any room key on points states *DVC MEMBER*
You do in fact "own" the reservation, not the actual room. Since it is YOUR reservation YOU are responsible for the actions of the occupants, not Disney or DVC. It is not Disney's or DVC's position to police your renters and give or deny them the same charging privileges extended to any other resort guest. Their charges are ultimately YOUR responsibility...you accepted the money for the reservation. You make the profit on the ressie, not Disney, thus you are responsible for charges, not Disney.
In fact, according to our paperwork we are supposed to inform DVC that they are renters. My point is, I doubt most DVCers would if it meant that charging privileges or any other onsite perks would be automatically denied...it may affect their rental price if folks perceive less value or amenities. Charging is an ON SITE perk, not a DVC owner perk.


Actually, they did have a compelling reason...complaints from their own cash renters. We DVCers didn't get the slide added, and in fact voted AGAINST adding it at our expense through a previous survey in the mid 1990s. Disney/DVC retains the right to add physical amenities to any DVC resort AT THEIR EXPENSE, with the owners picking up the maintenance and operating tab. It's right there in the POS.

There is no compelling reason to protect owners from their own, personal, financial rental agreements. In fact, the POS states that Disney will NOT be involved, that it is a private transaction between you and the renter. If you do not want your renter to have the ability to charge, the renter should agree, in writing, to not use the room charge when offered, as part of your rental contract. It should also state what recourse you could take against them if they violate the agreement.

Wow, Chuck, that was a good reply!

Amazing that so many people plunk down so much money for DVC without really understanding it (me!).

That is why my husband is considered the brains of this posse

When we rent to friends we have them sign a contract, even though we're usually there at the same time. That way they can get any offended feelings out of the way before they have to give us money My parents got really mad at me when I sent them a contract .


I think I'm going to add the "no room charging" clause in there, too.

I do get that I'm responsible. But hey, any time someone wants to shoulder some of that burden, I'm in! (kidding)

 

[CarolMN]

.....(snip).....When we rent to friends we have them sign a contract, even though we're usually there at the same time. That way they can get any offended feelings out of the way before they have to give us money My parents got really mad at me when I sent them a contract .

LOL, now that made me laugh. Even though friends and relatives - especially relatives, are usually the ones people complain about here (re losing points, backing out, etc.) I would not be able to send any of my relatives a contract. (Of course, we only invite family to share a unit we are also staying in, and we don't charge them anything, but I just know that someday my DH & I are going to be the lone occupants of a BWV GV, LOL).

I think I'm going to add the "no room charging" clause in there, too......

Well, good luck with that - how would you know if the renters left a cc for charging or not? Disney certainly isn't going to rat them out, LOL. And if you did get stuck with a renter's room charges (itsy bitsy teeny weeny chance of it, IMHO), I don't think showing Disney that contract is going to help you out, anyway.

BTW, love your screen name!

 

[Dean]

Doesn't Disney know when you check in who's not the member? In other words, the charging on the room ONLY works for the OWNER of the room.

Don't I own the room? Technically? I like how well Disney protects me and my family in other areas of Disney, why not here?

Isn't it ok to tell Disney that the people in the room are renters? I thought we were allowed to rent our points if we had to?

And plus I was wondering how much sway, as owners, we have with Disney when we'd like something changed or added. Like, how did they get the slide added at OKW? I'm guessing Disney had no compelling reason to do that, either, (they already had the pool and the rest of the place built), but somebody got it done.

While technically there is risk to the member when they rent, it's really very little. They won't do charging without a CC so the only cost items that could be left on the room that I can think of would be phone charges. If anyone put down a CC then trashed the room, they would go after the guest first.

While I know of two instances where the DVC member had issues with a guest, one was the phone and the other was a total CC screw up on Disney's part and was ultimately settled in favor of the member when Disney simply didn't apply the charges correctly to a CC that was left at check in.

As noted, members are supposed to tell when a renters is using the reservations. I wonder if a member could specify no charging on a reservation used by a guest or renter.

 

[Chuck S]

I just wanna see a picture of her Mom's face when she reads the part about no room charging privileges. I know what my Mom's face would look like...think Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone (AAAHHHHHH!!!!!!)

I've never made friends sign a contract, but I don't charge them for the room, and always travel with them...If you're using MY DVC, I'm gonna be there

I do have a couple relatives that won't be invited back, though.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Well, good luck with that - how would you know if the renters left a cc for charging or not? Disney certainly isn't going to rat them out, LOL. And if you did get stuck with a renter's room charges (itsy bitsy teeny weeny chance of it, IMHO), I don't think showing Disney that contract is going to help you out, anyway.

BTW, love your screen name!

Well, if I did get stuck with a renter's room charges, when I had to bring them to small claims court to recoup it I'd have something in writing that says they promised NOT to do it in the first place. I don't think it would really stop people, and that's not my purpose, it just puts them on notice that if they abuse the privilege, I'll hold them responsible.

My grandfather always used to tell me I was "full of kickapoo joy juice" when I'd run around their house-it's funny what pops into your head when prompted to give a screen name .

 

[999 Happy Haunts]

Wow...thanks for all of the interesting responses. I didn't realize all of the issues that would come up along the way!

Can anyone clarify something? I thought Disney forbid renting DVC points, or it was something along the lines of you can "rent" as long as you don't accept money for it.

I was under the impression that you really shouldn't indicate that the person is a renter as opposed to a "friend".

 

[Chuck S]

Wow...thanks for all of the interesting responses. I didn't realize all of the issues that would come up along the way!

Can anyone clarify something? I thought Disney forbid renting DVC points, or it was something along the lines of you can "rent" as long as you don't accept money for it.

I was under the impression that you really shouldn't indicate that the person is a renter as opposed to a "friend".

DVC allows renting, it is in our POS, basically, they don't want you to make a "business" out of renting your points on a regular basis, they have some language about pattern of rental activity. Suffice it to say, if you rarely rent your points and use the vast majority of them yourself, you should not have a problem. Our paperwork also says that owners are supposed to inform Member Services if they are booking for a renter.