Developer Points

[PrincessNewsie]

I figured that there would be a whole variety of different opinions and experiences utilizing Developer Points, and I've found information in past threads. I'm just curious; What are your opinions/experiences with Developer Points?


We now have 170 developer points from our recent BLT purchase. We've been entertaining a variety of ideas of ways to use them, since they must be used by October 3rd, 2009. These are very new to us, and we're familiar with their limitations, but want to use them to the best of our ability; since they're what made us finally purchase!

We are thinking about planning a vacation to give to FH's parents for Christmas, they never get to get away. What is your experience with getting a reservation as a gift for family? It sounds kinda like a headache.

We are also thinking about renting them out. I can't see them commanding much money being that the reservation can only be made 7 months out and must be used at SSR.Can anyone give me information about renting out Developer Points?

Is there any value to using the developer points at Disneyland?

What about Interval International short stays? Our friends are getting married in Daytona Beach in July, we were thinking a 2-3 day "short stay" in Daytona Beach and then 3-4 day stay at Saratoga Springs. Would you be able to do BOTH with the DPs?

Finally, if I want to stay one week in a 1BR at SSR, but only have 170 DPs, and it costs 182 in December; can i use 12 of my 2009 BLT points and merge it with the 170 developer points to make a full week reservation? Thanks!

 

[ChelleinNC]

I figured that there would be a whole variety of different opinions and experiences utilizing Developer Points, and I've found information in past threads. I'm just curious; What are your opinions/experiences with Developer Points?

When we bought, the incentive was double developer points. That meant we had 500 points to use Originally they were only going to be good for 6 months, but thankfully they extended that to 12 months. We got 2 trips, plus a trip for my Dad & Stepmom out of that.
We now have 170 developer points from our recent BLT purchase. We've been entertaining a variety of ideas of ways to use them, since they must be used by October 3rd, 2009. These are very new to us, and we're familiar with their limitations, but want to use them to the best of our ability; since they're what made us finally purchase!

We are thinking about planning a vacation to give to FH's parents for Christmas, they never get to get away. What is your experience with getting a reservation as a gift for family? It sounds kinda like a headache.

We didn't have a problem with that. We knew we were going in Dec and invited my Dad & Stepmom to go with us. We got a 1BR at BWV and I got a studio at SSR for them (didn't have the SSR only restriction) Worked out great.
We are also thinking about renting them out. I can't see them commanding much money being that the reservation can only be made 7 months out and must be used at SSR.Can anyone give me information about renting out Developer Points?

We thought about it but decided it was better to "rent" the points to Dad Keep in mind, a lot of renters don't think about renting more than 7 months in advance so I think you should be able to still get a decent amount of money

Is there any value to using the developer points at Disneyland?

Don't know

What about Interval International short stays? Our friends are getting married in Daytona Beach in July, we were thinking a 2-3 day "short stay" in Daytona Beach and then 3-4 day stay at Saratoga Springs. Would you be able to do BOTH with the DPs?

If you have enough points, I can't see why not

Finally, if I want to stay one week in a 1BR at SSR, but only have 170 DPs, and it costs 182 in December; can i use 12 of my 2009 BLT points and merge it with the 170 developer points to make a full week reservation?

Yes you can do that. I know because I did Our trip in June was to "kill off" our dev pts and we used some of our "real" points for the last night & a half

Thanks!

I know the Dev Pts can be difficult, but they're really great!

 

[PrincessNewsie]

I know the Dev Pts can be difficult, but they're really great!

Wow, it really sounds that way! I'm just overwhelmed with what to use them for since they expire in a little under 11 months. With depositing them into II, do you know if you have to take the trip by 10/3/2009 or just have it deposited and looking by then?

 

[ohtarabell]

Used mine (AKV) for a 2bdr at SSR (bought 200 receiced 200) for 5 nights. The cash rate was about $700 per night. It would have cost me about $3,500 for the 5 nights. My thoughts: $104-6.25 per point - ($3500/ 200 points =17.50 per point) = final cost of about $80 per point. Not bad when you think of it that way.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My experience with Dev. Pts. was pretty easy. I received 130 with our AKV add on in late May and in mid-June used them to book most of our stay this Dec. 3 nights in a 2 bedroom at OKW and 3 nights at BCV. The combined total points required was 196 so they used 66 of our banked VWL points to complete the reservation. I had a confirmation showing on the website within 24 hours and it all was very simple.

I also used some of our banked points at DL and would again in a second.

 

[helenk]

I got 160 developer points when I bought into AKV. I had no problem booking my reservations using the points.
I booked 4 nights at the SSR, arriving this coming Sunday, and I booked a 4 night stay at the Disneyland Hotel in May. I am thrilled to be going to California as I've never been to Disneyland. Getting the developer points provided me with an opportunity that I might not have taken otherwise.

 

[honeymo78]

Helenk that sounds much like our use of the developer points. We're using half of them for a long weekend at SSR in Dec to see the holiday decorations. Then in Feb we are going to Disneyland for 3 nights - my first trip out there which I which I know I wouldn't be taking without those developer points.

 

[glennbo123]

We got developer points with our AKV purchase and were able to rent them with no problem. We'll put the money toward APs for when we visit our new home in June.

 

[PrincessNewsie]

3d) All reservations utilizing DPs must be booked no more than 7 months prior to check in date, must be confirmed and stays must be completed by October 3, 2009 or the DPs are forfeited. Any DPs unused after October 3, 2009 shall be forfeited.

The search for accomodations for a 7 night stay at a Resort available through the Interval International Exchange program may be initiated within 12 months of the contract date and stays must be completed within 24 months of the contract date or DPs are forfeited. Reservations and stays for short stays must be completed by October 3, 2009 or DPs are forfeited.

All reservations are subject to availability and are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Accommodations are limited and other restrictions may be imposed. Not all accommodation types are available at all Resorts. Room upgrades are not available. DPs may not be used for wait list reservations.

Does this just mean I have to deposit for an II search by October 3, 2009 if I can't rent out my points and then Josh and I would have to use it by November 8th (our contract date) of 2010?