Direct purchase becoming less attractive

[Chili327]

pay the fee upfront but the return on that fee is a discount on things owners may already be buying.

Definitely, if someone is already buying OTUP, or Photopass, or really anything that costs near $99 this is a no brainer.

direct purchase allows for access to new resorts

ability to use those points at restricted resorts

For me personally, it is really the only thing I would get FOMO over, but I would just rent out my points then rent into a new resort if I want.

 

[Bucketfoot]

Biggest benefit for me is direct purchase allows for access to new resorts. That's the biggest perk. Which in the beginning this wasn't even a restriction, so it didn't matter. Not a money saving perk having access to new resorts but merely more choice.

This is the only perk that factored into our direct purchases.

Not that we have any intention of selling, as our daughters will happily take over our contracts after we are gone, but I will readily admit that I still hate how the resale value of our VDH contract will be impacted by the restriction of only being good there.

 

[CastAStone]

I say no.

It’s always been a risky-to-bad idea to buy just for perks that could (and regularly are) rescinded, altered, or worsened at any time.

It remains so with the new program.

The reason most people buy direct when presented both options is because they want to. That’s what Ive learned here. People justify it all sorts of different ways, but if you want to buy direct, you’re going to buy direct. And I’m pretty sure nothing will change that.

 

[Jlo85]

I think there's some FOMO involved with the idea of missing out on new resorts. But are you really missing out that much on not being able to stay at RIV or CFW? Probably not...

Yeah, this is why I would ONLY consider buying direct for the perks. Because the new resorts certainly ain’t it. Riviera, Disneyland Hotel, and the Cabins have nothing on the OGs.

It used to be that the perks seemed appealing, but discounts are accessible elsewhere and lounges/top of the world are constantly packed from what I hear.

 

[tx911]

Let's not forget about that miserable 60+ day waiting game for resale points!

The convenience of immediate points is worth something to me. Then again, I'll probably buy the LLPP at some point too. I value time and convenience.

 

[DanCali]

Let's not forget about that miserable 60+ day waiting game for resale points!

The convenience of immediate points is worth something to me. Then again, I'll probably buy the LLPP at some point too. I value time and convenience.

You're presumably going to have the contract for years or decades. If I'm happy with the deal I got, I don't mind waiting 60 days or even 6 months, especially when I already have enough points to play around with. I've had a couple of 6 month delayed closings and forgot all about it after I have the contract in the account.

The only time I ever remotely cared was when I was looking to book a summer vacation at Aulani in the "cheap" part of June (high demand period) and was watching the inventory drop down daily as I was waiting for the resale process to complete. It all worked out in the end. But would I have paid an extra $8K-$10K per 100 points to avoid that suspense? Absolutely not...

 

[Chili327]

I say no.

It’s always been a risky-to-bad idea to buy just for perks that could (and regularly are) rescinded, altered, or worsened at any time.

It remains so with the new program.

The reason most people buy direct when presented both options is because they want to. That’s what Ive learned here. People justify it all sorts of different ways, but if you want to buy direct, you’re going to buy direct. And I’m pretty sure nothing will change that.

Not to mention they will probably be $149 next year, & $199 the year after, etc, etc. lol

 

[Bucketfoot]

Let's not forget about that miserable 60+ day waiting game for resale points!

The convenience of immediate points is worth something to me. Then again, I'll probably buy the LLPP at some point too. I value time and convenience.

That was certainly a factor on our first purchase, as a condition of the purchase was that they could book us a 1-bedroom somewhere for a rapidly upcoming visit. It also didn't hurt that the incentives made it so that direct wasn't overly more expensive than resale.

 

[VGCgroupie]

That was certainly a factor on our first purchase, as a condition of the purchase was that they could book us a 1-bedroom somewhere for a rapidly upcoming visit. It also didn't hurt that the incentives made it so that direct wasn't overly more expensive than resale.

If you have a trip you are taking anyway putting that money you will be spending towards direct can make it hugely beneficial.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I will bring up that the OTUP that can be used at restricted resorts for one off stays have value. I go down to LA at least a few times a year for work and will fly out a day early if VDH has any availability and I have points. To use cheap OTUP….

 

[Sandisw]

I will bring up that the OTUP that can be used at restricted resorts for one off stays have value. I go down to LA at least a few times a year for work and will fly out a day early if VDH has any availability and I have points. To use cheap OTUP….

Ohhhh. I didn’t even think about that! That might make it worth it to get a night with the BOGO free deal!!

 

[Chili327]

I will bring up that the OTUP that can be used at restricted resorts for one off stays have value. I go down to LA at least a few times a year for work and will fly out a day early if VDH has any availability and I have points. To use cheap OTUP….

Sneaky SoB. lol

Ohhhh. I didn’t even think about that! That might make it worth it to get a night with the BOGO free deal!!

So 12x$20=$240 for 1 night at VDH (and many others) is a great deal!!

 

[Sandisw]

Sneaky SoB. lol



So 12x$20=$240 for 1 night at VDH (and many others) is a great deal!!

I am not a big user of OTU points but did have to buy some this year to combine with some points my niece had that were expiring and she let me book a night with them on her membership and we purchased the OTU points to complete the night.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Sneaky SoB. lol



So 12x$20=$240 for 1 night at VDH (and many others) is a great deal!!

Exactly! The overwhelming majority of my points are resale… so the ability to get cheap “direct” points for one off stays…. and then on those days I get priority access to a lounge…. the hard part is making sure the wife and kids don’t get to ticked off at me for my park solo days….

 

[Sandisw]

Exactly! The overwhelming majority of my points are resale… so the ability to get cheap “direct” points for one off stays…. and then on those days I get priority access to a lounge…. the hard part is making sure the wife and kids don’t get to ticked off at me for my park solo days….

This is why this program will be popular with some owners…and here is another thought.

When they implemented restrictions, they included language that allows them to make changes at any time and some might be fee based.

Maybe we might eventually see, if they stick with those, the increase in the number of unrestricted OTU points owners can buy.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I will bring up that the OTUP that can be used at restricted resorts for one off stays have value. I go down to LA at least a few times a year for work and will fly out a day early if VDH has any availability and I have points. To use cheap OTUP….

Where was this advice before I signed on the dotted line.

I kid.

 

[DanCali]

I will bring up that the OTUP that can be used at restricted resorts for one off stays have value. I go down to LA at least a few times a year for work and will fly out a day early if VDH has any availability and I have points. To use cheap OTUP….

That's great to know!

And for those with multiple use years, you can buy 24 for each use year? (I assume they will cap the BOGO for once per calendar year?)

 

[disneylandtour]

That's great to know!

And for those with multiple use years, you can buy 24 for each use year? (I assume they will cap the BOGO for once per calendar year?)

Could your membership be tied to one acct / uy number?

 

[disneylandtour]

I will bring up that the OTUP that can be used at restricted resorts for one off stays have value. I go down to LA at least a few times a year for work and will fly out a day early if VDH has any availability and I have points. To use cheap OTUP….

Am I misreading this—so if I have all resale, I can buy OTUP and stay at VDH on them?

 

[AstroBlasters]

Am I misreading this—so if I have all resale, I can buy OTUP and stay at VDH on them?

If you have all resale then you can’t get the Beyond program… so no BOGO OTUP.

I have no idea if they would let you buy OTUP for a restricted resort if you have no other points that would otherwise qualify for you to stay there.

I’ve never purchased OTUP… but the discussion of Beyond has educated me on some ways that I should consider using them if they can be purchased at a discounted rate.

24 points for $340 ($14.17pp) would seem to be a very good deal.