Disadvantages of renting points (Wasn't sure where to post this)

[phillymummer]

Hello DISers!
(Mods- if there is a more appropriate forum for this post, please move it)

I am not a DVC member, so I'd like some advice. I really want to stay at Beach Club, but the deluxe price is just a little out of my budget. On a whim, I looked at renting a villa and realized it is actually less expensive to rent a studio villa than book a standard room! That is with the 30% off RO discount! Does that sound right? or I am interpreting something incorrectly?

I have never stayed in a villa. Are there "disadvantages" or things to consider when renting points? Is is a long walk to the main pool and restaurants? How is the bus service?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[danikoski]

Hello DISers!
(Mods- if there is a more appropriate forum for this post, please move it)

I am not a DVC member, so I'd like some advice. I really want to stay at Beach Club, but the deluxe price is just a little out of my budget. On a whim, I looked at renting a villa and realized it is actually less expensive to rent a studio villa than book a standard room! That is with the 30% off RO discount! Does that sound right? or I am interpreting something incorrectly?

I have never stayed in a villa. Are there "disadvantages" or things to consider when renting points? Is is a long walk to the main pool and restaurants? How is the bus service?

Any advice is appreciated.

I'm not a DVC member either, but I rented points Nov. 2013 for a 2 bedroom villa at AKV and for a one night stay at a studio in OKW. The studio at OKW I was able to rent for about $120 for a Saturday night (which is pretty darn good).
Here are some things to know:
All villas come with a kitchenette (studio) or full kitchen (any other size). This is great way to save money on food.
Housekeeping is only every four days for stays seven days or less, unless you pay a housekeeping fee for daily housekeeping.
You can get the dining plan through the member you rent from.
Each member has a little bit different way they rent points, so make sure to understand how that member wants payment, communication, etc.
You can also go through a broker like David's Vacation Club Rentals. They cost a little more than going directly through a member, but they communicate with the member. David's website (www.dvcrequest.com) has a really good overview of the pros and cons of the point rental.

I was so impressed by my experience in Nov. 2013, that I'm trying to convince my non-Disney fiance that we should rent points for our honeymoon It was that great!

 

[disneynutz]

Renting can be cheaper, you have to do the numbers. The downside to renting might be the fact that the DVC owner retains control of the reservation. Another issue might be that DVC rooms do not get daily housekeeping.

Bill

 

[rlovew]

The biggest disadvantage is that there is normally a no cancellation policy and depending on who you are working with there may be a no change policy so if something comes up you are out the money you paid for the room. This is part of the reason the rooms are less expensive. You need to be positive of your dates before you book and depending on where and when you want to book you need to have those dates firmed up at about 11 months in advance.

 

[magicaldisney]

Studios do not have two beds (unless you stay at OKW). There is a bed and a pull out sofa. You will have no control over your reservation. You will not be able to call Member Services to check on anything to do with your reservation, so trust with who you are working with is a must.

 

[drusba]

Whether you consider these disadvantages, here are some things to be aware of:

1. No housekeeping except a trash and fresh towel service on the fourth day (and you count your arrival date as one in determining fourth day) unless you stay eight nights or more, in which case you get full housekeeping on the fourth day and trash and towel on the eighth. you can if desired order additonal full cleaning days while there but they cost extra and it is expensive.

2. Rooms are not as elaborately decorated as the hotel rooms.

3. Owners of a particular resort can reserve that resort starting 11 months out from date of arrival and then all can reserve any DVC resort at 7 months out. The result is that for much of the year, it is imperative to reserve no later than 7 months out, particularly if you want any resort other than Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, or Animal Kingdom Lodge, because waiting beyond 7 months out means most or all of the near park resorts will be gone. Also, there are times of year, particularly the last calendar quarter of the year, when you better be reserving 11 months out if you want any near park resort. For BCV, you also face that issue for holidays and special weekends (like races or Star Wars) in other quarters. In essence, if you are thinking of renting be prepared to make the reservation far in advance.

4. Rentals from owners are most often all money up front/no cancellation deals. part of the reason for that has to do with the owner's possibly losing use of points in a reservation if there is a cancellation. Thus, the renter, who as noted above must usually reserve far in advance, also has to accept the risk of cancellation.

5. Once a reservation is made, you may also not be able to make any changes, either because the owner will not allow it, including because of that risk of losing points noted above in 4, or because the change you want to make is not available for reasons mentioned in 3 above.

6. The owner retains all power over the reservation, including the power to cancel the reservation.. You can get a confirmation that the owner receives for the reservation but you cannot call Member Services about the reservation and any requests must go through the owner. However, you can set up the reservation number in your My Disney Experience account and make restaurant reservations and fastpass+ designations in advance.

 

[phillymummer]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I will have to take time to consider everything. I went to Dave's site to check out prices. I didn't say that in my original post bc i wasn't sure if i was allowed. ; )

I am not sure if i can make the ressie that far out. I am trying to save enough money to pay for everything upfront- no credit card debt. As of right now, i don't even have enough for CBR.

 

[disBOBney]

I am not sure if i can make the ressie that far out. I am trying to save enough money to pay for everything upfront- no credit card debt. As of right now, i don't even have enough for CBR.

Whenever you are ready, don't hesitate to try renting. While it may be easier renting at long windows, that doesn't mean that short windows are out of the question. It doesn't hurt to try, or cost to ask.
I have made reservations for myself at 4 months, and have rented my points to others at less than 6 months.

The more flexible you are the easier it is. I have done split stays and they are easy, drop off your luggage at your resort bell services, tell them the next resort you will be going to and your bags will be delivered for you while you are enjoying the parks.

 

[apple9117]

Great information on the pro's and con's of renting!

 

[smadath]

I'm also not a DVC member, but after reading through this I have a question. I see several people posting that there is not a Cancellation Policy, so you can't cancel, but the member who is renting the points can. Are renters able to take out Trip Insurance when renting? Or, since the ressie is technically in the Member's name, is this not possible?

 

[disBOBney]

I'm also not a DVC member, but after reading through this I have a question. I see several people posting that there is not a Cancellation Policy, so you can't cancel, but the member who is renting the points can. Are renters able to take out Trip Insurance when renting? Or, since the ressie is technically in the Member's name, is this not possible?

I don't know about the insurance, I am looking forward to find out an answer to that. However, the ressie is not in the member's name it is in the people who will be staying. The member however is the only one who can make or change the ressie, because the points belong to them and Disney doesn't want the hassles of temporary transfer of rights.

 

[JimMIA]

I'm also not a DVC member, but after reading through this I have a question. I see several people posting that there is not a Cancellation Policy, so you can't cancel, but the member who is renting the points can. Are renters able to take out Trip Insurance when renting? Or, since the ressie is technically in the Member's name, is this not possible?

Yes, trip insurance is possible. Travel Guard (which we have used with great service and results) used to insure DVC rentals. They are very knowledgeable about DVC, but I can't say for sure that they still do insure DVC rentals.

If they do, the insurance would cover any unrecoverable loss, including not only your rental, but also airfare, etc.

Be sure you understand what the insurance covers, and what it does not. If you get sick or injured, good chance you are covered. If you change your mind, or your boss changes your mind, probably not. VERY important to understand that the covered risks are mostly medical.

If you get trip insurance, I would be sure to get a contract from the DVC owner that states the money you pay in is NON-refundable for any reason. If there is any wording in the contract otherwise ("we'll work with you to reschedule" etc) that is NOT helpful and may keep the insurance company from paying.

 

[JimMIA]

... and Disney doesn't want the hassles of temporary transfer of rights.

Yeah. And also, you're renting from a competitor -- and you are on your own.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm also not a DVC member, but after reading through this I have a question. I see several people posting that there is not a Cancellation Policy, so you can't cancel, but the member who is renting the points can. Are renters able to take out Trip Insurance when renting? Or, since the ressie is technically in the Member's name, is this not possible?

we use insuremytrip to book our travel insurance when cruising that often includes a short stay @ DVC on points. We ran into an issue when trying to purchase a policy re a 'free' Carnival cruise my DH was awarded this year via a past guest promo. We had to include the entire retail cost of the cruise, regardless that we only paid tax on it and small upcharge for a balcony. Typically, the cost of the final bundled package is required to include all non-refundable expenses from the time you depart your home until you return home.

I ask every time I purchase insurance (last would've been in May of this year) and was told they don't work with any companies that would cover my points loss if I had to cancel...even if the points would be forefit. Curious if it would apply differently for a renter. Seems reasonable to hope you could insure what you paid for the points (having documentation from the owner in hand) as long as you also cover the rest of your trip If you decide to call & inquire, please post your findings.

 

[McCrae]

2. Rooms are not as elaborately decorated as the hotel rooms.
.

I am not sure about this. IMO this is not the case at the resorts I have stayed at: BLT, VGF, AKV and VGC.

Perhaps this may apply to other resorts?

 

[Sammie]

I am not sure about this. IMO this is not the case at the resorts I have stayed at: BLT, VGF, AKV and VGC.

Perhaps this may apply to other resorts?

Depending on current rehab schedule this can be accurate. The most obvious right now to me is Beach Club rooms versus villas.

 

[robinb]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I will have to take time to consider everything. I went to Dave's site to check out prices. I didn't say that in my original post bc i wasn't sure if i was allowed. ; )

I am not sure if i can make the ressie that far out. I am trying to save enough money to pay for everything upfront- no credit card debt. As of right now, i don't even have enough for CBR.

The only problem with waiting until you have enough money saved up is that you will probably not get BCV. BCV usually books up right at the 7-month window or earlier. If you wait until later you may be limited to SSR and if you wait too long everything will be booked solid.

 

[aynot44]

When you rent DVC points can you still make fast pass+ reservations 60 days in advance and dining reservations 180 days in advance? Or do you lose those privileges by renting? We are considering renting points for our May trip.

 

[magicaldisney]

When you rent DVC points can you still make fast pass+ reservations 60 days in advance and dining reservations 180 days in advance? Or do you lose those privileges by renting? We are considering renting points for our May trip.

Yes, you can do both.