Discounted confirmed reservations for rent?

[OnThisMagicNight]

Does anyone know when confirmed DVC rental reservations normally drop in price? Is it normally very close to the check-in date, like only several days before? Or weeks? I've been debating a last minute xxxxxxxxx trip if I could find a good deal and am exploring confirmed reservations on several sites since Disney does not seem to be planning on releasing a room only discount for this time frame. I see some decent options on several sites, but many still priced too high in my opinion. There is one I've looked at several times where they're asking $28 pp which I think is a bit crazy 3 weeks out. Maybe some owners offer their weeks for rent and if they don't get any takers they use the reservation themselves? Or maybe it's still too far in advance for a better rate at this point? Any thoughts?

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[Marionnette]

Does anyone know when confirmed DVC rental reservations normally drop in price? Is it normally very close to the check-in date, like only several days before? Or weeks? I've been debating a last minute xxxxxxxx trip if I could find a good deal and am exploring confirmed reservations on several sites since Disney does not seem to be planning on releasing a room only discount for this time frame. I see some decent options on several sites, but many still priced too high in my opinion. There is one I've looked at several times where they're asking $28 pp which I think is a bit crazy 3 weeks out. Maybe some owners offer their weeks for rent and if they don't get any takers they use the reservation themselves? Or maybe it's still too far in advance for a better rate at this point? Any thoughts?

The rental agencies will charge more than a private owner will for a dedicated reservation with distressed points. You may want to check the rent/trade board here to see if something pops up. There's a lot more room for negotiation when you rent privately as opposed to dealing with the rental agencies.

Generally speaking, a member's points go into holding if they cancel a reservation 30 day or less before arrival. Some owners will drop their price and others will cancel the reservation before that point. A lot will depend on whether their points will expire before they can book a new reservation.

 

[JFDIS]

They typically discount them 1-2 weeks out. Studios and stays with fewer nights may never see a discount as they are easier to sell. You can always make an offer. Some rental sites will contact the owner with your offer and they may or may not accept. Not every site will do this but it’s worth a try. I wouldn’t expect a low ball offer to be accepted but around $20pp is reasonable.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

The rental agencies will charge more than a private owner will for a dedicated reservation with distressed points. You may want to check the rent/trade board here to see if something pops up. There's a lot more room for negotiation when you rent privately as opposed to dealing with the rental agencies.

Generally speaking, a member's points go into holding if they cancel a reservation 30 day or less before arrival. Some owners will drop their price and others will cancel the reservation before that point. A lot will depend on whether their points will expire before they can book a new reservation.

Thanks - I've rented from a private owner 3 times in the past, but I normally do that 11 months out. I'll keep an eye out on the rent/trade board in case anyone's looking for a renter for a confirmed reservation last minute.

November is so popular I can’t see people struggling to rent I’d be surprised if they discount

I initially thought so too but then I wouldn't expect to even see options available for rent this late in the game so who knows?

 

[Eeyore daily]

Usually a couple of weeks out. Last year the deals were amazing but this year it seems if you can find any below $20pp it's a steal. Especially compared to rack rates.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

They typically discount them 1-2 weeks out. Studios and stays with fewer nights may never see a discount as they are easier to sell. You can always make an offer. Some rental sites will contact the owner with your offer and they may or may not accept. Not every site will do this but it’s worth a try. I wouldn’t expect a low ball offer to be accepted but around $20pp is reasonable.

Thanks, that is very helpful. I wouldn't mind paying in the $19-$20 range for a nice reservation - really no different than what I would have paid if I'd done it in advance like I normally do.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Also worth a mention: Beware if anyone attempts to direct message you with a rental offer here. It's often a scam.

 

[Sandisw]

Details for the timeframe were
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Honestly it all depends on the owner and how they are advertising.

If it is rent it or lose the points no matter what they may lower. If not they may try to cancel and book a different one father out before points expire.

All you can do is watch. And head the advice of the other poster who said do not respond to a PM from anyone who initiates contact based on this post. Report it.

This is how scams can happen.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

Also worth a mention: Beware if anyone attempts to direct message you with a rental offer here. It's often a scam.

Details for the timeframe were
Removed.

Honestly it all depends on the owner and how they are advertising.

If it is rent it or lose the points no matter what they may lower. If not they may try to cancel and book a different one father out before points expire.

All you can do is watch. And head the advice of the other poster who said do not respond to a PM from anyone who initiates contact based on this post. Report it.

This is how scams can happen.

Thank you both for looking out - and sorry about including the timeframe!

 

[Anthony Vito]

Also, with the $28/pp price - for at least some sites/brokers, that has nothing to do with the owner. I'm not sure what happens once it's inside of 30 days and the owner is willing to discount, but I know outside of the 30 days for a confirmed reservation, some brokers pay the owner the same per point price, regardless of what they're actually charging. When I was considering renting out my reservation for the 50th because we decided against going, those reservations were going in the $35/pp range or more, and I was told ours would probably be a high demand reservation (three nights in a standard studio at Riviera). However, the agreement to rent would be for the same per point price to us as any other reservation (~$14-$14.50/pp), but they get to decide at what price to list, and any premium would only go to the broker. Just something to keep in mind on some of these listings you see that are charging a lot (I've seen listings when I was looking back in the spring that were more expensive, sometimes considerably so, than an identical room directly through WDW), this may have nothing to do with the owner whose reservation it is.

 

[Yinn]

Also, with the $28/pp price - for at least some sites/brokers, that has nothing to do with the owner. I'm not sure what happens once it's inside of 30 days and the owner is willing to discount, but I know outside of the 30 days for a confirmed reservation, some brokers pay the owner the same per point price, regardless of what they're actually charging. When I was considering renting out my reservation for the 50th because we decided against going, those reservations were going in the $35/pp range or more, and I was told ours would probably be a high demand reservation (three nights in a standard studio at Riviera). However, the agreement to rent would be for the same per point price to us as any other reservation (~$14-$14.50/pp), but they get to decide at what price to list, and any premium would only go to the broker. Just something to keep in mind on some of these listings you see that are charging a lot (I've seen listings when I was looking back in the spring that were more expensive, sometimes considerably so, than an identical room directly through WDW), this may have nothing to do with the owner whose reservation it is.

There are some sites that allow the owners to list the price of their choosing. There are a couple of reasons why an owner might list it far beyond the typical $19-$20/pt asking. A lot of it might be due to demand.

Certain timeframes - winter break, thanksgiving, 50th anniversary are extremely high demand. Disney itself may also be sold out. This is especially true for newer contracts that may have guaranteed weeks. The owner could go, but doesn't need to.

This is precisely my case. We go often enough that we don't need to go during our guaranteed week. If nobody rents it, we go. If someone rents it, well the extra costs cover any inconenvience to us and probably pays for all of our dining costs the next trip around.