DVC Banked Points: Options, Questions, Ideas wanted :)

[Disney Dreams]

Okay, so first the backstory
We were going to go to WDW this Fall (2011) and use our DVC points for the first time.

We closed in December and had 2010 points that needed to be either used or banked right away. We banked them, with the plan to use them this Fall (2011).

Meanwhile, we were looking at cruising to Alaska in 2012, paying cash. We decided that we REALLY wanted to do the 2011 itinerary that DCL is offering over the 2012, so... we booked a cruise to Alaska (which we took in May), paying cash. We used miles to get to Vancouver.

Return to planning our Fall WDW trip...
We used the air miles for our Fall 2011 WDW trip to go to Vancouver for our Alaskan May 2011 cruise. So, WDW is going to have to wait until Fall of2012 when we build up more miles. No problem. Except... the banked points.

They now expire in June 2012.

That leaves us with a few choices:

• We can use them at WDW: not an option because we can't get there between now and then (not enough miles).
• Transfer them to someone: Our understanding is that we cannot do this with banked points. Correct?
• Sell them: We aren't comfortable doing this.
• Move them to RCI: They won't expire until December 2014, giving us time to plan a trip to somewhere non-Disney eek
• Use them for cruising (Yes, we understand the monetary argument against this).

So, our questions are:

• Are there other options we are not considering or aware of other than those above?
• If Disney changes the rules and RCI is no longer an option for DVC points, if we already deposit them in RCI, can we lose them?
• Does it actually make sense to use them for a cruise IF: We really want to take a cruise, the money on the points is already spent, and it would save us the cash of said cruise? (Concept here is, spend money already paid into points vs. cash that is sitting in our bank account)

Thank you for any thoughts, answers, or ideas regarding our points. We appreciate the input.

Hope this all makes sense,
Dreams

 

[disneynutz]

Pay cash for your airfare and have a wonderful time at WDW.

Bill

 

[RobDoc]

This is a situation where using points for a cruise does make very good sense. That's a great option under the circumstances.

Good luck!

 

[GoofItUp]

Do you know anyone personally that you could rent the points to? Would that make you more comfortable? I know people going to WDW all the time and could probably rent points within my circle of friends without much trouble. If that would work for you, you could put the cash away for your next WDW vacation.

 

[Sandisw]

I would say use them to cruise if you don't think you want to come up with the money to pay to get to WDW.

It sounds like something you will enjoy.

 

[thepops]

you couls also rent them out (either on your own or through the company that is a sponsor of these boards). Then use the cash for whatever you need.

 

[mousefan1972]

Since the points expire in June 2012, there likely isn't any availability for a cruise on points between now and then. I would call very soon and inquire if that is the route you want to take.

 

[Judique]

Okay, so first the backstory
We were going to go to WDW this Fall (2011) and use our DVC points for the first time.

We closed in December and had 2010 points that needed to be either used or banked right away. We banked them, with the plan to use them this Fall (2011).

Meanwhile, we were looking at cruising to Alaska in 2012, paying cash. We decided that we REALLY wanted to do the 2011 itinerary that DCL is offering over the 2012, so... we booked a cruise to Alaska (which we took in May), paying cash. We used miles to get to Vancouver.

Return to planning our Fall WDW trip...
We used the air miles for our Fall 2011 WDW trip to go to Vancouver for our Alaskan May 2011 cruise. So, WDW is going to have to wait until Fall of2012 when we build up more miles. No problem. Except... the banked points.

They now expire in June 2012.

That leaves us with a few choices:

• We can use them at WDW: not an option because we can't get there between now and then (not enough miles).
• Transfer them to someone: Our understanding is that we cannot do this with banked points. Correct?
• Sell them: We aren't comfortable doing this.
• Move them to RCI: They won't expire until December 2014, giving us time to plan a trip to somewhere non-Disney eek
• Use them for cruising (Yes, we understand the monetary argument against this).

So, our questions are:

• Are there other options we are not considering or aware of other than those above?
• If Disney changes the rules and RCI is no longer an option for DVC points, if we already deposit them in RCI, can we lose them?
• Does it actually make sense to use them for a cruise IF: We really want to take a cruise, the money on the points is already spent, and it would save us the cash of said cruise? (Concept here is, spend money already paid into points vs. cash that is sitting in our bank account)

Thank you for any thoughts, answers, or ideas regarding our points. We appreciate the input.

Hope this all makes sense,
Dreams

You would not need airfare to get to a cruise? Than if a cruise is available, that seems like it may be your best option.

Renting through Disboards has worked very well for me. I did have a lot of butterflies land on my post, but there were also lots of solid renters who knew exactly what they wanted.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Pay cash for your airfare and have a wonderful time at WDW....

Well, yes, there's that option, except that we would love to work a cruise in there somewhere. Thank you for the idea, though.

This is a situation where using points for a cruise does make very good sense. That's a great option under the circumstances.

Good luck!

Okay, so sometimes it DOES make sense. So many posts over and over talk about how cruising on points is not the smart use of points.

Mathematically, we get that. However, there is also the argument that it's money already spent versus money that's in our pocket. Thanks for your input. Would appreciate anything else you care to add.

Do you know anyone personally that you could rent the points to? Would that make you more comfortable?

Unfortunately no. We looked at that route, but we don't really have other Disney-ites in our circle (not that travel, anyhoo). Thank you for the idea.

I would say use them to cruise if you don't think you want to come up with the money to pay to get to WDW.

It sounds like something you will enjoy.

We LOVE cruising with Disney. We would really like to work in another cruise this year if do-able. We just don't want to "waste" our points, you know?

you couls also rent them out (either on your own or through the company that is a sponsor of these boards). Then use the cash for whatever you need.

Hmm.... using Timeshare Store. That's a thought we had not looked into. I'll have to research that. Thank you! If you have any further thoughts or experience with going through a company, I'd love your input.

Since the points expire in June 2012, there likely isn't any availability for a cruise on points between now and then. I would call very soon and inquire if that is the route you want to take.

Thanks for the caution. We have checked and there are a few options for us.

You would not need airfare to get to a cruise? Than if a cruise is available, that seems like it may be your best option.

Renting through Disboards has worked very well for me. I did have a lot of butterflies land on my post, but there were also lots of solid renters who knew exactly what they wanted.

Thanks for your input. DH is very unsure about "playing travel agent" for someone and trusting on the payment, as well as the risk of there being damages we are responsible for post-visit. If we aren't both comfortable, can't do it. You know?

The above comments have all been very helpful. Any additional thoughts or input? Keep the idea coming! You are all helping. Thank you!

- Dreams