DVC points - how is this cheaper?

[DashforCash]

OP, what are your dates? Curious as the poster that calculated the early December point price used points from the value season of dvc. March is not a value season in dvc, unless it is cheaper for cash in March? Just trying to help if you don't mind sharing?

March 3-10
The price is from a travel agent I am working with

 

[DashforCash]

I have never paid more than $10 per point, so I would shop around for a good price and have some flexibility for a better deal.

I think this is probably the key. Everything I've seen so far is $12, I think you just have to find a good deal.

 

[racefanof88]

Maybe I am the paranoid type, but I would be worried about sending someone I don't know that amount of money. While I know the majority of people will be honest, there are those 1 in 100 who are not. Putting my vacation budget in the hands of a stranger is something that I don't know if I could do.

 

[twinboysmom]

Alright Dash. I pulled a couple of different numbers. If you said what size unit you were staying in I missed it.

Studio-120 pts- renting pts $1440, rack 2863

1bdrm-241 pts- renting pts $2892, rack 3943

2bdrm-315 pts- $3780 renting, rack 5805

Applying discounts may be cheaper from WDW. You would have to add any taxes, additional adult charges. I used a $12 point rental since that is what you mentioned. What I have noticed is that SSR an OKW are the same price via Disney for cash. OKW via dvc uses quite a bit less points for a week stay versus SSR if you might be interested in that resort. Also, assuming this is March of 2012, there may or may not be any dvc rooms available during your stay for rent from a dvc owner. Cash rooms from WDW comes from different inventory. Most dvc owners book from 7-11 months out but if any are available SSR and OKW are your best bet. Hope this helped some.

 

[sharadoc]

I am absolutely hesitant to rent points as long as I can those discounts from Disney. I'm willing to spend cash and keep control of my reservation, be able to change or cancel if necessary and be assured of a room to stay in. When renting points, you are absolutely locked in to those dates. That's a deal breaker for me.

I wouldn't recommend renting points to anyone who hasn't already been to WDW and have gone numerous times.

 

[janabananas]

I was able to rent from a broker (a DIS sponsor) for a significant savings. The average price per night renting directly with Disney rack room was $345/night. I was able to get the room for an average of $149/night. If I used a possible 35% AP discount (not released yet but if one comes out), the average room rate $225/night.

There are pros to renting but there are certainly cons as well. As much as I have read of great experiences from renting from private folks, I was very wary and decided to go with the broker for a few bucks more. The biggest con for me was the cancellation policy. I know it is a crapshoot and a gamble and my reservation is 10 months away and anything can happen. I am keeping my fingers/toes crossed.

 

[sndral]

I found that renting a 1 br. AKL from Disney w/ a 40% discount was around $11 a point for my Dec. 2010 10 day stay (I ran the numbers out of curiosity @ the time - I included tax in the Disney numbers.)
Generally those renting studios seem to save more than those renting larger units.
The flexibility of reserving through Disney came in handy when I wanted to add a day a couple of months before the trip and was able to.
I also enjoyed the daily mousekeeping, which if I had rented points or owned would have cost another $450.
It is worth a few extra dollars to me to know 1) Disney isn't going to take my money and disappear (as has happened w/ rentals) and 2) Disney isn't going to fall behind in payments (maintenance/mortgage) and be barred from using their points as can happen with owners.
I really liked the 1 br, btw, and will consider one again if Disney offers 40% discounts (as they have in the recent past.)

 

[TagsMissy]

I probably wouldn't pay $12/point to rent at SSR, but I would pay $10/point, which is the standard rate when renting through a private DVC owner, which would be about $500 cheaper than going through Disney.

As an owner I'd say that $10 a point is now getting on the somewhat lower side, I don't know how much longer you will see those rates offered except for those getting rid of points more last minute. More and more we're seeing rentals in the $11-12/point range as a base scale. Yeah it's only 1-2$ more a point but it adds up

 

[lancerx]

I think this is probably the key. Everything I've seen so far is $12, I think you just have to find a good deal.

I just got into the renting point game, and one thing that I noticed is what a good business person thinks - life is a negotiation. I rented points for a split stay at AKL Savannah view studio and a 2 bdr BLT Lake View and I spent less than $10/pt on both and points didnt expire for at least 3 months. Renting pts helps both parties. Renters save money compared to buying through Disney, and owners will not just forfeit their pts. Its a win win for everyone. Just be persistant and you'll find an owner willing to help you and themselves out!

 

[RMulieri]

Renting points is NOT always cheaper.I have gotten discounts directly thru Disney that came out to be cheaper than what some of the owners were willing to rent their points for.Alot depends on time of year etc..

 

[makthompson]

Maybe I am totally looking in the wrong place, but when I looked into DVC points for resorts, the prices were the same as booking the room through Disney. For example the number of points needed for Saratoga Springs is 258 points. The going point rate is $12 a point, making the resort approximately $3500 a week with DVC points. When you book through Disney the price is approximately $4400 (rack rate). When I apply a 30% discount the price falls to $3100. I thought I had understood that renting DVC points was hugely cheaper than going through Disney. If I get a free dining plan, the savings are similar.
Have I totally screwed up how I am looking at this? Thanks everyone!

You can find points to rent on the dis rent/trade board for $10 pp.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I've rented points as low as $6.5, $7, $8, $8.5, $9, etc. I've saved bundles. You just have to keep looking.

 

[DashforCash]

You can find points to rent on the dis rent/trade board for $10 pp.

I've rented points as low as $6.5, $7, $8, $8.5, $9, etc. I've saved bundles. You just have to keep looking.

I think you are both right, you just have to find points that cost less. Thanks so much!

 

[chitwnnole]

I think you are both right, you just have to find points that cost less. Thanks so much!

I would say $10 is normal if you rent direct and are willing to look for it

 

[merbobear]

We will be staying in a 2BR at OKW for 8 nights this coming May. The Disney price is $6435. We rented through DVC Rental Store for $3672. Even if we managed to book through Disney w/ a 30% pin, it would be $4504.50. A 40% pin would bring us to $3861. Either way you slice it, we are saving money by renting dvc points.

 

[akadada]

This Disney planning makes my head hurt

Amen!

 

[snykymom]

Alright Dash. I pulled a couple of different numbers. If you said what size unit you were staying in I missed it.

Studio-120 pts- renting pts $1440, rack 2863

1bdrm-241 pts- renting pts $2892, rack 3943

2bdrm-315 pts- $3780 renting, rack 5805

Applying discounts may be cheaper from WDW. You would have to add any taxes, additional adult charges. I used a $12 point rental since that is what you mentioned. What I have noticed is that SSR an OKW are the same price via Disney for cash. OKW via dvc uses quite a bit less points for a week stay versus SSR if you might be interested in that resort. Also, assuming this is March of 2012, there may or may not be any dvc rooms available during your stay for rent from a dvc owner. Cash rooms from WDW comes from different inventory. Most dvc owners book from 7-11 months out but if any are available SSR and OKW are your best bet. Hope this helped some.

There is no additional adult charge in a DVC unit if you're paying cash. We are 3 adults, and booked directly with Disney. No extra charge for the third adult in a Jambo House studio, Kidani 1 BR or our ultimate choice, an SSR 1 BR. It actually cost less to book an AKV studio rather than a regular room, based solely on the extra adult charge in the room, but not the studio!

 

[Best Aunt]

There is no additional adult charge in a DVC unit if you're paying cash. We are 3 adults, and booked directly with Disney. No extra charge for the third adult in a Jambo House studio, Kidani 1 BR or our ultimate choice, an SSR 1 BR. It actually cost less to book an AKV studio rather than a regular room, based solely on the extra adult charge in the room, but not the studio!

Maybe no additional adult charge for the third adult. But the DVC units do have maximum occupancies. You can't book through Disney and tell them you're going to cram 10 adults into a studio.

 

[mapleleafmom]

if i may ask a question..

dvc rental store....is there still the chance that the reservation gets cancelled, due to owner bankruptcy,barred from using pts...etc????

thanks in advance

 

[beachmom14]

We are staying at BCV (studio) in May 2012 and I paid $8 a point, however my sister is the DCV member. Anyway, I didn't see it mentioned, another thing to consider is when renting points you are not entitled to any free dining. So you have consider that in your budget too.