DVC Points or Cash

[tiffany123]

Please excuse me if this is a repeat question as I am new to the Cruise Line board. We are new DVC owners and are thinking of a DCL trip for summer, 2004. We are trying to decide whether to pay cash or use points. There would be just DH and myself and we would have the points to use. We are also Disney Club members and AP pass holders. If we decide to use points will we be eligible for any DC rebates or onboard credits that might be available or does a points reservation include no "extras"?

Thanks in advance for your answers

 

[Credit Man]

We just took a 7 day cruise last week using points. We were not able to take advantage of any rebates. The cruise is not the most economical use of points, however, we purchased our points to enjoy magincal vacations, and the cruise certainly qualifies. We have no regrets.

 

[din]

Same here no regrets. The only "issue" is that you can book 11 months ahead and if you are planning to travel during peak time, the room selection may not be that great. The only benefit that I know of is the returining crusier, castaway club gift.

Also you will find may opinions at the DVC board.

 

[kramer_clan]

Having used points and cash for a cruise this past August, I would do it again only if I did not have the cash to book one. It is a lot of points to cruise. If money is not the issue, I would book with cash.

Vicki

 

[AnnMorin]

We have used all cash once, all points once and our next is half points and half cash. We are already planning on doing the same split for another 7day next year. It is up to you, alot of people complain you don't get your monies worth using points but for us to cruise with a veranda for seven days for only 1625.00 is well worth our money. Especially since we paid about 5000.00 for the first one. I say use your points for what makes you happy!

 

[SusanD]

There has been a long standing debate on the DVC board whether this is an efficient use of points or not. If you figure you could rent your points out and get more than it would cost you to book the cruise, then it may not be cost effective.

On the other hand...we would not be able to afford to go on a cruise if not for having DVC points. The nice part is that it covers most all your expenses. We love WDW but even using our points it is still a spendy vacation.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

We are cruisin Nov 30th on points. We rolled last years points to this year and combined both. First time ever using them too.
DH wants to cruise on another line with gambling but I told him only DVC is paid off. This way we can have our cruise without waiting.

 

[Hygiene99]

check out your options ,
if u have points to burn use them
or u could use points for one person and cash for other person
the value of a point is $10.00 + -
try getting a qoute and then compare the quote to the amount of points applying the dollar value to the points
i think u will find it is quite expensive to to use points
i would list the points for rent on the DVC rent /trade board when they rent use the cash to book the cruise...
ok it takes 133 point for a 7 day cruise CHEAP SEASON
CAT 10 witch is a deluxe inside stateroom , so no window unless u get spr.. u can buy that cruise for 800.00 + -
and get a disney club on board credit of $50.00
so rent the points...................... in my opinion
would also use dreams unlimited to get the quote they will watch the price and if it goes down will get u any refund in the price difference and also offer rebates and shipboard credits from time to time use the link at the top of this page to get to there site peter

 

[shelleyrb]

We used points for the 9/28 Western Magic cruise this year. We booked a Cat 10 cabin (just my DH and me). We had carried a few points over from last year, and between that and this year's, we had no problem. A few days later DVC member services called us up and informed us that the points had been reduced for the cruise (September specials, I guess), and points were being returned to our account. In addition, we were given a $50 onboard credit. So now, I've got points left to bank into next year PLUS an onboard credit.

It cost us a $75 exchange fee. I didn't have the hassle of trying to rent out points either. For us, it was more than worth it to use our points. Keep in mind that a cruise will also cover food and some entertainment, so especially if you factor that in to your calculations, it's really not such a bad use of points after all. Food at WDW isn't cheap! And although we are paying for transfers, we also figured in the cost of a rental car for the week if at WDW (since we always get one).

Of course shore excursions aren't covered, but unless you have an annual pass or leftover Park Hopper Pass days, you'll be buying tickets for the parks, so I suppose that kind of cancels out


Therefore, all in all, we had no problem using our points for a cruise. Now to just wait those LESS THAN 3 WEEKS...!

Shelley

 

[tiffany123]

Thanks for the replies. We will have plenty of points to cruise in 2004 especially if we end up banking many of our 2003 points. I don't know if we want to go through the hassle of renting points as we have never tried it and know someone who got "burned" during his experience. We would have to cruise in the summer as DH is a teacher and coach. I may check with DU and see what kind of price quotes they would have once the date gets closer.
How far in advance do most people book their cruise?

 

[CarolAnnC]

The great thing about booking with Dreams Unlimited is that if you book now, and the price goes down, they automatically adjust your price accordingly. So you get best choice on a stateroom now, and if they price is lowered by Disney, you can take advantage of that too!!

 

[Dancind]

We used points to book a cruise in October. Gosh, I'd love a Fall "point rebate"! If you figure points at $10 a point, yes, it's somewhat more expensive than paying cash. But I figured they were worth what I paid for them over the life of the contract ($5 - $6), and in that case it's a great deal! I did try to rent about 60 points out last year, and I got to make several calls to see if I could book the Beach Club Villas at 2-3 months out. No way, and not worth the hassle. We're just going to make sure we use our points ourselves, for DVC or DCL. Diana