DVC POINTS use for DCL

[KANSAS]

I have been educated over the years, by the DVC experts on this board, to rent your DVC points and pay cash, for DCL.

Is there any time, using DVC points for a DCL cruise makes sense?
like special promotions,etc??

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

It is an individual preference. I for one have stopped proclaiming the wonders of renting points and then paying cash for the cruise because I was noticing on the rent/trade board a growing number of people with a total of 3 posts renting out their points and a growing number of complaints on this board about problems with renting.

That being said and depending on how you value your points (I value mine based on what I can easily rent them for, not on a cost basis which many others on this board, whom I respect the opinion of do), there are certainly times of the year when it is better to use points over other times. But to me based on the point chart, there really is no time that I would ever use points again based on the current charts. Even with the "special promotion" charts that were handed out on the cruise for returning cruisers, it still made no sense for me to use points.

The important thing is that anyone who uses their points be happy with how they use them. If that means using points to go on a cruise, then they are worth it to that person for that purpose. That is one of the best things about the DVC system.

HBC

 

[Dean]

I agree with HBC, use the points as you see fit. To me, I can't see anytime I'd be likely to use points for a cruise unless the associated factors change dramatically. To answer your question directly, you should always evaluate your options. If you're looking at a cruise, compare points to cash to points plus cash through DVC. The only times you're likely to get a reasonable value for points are if you're looking last minute and missed all the discounts available, cabins or cruises that are not discounted or lightly discounted. To me, the negatives of using points are far more than just the cost comparison. Frankly, I'd rent my points and do cash if it was a break even unless I were near the 60 day window anyway. That way you can book at more like 18 months out, have cancellation protection and get your money back up to 2 months out and get any discounts refunded if they reduce the price. The one time I cruised on DCL, I got a credit of $560 just before we sailed off an already great rate AND got to keep my onboard credits.

 

[crisi]

There have been cases where DVCers have posted what their cruise cost them in points and what it would have cost them in cash where they come out ahead paying in points - even at $10 per. You'll have to do your own math for your sailing and your cabin category. Don't forget to add the booking fee.

 

[DisneyBill]

The number of points required doesn't increase as you get closer to sailing date, as does the dollar cost. So, if there is availability for the sailing and cat you want, late bookings are usually a better use of points versus renting for say $10/pp and paying cash.