DVC rental questions

[marshallandcartersmo]

I know there are lots of threads about renting DVC, there's a whole section over there. But I can't figure out where to post my questions, and everyone is friendlier over here
Plus, this is budget related!

We are in the early stages of planning a March trip, and as of now--no discounts for the dates we'll be there (late March, all discounts so far end early March ).

So we're looking at off-site options, and maybe renting DVC. From what I gather, there's a sponsor on the Dis that charges $13 a point and we could try going through him.....OR, we just try contacting the people that post threads on the DVC rental boards, advertising their points for rent. Some are as low as $9 a point there. Are there any differences between the $9 and $13 points?? If not---is the ticket just to jump on the cheaper points when they are posted??

Also......the DVC resorts. Are they very close to the "actual" resorts? Do they share the same pools, etc?

It just seems like (if no discounts are given) renting DVC points seems to be a smart choice. For example: Renting at $13 a point for a week Friday to Friday at Old Key West in a studio is $1404............the same days in a room at Pop Century is $1179.............so for roughly $300 more, we'd be staying in a bigger room (I'm assuming) with a mini kitchen and better ammenities???

 

[mrslur]

I've rented DVC points numerous times from here on the DIS. We are staying at BCV next month on rental points. You should post on the rental thread exactly what you're looking for and try to be as specific as possible. Dates, first, second, third choice resorts, how many points it would take, etc. I've always had more than one person respond to my posts with points to rent. Yes, you would have more room and the mini-kitchen is great. Plus, you'll have a balcony. Yes, the pools are shared with the resort if there's a resort attached. Hope this helps.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

thanks so much! It seems like I've tried to post something like that on the board once before but it never showed up?? Maybe someone had to approve it first!?!?

I've been looking at the "points to rent" posts....I guess "I'm looking to rent" posts would be better. Then people offer me how much they are selling their points for?

I'm assuming if someone is on the Dis, then they are trustworthy?? It's just scary sending someone $$ that I don't know. But I could always use my credit card to protect myself--right?

 

[mrslur]

Yes. You should have people respond with how much the points will be. Yes, there is a risk but we've done it with a check and using paypal and never had a problem.

 

[delmar411]

Renting is pretty simple. But requires a TON of trust. Disney is not involved, you have zero say over your reservation, you cannot do anything to/for your reservation other than make ADRs, you cannot even contact Disney about it at all, they won't speak to you since you aren't the owner.

There is no difference between the $9 points and the $13 points, the $13 points are just using a middleman between the owner and renter.

Yes you can normally use your CC through paypal and I'd say you should since even if paypal doesn't come through for you (just in case), your CC should.

You can no longer post reservation wanted threads, you'll have to contact someone with an open thread who has points.

No, I wouldn't just trust someone because they are on the Dis. Anyone can join here, there isn't a filter or background check, yk? I would stick to established posters, with a solid history, and someone who is around often. I'd make sure to talk to them on the phone too as well as get all their contact info. If they have references, make sure to check those out too.

Some people use a contract, some don't. You need to make sure you understand the renter's cancellation/change policy. Those are normally pretty strict if it's even offered as an option.

Also you need to know their payment policy. I've seen a wide variety of payment setups so I can't really say one is more common than another.

HTH!

 

[mrsklamc]

Are there any taxes and fees beyond the cost of the points?

 

[delmar411]

Are there any taxes and fees beyond the cost of the points?

like at the resort? No. You check in just like a member would and then you can add a CC to the room for room charging and those costs would be due upon check out. But nothing else for the room at all.

 

[MELSMICE]

Renting points is very easy. You do have to trust the person you are renting from.

Ask for references. We rented twice before we purchased & made sure that we asked for & checked references before we rented.

There are no taxes on point rentals. DVC resorts are considered deluxe resorts. OKW is a beautiful resort, as are all the other DVC resorts.

If you stay at the DVC resorts that are "attached" to a deluxe, such as BWV, BC, AKL, WL they usually have a DVC pool or you can use the main pool at the hotel. Villas at the Contemporary have a great DVC pool.

Good luck.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Once the DVC person makes your reservation he/she should provide you will a confirmation #. Once you have the # call Disney and confirm the reservation.

I am a DVC owner and was short 16 points last fall so I rented and paid with paypal and have no problems at all.


The thing I must for warn you on. Once you stay at a DVC resort, you will be hooked and not want to stay at any other resort unless it is a DVC..

 

[mrsklamc]

It's not that I disagree, but I don't understand the logic with the new rule prohibiting reservation requests. Anyone know what the logic is?

 

[delmar411]

Once the DVC person makes your reservation he/she should provide you will a confirmation #. Once you have the # call Disney and confirm the reservation.

I am a DVC owner and was short 16 points last fall so I rented and paid with paypal and have no problems at all.


The thing I must for warn you on. Once you stay at a DVC resort, you will be hooked and not want to stay at any other resort unless it is a DVC..

That is impossible for a renter. Only DVC members can look at their own accts. DVC members cannot verify reservations made for them on other member's accts either.

Renters can however look online at a special DVC link that will show their reservation and it's status. That's helpful in at least looking at your reservation at that moment in time.

 

[delmar411]

It's not that I disagree, but I don't understand the logic with the new rule prohibiting reservation requests. Anyone know what the logic is?

I can't remember what the logic was behind it. It's a relatively new rule. I think it cleared up a lot of duplicate threads and postings though.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you reread my post it says to "call Disney" and confirm the reservation. I know you can not look at another person acct but you can call and verify the reservation. I had no trouble verifing a reservation made for me by another DVC person.

That is impossible for a renter. Only DVC members can look at their own accts. DVC members cannot verify reservations made for them on other member's accts either.

Renters can however look online at a special DVC link that will show their reservation and it's status. That's helpful in at least looking at your reservation at that moment in time.

 

[lucyem]

Keep in mind that DVC point rentals are almost always non refundable. This is due to how the point system works on the DVC end. Personally I would suggest going through DVC Mike at least the first time around.

If you do a search in the DVC section there are a lot of posts about the ins and outs of renting.

 

[mrsklamc]

I'm probably just dreaming anyway. I can't justify the cost this trip. But I appreciate the answers!

 

[delmar411]

If you reread my post it says to "call Disney" and confirm the reservation. I know you can not look at another person acct but you can call and verify the reservation. I had no trouble verifing a reservation made for me by another DVC person.

I read it right and you can't do it. Feel free to call member services and ask to verify a reservation on an acct that you are not the owner or associate member on. They'll say sorry can't help you.

Ask down on the DVC boards if you think I'm wrong. I honestly can't think of a way you would be able to push that verification through w/o being the member or associate member.

I'm not saying you are lying (in case you think I'm saying that) but I question what year it was that you did that. Things have tightened up a ton in the past few years. At one point years ago renters could call about their reservations but that's not been an option for a long while.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

lots of good info!

Is there anywhere on the Dis where people post comments about renters/who they rented points from? Would be nice to hear good feedback about a poster/renter, which may take the "fear of the unknown" away.......

Once you pay your money, and the person you're renting from gives you the reservation #, you should be safe though--right??

thanks

 

[delmar411]

lots of good info!

Is there anywhere on the Dis where people post comments about renters/who they rented points from? Would be nice to hear good feedback about a poster/renter, which may take the "fear of the unknown" away.......

Once you pay your money, and the person you're renting from gives you the reservation #, you should be safe though--right??

thanks

no there isn't a feedback section. That would be great but again no way to really police that. A scammer could post all sorts of great feedback for themselves w/o anyway to verify it.

Normally, yes, once you get your reservation number, you're good to go unless you need to add ME or the dining plan or need to make any other changes. But it's a matter of trust. There have been a few instances of less than stellar transactions in the past year that people have posted about. That's why 'knowing' who you are renting from is a really important part of the deal as well as protecting yourself by paying with a CC. And while someone has to be a renter's first contract, I honestly would have a very difficult time with trusting them unless they were a long standing contributing member of the board.

 

[Mic]

I am a DVC member who has rented points from other members when I was short on points, and I have rented to other people when I could not use my points. All transactions went well for me. I use a rental contract that covers everything from cancellation to date changes, holding points, etc. It requires a lot of time to book someone's "dream" vacation, so when you rent your points, you become somewhat of a travel agent. Only the DVC member can add the dining plan and magical express to the reservation, but anyone can check online to verify the reservation and itinerary. I think the site is MyDisneyReservation.com/DVC. When I needed to rent points, I looked for people who had an established history on the Boards, preferably not just rental history. To answer a previous question, yes, the points are the same, whether you pay $9 or $13, but the lower priced points usually have restrictions. I urge anyone thinking of renting points to read the FAQ on the rental boards. It is time-consuming for a DVC member to explain the rental process to a new/potential renter when most things are covered in the FAQ. In my experience, a DVC rental costs about half what Disney charges for the room, but you are dealing with an individual instead of a company. There is a certain amount of trust required on both ends. Fortunately, 99% of the rentals through this board are successful for both parties. I will add...if you are looking for dates in March, don't wait too long. I just booked a room for my friend at Bay Lake Tower in late March, and the availabilty was limited.

 

[tigger51276]

I read it right and you can't do it. Feel free to call member services and ask to verify a reservation on an acct that you are not the owner or associate member on. They'll say sorry can't help you.

Ask down on the DVC boards if you think I'm wrong. I honestly can't think of a way you would be able to push that verification through w/o being the member or associate member.

I'm not saying you are lying (in case you think I'm saying that) but I question what year it was that you did that. Things have tightened up a ton in the past few years. At one point years ago renters could call about their reservations but that's not been an option for a long while.

I believe the PP is actually correct. They didn't say to call member services but Disney. I have rented points before when I didn't have enough to cover a reservation and was able to call Disney's Reservation line, give the reservation number and they were able to confirm the reservation. These days I do find the weblink easier to confirm reservations and that is what I give my renters to confirm their reservations with me.