DVC With Friends...

[ChristineM]

I think it depends upon who you are inviting. If it is close family and we wanted to treat them, then no we would not ask for any money. We are going with friends in October and they really wanted to go back to WDW with their twin boys. Since we all live in the UK, it is very expensive and this will be their first trip with them. They were going to stay on I.D., but we felt they would enjoy DVC better. Since we would use double the points, we asked them to pay the maint. on the points. We thought this was fair, as we would not get to use those points our selves. Also they feel as though they are "paying" their way and we are not giving them charity. They get 18 nights for about $40 a night, a lot better than I.D. I think you have to way up each situation and deal with if differently. Our friends would not feel comfortable taking it without doing something. Hence they would not enjoy their holiday, this way they are really grateful for being able to stay on site. You never know they might buy into DVC themseleves.

 

[brittsmamabwv]

we just bought our dvc last february and are still in the "honeymoon" period, ie...taking family to disneyworld. In September we took my mother in law and rented a two bedroom as opposed to a studio or one bedroom that would have suited my family of 3 fine, because we were basically getting a week less vacation due to renting a larger place, she paid $50.00 per day. In may we are taking my sister and her family and renting two studios. they will pay $100.00 per nite for their studio which they are more than happy to pay. I think that anyone would be getting such a good bargain, i'm sure they would not mind chipping in <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif" alt="razz">

 

[Shelly S]

I am taking my sister and her husband for 15 nights in September. I used my points for 2 studios and ran short about 40 points, because i didn't want to borrow too many. I ended up renting the 40 points and told my sister she would have to pay $430 for the points I rented. She gave me the money happily the next day. Where else could she get a 2wk vacation for four hundred bucks. I am thrilled to be able to take her and I know she would do the same for me if she owned and not us. We will split the rental car. Money is never an issue for us and I'm sure she would contribute more, but I told her the points are already paid for and that there is no need.

Shelly

 

[vernon]

I think there are a lot of circumstances that alter the answer to this, as has already been said there is no right or wrong answer, just which feels comfortable to you.

#1 is did you have to rent a bigger unit to accommodate them? If not then I think straight out asking for cash looks like getting them to pay for your vacation ( but I'd be dissapointed if they didn't make a gesture like springing for a GOOD meal somewhere). If you did then I think it is reasonable to expect them to pay something towards the cost, but if that is the case it is best to explain this BEFORE you make the booking.

Other factors could be if they have done similar things for you in the past, their financial situation, are they takers who need prompting to pay their way ( it happens even with good friends !!) or length of time your staying ( for a long weekend dinner is probably fair, for three weeks in your own bedroom with full facilities, a decent wedge of cash is called for JMHO).

I don't think charging people is wrong IF it is explained beforehand and you are booking a larger unit expressly to accomodate them. For people that like to show their largesse then I think grand gestures are fine, but some people do feel uncomfortable receiving, what they feel are too generous a gift and like to reciprocate to a level they feel is equal. Unless your upfront on a reasonable cost it is easy to unintentionally offend, I find this is often the case with less well off brothers,sisters or cousins.

Do what makes YOU happy, I'm sure you will all have a good time.

 

[fl]

You should not ask for any money. It is inapropiate if they are your frieds, closest frieds. I have been in the same situation before and asked nothing, nothing in return. He is a childhood friend of mine that we have been in closest contact for the last 30 years. I would have been a offense for he and his family to ask for money or something in return