Exchanging DVC points at Universal Orlando

[dvcgirl2]

I am considering exchanging my DVC points for a stay at Universal Orlando (without tickets included) in December. Any experience/info on this exchange would be helpful (is it good value?) etc. Many thanks

 

[muppets3d]

Do you mean renting your points with a broker in exchange for them booking a stay at a Universal hotel? Or do you mean using Interval International to book a timeshare villa a little closer to Universal like Vistana?

 

[dvcgirl2]

Do you mean renting your points with a broker in exchange for them booking a stay at a Universal hotel? Or do you mean using Interval International to book a timeshare villa a little closer to Universal like Vistana?

With a broker for an on-site Universal hotel

 

[muppets3d]

I've never done that but in general the best and highest use of DVC points is to use them to book DVC vacations. I'm sure someone has done that though and can advise.

 

[Brian Noble]

s it good value?

Probably not. The broker needs to take their cut, and they are not getting a discount from Universal.

 

[Brian Noble]

Thinking about this more: You might be better off looking for a getaway through Interval and paying for Express for a few days. Take a look and see. If you log into your DVC account, go to Manage Interval Vacations under Book.

 

[Sandisw]

All this is is you renting your points and then using them as a travel agent to book Universal.

My guess is that what you are paying for the Universal stay would be the same as what you can book on your own given current promotions.

What I would check is whether or not you are eligible for adjustments if Universal comes out with future promotions that you could have applied.

Or, once you agree, the price is locked.

 

[atthebeachclub]

I haven’t done this, but have considered if we ever do a Universal vacation, it will be one using a car (normally we don’t have one) and we’d probably stay at Saratoga or Old Key West so we could experience Disney service at our “home” and then we’d drive to Universal each day. I normally wouldn’t stay at those locations, but I think they’d be perfect for a Universal stay. Partially because if I am staying where I can see Disney parks, I’ll want to go to those parks too.

 

[KGdreamer]

I haven’t done this, but have considered if we ever do a Universal vacation, it will be one using a car (normally we don’t have one) and we’d probably stay at Saratoga or Old Key West so we could experience Disney service at our “home” and then we’d drive to Universal each day. I normally wouldn’t stay at those locations, but I think they’d be perfect for a Universal stay. Partially because if I am staying where I can see Disney parks, I’ll want to go to those parks too.

This is what we plan to do for our next Universal trip as well, but we'll probably also do 1 night at a premier hotel to get a couple days of Express passes. We stayed at one for our last Universal trip with military rates, so it wasn't quite as ridiculous, but still pricy. Still worth it for the Express passes, though.

 

[zavandor]

Thinking about this more: You might be better off looking for a getaway through Interval and paying for Express for a few days. Take a look and see. If you log into your DVC account, go to Manage Interval Vacations under Book.

This.

At certain times of the year, getaways are even priced for less than owners pay for their dues.
All the Marriot properties can be found there, they're not half bad.
I've stayed at Westgate Lakes, not the best but serviceable and crazy cheap as a getaway. It's a 10 minutes Uber away from Universal.

 

[Girlstar30]

Stayed at Portofino and loved it. Was on the same level (or dare I say better in some aspects) than DVC resorts. Express passes and transportation cant be beat. Excited to explore the other universal hotels, although I have a feeling Portofino will be our favorite.

I havent done the swap from the brokers. Id rather rent out points with them with a confirmed reservation so I get more money and then book myself. I like having control over my reservation and the prices change all the time so I like to be able to monitor it and cancel and rebook whenever I please.

I have inquired with dvc rental store about a swap before and I may utilize it in the future to avoid taxes, but it seems they only have one point of contact with the swaps and the time to get back to you with any questions is a bit slow for me, David's seemed a lot more responsive when it came to this transaction and they do offer an onboard credit (i dont remember if dvcrs did but they may offer something as well!)

Costco is still my preferred ta for cruises which is another reason id rather do it myself because the shop card reward is more money than the onboard credit offered by the brokers

 

[atthebeachclub]

This.

At certain times of the year, getaways are even priced for less than owners pay for their dues.
All the Marriot properties can be found there, they're not half bad.
I've stayed at Westgate Lakes, not the best but serviceable and crazy cheap as a getaway. It's a 10 minutes Uber away from Universal.

The Getaways for Orlando are stupid cheap. It’s a great way to visit if you run out of points and don’t mind an off site stay, I’m sure.

 

[Brian Noble]

Sometimes they are not quite Stupid Cheap, but still can be good deals. I am thinking about a week during FARTS in 2027. I already have other plans for my '27 DVC points, so I am hoping for an exchange to come through using my unbranded trader. I will probably book Bonnet Creek as a backup using my Wyndham points, but if I decide I have a better use for those, Marriott Harbour Lake is there right now for just a bit over $200/night for a 2BR all-in.

I won't have to make that decision until sometime in the early fall, and by then hopefully the Sheratons come in. They are really nice, and usually quite a bit less than the Marriotts.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Sometimes they are not quite Stupid Cheap, but still can be good deals. I am thinking about a week during FARTS in 2027. I already have other plans for my '27 DVC points, so I am hoping for an exchange to come through using my unbranded trader. I will probably book Bonnet Creek as a backup using my Wyndham points, but if I decide I have a better use for those, Marriott Harbour Lake is there right now for just a bit over $200/night for a 2BR all-in.

I won't have to make that decision until sometime in the early fall, and by then hopefully the Sheratons come in. They are really nice, and usually quite a bit less than the Marriotts.

$200 per night for a 2 bedroom is pretty darn cheap though!

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

$200 per night for a 2 bedroom is pretty darn cheap though!

It is, but with getaways you can sometimes get $80-$90 per night for a 2 bedroom at Sheraton Vistana. Although, that’s off peak times.

 

[atthebeachclub]

It is, but with getaways you can sometimes get $80-$90 per night for a 2 bedroom at Sheraton Vistana. Although, that’s off peak times.

I feel bad for the owners; their dues must be higher than this.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I feel bad for the owners; their dues must be higher than this.

Dues at SVR are terrible. It’s a great property to stay at but it’s worthless as a timeshare. You can buy it for $1 on eBay. The dues exceed the cash booking rates. The ultimate fate of all timeshares (including DVC, don’t kid yourselves).

 

[atthebeachclub]

Dues at SVR are terrible. It’s a great property to stay at but it’s worthless as a timeshare. You can buy it for $1 on eBay. The dues exceed the cash booking rates. The ultimate fate of all timeshares (including DVC, don’t kid yourselves).

I think some DVC locations have that potential. Some more than others. The limited length of contract is a blessing in some ways.

 

[Add-On-Itis]

Dues at SVR are terrible. It’s a great property to stay at but it’s worthless as a timeshare. You can buy it for $1 on eBay. The dues exceed the cash booking rates. The ultimate fate of all timeshares (including DVC, don’t kid yourselves).

At the rate some dues are going up. It will be cheaper to book cash than pay dues. This won't be immediate, but it could happen at VB soon. Then you can buy it for $1 on eBay.

VB dues at $14.3
Say avg increase at 7%
In 10 years, dues will be over $28

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I actually think Old Key West is in the biggest danger of going negative, based on it’s extended expiration date and the nature of how maintenance increase rates go up as resorts get older.