Exchanging points for Concierge Collection?

[pixiec]

Does DVC pay the CC participating hotels for point exchanges? I am wondering if the hotels are motivated to treat DVC members as well as their cash paying guest or will we get a room with the view of the dumpster?
This will be our first exchange, since have always stayed at the wonderful resorts. We are exchanging points for the Mandarin
Oriental in Washington, DC

 

[Dean]

Does DVC pay the CC participating hotels for point exchanges? I am wondering if the hotels are motivated to treat DVC members as well as their cash paying guest or will we get a room with the view of the dumpster?
This will be our first exchange, since have always stayed at the wonderful resorts. We are exchanging points for the Mandarin
Oriental in Washington, DC

The info from people who have used the CC is all over the place. Some were truly treated like second class citizens, others were upgraded and treated very well. I'm sure it depends on which resort and which room type to a degree. The Mandarin is new to the CC so there may not be much or any track record.

 

[RLevy29]

We have stayed at the Stein Erikson in Utah and the Shelburne Murray Hill in NY. We were treated very well at both places. We also exchanged into The sans of Kahana in Maui and had no problems. I know that we weren't given the best view but we weren't given the worst either.

 

[LarryM]

We've traded for the White Swan Inn two times and have been treated grat both times.

 

[drakethib]

Does DVC pay the CC participating hotels for point exchanges? I am wondering if the hotels are motivated to treat DVC members as well as their cash paying guest or will we get a room with the view of the dumpster?
This will be our first exchange, since have always stayed at the wonderful resorts. We are exchanging points for the Mandarin
Oriental in Washington, DC

IMHO, this has never seen like a good use of points. In many cases, you can get a cash deal for a better value.

Again, this is my MHO.

 

[WolfpackFan]

IMHO, this has never seen like a good use of points. In many cases, you can get a cash deal for a better value.

Again, this is my MHO.

But if you've got the points and have no wish to go to WDW and don't want to rent, why not use the points for CC? It's not always about what is the best value.

 

[drakethib]

But if you've got the points and have no wish to go to WDW and don't want to rent, why not use the points for CC? It's not always about what is the best value.

I am not saying not to. I belive is enjoying life as much as anyone, and I don't skimp on vacations or travel, but I do believe is payign a fair price for something (not overpaying).

For example, we stayed at the Biltmore last year for almsot a week and to use points it would have cost a small fortune. I paid cash and came out much better and we were able to use approx the same amount of points on a full week @ WDW and have another trip planned soon with the balance of the points.

I am not a fan of renting points either, but I will transfer if I ever decide to do so.

The CC is just way too high IMHO. Other may chose to do what they want.

I just always try to get the most bang for my buck and CC is not a good way to do it just as using a Disney Cruise using points in not a good use of points IMHO.

 

[Dean]

But if you've got the points and have no wish to go to WDW and don't want to rent, why not use the points for CC? It's not always about what is the best value.

Agreed, or better yet, buy less points if you have that opportunity. You could also rent them out for a net cash gain compared to almost every exchange options.

 

[pixiec]

We had a delightful stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Washington, DC! (8/05)The rooms were beautiful! We had 2, since we were traveling with our sons, 16 & 24. The bathrooms were huge! The beds were very comfortable. Our dream vacation! Something we have wanted to do for years!
Sure, we could have rented out points and found a better Deal, but, we had points to use and we would have not paid to stay in a 5 star hotel if we had not used points. We sure did not have the dumster view. Not the very best in the house, but not the worst either. I think we were treated as valued guest and would recommend it as a place to stay.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

Where was the Mandarin in comparison to things to see and do in D.C?

 

[pixiec]

Debbie,
The MO is nearest to the Smithsonian Metro stop which stops near the Mall and the Museums. It is a hike, maybe 2 or 3 blocks. The L'Enfant Plaza stop is also near, but UP HILL when walking back to the hotel.
You can take the Metro to almost anywhere in the area. We found the Metro to be very clean and not at all crowded on the weekend...anyway. When you leave the hotel and turn left, it is a straight shot to the Museums of American and Natural History but, still a hike, if walking, not real bad though. We were warned about having to walk and that is most true!!
We used a cab for a few trips. For a ride to Union Station, for 4 people, it was $11. It was $6.50, plus per person charge.

 

[GrammieMame]

We stayed at Kapalua on Maui for 10 days and were treated very very well. Upgraded to an ocean view room. Also have stayed at San Francisco Fairmont and Disneyland Hotel in CA. I am of the school that would'nt stay in this kind of high end place for cash, and so enjoy the chance to do it if I have the points to spare.

 

[rocketriter]

I hope this doesn't turn into Yet Another Debate About Trade Value. The OP asked about how well DVC members are treated within Concierge Collection. I look forward to reading answers to that question.

 

[wintergreen]

We've stayed at the following Concierge Collection hotels on points: the Kapalua Bay Hotel in Maui, the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Keystone Resort in Colorado, the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix and the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson. We were NEVER treated any differently than any other guest (at least from what I could tell) staying at these resorts. In fact, at the Kapalua Bay Hotel we were upgraded to an Ocean View Room. All were fabulous! The very best thing was having no room charges upon checkout!

 

[mrsdon]

We have stayed atBig Cedar Lodge in Branson and The Sagamore in NY
Both were beautiful and we didnt feel like we were treated any differntly.

 

[mlshields]

We have stayed in the Hotel Del Coronado, we were upgraded to an ocean front room and treated like we were cash paying guests!

 

[travelbug]

I used points for the Mauna Lani on the Big Island. We had a beautiful room and were treated wonderfully. Wish I could go back!!