Future of Member Benefits - What do you think will happen?

[TheMick424]

Given the recent changes to resale, planned new properties and upcoming park changes/additions, what do you think will happen with DVC Membership Extras/Benefits? Do you think DVC will offer more? less? Similar to today? I’m curious what others think the direction will be.

 

[huskerfanatic7]

Pretty safe to say that Disney will do everything they can to make the most money

 

[ScubaCat]

Exactly, their entire purpose is marketing. If DVD feels they're driving sales, they'll continue. If not, they'll go away.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Exactly, their entire purpose is marketing. If DVD feels they're driving sales, they'll continue. If not, they'll go away.

Its not that I disagree, but I really hope that those that do go direct dont do it for for the perks alone. At least not if you buy 100+ points.

I know that its the fewest direct buyers which initially is well informed when they go direct. Most are soaked in "Magic" and just drink the kool aid that Disney is offering.

 

[bwvBound]

Personally, I'm guessing that a new benefits "wrapper" will be introduced starting with Riviera sales. The new program will include Tier Benefits based on number of qualified points owned. Initial benefits might include special phone line to Member Services; special check-in lines; perhaps additional FP+; earlier booking window for Member Cruise events; waive transaction fees for Concierge/Disney/World Collections; wider selection of TV channels/movies; better in-room internet; new ways to use your DVC points for tickets, outside travel; etc. The program will offer better benefits than we've seen in recent years but not be free. It will carry it own MF on top of your DVC resort dues. It is included with each developer purchase, can be passed down to your immediate family, but does not transfer in resale.

Existing members will not be eligible for the perks offered by this new program unless we add-on (from the developer, of course) from a new resort. But good news: a one-time add-on will upgrade all of your existing qualified points to the new system's tiers. Of course, you'll need to pay the new program dues on the total number of new + upgraded points.

I'm also guessing we'll debate the value of upgrading for years to come.

(FWIW, my guess comes from "industry standards" and my personal experience through another points-program. My other points program rolled out their new wrapper in 2006. We don't see the value of upgrading ... and have not done so ... but continue to get hit offers from the parent company. My 'old' product is still working just fine for me!)

 

[TheMick424]

Personally, I'm guessing that a new benefits "wrapper" will be introduced starting with Riviera sales. The new program will include Tier Benefits based on number of qualified points owned. Initial benefits might include special phone line to Member Services; special check-in lines; perhaps additional FP+; earlier booking window for Member Cruise events; waive transaction fees for Concierge/Disney/World Collections; wider selection of TV channels/movies; better in-room internet; new ways to use your DVC points for tickets, outside travel; etc. The program will offer better benefits than we've seen in recent years but not be free. It will carry it own MF on top of your DVC resort dues. It is included with each developer purchase, can be passed down to your immediate family, but does not transfer in resale.

Existing members will not be eligible for the perks offered by this new program unless we add-on (from the developer, of course) from a new resort. But good news: a one-time add-on will upgrade all of your existing qualified points to the new system's tiers. Of course, you'll need to pay the new program dues on the total number of new + upgraded points.

I'm also guessing we'll debate the value of upgrading for years to come.

(FWIW, my guess comes from "industry standards" and my personal experience through another points-program. My other points program rolled out their new wrapper in 2006. We don't see the value of upgrading ... and have not done so ... but continue to get hit offers from the parent company. My 'old' product is still working just fine for me!)

This is interesting food for thought

 

[kniquy]

Given the recent changes to resale, planned new properties and upcoming park changes/additions, what do you think will happen with DVC Membership Extras/Benefits? Do you think DVC will offer more? less? Similar to today? I’m curious what others think the direction will be.

Right now they have to build up buying direct and offering benefits. I think as they weed out resale people and they are no longer entitled to get any benefits they will still offer benefits and membership extra's but maybe at a lower scale. Just my 2 cents -- Their sales pitches currently have to sound amazing when asking someone to pay 40% more than resale, but once they get to a point in the new generation of resorts all they have to say is - resale can only book at one resort and they don't get any perks -- right there is where they kill any thoughts of someone wanting to buy resale and it will steer them to buy direct without them contemplating the savings of resale.

 

[disneynutz]

DVD/DVC SVP Schultz has been involved with DVD/DVD/DCL for a few years, now she gets to put her plan into action. Restrictions, price increases, point reallocations, new resorts, website changes, more pay as you go events. Since she is a finance person, you can bet that perks will depend on what allows DVD to make the most money.

Bill

 

[skippytx]

I didn't buy into DVC for anything else but the ability to stay at my home resort, so not really worried about any changes they make. I think of it all as a bonus anyway. The DVC discount on things is pretty nice, but if it all went away I'd still be OK.

 

[AdamsMum]

Exactly, their entire purpose is marketing. If DVD feels they're driving sales, they'll continue. If not, they'll go away.

I get they need to have financial growth, but what about customer satisfaction, or goodwill? Is there no need for that because we are a captive audience? I too am happy with my home resorts, but the optics of all these restrictions is what bothers me. As if they are saying "Ha! Take that resellers, now we've got you!"

Okay maybe a little dramatic, but you get the idea.

 

[AdamsMum]

I didn't buy into DVC for anything else but the ability to stay at my home resort, so not really worried about any changes they make. I think of it all as a bonus anyway. The DVC discount on things is pretty nice, but if it all went away I'd still be OK.

I'm also happy with my home resorts, but being able to stay anywhere on property was a big selling point for many people.

 

[Disney mac]

I get they need to have financial growth, but what about customer satisfaction, or goodwill? Is there no need for that because we are a captive audience? I too am happy with my home resorts, but the optics of all these restrictions is what bothers me. As if they are saying "Ha! Take that resellers, now we've got you!"

Okay maybe a little dramatic, but you get the idea.

If this is what they wanted, why not ROFR all contracts thereby terminating ALL resale?

 

[bobbiwoz]

If this is what they wanted, why not ROFR all contracts thereby terminating ALL resale?

Would they really want to sell all those SSR points again??

 

[AdamsMum]

If this is what they wanted, why not ROFR all contracts thereby terminating ALL resale?

Doing that would leave them with a huge number of points on their hands. Inventory costs money. I believe ROFR works for both sides, but with this latest restriction they are trying to make it less desirable. This change in itself isn't the end of the world, but the number of changes over the past years, the changes to the points structure in the 2020 chart have all changed the atmosphere. JMHO

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

If this is what they wanted, why not ROFR all contracts thereby terminating ALL resale?

If they ROFR all contracts at what prices owners wanted then I would think that would make the resale business thrive. If I could buy from DVC and then sell it via resale for more money and have Disney ROFR I would keep buying from DVC and keep selling via resale. If Disney wants to terminate ALL resale then they need to figure out how to keep owners from wanting to sell. If they did that then resale companies wouldn't need to exist.

 

[bwvBound]

Oh, I just had a new idea to add!

'Improved World Collection', changes to our RCI relationship:

• As future resale Riviera buyers are restricted to booking only their home resort, there needs to be a new method for allowing them to exchange across the system. Our present RCI relationship prevents booking back into DVC against DVC. So let's change that!
• New RCI relationship: DVC owners may book back into any DVC resort available in the RCI system.
• Furthermore, they get 'priority' access to RCI's available DVC inventory. (This standard already exists in other multi-property timeshare developer or management groups.)
• RCI adds a new "1-in-4" inbound trade restriction for outside exchanges into DVC. This increases the appearance of exclusivity and might increase the scarcity/demand from the perspective of a non-DVC timeshare owner.
• DVC owners (all or qualified remains to be understood?) are exempt from RCI's 1-in-4 rule. They may book back into any/all available DVC properties through RCi as often as like based on availability.

Where this helps DVC:

• Allowing DVC owners to trade back into DVC via RCI relieves the perceived limitation of being limited to only home resort (sale aid, "Book anywhere, including all DVC, using RCI!"). It likely increases the inventory flow of DVC units trafficked through RCI. RCI is happy; DVC is happy and might see new sales targets from inbound exchange guests.
• Using RCI's 1-in-4 rule both restricts repeat outside (non-DVC) guest visits while also fueling a great sales aid, "Owning DVC gets you around this restriction!!"

Where this helps all DVC owners:

• DVC owners can trade "week for week" through RCI for any/all DVC properties even if their accounts are otherwise restricted internally. Sure, less flexible as "week for week" typically requires a full 7-night stay starting Fri/Sat/Sun based on available inventory ... but still, it is better than being restricted only to your home resort!
• Perhaps Disney will also expand our RCI membership with "last minute booking discounts." RCI offers this feature ... but, thus far, Disney has not offered the feature to its members. Maybe we can hope for this enhancement to our RCI relationship, too?

Just thinking out loud ... this could be a good thing?

Personally, I'm guessing that a new benefits "wrapper" will be introduced starting with Riviera sales. The new program will include Tier Benefits based on number of qualified points owned. Initial benefits might include special phone line to Member Services; special check-in lines; perhaps additional FP+; earlier booking window for Member Cruise events; waive transaction fees for Concierge/Disney/World Collections; wider selection of TV channels/movies; better in-room internet; new ways to use your DVC points for tickets, outside travel; etc. The program will offer better benefits than we've seen in recent years but not be free. It will carry it own MF on top of your DVC resort dues. It is included with each developer purchase, can be passed down to your immediate family, but does not transfer in resale.

Existing members will not be eligible for the perks offered by this new program unless we add-on (from the developer, of course) from a new resort. But good news: a one-time add-on will upgrade all of your existing qualified points to the new system's tiers. Of course, you'll need to pay the new program dues on the total number of new + upgraded points.

I'm also guessing we'll debate the value of upgrading for years to come.

(FWIW, my guess comes from "industry standards" and my personal experience through another points-program. My other points program rolled out their new wrapper in 2006. We don't see the value of upgrading ... and have not done so ... but continue to get hit offers from the parent company. My 'old' product is still working just fine for me!)

 

[ziravan]

Oh, I just had a new idea to add!

'Improved World Collection', changes to our RCI relationship:

• As future resale Riviera buyers are restricted to booking only their home resort, there needs to be a new method for allowing them to exchange across the system. Our present RCI relationship prevents booking back into DVC against DVC. So let's change that!
• New RCI relationship: DVC owners may book back into any DVC resort available in the RCI system.
• Furthermore, they get 'priority' access to RCI's available DVC inventory. (This standard already exists in other multi-property timeshare developer or management groups.)
• RCI adds a new "1-in-4" inbound trade restriction for outside exchanges into DVC. This increases the appearance of exclusivity and might increase the scarcity/demand from the perspective of a non-DVC timeshare owner.
• DVC owners (all or qualified remains to be understood?) are exempt from RCI's 1-in-4 rule. They may book back into any/all available DVC properties through RCi as often as like based on availability.

Where this helps DVC:

• Allowing DVC owners to trade back into DVC via RCI relieves the perceived limitation of being limited to only home resort (sale aid, "Book anywhere, including all DVC, using RCI!"). It likely increases the inventory flow of DVC units trafficked through RCI. RCI is happy; DVC is happy and might see new sales targets from inbound exchange guests.
• Using RCI's 1-in-4 rule both restricts repeat outside (non-DVC) guest visits while also fueling a great sales aid, "Owning DVC gets you around this restriction!!"

Where this helps all DVC owners:

• DVC owners can trade "week for week" through RCI for any/all DVC properties even if their accounts are otherwise restricted internally. Sure, less flexible as "week for week" typically requires a full 7-night stay starting Fri/Sat/Sun based on available inventory ... but still, it is better than being restricted only to your home resort!
• Perhaps Disney will also expand our RCI membership with "last minute booking discounts." RCI offers this feature ... but, thus far, Disney has not offered the feature to its members. Maybe we can hope for this enhancement to our RCI relationship, too?

Just thinking out loud ... this could be a good thing?

I’m fairly sure DVC added last call booking to RCI about a year ago:

 

[bwvBound]

I’m fairly sure DVC added last call booking to RCI about a year ago:

View attachment 377561

Sorry, I wasn't referring to "last call" cash rentals ... but discounted exchanges.

For example, using RCI with my Worldmark (point system), standard exchanges into Red season reservations require 8k (Studio), 9k (1BR), 10k (2BR) or 12k (3BR). However, if booked w/in 59-days of travel ("last minute"), any of these exchanges is only 4k. (Worldmark point requirements are measured in thousands and tens of thousands rather than DVC's tens/hundreds.) Typically (using other point system exchange tables as our "standard"), RCI's discounted exchanges, once inside the 59-day window, is set to meet a "low season studio" requirement. Thus, you can exchange into any available, last minute, inventory using the equivalent points of a DVC low-season studio (as defined by RCI's low-season values).

 

[js]

I think in the future, ALL resale contracts will only be able to be used at the home resort from which is was purchased and
I don't think it will be too long before this happens. For the most part, my other two TSs are fixed weeks and we stay where we purchased and
purchased for that sole reason. I own 420 2009 resale points at SSR (paid about $70 a point) and grandfathered with direct purchasers.

Although we do stay at other resorts (last being two weeks ago at BLT and in September we stayed at BWVs), we do love SSR. I LOVE
that my kids are 25 and 21 and when they do go to Disney, they prefer SSR to be closer to DTD and not a far walk/boat ride from bars and
restaurants (I love that too).

Anyway, my answer/guess is that I see all resale contracts in the not to distant future only being able to
stay at that home resort.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Given the recent changes to resale, planned new properties and upcoming park changes/additions, what do you think will happen with DVC Membership Extras/Benefits? Do you think DVC will offer more? less? Similar to today? I’m curious what others think the direction will be.

I think all future resales will be restricted to that resort only for the new owners. It will really lower resale prices and demand for those resorts. While (for a time) raising value of the original 14 that have the longer expiration dates.