Has anyone ever rented DVC points for a DGC villa? Not sure where to start, and to be honest I find the DVC forum here very confusing.
Oh, me too. In theory it sounds like a good deal to rent using someone else DVC points. In practice I can't figure it out. I want to rent or buy some points so I can stay at the hotel, regular room or villa whatever, I don't care. If it is really as cheap as it sounds why doesn't everyone just do that? What am I missing?
I have rented my VGC points here at the DVC boards. Before I became a member, I have rented points from a DVC member to give DVC a try at WDW. There are advantages to renting a villa through a member. One big one is cost. Depending on the dollar per point, one can save a large percentage off the rack rate. The one bedrooms are larger than the hotel rooms and can often can be rented for a little over the booking cost of a hotel room. (I have never stayed in a studio, but will for the first time next month.) This depends on the money one pays per point, the day of the week (the Villas require more points during the weekend for the same type of room), the time of year, and if Disney has a special going on. When staying at a DVC Villa, we do not pay resorts fees or taxes, since it is a timeshare ownership. the renter wouldn't either. You can get more bang for your buck.
For example: I just check the cost for a booking at the GCH for June 17 (Friday) to June 19 (Sunday) vs a DVC one bedroom Villa.
The DVC one bedroom required the use of 96 points. At the cost of $10/point, this rental would cost the renter $960.
For a standard room at the hotel: $890.00
Downtown room: $990.00
Theme park view: $1040.00
The one bedroom DVC room has a living room, full kitchen, two batrooms, and a master room. They are similar to a suite (we stayed in one before), but the suite does not have a kitchen.
There is a cautionary side to renting as well. The renters and members do take on a risk with this kind of transaction since it is based on trust. The renter loses the flexibility a booking has through Disney. The member retains control of the reservation. If a renter wants to change anything on the reservation, they can not do it themselves, and are dependent on the member to do it for them. As nonsuch states, DVC reservations must be made far in advance, and there are restrictions to rescheduling. Many times, the member will require a 50% payment which is not refundable once a reservation is made. The member risks not receiving the full payment and losing the use of their points if the renter backs out at the last minute (one of the reasons for the 50% payment upfront). Or the renter trashes the room and the member is stuck with the bill.
After all this, you can see why it can be complicated, but there are many successful vacations done this way.
Best to do your homework. In the beginning, I followed some of the rent/trade threads to get the hang of it. I have never used David's Disney Vacation Club points rental service. Although, I have read good reviews on his service here on the Boards.
I am sure others will clarify or add to my explanation. I may have missed something.
I no longer rent out my points. My last renter just left today for a week stay at BWV in WDW. I now use
all my points at the Grand Californian.
