Has anyone used points for hotels?

[nisiemouse]

We are thinking about a resale but already have plane tickets for Thanksgiving week. I know this is a very popular time and we are inside of the 11 month window. I know the hotels are not nearly as good a value for your points but was thinking about that as an alternative if we could not book anything at the 7 month window. Does anyone know how hard these rooms are to get? Thanks.

 

[Dean]

I don't think thanksgiving is so popular as to make it unavailable at 6-7 months out. I gone down 2 years for that week and it was easy to book at 5-6 months out then though it's been about 3 years since the last time. I'd go ahead and make the best/cheapest cash reservations I could. Then if you get a resale and it works out, you could always cancel the cash stay.

 

[Cinderella]

I would do as Dean says. Even if all the nights didn't come up, maybe you could split your stay.

I bought when I arrived last time, as I was worried about availability but, when I got there, I was easily able to get an OKW one bedroom for my last four nights. This was in January and I wished I had bought ahead - I could've got a resale instead!

We have used points at a hotel before and I think it is ok, as long as you don't do it all the time. Mind you, we used points at Disneyland Paris and the park tickets were included, which made it a big saving for us.

 

[Pluto4President]

I've used points to stay at the CR and GF a few times. As said, it isn't too "point effective" but it's paid for and do with it as you wish
For an example, I'm going down for a night next week, nothing was available at any DVC resort (very last minute & pres week), I found it easier to pay for a room at WL with a great DC rate.

It's all in the timing.

 

[danky1234]

Originally posted by Dean
I don't think thanksgiving is so popular as to make it unavailable at 6-7 months out. I gone down 2 years for that week and it was easy to book at 5-6 months out then though it's been about 3 years since the last time. I'd go ahead and make the best/cheapest cash reservations I could. Then if you get a resale and it works out, you could always cancel the cash stay.

Do you have to stay for 7 night minimum when booking outside of disney resorts?

 

[PamOKW]

Do you have to stay for 7 night minimum when booking outside of disney resorts?

I'm not sure if I understand the question but here's an answer anyway.

The Disney hotels and the hotels in the Concierge Collection do not currently have a minimum stay. You can stay for just one night (there might be occasional exceptions requiring two-nights on a weekend at some hotels). I believe some of the II trades would require the week-long stays although there may be some exceptions there as well.

 

[danky1234]

Originally posted by PamOKW


I'm not sure if I understand the question but here's an answer anyway.

The Disney hotels and the hotels in the Concierge Collection do not currently have a minimum stay. You can stay for just one night (there might be occasional exceptions requiring two-nights on a weekend at some hotels). I believe some of the II trades would require the week-long stays although there may be some exceptions there as well.

Ok so, as far as you know only II trades require a minimum stay of 7 days.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by danky1234

Ok so, as far as you know only II trades require a minimum stay of 7 days.

The only ones with a minimum of 7 days are are II and the 7 day cruises. I'm not sure if any of the CC have a minimum but seems that a couple had a 2 or 3 day min.

 

[danky1234]

Originally posted by Dean
The only ones with a minimum of 7 days are are II and the 7 day cruises. I'm not sure if any of the CC have a minimum but seems that a couple had a 2 or 3 day min.

Thanks for all your help, i now comprehend that part of DVC. there's a whole lot more to learn!

 

[sueg]

We used pts. to stay at Grand Californian in DL. But just be aware that there is less flex in using pts. this way. Once you book a hotel using pts., those pts. are not returned to your "regular" acct. if you cancel at ANY time. They go onto a special holding acct., which has limits on their use. Its no big deal, but is something you should be aware of.

 

[Gearjammin101]

Originally posted by PamOKW




The Disney hotels and the hotels in the Concierge Collection do not currently have a minimum stay.

How does Concierge Collection(?) work? Can you stay in concierge w/ points? Not that it would be very cost effective but could you?

 

[CarolMN]

The Concierge Collection is a group of non-Disney properties - very luxurious resorts & hotels. For example, the Dorchester in London, England, the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and the Kapalua Bay Hotel on Maui are part of the Concierge Collection. These places are available to stay using your DVC points.

If you are asking about staying on points in concierge level rooms in some of the deluxe WDW resorts, the answer is yes. Starting this year, you can book a concierge room using your points. For example, if you would like to stay in a concierge room at the GF on a weekday in June, it costs 65 points. A weekend night would be 117 points. A garden view room at the GF (same time) would be 39 points for a weekday and 70 for a weekend.

Hope that helps to answer your question.

 

[Gearjammin101]

Thanks CarolMN, that answers my question.