How about one more change in policy? Just a what if...

[Figment2]

all the posts about the "changes," I thought I would bring this up. Not that I like to stir the pot or anything like that...

I have had conversations with MS on all keycards saying "DVC Member." I have a problem with it especially when you have renters talking about free valet parking, restaurant discounts, etc.

I have paid for my member perks. I feel renters have paid for a room, no more, no less. Deb (Deb&Bill) & I had posted on the resort board when someone touted the fact that "you get free valet parking too." The OP stated that as long as Disney considered them a "guest of the member" (and we disagreed with that statement) and was willing to give them the perks, who are they not to accept them. And so my contact with MS.

What if keycards had DVC member on them only if YOU as an owner were staying in the unit?

I don't have a problem with something like this. If I make a reservation for (a non-DVC) friend or relative to stay on my points, I know them well enough to state they won't look for any member perks. They wouldn't care if their keycards had DVC member on it or not.

So how would you all feel about this change? Yes, no? How would this affect renting? Do you even care?

Just wondering and thanks!

Cyn

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree with you that I do NOT think the card should say "member" unless the member is actually in the unit. If the member's name is not among those listed in the unit, then it shouldn't say member. No renter should get DVC perks for paying value resort prices (and I think that's a mistake too).

 

[spiceycat]

way back when DVC first started. I think that was the way it was surpose to be....

but then DVC got nice and decided to give your benefits to your family and friends....

it was not surpose to be to renters ( especially the free tickets!!!).

but for some reason their system could not determine.

DVC has no ideal which of these reservations are family, friends or renters....

see the problem?

if they only gave you the benefits when the DVC member was there - I would have a big problem. My brother and his family use the benefits too. He is on as my associate member. but we don't generally vacation together. (hey I like my privacy)

I have also allowed my cousin and his family to go.

 

[Beca]

ITA about the renters. But, we take good friends with us once a year so our dd's can see each other. I would be very upset if they could not, as my guests, get my benefits. (We usually stay in two different studios using my points).



Beca

 

[Chuck S]

ITA about the renters. But, we take good friends with us once a year so our dd's can see each other. I would be very upset if they could not, as my guests, get my benefits. (We usually stay in two different studios using my points).



Beca

Exactly...and our POS does state that non-compensated guests of members are eligible, but "renter" are not. I have o objection to them enforcing that, but in reality, the problem would be our fellow owners. I doubt everyone would be honest when making the ressie as to whether they received compensation or not.

I guess it could be surmised that if the owners and guests are staying at the same DVC resort, at the same time (even in seperate rooms) they are non-compensated guests, but if they vacation seperately, then they are "renters".

However, in reality, granting these renters "discounts" (dining, etc) based upon their room card cost DVC and members nothing. For special perks, like valet parking, they could and IMO should require an actual membership card.

 

[DonnaL]

I agree that renters should not have any member benefits other than accomodations. However, I can also see where a problem could occur when the member is actually present, but, may have two studios reserved or a 2 bdrm and a studio (both of which will occur in the next several months within our family) and is only staying in one of the accomodations.....the other is for friends or family traveling with the member. I would think it shouldn't be a huge issue since the member IS present and able to provide ID of such. For instance, we have a 2 bdrm and a studio reserved for mid January. My DH and I with our DD and DGS are staying in the 2 bedroom (DD and DGS do not reside with us, but, are staying with us on vacation so DH and I can easily get DGS to bed a few evenings while DD goes with her brothers) Our two sons (one 25 and one 17)who do reside with us are staying in the separate studio.
Since they reside with us they are eligible for the DVC AP discount and various other perks, our daughter is not, but, if the situation were reversed and she and DGS were in the studio would she and DGS be eligible for valet parking, etc. since they would be traveling with us?

 

[spiceycat]

I have a problem.

My brother and I do not on whole vacation together. Schedule conflicts, plus I like my privacy....

 

[mydogdrew]

I have a problem.

My brother and I do not on whole vacation together. Schedule conflicts, plus I like my privacy....

For you that's a problem. Most of us think the owner should be present to get member perks (for themselves and any guests with linked reservations).

 

[castleri]

In my case my DH and I have one contract at OKW I have one at SSR and there is one in my daughter's name at BCV We use points as is best for us and it is not always the contract with our name on it that is used for the ressie. We are all members however so the only way I can see to enforce the member only on the room key card is requiring that you show your blue card at check in and then they can process your room key accordingly with member on it. Our Sept trip is two ressies - all family members one way or another. Obviously I can not be on both of them and the makeup of the second room does not include one of the members unless I lie about it. The members are in the 2BR and the rest in a studio. It would also mess up the DDP to put my DH in the second ressie as it is only 5 days and he will be there 10. I will be there when the second group checks in so maybe that would be another way around it if it was ever decided to do this. I am not so sure there is much difference if I use my points for a week or someone else uses them for a week as far as the possible perks they might get. They can't get the one that counts the most which is currently the AP discount.

 

[Dean]

Exactly...and our POS does state that non-compensated guests of members are eligible, but "renter" are not. I have o objection to them enforcing that, but in reality, the problem would be our fellow owners. I doubt everyone would be honest when making the ressie as to whether they received compensation or not.

I guess it could be surmised that if the owners and guests are staying at the same DVC resort, at the same time (even in seperate rooms) they are non-compensated guests, but if they vacation seperately, then they are "renters".

However, in reality, granting these renters "discounts" (dining, etc) based upon their room card cost DVC and members nothing. For special perks, like valet parking, they could and IMO should require an actual membership card.

Anyone who pays anything would technically be a renter. That's true of one's brother or a stranger. There would have to be no compensation of any kind no matter what you call it or how you structure it to qualify as a guest. That means they couldn't even take you out to dinner and cover the bill as a gesture without crossing over. Otherwise it's simply a question of your renter vs my renter or your guest vs my guest.

 

[Anjelica]

but I didn't realize DVC members get free valet parking while staying onsite? I don't recall that in the "perks" area of the contract, etc. Is this correct though? Is this case for just the DVC resorts or any resort I stay at? And do I have to have used points to get this perk or can I use as a DVC member even if I paid cash?

 

[MELSMICE]

Wouldn't the way around all of this be to present your member card & not your room key for the member perks?

DH & I always carry our membership card & present this for valet parking & dining discounts. We never use our room key for anything but getting towels at the pool.

None of the keys need to say DVC member if members had their membership cards with them.

Also, when a ressie is made for a non-member by a member, why couldn't it be noted in the reservation whether the person occupying the room would be allowed benefits or not?

 

[MIDisFan]

We rented points last summer for our stay at BCV and the nice member that I rented from told me that I would be able to take advantage of some of the member benefits because the key card would say "Member". I told hear the fact that I was paying 1/3 of the rack rate for the rooms was benefit enough for me. I hope other renters don't feel that they are entitled to member discounts. They should be thankful, as I was, to be able to get the room at such a big discount.

 

[Dean]

but I didn't realize DVC members get free valet parking while staying onsite? I don't recall that in the "perks" area of the contract, etc. Is this correct though? Is this case for just the DVC resorts or any resort I stay at? And do I have to have used points to get this perk or can I use as a DVC member even if I paid cash?

Members get free valet parking at DVC resorts whether staying on property or not. They do not get free valet at the non DVC resorts. It's an add on like many of the others and not contractual so they could take it away tomorrow and be within their right. That's different than the discussion about transfers which has a contractual basis.

 

[Chuck S]

And not all DVC resort offer valet parking, the condo style resorts (OKW & SSR) do not offer this service.

 

[Caskbill]

We rented points last summer for our stay at BCV and the nice member that I rented from told me that I would be able to take advantage of some of the member benefits because the key card would say "Member". I told hear the fact that I was paying 1/3 of the rack rate for the rooms was benefit enough for me. I hope other renters don't feel that they are entitled to member discounts. They should be thankful, as I was, to be able to get the room at such a big discount.

Non-Members are NOT entitled to member benefits, regardless of what the key may say.

Even family members are not entitled to member benefits if the actual member is not there with them.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

What if keycards had DVC member on them only if YOU as an owner were staying in the unit?

Cyn

I would have no problem whatsoever!

DH & I are the Members. We basically have paid for the perks we receive through our buy in & annual dues. We should be the only ones that receive them, IMO. Even if we had family travel with us I would only expect DVC Member perks to apply to our household (just like the AP discount).

 

[Fitswimmer]

Proud to be a DVC snob.

Me too! I'm single, and purchasing a DVC membership on one income was a huge thing for me. I want to have things available to me that are not available to people who are just renting rooms. I expect different treatment than what I got when I stayed at Coronado Springs and Pop Century.

 

[jncvh]

Why not have an authorized list availble under the members names that can be issued a member card (friends and family if approved by the member). Any one else would be issued a regular keycard.

 

[BeccaG]

Why not have an authorized list availble under the members names that can be issued a member card (friends and family if approved by the member). Any one else would be issued a regular keycard.

As a new DVC member I am probably in no position to comment, but although I like your idea I guess I could see folks charging "extra" rent to put their renters on an approved list.