How competitive are DVC rental points in May?

[Skbak]

Just submitted requests at Beach club villas 11 months out.

I actually put deposits down at both Dave’s and dvc rental store and was told by both there is availability, but no dvc members that are in their pool that can rent those points for me to buy (or whatever the terminology actually is)

I called to clarify, and hung up more confused. I was told I’m #30 in the queue at BCV, which to me says, “no Way Jose”.

I figured first week in May would be as much a sure thing as possible if I booked this far in advance. Is it that hard to rent dvc points, or is this typical of the process?

 

[starry_solo]

So, in order for David's and the rental store to be able to fulfill your reservation, they would need BCV owners to rent their points/deposit their points with these entities in order to rent out.

Most won't do that as they can make more money renting it out themselves for a premium.

 

[Skbak]

I would pay a premium if that was an option lol. I just don’t understand why Dave recommends booking this resort 11 months out if they don’t have BCV owners that work with them

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want a one bedroom villa, you should be okay at seven months out. But not sure on a studio or two bedroom.

BCV owners might be using their points.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I was told I’m #30 in the queue at BCV, which to me says, “no Way Jose”.

That isn't what that means at all. Also, the queue is a lie.

When they have rental requests, they put them out to BCV owners looking to rent points. Those owners cherry-pick based on dates, points needed, moon phase.

I just don’t understand why Dave recommends booking this resort 11 months out if they don’t have BCV owners that work with them

They have lots of BCV owners who work with them. But owners aren't just sitting there waiting to leap on the request. Points tend to come in for rental, and get used for a rental booking within hours/days. BCV is one of the most popular resorts. You won't get it at 7 months for a studio, and if you aren't in the queue between 11-9 months, you likely won't match an owner.

 

[Lynne M]

The rental companies can't really predict how many owners will want to rent out their points from a certain resort. Most DVC owners use their points themselves, and only rent when and if they can't use their points. Many owners have never rented and never will. Many would rather rent privately so they don't have to share the payment with a broker.

They recommend booking 11 months out because that's just about the only way you'll have a shot at getting a small, popular resort like BCV. If they do happen to get BCV owners to work with, you'll want to be on the list so they can book as early as possible.

 

[Skbak]

That helps. So, basically I should book a hotel room there just in case and cancel if i get lucky and find a match?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes. You can book a room now to be positive of having somewhere to stay and pay one night's deposit. You can cancel that reservation up to five days before arrival and get a full refund. Plenty of time to know if you got the DVC rental.

Actually, you might as well wait a week. 2020 rates are supposed to be released 6/18.

 

[Best Aunt]

I would pay a premium if that was an option lol. I just don’t understand why Dave recommends booking this resort 11 months out if they don’t have BCV owners that work with them

They recommend booking at 11 months out because that is the earliest that the resort can be booked.

If, for example, you wanted a 1-bedroom at Saratoga Springs Resort, you might be able to book that at 7 months out. DVC owners who have any hotel as their home resort can book at 7 months out so there is a bigger pool of potential owners who could make the reservation for a renter. It's a bigger resort, it's not the most popular resort, and 1-bedrooms cost more points than a studio so the rooms are less popular and thus might be available.

If you want a studio at BCV, in contrast, you might not be able to book that at 7 months out. Smaller resort, more popular resort, and owners often book studios for themselves to save points.

To book at 11 months out, you need someone who (a) is a DVC owner who has BCV as their home resort, (b) has points they don't need, (c) chooses to rent those points through one of the companies you mentioned, as opposed to letting a friend or family member use them or renting out without using one of those companies, (d) has enough points available for the type of room, length of stay and time of year you want, (e) is paying attention to the rental process right now as opposed to having other things going on in their lives...

 

[Hopefully]

DVC Point Rental demand far exceeds supply. BCV is a small resort. I own at BCV. I have never rented my points and I don’t foresee ever doing so. I would gift them to family etc first. I am not alone

 

[nkereina]

You can also try your luck on the DVC Rent/Trade forum here (and other comparable forums). I've had my best luck renting directly with owners, as opposed to using a broker. Many reputable owners will offer references or even have a written contract for you to both sign for some protection. You just have to do your due diligence.

 

[cvjw]

I rent out my beach club points thru an agency. They are gone within hours of telling them they are available to rent. Pretty sure it is the same with other beach club owners. There are more people wanting beach club points than owners looking to rent out the points.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Many reputable owners will offer references or even have a written contract for you to both sign for some protection.

A contract is required. It is part of the owner agreement with DVC. No contract = not reputable owner.

 

[Skbak]

Interesting.

I’ve yet to come across a story of somebody not landing a DVC rental outside of waiting until everything is booked and the fall season which sounds to be more competitive than others. And disappointed people tend to be the loudest around Internet forums

I’ll try to remember to follow up either way with my result.

 

[nkereina]

A contract is required. It is part of the owner agreement with DVC. No contract = not reputable owner.

Even better!

On the same topic, a few of the owners I've rented directly from have required half payment now and half closer to our travel dates. I believe the brokers typically require full payment at booking. So the flexible terms and a lower per point cost are the benefits, if you're willing to put in the legwork.

 

[sbd78]

Don't mean to hijack, but I've been interested in possibly trying a points rental someday. We are family of 5 though, so studios at the larger DVC resorts are automatically out (AK, SSR, OKW) and 1-bedrooms cost too much even when renting points. Is it typically very difficult securing a reservation for a studio at the resorts that have an occupancy of 5 in their studios if you aren't picky about which resort?

 

[nkereina]

Is it typically very difficult securing a reservation for a studio at the resorts that have an occupancy of 5 in their studios if you aren't picky about which resort?

I don't have specific insight on the studio, but for your best chances, you'll want to try to book 11 months out, be open to all resorts and room views, have flexible dates, and avoid the Fall/early December which are DVC's busiest times.

 

[crvetter]

Don't mean to hijack, but I've been interested in possibly trying a points rental someday. We are family of 5 though, so studios at the larger DVC resorts are automatically out (AK, SSR, OKW) and 1-bedrooms cost too much even when renting points. Is it typically very difficult securing a reservation for a studio at the resorts that have an occupancy of 5 in their studios if you aren't picky about which resort?

We can’t link it but DVC Rental Store has an “open listing” of renters that the owners can choose from (essentially the waitlist). Should give an indication of what resorts are less likely to have a long waitlist. I’d say BRV is most likely as for a studio that sleeps 5 no one is on the wait list.

 

[westie55]

I have rented from David's twice: once a studio at VGF in November and once a studio at the Grand Californian in Disneyland in April. Both times I made my requests at 11 months. Both times I had secured reservations in 24 hours. These resorts were my first choice, although I did have to pay more for the lake view at VGF because standard view was not available. It IS possible to rent points successfully but as others have mentioned there are a lot of limiting factors. I think the opening of Star Wars Land is another factor coming into play. Many DVC owners who might otherwise have been fine to skip a year might choose to go this year to see SWL.

 

[Sandiz08]

I’ve tried to rent from brokers in the past, but I’m just not patient enough to wait it out. I found better luck looking for people to rent from.