How do you share your points with friends/family?

[bobbiwoz]

The operation had to happen and you sent the check in spite of the fact that you had mentioned that they could lose money. I do not understand why, if she is such a good friend, you have to remind her of your loss.

 

[FreeTime]

We have charged $10 per point when a friend rented from us and we were not going.

We have charged $100 per night a studio when my scout troop wanted and dads decided they wanted to go.

When we have invited family with us, we don't charge them anything. Sometimes they take us out to dinner, buy the groceries for the room, watch the kids so DH and I can go out for the night.

One time part of our family cancelled, we used the extra space and then didn't invite them the next time.

 

[JaneSparrow]

We've only been members since 2010 so we don't have a lot of experience. However, all the times we used our points, we have friends with us.

We didn't charge anything.

We have another trip this year in December and taking another friend (family of 4) in 2BR. If they cancel, the plan is to ask other friends or families. If none can join us then we may try to book a 1BR. Otherwise, we keep the extra room and enjoy the space too!

 

[patsal]

Points = money and I have yet to find that my family and friends realize that it costs me money to "share " with them. As a result I do not ask anyone to join me unless I plan on paying for it all. Not worth the hassle of those who do not get that they cost me money and not worth losing a friendship or family relationship over. My vacations are my buisness and if people want to go to Disney on the cheap they can stay at the all stars or become a DVC member.

 

[k3chantal]

I booked a Villa for 3 families. Two family of 4's and our family of 3. I told them all they had to pay was $350- towards our DVC yearly fee and the airfare, passes and dining plan was on them. I told them it was important that they took this seriously and if they back out it could cost them money. One family of 4 who are good friends had to back out b/c her husband had to have surgery. He has waited years for this surgery and the time had come and he had to have it done now. They backed out. I tried to find a third family to join us but it was too late of notice. I therefore had to try and get a 2 bedroom and luckily I got one! Now she is asking for her $350 back and needs it now. I want to explain to her how I now have to use 88 points by the end of July b/c they cancelled, but I do not want to lose a friend. I sent her the check. Does anyone know of a way I can remind her of my loss. Also, any suggestions as to what we should do with the 88 points? I cannot take my daughter out of school again as we just returned from a 5 day stay at SS. Airfare is high so we may have to drive wherever we decide to go. OR should I sell the points and how. Thanks for listening. Also, how do you handle sharing your points with friends/family? Do you charge them? How would you have handled this situation before and after the cancellation?
Thank you for listening!

When we 'share' our points, we always "share" a villa. But we also don't ask for any money for the vacation. We usually get a two bedroom and we get the master, they get the other bedroom and the kids are spread out throughout the space. Of course this means we have to keep the numbers of people down. But it has worked well twice now with two different families.

I would try to rent your 88 points. You did the right thing by giving her money back. People who don't own DVC do not understand the implications of the situation and can't be expected to understand it. Or perhaps you can extend the stay of the other family with the points.

Good luck. I haven't been in the situation (yet) where I may lose points and I wish you the best of luck finding a situation that works in your favor.

 

[jodifla]

We either invite without expecting them to pay for lodging or we don't invite.

I would never invite someone to my home and expect payment.

If they offer, we let them cover some meals, but that is about it.

yes, this is what we do as well. Anything else, and you are bound to be disappointed.

We typically rent a two bedroom, and various friends come and spend a night or two in the second bedroom. At one point, we even had a third set of folks on the couch!

They buy groceries, or drinks, or dinners, or some combination.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Some people here are very generous! I'm only generous with our parents, they come with us at no cost and we love being able to do that. Friends however, they would be going without us as we have travelled with all our friends and won't be doing it again...and I would definitely charge them a little...just enough to cover my MF's per point. They are still getting an amazing deal and I don't have to take a loss.

 

[k3chantal]

Some people here are very generous! I'm only generous with our parents, they come with us at no cost and we love being able to do that. Friends however, they would be going without us as we have travelled with all our friends and won't be doing it again...and I would definitely charge them a little...just enough to cover my MF's per point. They are still getting an amazing deal and I don't have to take a loss.

But we don't see it as a loss; we see it as a gain because we get to hang out with our friends while we enjoy our favorite vacation spot. Plus, for us, we are the ones asking and the costs of airfare, tickets and food are exuberant. To then suggest that they offset our costs doesn't seem right (to us) since they wouldn't have spent the thousands if it hadn't been for us. Usually, our friends pay for a few of our meals and drinks (alcohol) so this is enough thank you for us.

 

[ToddyLu]

We only invite my parents, MIL and BIL (her son). We get them their own studio. I have never and will never ask for a dime and provide the villa only, they get their own tickets and other things. All of these folks help us out with different things throughout the year and I love sharing with them.

I would love to get a two br for my Bro, SIL and their 5 children sometime...but her Dad owns a condo elsewhere in Orlando...and they are very much last minute people. So I will send them to David's sight to rent. I also do not have enough points to sponsor a 2 bedroom and get a villa for DH and I. So knowing this we do not invite them to stay DVC. It saves everyone's feelings if they should back out...doesn't make me love them any less...it is just dealing with the facts.

I have also rented a few points from a good friend to get a full week one time. She didn't think a contract was necessary but I insisted, so we did it.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

But we don't see it as a loss; we see it as a gain because we get to hang out with our friends while we enjoy our favorite vacation spot. Plus, for us, we are the ones asking and the costs of airfare, tickets and food are exuberant. To then suggest that they offset our costs doesn't seem right (to us) since they wouldn't have spent the thousands if it hadn't been for us. Usually, our friends pay for a few of our meals and drinks (alcohol) so this is enough thank you for us.

My friends would be travelling without us, we wouldn't invite them to go with us because none of us have the same vacation personality AT ALL, so for them to go alone and use our points and us paying for that isn't something we are willing to do. We don't charge our parents because we are going with them and they are staying with us.

 

[keri125]

The operation had to happen and you sent the check in spite of the fact that you had mentioned that they could lose money. I do not understand why, if she is such a good friend, you have to remind her of your loss.

This was my thought too. What are you hoping to gain by reminding her that you are out 88 points? You obviously value her friendship - do want her to validate your feelings? Apologize? Give you back the check? I could understand needing validation if she backed out because they just decided they didn't want to go but they had to cancel because of a SURGERY. Which they had been waiting for. I'm thinking she probably has a lot more on her mind than the 88 points. Also, even if she hasn't expressed it because she has a lot on her mind, don't you think she and her family are terribly disappointed that they don't get to go on the vacation? Isn't reminding her of your lost points kind of like rubbing salt in a wound? I know I sound judgmental and I guess I am, but it sounds to me like you are not being a good friend. Figure out how to rent the points, recoup your loss, and figure out how to move on. Then figure out how YOU can be a good supportive friend during your friend's time of need.

 

[fflmaster]

This year we rented out a villa for my sister's family, mother and father. The first trip for my little nieces of 4 and 6. We can't wait to see them in disney.

Last year we invited my wife's aunt and her family.

Neither time did we ask for anyting, but said park tickets, food and flights would have to be paid by themselves.

My philosophy has been if I invite family or friends to stay with us then I will take responsibility to cover the expense of the room.

Maybe me sister and brother in law will take us out to eat one night. That would be nice, but not necessary.

 

[chrisegirl]

Wow! You are all quite generous. We have also invited family on more than one occasion and they declined a few times. I have just decided not to ask again. They thought WDW was expensive. I told them the value of where we would be staying, but they thought the airfare was the main reason not to go since it was so expensive. I have also asked friends and it was the same. I am not going to beg people to come with us. We bought it for friends and family but so far no takers. I asked 4 friends, my husbands brothers family and my mother in law. All declined. I heard responses from it's too cold in Feb., airfare is too high, WDW is too expensive, I hate Disney, to I can't get off of work. I feel good that I extended the invitation, but will not do it again. The family who did go with us - well, the parents dislike WDW and complained the entire time about the time share, the crowds....I am very easy going but it was too stressful for me. I was trying to please everyone. I thought when we purchased it more friends would join us...for vacation or buying one. I thought wrong. I envy the people who do have a bunch of people who all go together and have a blast! I do enjoy going with my family and that is what we will do from now on.

 

[chrisegirl]

I have a couple of questions:

~ how did my board get moved? I apologize if I posted incorrectly...it was my first time on these boards.

~can someone direct me on how to rent my points myself.

THank you!! you are all very thoughtful responding!

 

[chrisegirl]

I guess I left out a main part. When the $350- ck was sent to me, I paid for part of my yearly plan. My friend is basically over exaggerating she will be sleeping in a homeless shelter if I do not refund her her money. I am not "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". I was feeling that all that mattered was her money and not the fact my loss of money. They have a time share and know the implications. I was taken back by her urgency with the money when they are in a better financial situation than us. I am not saying I am right or wrong. We all had to be on the dining plan so having the friends that came pay for a dinner was not in the cards. We did purchase groceries and I personally would have paid for all of them if invited to stay for $350-. That was not the case....they did not offer. I have to realize everyone is not like me I guess. Thank you all for helping me see things in a different way.

 

[chrisegirl]

This was my thought too. What are you hoping to gain by reminding her that you are out 88 points? You obviously value her friendship - do want her to validate your feelings? Apologize? Give you back the check? I could understand needing validation if she backed out because they just decided they didn't want to go but they had to cancel because of a SURGERY. Which they had been waiting for. I'm thinking she probably has a lot more on her mind than the 88 points. Also, even if she hasn't expressed it because she has a lot on her mind, don't you think she and her family are terribly disappointed that they don't get to go on the vacation? Isn't reminding her of your lost points kind of like rubbing salt in a wound? I know I sound judgmental and I guess I am, but it sounds to me like you are not being a good friend. Figure out how to rent the points, recoup your loss, and figure out how to move on. Then figure out how YOU can be a good supportive friend during your friend's time of need.

please see above. thank u!

 

[DizBub]

I guess I left out a main part. When the $350- ck was sent to me, I paid for part of my yearly plan. My friend is basically over exaggerating she will be sleeping in a homeless shelter if I do not refund her her money. I am not "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". I was feeling that all that mattered was her money and not the fact my loss of money. They have a time share and know the implications. I was taken back by her urgency with the money when they are in a better financial situation than us. I am not saying I am right or wrong. We all had to be on the dining plan so having the friends that came pay for a dinner was not in the cards. We did purchase groceries and I personally would have paid for all of them if invited to stay for $350-. That was not the case....they did not offer. I have to realize everyone is not like me I guess. Thank you all for helping me see things in a different way.

Wow, I don't think you were being a bad friend here. In fact I thought you were being a good friend by reimbursing their money. You are taking on a loss of 88 points unless you can travel again or can rent them before they expire. Most people can't afford to lose so many points with a smile on their faces.

Hopefully, things will work out for you, your friends come through their medical issues with a good outcome and your friendship survives. I just wouldn't invite them again.

 

[DannysMom]

I have a couple of questions:

~ how did my board get moved? I apologize if I posted incorrectly...it was my first time on these boards.

~can someone direct me on how to rent my points myself.

THank you!! you are all very thoughtful responding!

While logged in check out the DVC forums, you should be able to see the rent/trade board. http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29. Be sure to read the stickies at the top of the board.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos or autocorrects!

 

[TSMMANIAC]

When we take family and friends I book appropriate accommodations, I explain the cancelation policy and hope for the best. Up front we have decided that whatever happens is acceptable. No one has ever canceled in the half dozen trips we have shared with others. If someone backing out of a trip would fracture a relationsip I wouldn't risk it.

 

[dansamy]

We've provided rooms for my sister & her family & my dh's brother & sister & family. No charge. Room is a "gift" from us. Food, transportation, tickets, etc are their expenses.