How is "trading" such a bad deal?

[loveswdw]

Just wondering since I'm a "newbie"... I've seen many posts about how trading your points for vacations elsewhere isn't a very good use of points. One reason we joined DVC is the flexibility and the options that we have to not go to Disney every year.

I've been looking through my guidebook and the passport guide we received with our packet. I must be missing something because I can stay a week at resorts all over the world for 160 points during slow season, more points during higher seasons. How is this a bad deal? Am I missing something important in the fine print?

I would think that 160 points for a 1 bedroom in Hawaii for a week (plus the $75 exchange fee) would be a fantastic deal? Am I wrong? Granted, I can get a studio for a week at BCV for 104 points for our normal vacation schedule. But it still seems like a good trade.

I also noticed that the guidebook stated that around 70% of the requests to exchange were filled. Has anybody had real problems getting an exchange?

Thoughts?

Thanks!
loveswdw

 

[spiceycat]

some of the resort that you can trade to are not like Disney - their owners paid $5,000 or less for them, and their maintenace fees are under $300. So unless you pick carefully you could trade your Disney for one of them.

Dean has a list of ones to trade too.

Besides in some cases you could sale your points for $10 on the DVC rental/trade board and then use the money and rent the place where you want to go for less.

but I know that is alot of trouble - I think I would use my points for a great trade to if my other timeshares couldn't get it.

 

[Dean]

What you want to do with your points is your prerogative. When I evaluate this issue, I look at what I could get the same thing (or about the same) for cash. I also look at whether I could use another timeshare for exchange. If it's less than about $8-9 pp, I wouldn't do it unless I was likely to lose the points. Take HI for example, there are many 1 BR resorts and some 2 BR units as well for far less than my criteria, as low as $700 for some nice 1 BR units. I can also trade for many of them using my regular II account for a timeshare that cost me a fraction of what DVC did. I do have to maintain an II account but that's OK with me anyway. Now there are a group of resorts that are on par, even some better, than DVC. If they are equal AND I can't easily get them with a much cheaper timeshare, I then would consider using my DVC for exchange. If you consider the Four Seasons, top Marriott's, Royals and the like, you have a list of around maybe 40 resorts which is nice since II has a list they call the elite 40 though I don't think they've ever officially released it.

DCL returns between about $6.50 and $8 pp most of the time for most cabin choices. Most of the other options like DC and CC return around $5-6 pp. II can definitely be the best non DVC use of points as long as the correct choices are made and one does their homework.

 

[loveswdw]

Dean--Thanks for your input. I was hoping you would reply. I have seen your other posts on this board and you really know a great deal about timeshares! WOW! I know I can always count on you to answer the II questions!!

spiceycat-- You are right with renting my points for cash. I always tend to forget that option. Rent 150 pts. for maybe $10 pp=$1,500 that I could use however I choose. Plus, possibly get a great deal anyway on the same resort.

loveswdw