How many points would you buy?

[kwdw]

Okay - so - looking to buy resale at AKV very soon.

So - every few years - I'm expecting to take a larger trip - and want a 2 bdrm SV at AKV in October. Right now - that's just under 300 points. If I went in May instead, it would be a little over 300. But I'm gonna need that every 2-4 years.

Once a year those years without the family gathering - I might want to go for a studio or 1 bdrm for a few days to a week - and don't need to stay SV. Might even book last minute and end up at SSR in a studio. Or might make two small trips of 3-4 days. Or go to HHI in the winter in a studio for a few days. Basically - smaller trips with flexible dates and probably just 2-3 people.

With banking and borrowing..... I'm trying to decide what size contract to look for. I'm not expecting to need 300 points every year. I'm thinking about a 200 point contract...... Opinions????

 

[OKW Lover]

Sounds like you've got a good handle on it. I'd agree under those circumstances that a 200 - 225 point contract would be a good choice.

The big problem with DVC seems to be that once you have it you then buy the discounted AP you wind up booking even more trips. This then leads to the need to buy more points...

 

[Sandisw]

I agree, that should be a good starting point for what you want to do.

Good luck!

 

[princesscinderella]

I would go with 250 points so you have a cushion of points as small add ons are hard to come by. That way every year you could have 150 points for your use to get one bedrooms or studios and then bank the other 100 so that you would have 350 to use for the two bedrooms in the different point seasons.

 

[disneynutz]

I'm partial to several small contracts. If your travel plans change later, you can sell off a 50 pointer.

Bill

 

[DougEMG]

I'd take a look at what you need over 3 years, divide that by 3 and purchase that amount plus a small cushion to allow for any point changes.

As an example, if you wanted 300 points for the larger trip once every 3 years, then 120 points each of the other 2 years for yourself on smaller trips, that comes to a total of 540 points over 3 years. 540/3 = 180 points. Adding in a small cushion brings it right up to around 200 points.

So you really just need to pin down what you want to use.

The other thing to look at is how much are you comfortable with paying in annual MF. Using lots of points is pretty easy, paying for them isn't quiet so much fun.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[ELMC]

I'd take a look at what you need over 3 years, divide that by 3 and purchase that amount plus a small cushion to allow for any point changes.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Thanks for saving me the time from having to type it, Doug!

 

[BestDadEver]

I would like to do the same thing . I currently have 100 points at ssr . I would like to add anothet 100 points at another resort ,that way we get 11 month booking windows at 2 resorts.

I think that would give you the ability to book with bank/borrowed points to get 300 then use the other set of points to do a 100 point trip . Then you can rotate the accounts that you bank/borrow with that way there would be no years, of no points for vacations .

Idealy only using 2 years points for a big trips, and occasional 3 years worth then on the other acoount never excced that years amount of points, .

I may not have articulated that the way I know it in my mine but I think it's a great idea .

 

[kwdw]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I like the three year average approach...

Think I'm gonna look for something between 180-225 - that will have the right amount of points for the first time I expect to use them. I've got a time frame in mind for the first family trip - so between needing available points for that - don't think I can be pickier on the contract size.

 

[y2khardtop]

I've been happy with 220. A yearly trip in a 1-bedroom always works, or save up for a big trip etc.

 

[matthew517]

If your doing 1 bedrooms then 200 is fine.