How many ways ... to book DVC?

[bwvBound]

For fun, let's compile a list of all the many ways one could legitimately book a DVC unit?

Starters:

• Book reservation as a DVC Owner using your own banked, current or borrowed DVC Points.
• Book reservation as a DVC Owner using points transferred into your account from another owner.
• Book reservation as a DVC Owner using one-time-use points from DVC Member Services.
• Exchange a reservation with a DVC Owner. (Direct trade, "My week for your week." A private transaction between two parties.)
• Rent reservation from Disney via CRO. (Includes package plans such as "Land & Sea," etc.)
• Rent reservation from a DVC Owner.
• Rent reservation from DVC's Member Services. (Is it possible to book DVC units on cash rates through MS?)
• Rent reservation from a DVC-middleman, such as David.
• Exchange in via RCI Weeks or RCI Points. Possibly exchange in via smaller/independent exchange company such as SFX.
• Rent reservation from RCI.
• Exchange in via Buena Vista Trading Company (applies to Club Intrawest owners, Manhattan Club owners (?), etc.)
• Be 'upgraded' by CRO from a moderate or deluxe hotel reservation? (I've heard of this happening during past "Free Dining" promotions?)

Other ways? Thanks for playing along ...

EDITED to add suggestions from the thread:

• 'wdrl', post #2: DVC Owners with Fixed Weeks, currently offered at Aulani and Grand Floridian, have their week and accommodation guaranteed each and every year.

 

[wdrl]

Don't forget the Fixed Week owners at Aulani and Villas at Grand Floridian who have their week and accommodation guaranteed each and every year. Fixed week owners don't even have to call Member Services to confirm their reservations; they just show up and move into the villa.

 

[browniemtb]

Don't forget the Fixed Week owners at Aulani and Villas at Grand Floridian who have their week and accommodation guaranteed each and every year. Fixed week owners don't even have to call Member Services to confirm their reservations; they just show up and move into the villa.

So fixed week owners just show up? What if they don't, wouldn't it make sense for DVC to know if those rooms will be occupied just in case and if not put them back into inventory?

 

[bwvBound]

Don't forget the Fixed Week owners at Aulani and Villas at Grand Floridian who have their week and accommodation guaranteed each and every year. Fixed week owners don't even have to call Member Services to confirm their reservations; they just show up and move into the villa.

Ah, yes, indeed! Thank you!

 

[chalee94]

So fixed week owners just show up? What (if) they don't, wouldn't it make sense for DVC to know if those rooms will be occupied just in case and if not put them back into inventory?

http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/grand-floridian/news/2295-grand-floridian-guaranteed-week-details

Guaranteed Week owners can opt-out of their week each year if they so desire. The opt-out must occur more than 31 days prior to the scheduled arrival. The Guaranteed Week reservation will be cancelled and the owner will receive the number of Vacation Points listed on their deed (see chart.) These Vacation Points are subject to all of the traditional program guidelines and timeframes for securing reservations, banking points, borrowing points, etc.

Once cancelled, the Guaranteed Week cannot be reinstated for the given calendar year. The villa will be released into the points inventory, and made available to all Disney Vacation Club point owners.

 

[com_op_2000]

When buying direct, get a reservation through your agent as part of the contract. At least I did. Never spoke with MS for that first reservation.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

thanks for the info

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Have someone give you a reservation (as a wedding present or graduation gift, for example)

Be invited to join a member in their villa for a trip

Win a Disney contest

Book a cash stay using a travel agent

Book a cash stay using a third-party web site like hotels.com or travelocity

Be upgraded by the front desk into a DVC room at a resort with both a hotel and DVC component