How much do you 'charge' family & friends?

[OneMoreTry]

I wouldn't let them pay. Tell them this is your "home" and you are having them over as guests. You wouldn't ask them to pay if they stayed with you at your other home.

They will probably offer to treat you to dinner at a restaurant or a nighttime cruise on one of the lakes -- or pay for a VIP escort at one of the parks one afternoon. (You get the best parade seats that way.)

It's a win-win situation.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Wow! This became quite a discussion, didn't it!? That's great!

I'm guessing that we will do one of the following if we are vacationing with them (friends or family):
(1) Convince them to not pay anything.
(2) Convince them that treating us to dinner or lunch would be fine.

If we are not vacationing with them, we will:
(1) Charge them maintenance fee for the points being used.

Unfortunately, we have only 200 points and plan on visiting 1 or 2 times per year. If we go alone, we'll stay in a studio to save points and lengthen our vacationing abilities. If we go with friends or family (and will only invite/accept from close friends and family), we either need 2 studios or 1BR/2BR combos. Both of which would require more points and take away our personal vacation length and or/amount of times vacationing.

If we had more points, I'd be much more giving to everyone. But being that we're on a tight budget, it's just not feasible yet.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Originally posted by Disney-Kim
Everyone who posted is more generous than we are I guess. We have only owned a couple of months and just took our first trip. We have already had family want to "join" us on trips. We only bought the minimal 150 pts.
Here's my reasons for thinking they should contribute something financially....
Using more points for bigger/more units means less points for us to use. We pretty much plan on using our points every year for either WDW or somewhere else. We travel.
so we are sacrificing those points for the family to be able to join us. I just feel like we would be paying for someone else to vacation.
but....I will say this....if I had 100's of points as many do on these boards I would share freely and I would never charge my parents ever.
I think it may be different for those of us with smaller points.
I was hoping this thread would help me to decide what to charge them as we are going to be making our own payments for a few years to come.

I know exactly where you're coming from. We only have the 150 min. points as well and definately plan on using them every year. Hoping for at least two trips a year. We ran into (I don't want to call it a problem because it's not, but) for lack of a better term a problem w/ not enough points this year for a 2 br for my sis and BiL and my DH and myself. Then, my mom said she would join us as well. Any way, at first we weren't going to charge but it was my sister who said, "Well you certainly don't get it for free. I'm paying something so help me come up with a price. I'm not asking you to pay for my vacation." What we figured was, we needed 16 extra points from next year's usage. I told her that the going rate to rent the points would be $10 /pt. She said so $160, no problem. Like I said, we weren't going to charge anything so I'm fine with what she has offered. This is just our situation. And for the record, I would NEVER charge my mom. Not after all the times she's taken us to WDW!! Have many happy memories whatever you decide. Basically, they are your points to do as you please and I see nothing wrong with charging the going rate for renting per point as well as perhaps figuring up the maint. fees on the points used.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

We have only been members since 2000, and our first dvc trip was in 2001. So far we have had only one trip where we have invited others - we invited my mother , fil, brother, and teenage cousin for a stay over NYE 2001. We used 1.5 years of points for a six-night stay in an OKW grand villa, and both my wife and I consider it points well spent. No money changes hands, and they helped with part of the groceries. They did have to pay for their transportation (we all drove), their own meals out, and their admission (L.O.S., first & last day dropped, %10 dvc discount).

All in all, they got a week in WDW , staying at a grand villa, for the shared cost of groceries, their own meals out, whatever gas was used to drive there/back, and about $200 in park admission. BTW - I just looked up the old reservation - 328 points. No matter how you estimate it , they got a deal !

 

[TonyS20]

My DH and I just purchased 200 points at SSR and he has already invited his brother, his brother's GF and their DD5 to come with us on our trip next October. We had decided to not charge them anything to use the points; however, I told them they could only stay Sunday-Thursday . We will all fly out on Sunday and check into a 2 bedroom. On Friday morning we will all check out and they will fly home. We will check into a 1 bedroom and stay until the following Saturday.

At first we were going to offer to help with airfare and tickets; however, we have decided against it. We are paying for the rental car, groceries and a character meal. If they offer something, we will accept; otherwise, I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I want to experience the joy of Disney through the eyes of my niece!

 

[jdkdorn]

We invited my parents and my DH cousins to join us next OCtober. My parents want housekeeping so they have to pay that and nothing else. We will pay airfaire and tickets. (they babysit daily for free, so I can work full time) The cousins wanted
to chip in so we told them they could cover half the groceries and watch dd & ds 1 or 2 nights so we could go out for a while. If they invited themselves then I would probably charge a small amount to cover the point difference, but we invited them. We just added on and now own 550 so we can afford the studio & 2 bdr we need.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

For our first trip home this past August we invited my parents, two brothers, and my two brothers-in-law (they are partners). We had a 2 bedroom and a studio at BCV. My brothers-in-law had the studio, which was 123 points I believe. They insisted on paying something, they would not go unless we accepted some money. So I charged them a rate of $300. I think I just pulled that number out of thin air. That was for a weeks accomodations.
In the future, I realize we are going to have to come up with a better and fair rate.
My parents payed for a couple of nice meals, my brothers were just along for the ride. They did say thank you though.

 

[mbb]

We're new members, and bought DVC with the intention of using it for our family..."The family that Disneys together, stays together" really speaks to us!! That includes brothers, sisters, and parents...this year for our first trip, we invited my brother, SIL and DN - this would be their first trip, and my parents. Unfortunately, SIL's mom and dad invited themselves along too. It's nice that they consider themselves part of the family too....

Anyway, SIL is now expecting - yay! a new baby! - and discussion is postponed....until next year!!!

We decided that if "we invite you, you're our guests" works for us. If you're traveling without us , 10/point or maintenance fees would be the route.

 

[arminnie]

I responded earlier that I will not charge my guests but wanted to add a note.

Until recently I lived in the San Franciso Bay area for about 15 years. I had a nice condo right on the water - probably about the size of a 2BR DVC unit.

Being in the Bay area, I had a lot of people who wanted to come visit. That was great. Of course I would NEVER accept anything from someone coming to stay in my home.

On only one occastion was I disappointed in a guest's behaviour. A long time friend came to visit for a long weekend. I was at work when she had to leave so did not get to tell her goodbye that day. She did not even leave a note of thanks scribbled on a piece of paper after I had really knocked myself out being a tour guide for 4 days. It wasn't the fact that I was never even treated to a coke it was that I never got a thank you either verbally, note, phone call, email, etc. I thought that was rude. After that I was always "busy" or out of town when she wanted to come stay. I traveled a lot in my job and let lots of people stay there when I was gone but not her.

So what do I "charge" for sharing my home (vacation or otherwise) - a simple thank you is sufficient but it is required.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by arminnie
I responded earlier that I will not charge my guests but wanted to add a note.

Until recently I lived in the San Franciso Bay area for about 15 years. I had a nice condo right on the water - probably about the size of a 2BR DVC unit.

Being in the Bay area, I had a lot of people who wanted to come visit. That was great. Of course I would NEVER accept anything from someone coming to stay in my home.

On only one occastion was I disappointed in a guest's behaviour. A long time friend came to visit for a long weekend. I was at work when she had to leave so did not get to tell her goodbye that day. She did not even leave a note of thanks scribbled on a piece of paper after I had really knocked myself out being a tour guide for 4 days. It wasn't the fact that I was never even treated to a coke it was that I never got a thank you either verbally, note, phone call, email, etc. I thought that was rude. After that I was always "busy" or out of town when she wanted to come stay. I traveled a lot in my job and let lots of people stay there when I was gone but not her.

So what do I "charge" for sharing my home (vacation or otherwise) - a simple thank you is sufficient but it is required.

Very well put...THANK YOU!

 

[boysx3]

If you invited these freinds and family then I don't think you should charge them anything. If they offer to pay for some meals or maybe transportion to DVC from the airport then great. Maybe they'll foot the bill for the groceries.
I am going to OKW in March with DH's family. I reserved 3 studios and a 2 bedroom for 5 nights. I am not asking for any money- but if they'd like to treat us to a couple of dinners, that would be great. I am just looking forward to sharing disney with his family. My in laws will be traveling with all their grandchildren. A what better place to vacation then Disney is there???

 

[carone0318]

The first time that we were invited to go with our best friends, we paid for all of the groceries and took them out to dinner one night. We ended up buying on that trip. We've taken my family one trip and all that we asked is that they pay for our park tickets (that was for 2 people, but it was my brother and family, my mother, my Aunt and my grandmother) so I didn't feel like it was that out of control. Two trips ago, we invited our friends to come with us, and we didn't expect them to pay anything. They did buy us dinner one night, but I really wasn't expecting it.

I think the best thing is going with our best friends, because we love to go on vacation with them and they own DVC too, so we just make ressies and it's done

 

[golfnut1264]

I have no problem charging family and friends...i put out $28,000 for my points...i am not rich just in debt and i sell to people a vacation..i get about $1100 for a week..7 days..i have sold to my brother,parents and friends..they dont complain they love it..it saves them about 60% of what it would cost to stay there...deluxe accomadations for moderate prices...my parents have paid twice and wouldnt go any other way...i did tell them after the last time they paid that they will never pay again and now i will have a hard time to get them to go because they want to pay but i wont let them know...i look at it tlike this i took the risk and bought the points before anyone in my family knew anyhting about dvc with the intention of selling some to offset some costs..my brother paid once and realized that was silly so he bought his own points...if i was wealthy and could afford to take everyone for free i probably would take family..but friends i have booked vacations when i am not going and i think $1100 a week for a studio is great deal for them............

 

[RLAlden]

We have never charged anyone, but the only people we've had join us were grandparents, brothers/sisters, or nieces/nephews. Their enjoyment of the ammentities is enough for us. If they were going to go without us, then we might consider something along the lines of $5-6 per point (purchase + maint.).

 

[TexasAggie]

We would never charge friends or family that we invite to our "Home". All we would expect is a nice thank you. If they want to treat us to a nice meal, that would be fine.

We have traveled with my IL's to their timeshares in Hawaii and Orlando and we always treat them to a nice meal somewhere and help with the housekeeping that is necessary. And tell them thank you!

 

[timC]

It would be helpful if as a community we all decided on a customary etiquette.

My recommendations would be as follows:

- if a guest insists on paying, ask for maintenance fee for only the portion of the ressie they use.
- if they are not insisting on paying, then all room charges are the resonsibility of the host.
- Group dinner costs should be split equitably
- Park tickets are the responsibility of each party
- Airfare is the responsibility of each party

- Car rental, tips, taxi.... y'all are going to have to fight it out over those items.

 

[golfnut1264]

It is a personal decision. There is not a standard etiqutte. That is silly.Nobody know anyone else personal situations. Fianancilly or otherwise. The only concerned parties should be the ones involved. If they decide to let people stay free or others charge $2000 a week. As long as all the parties invovled agree than everyone will have a great time. If family members feel that they should not pay for one reason or another than let them go for free or dont ask them to go. I am very close to my parents and brothers and would still charge them because I cant afford to pay for thier vacation as well as mine. Like I said evryone is in a different situation.some people paid alot less that otheres for points and have more points than others. I disagree that there should be a standard etiquette.

 

[chirona]

I agree with gulfnut 1264 it is a personal decision to charge or not. I certainly don't feel that it is wrong to charge someone for their share of a vacation. Many people feel that a timeshare doesn't cost any money and that simply isn't true. I always have family with me when I go back home Mother sisters brothers nieces and nephews and my father when he was alive and I don't charge them anything. I did charge a friend once and I drew up an written agreement so that there would be no surprises we stayed 11 nights in a 2 bedroom and I charged her $700.00 for the stay. I don't believe that she thought that was fair because she took a very long time to pay me. I also gave a 6 night stay at OKW to DB and SIL for their Anniversary my fee was for them to have fun. I think I would think twice before inviting friends again.

 

[john1012]

We enjoy having our family and friends but we do charge about $6 a point. It is still way cheaper than having to rent a room.

 

[Lesley]

We've only taken others once.....my mom and step-father. I would not even have considered charging them, but they did insist on treating us to a few meals (we treated them to a few too!). and my mom paid for our groceries...I did most of the cooking, though she helped.

We really would like to take various family members every other year or so.....but the reality is that we have only 200 points and since we've moved to SC we visit more often than we previously did (when we lived in PA). We're just really short on points! We got fairly borrowed out from our trip last year with my parents and haven't gotten ourselves caught up. And once March 2007 rolls around, we'll need to get a 2br for every stay....that's when our new baby will be 3yo. I sadly had to tell my sil recently that we don't have enough points to offer her and her dh a room next year when she mentioned wanting to join us....though she really was fine with that and didn't expect us to provide them with a room! We're planning to stay at the VWL, so it will work out well for them to stay at the WL right next door. I'll keep an eye out for good package deals for them!

If I had plenty of points, I'd be happy to invite people to stay with us for free....or if they want a trip on their own, to give them a great deal on renting our points. Unfortunately at this point, we just can't do that without giving up our own vacations.