How much do you charge?

[snackyx]

Last spring break (April 08) I booked two 2-bedroom condos at OKW for a slew of spring break teenagers. Two other families joined us (6 adults, 6 teenage boys 16-17-18) in the two condos. We have enough points to do it and we charged nothing. Expected nothing. They did buy groceries and paid for a couple dinners. Fast forward to July. My wife and I make a 4 night trip to WDW to just get away. We have a reservation at Narcoossees (one of our favorites), enjoy a great dinner, bottle of wine, run up a healthy tab and when the check is presented there is a thank-you card from the other two couples who were at spring break with us. They found out were we going in July and called Narcoossees to see if, by chance, we had booked there (we ate there with them in April). The check and tip were completly taken care of--to a great surprise of my wife and myself. This by no means was an even swap for the April trip, but was a terrific jesture by true friends. It was an even deal in my mind.

 

[aidansmommy]

We're going in 5 days to BCV's (2 bedroom)with our parents and little guy! We are charging $25.00 per night/per person and sharing the rest of the costs. It makes sense for us-we would have gone anyway, and it's one heck of a deal for them!

 

[PSC]

When we treat friends / family we don't charge or expect anything. We recognize that while we may be providing an opportunity to stay in a very expensive hotel room for free, we are also expecting our friends / family to pay for their own airfare, park tickets and meals. Over all they still have a lot of out of pocket expenses.

We benefit from the arrangement in getting to spend time with them and see Disney through fresh eyes.

Now if they want to pick up the occasional bar tab, its a win - win!

 

[quentina]

I get a 2 bedroom at HHI for us each summer and a studio for friends.

I do not charge them anything...having someone to hang with, occupy my kids is worth the points.

Our friends always make it a point to pay for a nice dinner etc....they also bring soda, snacks, groceries etc.

Maybe you can just ask them to pay for a meal or 2??

 

[anonymousegirl]

That's exactly what I had planned to do for a cousins' trip in October. I would have been staying in a studio but needed a 2BR for the group (5 nights)--60 vs. 160 points, so it was going to be $1000 for my three cousins, or $333 each, a little over $60 a night. It all fell, but I was fortunately able to cancel the 2BR and rebook a studio yesterday.

Jamie,

Not to hijack this thread, but how did you get you countdown tickers to alternate like that?

 

[anonymousegirl]

I am treating my DSis and her family to a trip Summer 2010 at AKV. There is no way she can afford this, so I'm covering the accommodations, groceries, and car rental, and she'll cover the flights, spending money, and tickets. In the meantime, the kids are saving their pennies and for the next set of xmas and birthday pressies, they are getting a small gift and a Disney gift card for the upcoming trip. Ditto for DSis and DBIL.

I think the real key is to be upfront with your family and friends so there are no surprises on either side.

 

[maburke]

I think the real key is to be upfront with your family and friends so there are no surprises on either side.

I absolutely agree. I think one reason that I accepted payment from my friends is that I didn't want 8 months of awkward, "we should do something for them, but what?" feelings during all of the planning stage. (But that surprise dinner treat at Narcoossees sounds great!) Also, one family wanted way more than I had the points for -- they paid cash for part of their stay in a two bedroom.

I also should say that I've never charged family (*especially* in-laws!! I might be banished! ), and, in particular, I have a BIL that we fly in from CA and pay all expenses for, because he's such a HUGE help to us with the kids.

 

[4boys531]

We are traveling in Dec with my in-laws. I just booked a 2-bedroom at OKW and we told them that the room is our Christmas present for them. We also invited my BIL and SIL and told them that we would book them a studio at $10/point if they want to stay at the same resort.

We are also planning to travel with our good friends in the future (our son's godparents) and will share a 2-bedroom - our treat.

I think it just depends on what you are comfortable with.

 

[caven553]

We have always charged our friends the dues per point plus a couple of dollars to cover the buy in. I book for friends at work as well as friends at home and relatives for this same rate. I can't justify losing money - but at the same time I can't justify making money off of friends. This arrangement has always made everyone happy as nobody feels taken advantage of.