How Points Work?

[Diane D]

Someone on another thread suggested we might look into renting DVC points for our stay June 18 - 24 at the Boardwalk. I am new to this and don't understand how these points work very well. How do you know how many points you need?? And how does it work if you rent points from someone?

 

[RobDoc]

Most of your questions may be answered in the <a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33">DVC Rent/Trade FAQ.</a>

Basically, you are not renting points but are renting a reservation made by a DVC member using points. You should have an idea of what your dates would cost directly thru Disney and then negotiate a rate with a member offering to make a reservation in your name. Many have found renting a reservation in this manner to be a great bargain.

Good luck!

 

[pmquag]

Hmmm, I'm a little confused by this. As I understand it, after reading the FAQ and scanning the message board, as a nonmember I have two options:

1) make a reservation directly through Disney
2) arrange a deal with a DVC member to make a reservation for me, at some agreed-upon price (presumably cheaper than going directly through Disney)

What I don't understand is what happens if I need (say) 300 points for my desired resort/dates, and I can only find a member who has 200 points available for sale. Am I out of luck, or can I instead buy the remaining 100 points from several other members and combine them toward a single reservation? Would I have to, in effect, resell the 100 points to the member with 200 pts. so that he or she can place the reservation for me?

Are the points good for any resort, or only at the home resort of the member I buy them from?

Also, I saw something about "member's rental year". (That might not be the right term.) If I buy different batches of points from different members, do the points expire at different times?

Obviously it's a lot simpler if I can find someone who can just rent me a specific reservation. Since I've got a specific resort and dates in mind I think I'll need to be pretty lucky, though. In short, if I can't find someone who'll rent me the reservation I'd like, what else can I do?

I know this was a long post. Thanks to anyone who can clear this up for me...

Paul

 

[InstImpres]

Paul -

Let's see if I can explain. Each member has a "Use Year" This is the month in which they get new points. You can use points from people with different "Use Years" as long as your reservation is within the valid time frame.

As a non-member combining member points I would like is almost impossible. You could have different people make you ressie and ended up connecting the reservations so you don't have to check out and in.

Unless you have something outrageous planned ( a 3 bedroom villa for 3 weeks), someone should be able to help you. Members can "bank" and "borrow" points allowing them access to up to three years in one shot. If you need a lot, you just may need to make it worthwhile for the person.

Also, as far as availability, each person has a "home resort" for their points. They can book their 11 months in advance and 7 months in advance at all other resorts. Besides this window, all members have access to the same inventory of rooms.

Good Luck
Sandy

 

[RobDoc]

Paul, please keep in mind that, as a non-member, you are NOT renting points, but only a reservation made with those points.

If one member is unable to provide all of the days you wish to rent, you will need to find another member to make reservations for the other dates you'll need.

Points cannot be used by anyone but a DVC member. Reservations made by multiple members can be linked together for your stay however.

Good Luck!

 

[WDWguru]

A simpler way to look at it is to treat points as money. As DVC members, we've paid a bulk price in advance for points to use each year toward accomodations. These points are basically used as dollars to rent rooms. Because of the investment made, the "dollars" go a lot farther than real dollars at the DVC resorts and there is a completely separate chart that we follow at these resorts at different times of year and different sizes of rooms.

For example, it may cost $250 for a one bedroom at Boardwalk Villas on a particular night, for a DVC member that same room may be 15 points. Rentals from members are generally based around $10 per point, so that night rented from a member would only cost $150. Also, don't forget that through Disney you'll pay 11% tax on top of that. When renting from a member you won't pay tax at all.

That example is completely theoretical, but may help you understand why renting points is so much cheaper than just paying rack rates for the rooms. Also, it may help you to see that, while you aren't actually renting points, just nights as you would direct through Disney, you will need to know the points involved. The rate is generally determined by number of points rather than number of nights.

Also keep in mind that our points go a lot farther at DVC resorts than at the other Disney properties. But you'll also have a much larger and better accomodation than at most of the other properties as well.

 

[pmquag]

OK, thanks everybody, that helped.

So I take it the best way to proceed is just to post a request to rent a reservation at a particular resort for a certain range of dates, and see what offers I get.

Is there any way to find out ahead of time whether a particular resort is booked for certain dates? I'm interested in a two-bedroom at BCV for a week around Thanksgiving, which is a high-demand time. It would be nice to know if that time is even available before entering into an agreement with a DVC member (knowing ahead would save the member some time and trouble, as well).

Thanks,

Paul

 

[RobDoc]

That time period has just now entered the 11 month reservation priority for BCV owners, so availability should be no problem now.

Owners at other DVC resorts can't make reservatrions at BCV until 7 months before, so if you can find a BCV member offering points for rent, now is a great time to get a reservation.

Enjoy!