I know this is cheating...

[wallybeary]

I greatly appreciate all the thoughts, I will try to use the DVC disount, I did pay for the room, and the member will definetly not be using the discount. Sorry if I offend anyone. Thanks again!
Marianne

 

[DVCDAVE]

I never took any offense...........I don't think anyone else did either. It wouldn't hurt to try. As someone else stated earlier, it's no money out of our pocket, it's the merchant that absorbes the cost.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, I would ask at the restaurant when I sat down exactly what kind of ID they need for the DVC discount. If it is oyur room key with the "DVC" notation on it, then I guess oyu're OK. If it is the blue DVC ID card, then you're out of luck.

To answer someone's question, yes, I always bring my blue DVC ID cards when I am staying at WDW. I have had someplaces ask me to see that in order to get a member discount, so I got into the habit of throwing it in my wallet.

 

[Caskbill]

3) When a Member uses his or her Vacation Points to reserve a Vacation Home on behalf of a non-Member, and the Member does not charge any rental or other fees to the non-Member for the Vacation Home, the non-Member may be eligible for some Member privileges and benefits that a Member would normally receive during his or her stay in a Vacation Home. Member privileges and benefits cannot be extended to non-Members who rent Vacation Homes from Members."

We're talking about someone who is renting from a DVC member. You highlighted the wrong words. You should have highlighted:

Member privileges and benefits cannot be extended to non-Members who rent Vacation Homes from Members.

 

[crisi]

I was highlighting in response to lewisc's comments, sorry, I should have quoted and explained.

Discounts aren't a member benefit granted by DVC but rather a benefit given by the merchant.

What's interesting is some membership benefits are extened if you make a reservation and don't charge (friends/family) but aren't if you rent your points. AFAIK the reservation doesn't even indicate if the member was paid for the reservation.

I'd say this quote only serves to muddy the issue.

Whether you are renting points for cash or gifting them to a guest, DVC is under no obligation to allow your guest or renter to enjoy the perks of membership. In all cases, if you get them, great. If you don't, you don't have a leg to stand on to complain.

 

[cjb-nc]

Do members even carry their DVC cards with them? When I'm on vacation I'll usually just put my room key and credit card in my pocket and will leave my wallet in the safe.

I do, and I was glad I did the first time I wanted to use the discount. It was in the Marrakesh resaurant in Epcot, and no, my room card was not sufficient.

I always carry my wallet. I'd be too afraid of loose cards slipping out of my pocket, Esp a credit card. Already had one card swiped in Orlando (and I didn't lose the card, they duped it somehow. But why make it easier?)

 

[Caskbill]

I was highlighting in response to lewisc's comments, sorry, I should have quoted and explained.

Thanks for clarifying.

Whether you are renting points for cash or gifting them to a guest, DVC is under no obligation to allow your guest or renter to enjoy the perks of membership. In all cases, if you get them, great. If you don't, you don't have a leg to stand on to complain.

Agreed. A good summary.

 

[DrTomorrow]

'I know this is cheating'..... [a dozen posts later] 'but I'm going to do it anyway!'

::sigh::

 

[Dean]

Several thoughts. Even if there is a representation of volume related to the discount, it would be based on the units and occupancy thus if a member is renting it out, that means they are not there to use it. Thus the same number of people would be attempting to use the discount regardless. It's only been in the last year to year and a half that just the room key wasn't ALWAYS good enough. If you read the written rules, many of the perks are slated to be extended to guests who are not renters. Since guests won't have the blue card, many who truly should get the benefit won't be able to either.

I hope the OP lets us know back how it goes. And I'm inclined to not give them my blue card and see how hard I have to push to get the discount next time I'm there.

 

[RobDoc]

Several thoughts. Even if there is a representation of volume related to the discount, it would be based on the units and occupancy thus if a member is renting it out, that means they are not there to use it. Thus the same number of people would be attempting to use the discount regardless. It's only been in the last year to year and a half that just the room key wasn't ALWAYS good enough. If you read the written rules, many of the perks are slated to be extended to guests who are not renters. Since guests won't have the blue card, many who truly should get the benefit won't be able to either.

I hope the OP lets us know back how it goes. And I'm inclined to not give them my blue card and see how hard I have to push to get the discount next time I'm there.

If the discounts were intended for any guest staying at DVC resort, then a stay at any sold out resort could be argued that the reservation is "courtesy" of a DVC member, since availability is courtesy of some member using points elsewhere. It could also be argued that "guests of DVC members" might mean those staying with the member (or dining with the member).

DVC can easily remedy the situation by NOT printing "DVC Member" on the room id or simply printing it on cards of those on the deed- then the blue membership card would be the only way to easily identify ourselves as members. Pool hopping could still be monitored by presenting the blue card AND a vaild room id at a DVC resort (codes on the card identify the resort).

Members shouldn't have to "push" to get perks - simply showing the membership card would be enough. In the past, the (now defunct) TDS discount was available only with the blue card - a room ID would not suffice. Why should a dining discount be any different.

The intent of the discount is a benefit to members. If they have guests travelling with them, the perk is extended to them as well but, IMO, guests have no claim to ANY perks unless accompanied by a member. he fact that some merchants (including Disney) have allowed non-members these benefits does not change the intent of the program.

I always carry my membership card with me at WDW and have needed to present it at times. There sure isn't anything in the POS to support NOT needing the blue card to get the benefits of membership.

 

[Dean]

If the discounts were intended for any guest staying at DVC resort, then a stay at any sold out resort could be argued that the reservation is "courtesy" of a DVC member, since availability is courtesy of some member using points elsewhere. It could also be argued that "guests of DVC members" might mean those staying with the member (or dining with the member).

DVC can easily remedy the situation by NOT printing "DVC Member" on the room id or simply printing it on cards of those on the deed- then the blue membership card would be the only way to easily identify ourselves as members. Pool hopping could still be monitored by presenting the blue card AND a vaild room id at a DVC resort (codes on the card identify the resort).

Members shouldn't have to "push" to get perks - simply showing the membership card would be enough. In the past, the (now defunct) TDS discount was available only with the blue card - a room ID would not suffice. Why should a dining discount be any different.

The intent of the discount is a benefit to members. If they have guests travelling with them, the perk is extended to them as well but, IMO, guests have no claim to ANY perks unless accompanied by a member. he fact that some merchants (including Disney) have allowed non-members these benefits does not change the intent of the program.

I always carry my membership card with me at WDW and have needed to present it at times. There sure isn't anything in the POS to support NOT needing the blue card to get the benefits of membership.

If I carried every card that might benefit me at times, I wouldn't be able to keep my pants up and would be bulging like some SNL skit. That's why I have a PDA. My main point was that many of the perks are specifically listed as being available to guests (though not renters). But if the guests are expressly allowed to get the discount but don't have a blue card, that is a catch 22. How to remedy it. Maybe I'll scan my card and put it as a JPEG on my PDA.

 

[RobDoc]

My main point was that many of the perks are specifically listed as being available to guests (though not renters). But if the guests are expressly allowed to get the discount but don't have a blue card, that is a catch 22.

3) When a Member uses his or her Vacation Points to reserve a Vacation Home on behalf of a non-Member, and the Member does not charge any rental or other fees to the non-Member for the Vacation Home, the non-Member may be eligible for some Member privileges and benefits that a Member would normally receive during his or her stay in a Vacation Home. Member privileges and benefits cannot be extended to non-Members who rent Vacation Homes from Members."

I sure don't see anything in the POS that demonstrates that guests are "expressly" or "specifically" entitled to ANY perks - only that guests "may" be eligible to "some" Member privileges.

When I'm at WDW, there are only a few cards that I find useful, my room ID, my blue DVC card, my drivers license for photo ID, my AP and my DDE card. It's great that others have so many other options for benefits at WDW.

Good luck with the PDA. Better carry some other forms of ID in addition just to be safe - or better yet, just pack the blue card.

 

[Dean]

I sure don't see anything in the POS that demonstrates that guests are "expressly" or "specifically" entitled to ANY perks - only that guests "may" be eligible to "some" Member privileges.

When I'm at WDW, there are only a few cards that I find useful, my room ID, my blue DVC card, my drivers license for photo ID, my AP and my DDE card. It's great that others have so many other options for benefits at WDW.

Good luck with the PDA. Better carry some other forms of ID in addition just to be safe - or better yet, just pack the blue card.

I don't want to tote the card and since we are only 4 hours away, I definitely don't want to have to remember to switch out items for ANY trip.

I don't think the POS lists much about any of the discounts. But the Members benefit guidebook does for the attractions discounts and says members and/or guests. And IN THE PAST, the discount lists including on the website, were stated similarly. Of course it's possible for the rules to change.

 

[RobDoc]

I don't want to tote the card and since we are only 4 hours away, I definitely don't want to have to remember to switch out items for ANY trip.

I don't think the POS lists much about any of the discounts. But the Members benefit guidebook does for the attractions discounts and says members and/or guests. And IN THE PAST, the discount lists including on the website, were stated similarly. Of course it's possible for the rules to change.

Since the blue card is no longer good at TDS and ONLY at WDW, why not just add that small card to your "trip items". I'd do it right now while it's still fresh on your mind! It won't add much weight or bulk to those pants!

Does "and/or guests" mean guests travelling with the member or alone? Perhaps a call to your guide will clear all of this up. Sounds pretty complicated - I think I'll just carry my card !

 

[snowiit]

To muddy up the pool so to speak<G>.... My mother is the DVC owner, I am her associate. I could be wrong but this entitles me to also book her points? I am not considered the member though.. is that correct? We have a trip booked using her points in August, she will not be going however. Now.. I have no card. So am I considered a guest? DVC "associate" (don't really know the definition yeesh)? And not a renter. I think I'm just too tired. Tossing it into the mix
Nancy

 

[RobDoc]

Unless you are on the deed, you are not a member. As an associate, you are allowed to make reservations (although the confirmation will still be sent to your mother), but you will have no access to member perks. If your room id says "DVC Member" and if that is accepted for a discount - enjoy!

If a blue membership card is required, then you may still need to be accompanied by a member to benefit from the offering. (For example, you would need the blue card and photo ID indicating your residence to purchase an AP with the DVC discount.)

 

[JimC]

...When I'm at WDW, there are only a few cards that I find useful, my room ID, my blue DVC card, my drivers license for photo ID, my AP and my DDE card. It's great that others have so many other options for benefits at WDW.....

My only addition is the Disney VISA card just in case I wonder off property.

 

[Dean]

Since the blue card is no longer good at TDS and ONLY at WDW, why not just add that small card to your "trip items". I'd do it right now while it's still fresh on your mind! It won't add much weight or bulk to those pants!

Does "and/or guests" mean guests travelling with the member or alone? Perhaps a call to your guide will clear all of this up. Sounds pretty complicated - I think I'll just carry my card !

It clearly means guests whether with or not with the member.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Do members even carry their DVC cards with them?

In the past, I have never taken my blue card with me. Following this thread, I will have to remember to take it with me in future, Though I believe my Annual Pass and DDE card will give me the same or better discounts.

Andrew

 

[crisi]

My only addition is the Disney VISA card just in case I wonder off property.

AAA card - cash night discounts, rental car discounts.

And Dean, the only thing that is clear is that Disney is not obligated to give anyone but the member member perks.

I do wonder if you loaned your guests your DVC member card if they would get the benefits. You may not be required to have matching names (and I don't think many people would check it anyway). Disney has no way of telling which people are your guests and which have paid you for your points, and since they are quite clear that the renters aren't entitled to discounts, the guests need to be able to prove "guestness" somehow.