Inviting Friends for Free

[FreeTime]

We decided that we wanted to invite some friends with us on a trip next year. However, we don't want them to pay for their room. How do I tell them it is on us without making them feel bad or like they are taking advantage of us?

 

[ZerasPride]

We are taking my sister and her husband with us to Hilton Head in November. I am so excited and feel so privileged to be able to share our home with them and that's pretty much how I put it. I told her that we were going to invite them to stay in our 2 bedroom unit but knew they would like some privacy so we booked them their own studio. They asked about the cost and I said it was our treat. She objected at first but I was insistent that we wanted them to share our "home" and would not think of charging them.

I am sure other people have put it better than I did and I'd be curious how others have phrased their invitations as well. The people you are inviting are very fortunate to have you as a friend!

 

[baileybrad]

Most friends would be smart enough to pick up the tab for some meals. It would never be a requirement but it is really classy way to show one's appreciation for complimentary lodging.

 

[frank2271]

My friends would also pick up the tab at a couple of meals. I think it's an unspoken rule.

 

[CarolMN]

When we invited my brother and his family to join us, we solved the problem by starting out our trip with a few days at VB (for cash). My brother paid for the VB stay (2 Bdrm) and we stayed at BWV (2 Bdrm) for the rest of the trip on our points. Had a great time and can't wait to do it all over again!

 

[Richyams]

Just one more benefit of the grand villa.

You are not reserving a room specifically for them. You say that you have a three bedroom unit and there is a bedroom for them and the kids can share the third. It is less akward, you are not getting them a room for themselves....

It also makes it easier to invite someone who can't afford the trip without it looking or feeling like a hand out.

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I had actually considered the Grand Villa but then I was worried that they will feel that they have to be with us all of the time. I guess I will just have to say let's plan in advance for your time, our time, and together time!

 

[Joe T.]

It is often the case that people do not understand the timeshare concept in general, or the DVC point concept in particular. Our guests have always been invited without mention of cost sharing. Generally, we do split the cost of supplies. Without fail, our guests have picked up at least one major dinner tab. Last year, we had a family with 14 people in a GV and Studio. Since all joint meals with our 12-person family were pre-paid, there was no opportunity for them to pick up a tab. Instead, they very generously presented us with a gift certificate as a token of their appreciation. Although it was unnecessary, it was very thoughtful gesture.

Unless the friends could not afford anything extra, it is hard to imagine that they would not do something appropriate. And, if they cannot afford anything, feel good that your generosity gave someone an experience that they would never have.

This time next week we'll be in OKW with some friends. Although they own a TS in the area, we know that OKW will "knock their socks off." We are going for just 5 days, and they are used to being caught in the old full week TS requirement.

 

[mb168]

I went earlier in the summer with my parents and had a 2 BR at VWL which I paid for on a rewards type card. They in turn paid for a major meal for my wife and 3 kids and bought all of our tickets for 2 days in the parks.

The only issue I think a lot of other people here have mentioned in the past is the seperate v. together time when you have multiple families on a trip. If it's not clear, sometimes people think that every waking moment must be spent together. Everyone has to be ready to go eat, go to the parks, leave the park, shower, sleep, etc. I know some people don't mind but I think most people like some seperate time and it sometimes causes bad things to happen. Be up front about everything I guess is the point.

 

[Tigger7570]

I agree with mb168, be upfront about everything. Especially free time. Whenever we invite family and/or friends with us, we discuss ahead of time about spending time together and free time. It always works out well. When we bring friends or family who have never been we usually end up spending all the time with them because they want to see everything and that's fine as well. Only once did we make the mistake of not talking about free time and there were six of us together day and night with no break. We made that mistake only once. Not a good idea, you do need to separate sometimes, depending on the people. When we have invited friends and/or family we have always told them that we are inviting them to stay at our home at OKW.

 

[gmboy95]

people you bring usually are not privy to how much you paid or when you pay it for DVC....I would just say that you bought in to do exactly this, take friends and family on vacation, and that you also consider it to be free in a way because it was money already spent (small white lie)....I would also say if they are insistent, that you would be happy to let them pick up the tab on a couple of meals.