Is transferring/renting easy?

[mintwax]

I've only begun researching a purchase of DVC. I have my eye on AKV. I'm trying to figure out how many points to buy based on our anticipated vacation plans. I expect we will go about every other year. I'm afraid of buying too many or too few points.

So here's my questions:

(1) If I buy too many points, how easy is it to transfer or rent the unused points?

(2) Do points really rent or transfer at $10/point? I've seen some listings where they sell at less -- not sure why.

Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

I would never buy expecting to become a landlord with my extra points. Renting can have its problems and who knows what the prices will be in the future. It seems like everyone is renting out their points which is driving the price down.

Another possibility is that Disney could change the rules about renting, they have changed other rules recently.

Bill

 

[bookwormde]

I would suggest undershooting by a little unless you like to rent out reservations. You can transfer in , borrow or buy a few from MS (7M) if you come up short. You can also add on as little as 25 pts later if you are persistanly short.

bookwormde

 

[Sandisw]

I would use the 2011 points chart and run a few different situations for travel (resorts, room types, etc.). Divide that in half and go from there.

Once a member, you can always add on extra points via Disney with as little as 25 (cash) or 50 (financed).

I would start with the lower amount, as PP mentioned, so you can see how it works for you and your travel.

Good luck!

 

[ssawka]

As pp have stated, I would consider my normal vacation pattern and look at the 2011 point charts. The advice used to be to round up as a "fudge" factor because when the points changed from 2009 to 2010 many owners found themselves needing just a few more points for their normal vacation. Now, I'm not so sure with Disney offering to rent you points. However, I would still allow a little bit of a "fudge" factor since you can only rent off of Disney at 7 months. Wort case scenarion, you can keep banking the remaining points until you have enough for an extra vacation.

 

[5forDiz]

If you're short you can get up to 24 per Use Year from DVC to complete your reservation at 7 month booking window for, at present time $15 per. Prices tend to run less when renting directly from a member. Or, besides renting directly from a DVC member (when 'renting points' the member reserves the room/date(s) for you, then you pay them agreed upon price per pt x number of points needed for that reservation), you can get 1 transfer per Use Year of points from another member into your account & in this case you set up the reservation you want. I'd probably go with having a bit less points and using one of the above mentioned options than having extra points on hand that I'd maybe not be able to make use of. It's good idea to do what other poster's here suggested using 2011 points charts to do a variety of calculations with various resorts, dates, etc. so you can see range in points needed for trips you'd like to make in upcoming years.

Best wishes on your planning

 

[chalee94]

(2) Do points really rent or transfer at $10/point? I've seen some listings where they sell at less -- not sure why.

pts usually go for $10-12 or more (for some reservations on ebay).

pts offered for less are usually near expiration (i.e. "distressed").

i have rented once from a DVC owner before i bought, but hope to never have to deal with renting as an owner - too much hassle for me...

 

[mintwax]

Thank you all for the excellent advice and informative responses. I truly appreciate it. It certainly seems to, at least at first, buy too few points than too many.