Member Discounts - ID Card

[Galahad]

Just got back from a week at WDW. We used points to stay at the Poly - first time at the Poly for us. We've been DVC members since the very beginning (20 years). We have never had any reason to carry our membership ID card. Nobody ever asked for it. This week, we went to OKW (our home resort) and had dinner at Olivia's. They asked if we had any discounts. We said yes, DVC, and got out our room key cards that stated DVC on them. They told us that now the policy is that you can't get any member discounts without also showing your ID card so that folks you rent points to can't use the discounts. Found this strange and frankly thought we were treated a little oddly. First, if We give a week at the world, say, to our son for his honeymoon, I fully expect him to be treated as if he were me, so the ID card thing doesn't make sense. But secondly, we've scoured the literature and even the recent member magazines and it is never mentioned. At least it might have made sense to inform us of such a change.

Great trip/great time. Just thought that was a little odd.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Your son, or anyone else you would give a week to, is not a member and, therefore, not entitled to any member perks. While that stinks when it is family/friends, you have to understand that many members rent to complete strangers. The only people entitled to those perks are the actual members and our blue ID cards are the only way for us to prove that status. I, for one, am thrilled that this is the new policy, even though I also have adult children who sometimes use our points.

 

[Galahad]

Where is this new policy in writing? I disagree about being happy about it. I suppose I see the point, but a lot has changed about DVC for the worse over the last 20 years (owing, IMO opinion to over building and over selling, but that's another thread). If my son, that was afforded all the privileges of membership at age 6, is no longer afforded that at age 22 then I am not thrilled.

 

[DebbieB]

The DVC rule is (or was) that if your guest is not paying you, they are entitled to member discounts. Renters (paying you) are not.

 

[Galahad]

The DVC rule is (or was) that if your guest is not paying you, they are entitled to member discounts. Renters (paying you) are not.

Yeah I remember it this way as well. We'll follow whatever rules are the rules. We make it a point to not descend into a negative attitude at Disney (which would defeat the purpose) so no complaining to them from us. We just felt more than a little not "Welcomed Home"...... Kind of like '"Welcome Home", no wait, prove it....'

 

[DebbieB]

Yeah I remember it this way as well. We'll follow whatever rules are the rules. We make it a point to not descend into a negative attitude at Disney (which would defeat the purpose) so no complaining to them from us. We just felt more than a little not "Welcomed Home"...... Kind of like '"Welcome Home", no wait, prove it....'

You may want to check with member services regarding your son's stay. Maybe you can give him your card.

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure there's ever been a formal rule about how guests were treated or that stated they were specifically allowed certain perks. There are lots of examples over the years of perks/discounts being extended to guests and even renters and exchangers. The rules that I am aware of are that DVC can change them at any time they want and that guests (not paying ANYTHING) MAY be extended perks and discounts. I'm not aware of another timeshare off hand that offers member specific perks AND extends them to guests though I'm sure there must be some examples out there.

 

[Candace]

For years, I have never been asked for my membership card at restaurants, stores, etc. when I asked about a DVC discount; it has just been given. However, in December, at the restaurant in France, at Epcot, when I ordered lunch and asked about the discount, I did not receive it because I did not have my membership card with me. BUT, just a couple of weeks ago when my son and his girlfriend were at WDW for a trip, he mentioned that they always asked about DVC discounts and got them when they were available at various places. Strange, because he does not have a membership card. It just seems kind of hit and miss. At any rate, when I go down to WDW in two weeks, I will definitely carry my membership card on me at all times!

 

[M5ward]

I have always been asked for my membership card when taking advantage of a DVC discount.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Where is this new policy in writing? I disagree about being happy about it. I suppose I see the point, but a lot has changed about DVC for the worse over the last 20 years (owing, IMO opinion to over building and over selling, but that's another thread). If my son, that was afforded all the privileges of membership at age 6, is no longer afforded that at age 22 then I am not thrilled.

Your son was never afforded those perks, you were. He was simply your guest. It's no different than if I took a non-member friend to lunch and we got the DVC discount. She wouldn't be getting the perk, I would.

They are "Member Perks", i.e. perks for members. I think the meaning is obvious without need for it to be spelled out in writing. You can see it as a negative change or you can see it as enforcement of a policy. With all of the reservation renting I am glad they are doing something to ensure it is members who are receiving the benefits. I'd rather they do that than eliminate the perks altogether.

 

[Dean]

Your son was never afforded those perks, you were. He was simply your guest. It's no different than if I took a non-member friend to lunch and we got the DVC discount. She wouldn't be getting the perk, I would.

They are "Member Perks", i.e. perks for members. I think the meaning is obvious without need for it to be spelled out i writing. You can see it as a negative change or you can see it as enforcement of a policy. With all of the reservation renting I am glad they are doing something to ensure it is members who are receiving the benefits. I'd rather they do that than eliminate the perks altogether.

I think it is different because the member would be present in one situation and not in another, this is a huge difference. DVC spells out in the POS that they MAY extend member perks to guests. However, Disney is nothing if not inconsistent.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Where is this new policy in writing? I disagree about being happy about it. I suppose I see the point, but a lot has changed about DVC for the worse over the last 20 years (owing, IMO opinion to over building and over selling, but that's another thread). If my son, that was afforded all the privileges of membership at age 6, is no longer afforded that at age 22 then I am not thrilled.

It's not a new rule at all. Check the Public Offering Statement that you got when you bought your DVC points. It states something to the effect that perks are not extended to anyone who compensates the members for the stay and some perks may be extended to guests (meaning no compensation) of the members who are staying with the member.

As DVC expanded and more and more owners started renting out their points, DVC had to clarify and explain the requirements and rules.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I added my adult daughter as an associate member, never thought about it, should or could I get a card for her for when she isnt traveling with me?

 

[bumbershoot]

if We give a week at the world, say, to our son for his honeymoon, I fully expect him to be treated as if he were me

That's not a good expectation, though. He's not a member.

I added my adult daughter as an associate member, never thought about it, should or could I get a card for her for when she isnt traveling with me?

She won't get a card. I'm the associate on DH's membership, and I don't get a card.

And as merely an associate, I would NOT expect to get the member benefits if DH wasn't with me. If I took a solo trip, I wouldn't expect to be able to pool hop or get a DVC discount or any of those things, because it's for the *member*. Not a guest or an associate (unless the member is on the trip with the guest or associate).

We bought in '09 and I've never had any other expectation.

 

[Goaliemom30]

Bought DVC in January but have yet to receive this magical card. How long does it take to get the card, since it seems to be necessary?

 

[Galahad]

I have always been asked for my membership card when taking advantage of a DVC discount.

This is why I asked for info on the "new policy". We have had our membership cards since 1992 and this week was the first time anybody asked to see it for any reason. Logically, it doesn't matter that the POS has language about it, if it was not done for years and is done now then it is, in practice, a new policy. When they stopped giving park tickets with your membership, that was communicated to members in writing, even though the POS stated that anything can be revoked at any time. We bought DVC and enjoy DVC because of the way we are treated by them. The more it expands, the more it become procedures and not relationships. Inevitable, but sad.

 

[Sammie]

Sadly as with so many things at Disney, those that abuse the policies ruin it for those that don't.

If Members would do as they are required and let MS know when booking that the guest is a renter, this would not be necessary.

 

[Galahad]

BTW, FTR, I don't expect to not show who I am - that has historically been done using the markings on the KTTK card. Also, as someone who spent 30 years in I.T., I'm certain it is not technically complicated to make member lists searchable for any CM at WDW if it were important to them - saving the guest hassle and embarrassment.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Cards in my wallet when I go to Disney:

Driver's License
Health Insurance
Disney Visa
ATM card
TIW
AAA
and . . .
DVC membership card.

Once in awhile, I forget to take out my Red Robin Rewards card.

 

[n2mm]

Bought DVC in January but have yet to receive this magical card. How long does it take to get the card, since it seems to be necessary?

You should have gotten a temp. card first. I would give MS a call. If you don't get it (them) before your next trip, I believe you can get a temp. card at SSR.

OP, my last two trips my room card didn't even say DVC on it. I asked at the desk why my DH's card did and my didn't and she said it was one of those mysteries. Also, I find that I get "carded" at Olivia's on a regular basis, though not DVC, I get carded for TiW. Even though I use my KTTK card to pay which matches my TiW card, I am always asked for a picture ID too.

I made my adult daugher a member so that she would have her own blue card and get the same perks as us for her family. I knew being an associate wouldn't provide any perks for her.

I guess your post is a good reminder for those reading to remember to carry their membership card with them.