Memeber Getaways??

[Alic]

I have been gathering information about DVC and posting questions on this forum for the past week. You would have thought I would have understood by now...but no I haven't. I just got the video in the mail this weekend from DVC and it talked about Member Getaways. Are these exchanges made through II or does Disney have it's own exchange company? What is the difference between the adventure getaways and the world passport collection and the concierge (sp?) collection? Is this just a fancy way of saying you can exchange but it will be through II and you'll have to pay their fee. Also what kind of fees are we talikng to exchange? Thanks for your help!

 

[Dean]

Member getaways come in 4 types:

• World Passport Collection consisting of Interval Internaional (II) Exchanges mostly plus a few other options through the Buena Vista Trading Company (BVTC)
• Concierge Collection (CC) consisting of world class hotels and Inn's like Park Plaza, Biltmore, The Grande, The Equinox and the like.
• Disney Collection (DC) which include none DVC WDW options, DCL, Disneyland and DL paris.
• Adventurer collection including bike tours, rafting trips, Safari's and Alaska Cruise.

Other than with II, the rest are scheduled directly using points and are very high points costs. II is done by full weeks. Only II is a reasonable option for most people most of the time and even then one must be careful and do their homework.

 

[Alic]

Thanks so much for the info. I know you have replied to me in the past about similar info but I was starting to get things confused. Overall what I think I've learned is that using my DVC points at WDW is obviously my best option. Then if I want to visit somewhere else I should stay away from member getaways and sell my points (or bank for the next year) and use the money outright to rent my own Marriott Room or wherever. Does that sound about right??

 

[RobDoc]

The opinion that affects other DVC options depends entirely on how you choose to value your points.

For those who feel they have already recouped their initial expenses, the value of the points may be only what the actual maintenance fee are for that year ($3.68- $4.67 per point).

Others feel their points are worth far more and don't mind renting them to others and finding cash "deals" thru other sources for their trips.

Either strategy will work. One allows for the DVC program to do the work for you and the other allows the member to enjoy the thrill of the hunt for their bargains.

If you plan to use your membership primarily to exchange, there are certainly less costly options than DVC. If you plan to enjoy DVC resorts for most trips and use the exchange options for some occasional variety, then DVC does have some worthwhile programs to consider.

Enjoy!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Alic
Thanks so much for the info. I know you have replied to me in the past about similar info but I was starting to get things confused. Overall what I think I've learned is that using my DVC points at WDW is obviously my best option. Then if I want to visit somewhere else I should stay away from member getaways and sell my points (or bank for the next year) and use the money outright to rent my own Marriott Room or wherever. Does that sound about right??

The short answer is yes.

Many members (me included) believe that the best use of DVC points (economically) is to use them to stay at one f the DVC resorts.

There are other timeshares that are less expensive than DVC that can be used for trading purposes if you plan to trade on a frequent basis. There are some trades that can be made through II that are a good deal - but as Dean says, most are not and you really have to do your homework.

Renting your points to others (and using the cash for your desired non-DVC vacation) is also an option. However, renting can be a hassle and requires trust on both the owner and renter's part. It is not always as easy as it might seem.

IMHO, it's best to purchase only the number of points that you think you will use yourself at a DVC resort. Pay cash or explore other timeshare properties for your other vacations. JMHO.

HTH. Feel free to ask all the questions you like.

 

[Alic]

Thanks so much for all the info. I'm starting to put it all together now! By the way, what is the fee for an exchange throught II and if I use a member getaway?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Alic
Thanks so much for all the info. I'm starting to put it all together now! By the way, what is the fee for an exchange throught II and if I use a member getaway?

No charge for DC, $75 for II, BVTC and DCL. $95 for CC and adventurer collection.

 

[Alic]

Once again...thanks for the info!