More DVC ?'s - Anyone use points to rent elsewhere at a non-Disney property?

[WDWorld2003]

Another ? in our ultimate decision to purchase - success in using points elsewhere?

My husband likes to ski so is intriged because of possibilities in Colorado - I like the Hawaii part (but the airfare gets in the way!!!).

Just wondered if anyone had used their points to vacation at one of the other locations. Again, thanks for all of your help!

 

[Richyams]

Points are not a good value when used at any non-DVC place.

That being said, yes, we have used them at The Plaza in NY, went on a cruise and have used them for concierge stays at both AKL and the Poly.

While I probably could have rented out the points, paid cash and had extra money left over(or rented(used) fewer points), I was very happy to use the points, didn't have to write a check, got top notch treatment at every place, reservations were all very easy and pleasent to obtain.

While planning to use a large percentage of your points, say....30% or more, at non-DVC destinations may be a bad deal, I am very happy to have and even happier to have used the options.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I used my points to stay at the Sagamore at Lake George NY. You get killed when you use your points away from a DVC resort. It is a big devaluation. Big loss, do not buty with the idea of using the points elsewhere, better off using cash.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We used our points to vacation at Keystone Mountain in Colorado this past February. We paid for a studio but received a one bedroom (the size of a 1-b at BWV). It was about 100 yards from the gondola and about 50 yards from Keystone Village. It was a great resort and very well done. The points were about 143 for 5 nights. We did not feel that it was expensive or that we overpaid. The room goes for over $200 a night, so if you do the math, it comes out as a bene! Besides, that's what we paid for when we bought DVC.

 

[jekjones1558]

We've used points at Kapalua, Maui and Mauna Lani, the Big Island. Both are gorgeous properties and use many points, but you get what you pay for. We have also stayed at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. Also wonderful. DVC properties are probably the best buy, but it has been great having options. Since I am a teacher, I seem to always have to travel at high point seasons regardless.

 

[new_yawka]

We went to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC on points and loved it. Although you get greater value out of your points when used at a DVC resort, the value of using DVC outside of Disney is that you do so with confidence. The confidence of knowing that any resort where Disney will let you trade is going to be top notch. That is a benefit in and of itself.

 

[Richyams]

The bottom line is that buying points mainly for the purpose of trading out is not a good idea. Buying to mainly stay at WDW DVC resorts with the occaisional trade out is what many of us have done. Rarely do we read a post from someone who has come back dissapointed with a trade out.

 

[Dean]

The quality of the non DVC points options is very good overall though very variable with II. The question is the price and value. Keystone is a good example where you can rent a 1 or 2 BR for a week for $700 or less most most of the year. Or consider DCL where you points get you between around $5 and $7.50 pp worth of value depending on what and when you compare it to. If one will plan before they buy, use points only for DVC and look for good deals on the other options using cash, you will always come out ahead in the long run financially and you will have a lot more options. DVC is the golden handcuff.

If one wants to buy DVC points, have the peace of mind not to worry about it and it prepaid; that is their prerogative. The problem is it's a false sense of security as none of these other options are guaranteed either in points costs or in even being available.

 

[Richyams]

I think Dean had a bad experience trading out as a child. I think that it has adversely affected the way reacts to trading out. I think that his paranoia of a trade 25 years down the road is severly overblown and if he is not careful, it could start manifesting itself in other areas of his life.

I am not sure if his mother pushed him into trading out too young or if her reckless trade outs effected him so severly as to jade and influence all his future views on trading out.

Just an observation....

 

[LarryM]

We used our points to stay at the White Swan Inn in San Francisco and enjoyed it very much. Thought it was a good value and we had a great time. Will be taking the in-laws next year there on points again.

 

[Synonymous]

We've stayed at The Plaza in NYC and at Charleston Place in South Carolina. Both were wonderful. It's easy to say you'd get a better deal using cash, but we would never pay that much cash for a hotel room. The DVC points let us stay at places we otherwise wouldn't consider.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Richyams
I think Dean had a bad experience trading out as a child. I think that it has adversely affected the way reacts to trading out. I think that his paranoia of a trade 25 years down the road is severly overblown and if he is not careful, it could start manifesting itself in other areas of his life.

I am not sure if his mother pushed him into trading out too young or if her reckless trade outs effected him so severly as to jade and influence all his future views on trading out.

Just an observation....

What was it Rich, was it calling you a liberal in regards to rentals that got you. LOL. Seriously, I should simply start a service where I secure the same or similar options for DVC members that they can get otherwise through DVC and charge a few less points. I could then rent out all the points myself and make a killing. I could likely quit my regular job and even deduct the cost of traveling to a DVC resort from my income taxes. Looks like I should become a "travel agent".

 

[Merilyn]

We have stayed at the Marriotts in Newport Beach, CA and the Barony Beach in HH. We have stayed at the Plaza in NY and the hotel in Washington,DC. I don't remember its name. All the trades were easily done and we had no problem booking them. We try to go to WDW for a week and then trade for a week somewhere else. We are trying for NYC this Dec. Haven't decided which location there yet. We head done to OKW in Sept.

 

[Richyams]

After further consideration and analysis, I think I have found deeper problems. I heard a rumor that Dean had a relative who used weekend points. This was on top of a mother who had already dissapointed him so brutally with her reckless trading out.

Knowing how many points are wasted on a DVC swap is bad, but when confronted with the reality of a relative using weekend points.....using weekend points for the exact same room!!!!! There were no gold doilys brought in for the weekend, no butler service, yet in the face getting no extra value on a weekend night, his relative had the audacity to use points.

I think this has all contributed to his dark opinions relating to weekend points and non-DVC hotel use of points. I am not sure what the best course of action is, I will consider it further and get back to all of you, I know that you all hold Dean in the same regard as I, a stoic member whose wisdom and knowledge has made all of our lives a little better.

If anyone has any suggestions, the forum is open....

 

[ralphd]

Stop and catch your breath Rich!!!!

ralphd

 

[Richyams]

By the way, what does 'stoic' mean?

 

[ralphd]

We exchanged thru the Concierge Collection for a week in London in May. Less than three weeks to go.

ralphd

 

[Dean]

Rich I sentence you to 2 weekend nights at VB in a small, cramped, dark, parking lot view studio with a daily sales tour followed by a daily course of some great video like Anne of Avonlea.

 

[travelbug]

LOL, Rich and Dean!

I used points to stay at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island. Absolutely loved it, and would love to go back.

My points will mainly be used for WDW trips, with an occasional offsite trip for a splurge. It is great to have so many options to choose from.

 

[Dean]

Beer's on Rich, import of course.