Need advice for adding on points

[Kazi7]

We purchased 260 points at OKW with a use year of March in 1996 (expires in 2042). Now that we are empty nesters, we have been going 2-3 times a year and are addicted to staying in 1 BR units. I can't believe I'm considering it, but I'm thinking of adding on a 75-100 point contract. We have had great success booking 1 BR's at 7 months pretty much wherever we want as our dates are typically flexible and we are comfortable with split stays. Is there a drawback to purchasing points at the much cheaper Vero Beach, just to have more points at 7 months? My OCD brain says to look for the same use year, but how much of a pain is it to have a different use year? The uncertainty around the pandemic and what WDW will be like moving forward does, of course, concern me, but I'm just investigating at this point. Thanks.

 

[Cupcake232]

We purchased 260 points at OKW with a use year of March in 1996 (expires in 2042). Now that we are empty nesters, we have been going 2-3 times a year and are addicted to staying in 1 BR units. I can't believe I'm considering it, but I'm thinking of adding on a 75-100 point contract. We have had great success booking 1 BR's at 7 months pretty much wherever we want as our dates are typically flexible and we are comfortable with split stays. Is there a drawback to purchasing points at the much cheaper Vero Beach, just to have more points at 7 months? My OCD brain says to look for the same use year, but how much of a pain is it to have a different use year? The uncertainty around the pandemic and what WDW will be like moving forward does, of course, concern me, but I'm just investigating at this point. Thanks.

The only downside to Vero are the Maintenance Fees. You will get a cheap contract but have higher yearly MF’s. I would look at Saratoga if I were in your shoes

 

[77NWD]

Yeah, I agree with @Cupcake232 advise - Saratoga seems a good fit for you.

 

[Spinster Travel]

Personally, I'd look for the same Use Year, as I think it's just much easier to manage, but there are many who have multiple UYs and have no problem with managing the multiple contracts. If you are planning on keeping the new contract for less than 10 years, than a Vero Beach contract might come out ok with the math, but anything more than that, you'll pay far more in MF than the savings of purchasing cheaper. Saratoga is a good fit or you could also look at OKW extended for the 2057 expiration as well. Good Luck!

 

[Kazi7]

OK, thanks. Do you think SSR would be better than just looking for another OKW contract? I thought that one advantage of adding on at OKW would be that I would have the 11 month advantage if we ever want to get a 3 BR to take the whole family again. I did think about maintenance fees...Is there a way to see how much they have been for the past couple of years as an estimate?

 

[CarolMN]

OK, thanks. Do you think SSR would be better than just looking for another OKW contract? I thought that one advantage of adding on at OKW would be that I would have the 11 month advantage if we ever want to get a 3 BR to take the whole family again. I did think about maintenance fees...Is there a way to see how much they have been for the past couple of years as an estimate?

Given what you have posted re GV & 1 bedroom booking, adding on at OKW makes the most sense. Here's a link to historical dues:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-dvc-resource-center-updated-july-2020.3655476/#post-58628435
For 2020, OKW dues are $7.84 and VB ( not subsidized) are $10.13. SSR is $6.76.
Dues for 2021 should be available in about a month, maybe sooner.

 

[zavandor]

OK, thanks. Do you think SSR would be better than just looking for another OKW contract? I thought that one advantage of adding on at OKW would be that I would have the 11 month advantage if we ever want to get a 3 BR to take the whole family again. I did think about maintenance fees...Is there a way to see how much they have been for the past couple of years as an estimate?

SSR has low MF and low-ish buy in price and expires in 2054 (opposed to the 2042 expiration for the first few resorts), so it's the best option for SAP (sleep around points). OKW is not much further way, though, so if you think you're going to use the 11 months advantage, then it may be worth to pay a little more.
If you think you're going to combine the points from this add-on to your other contract, then it's important to get the same UY, so you'll be able to manage the two contracts under one membership. Now that you can use tranfered points online to book it might be a bit less true, but it would still save you some headaches.
I would not buy Vero points as SAP for two reasons:
- MF are very high and you're at risk of hurricane damage that would cause the MF to increase even more. Any buy-in saving would be quickly eaten year after year. It's not a cheap long term option
- if you ever intend to use the points at a very high demand time, you cannot book anything at WDW with those points

 

[Kazi7]

Thanks everyone. In 24 years of ownership I've never paid attention to some of these things because I never seriously considered adding on. I can see how adding on points could get a bit addictive. I agree, Vero Beach doesn't sound like a good idea for me.

 

[Cabius]

Just to echo: if you’re planning on booking at the 7-month window, having the same UY is very helpful as points from both contracts would be available at the same time. Otherwise, when the 7-month window opens for contract A, your points from Contract B won’t be available until it’s own 7-month window.

This isn’t as big a deal if you plan to book for multiple trips rather than combine, but if you want maximum flexibility for booking at the 7-month window, it’s best to have a single UY (and for the 11-month window, a single home resort).

ETA: Everything I posted above is wrong.

Good hunting!

 

[Kazi7]

I'm just perusing some resale listings this am and not seeing many March use years. Is it just hit or miss, or is that a more rare one? I think the same use year would definitely be something I'd like. Also, I didn't realize that all of SSR expired in 2054. Not sure we need/want that since our OKW is 2042.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm just perusing some resale listings this am and not seeing many March use years. Is it just hit or miss, or is that a more rare one? I think the same use year would definitely be something I'd like. Also, I didn't realize that all of SSR expired in 2054. Not sure we need/want that since our OKW is 2042.

If you decide to go with 2 UYs, then I think getting OKW makes better sense,

You can book some nights on one and some on the other and just have MS put a note that it is a continuing reservation.

Or, with multiple trips, just alternate. It may mean borrowing on one membership when points are on the other, but it’s not a big deal,

The other option is to transfer and not with online booking being able to use the points, it is less as a hassle,

You just need to be more aware of when the trip will take place and what points make the best sense. If you can keep the UY close..Feb or April, it will make it a bit easier.

 

[JETSDAD]

Just to echo: if you’re planning on booking at the 7-month window, having the same UY is very helpful as points from both contracts would be available at the same time. Otherwise, when the 7-month window opens for contract A, your points from Contract B won’t be available until it’s own 7-month window.

This isn’t as big a deal if you plan to book for multiple trips rather than combine, but if you want maximum flexibility for booking at the 7-month window, it’s best to have a single UY (and for the 11-month window, a single home resort).

Good hunting!

7 months is 7 months no matter what the UY. It does make it easier to combine but makes no difference for booking windows.

 

[Cabius]

7 months is 7 months no matter what the UY. It does make it easier to combine but makes no difference for booking windows.

.... I need to drink coffee before posting. Thank you.

 

[RoseGold]

I found this chart helpful:

https://www.dvcresalemarket.com/blog/best-economical-dvc-resort-to-purchase-spring-2020/
Of course, 2042 expiration might be a feature to you, if you don't plan to pass a contract down. Or, maybe you plan to pass down a VGF and sell your OKW points.

The standard, old favorite for the cheapest resale points for 7 months booking is SSR, and has been for years. This is also by far the largest DVC. SSR the most bought and sold timeshare in the world, so its pricing is pretty stable and known, and it would be easy to match your UY. It''s a solid choice for a 7 month booking plan.

But hey, maybe it would be fun to add a few days of BLT/VGF studio?

Honestly, with the inflated resale prices right now, it might be worth doing some math on unloading the OKW and buying SSR, especially if you think the 2057 would be useful to kids/grandkids. While everything else has been all over the place with pricing, SSR has been a rock.

 

[Sandisw]

7 months is 7 months no matter what the UY. It does make it easier to combine but makes no difference for booking windows.

I think what they are referring to is that when you have to book on two memberships, you have two different 7 month windows since they are two different reservations,

For example, if I want to book a 7 night trip from June 5 to 12th but need to book 4 nights on one and 3 on the other.

I can’t book all 7 from November 5th, but only the first 4. Then I can book the other 3 on November 9th since it’s a different reservation,

With one UY, I can go on November 5th, and book the entire trip.

 

[disneykim17]

We currently have 220 points (160 + 60) at AKV with a Sept UY and are now considering purchasing a small contract at a different resort. My question is does it matter what UY we get or should we try getting a Sept UY to keep them all the same. Also, if we got a different UY, when logging into our account would the AKV contracts along with the newer one all show up? Thank you for any and all advice.

 

[Lorana]

We currently have 220 points (160 + 60) at AKV with a Sept UY and are now considering purchasing a small contract at a different resort. My question is does it matter what UY we get or should we try getting a Sept UY to keep them all the same. Also, if we got a different UY, when logging into our account would the AKV contracts along with the newer one all show up? Thank you for any and all advice.

The benefit of staying with the same UY is the ease of having all contracts under 1 membership and being able to combine points at 7 months.

If you had a different UY, the contracts would be under separate memberships.

 

[CarolMN]

The benefit of staying with the same UY is the ease of having all contracts under 1 membership and being able to combine points at 7 months.

If you had a different UY, the contracts would be under separate memberships.

Plus those who have one membership seem to be the least likely to have website issues when they do software updates. This is what I've noticed as I've read all the issues people have with booking. IMO, that's worth something!

 

[MandM22]

The benefit of staying with the same UY is the ease of having all contracts under 1 membership and being able to combine points at 7 months.

If you had a different UY, the contracts would be under separate memberships.

If i did not intend to combine points at 7 months... and just added on a separate resort uy ... could I still see all of the contracts under one account logon. I would want to logon to one account and be able to maintain all contracts. Appreciate any information or tips.

 

[Sandisw]

If i did not intend to combine points at 7 months... and just added on a separate resort uy ... could I still see all of the contracts under one account logon. I would want to logon to one account and be able to maintain all contracts. Appreciate any information or tips.

Yes, still one log in, so that is easy.When booking you just have to toggle between the memberships when deciding which one you want to use.