Newbie questions

[BorisMD]

Hi folks! Great reading. I'm working on becoming a member and have a few questions.

Here's the deal--I'd like to get enough points for BCV for 3 or 4 nights over spring break. I have that figured to be between 155 and 175. In the future, I'd like to be able to get a two bedroom. Should I get all the points now, and rent the extras (and if so, how easy is it to rent points--do they usually get grabbed up, or will I be stuck taking a loss on them), or should I just get what I need now, and add on later.

Also, would you add on at your home resort, or go for a less expensive resale.

If you have points from more than one resort, do you get to use the non-home resort points with the home resort advantage if it is a combined reservation?

Thanks,

Boris in MN

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Should I get all the points now

Get what you want and can afford. With the rate the BCV's are selling you will have to buy on the re-sale market, even if you wait a year. If you do that, there is less flexability in the exact number you need to have.

how easy is it to rent points--do they usually get grabbed up, or will I be stuck taking a loss on them

If you mean "loss" as in the points never being used, that should never happen. My DH has rented points a few times and has always been successful. If you go low enough ($7.00 or so) on the rental price, they will go fast. But if you bank properly, you should never have a problem.

would you add on at your home resort, or go for a less expensive resale

The fist bit of advice I received on these boards was to purchase where you want to stay. That is still the BEST advice you can get.

If you have points from more than one resort, do you get to use the non-home resort points with the home resort advantage if it is a combined reservation?

You do not have a combined 11 month window. You can reserve at your home resort only, 11 months in advance. At 7 months, you can combine the points and use them anywhere if something is available.

Good luck.

HBC

 

[nisiemouse]

BorisMD: I just wanted to welcome you to the Dis.

 

[BorisMD]

Thanks for the info. I also just ran across a thread about using different contracts for one trip.

So is there any downside to buying, say, 300 points (other than cost), and renting out the unneeded portion each year? I would think that would cover the cost of payments plus maint each year.

Thanks,

Boris in MN

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by BorisMD
......So is there any downside to buying, say, 300 points (other than cost), and renting out the unneeded portion each year? I would think that would cover the cost of payments plus maint each year.

Annual dues on 300 BCV points (based on 2002 rate of $3.77/point) would be $1131. I'm not sure if renting out "unneeded points" (is there such a thing? LOL) would cover both dues and payments on the purchase price especially if you also planned to use some of the points yourself, but it may be possible. Annual dues are set each year and could go up or down. You should easily be able to cover the annual dues and take an annual spring break trip of 3 - 4 days with 300 points.

To me, the only downside is the renting process itslef. It takes time and effort to find a renter, make the reservations (may mean several calls to MS and renter), and arrange for payment. Renting points does carry risk for both the owner and the renter. Only you can decide if it will be worth it to you.

IMHO, if you think you will need 300 points within a few years (and can afford it), it would be worth it to buy all of them now. The price will surely go up beyond the expected $80/point in early June and and you will be assured of getting exactly the number you want at the same resort. It may take a few years for BCV resales to show up.

Whatever you decide, good luck, congratulations on your first DIS post and welcome to the DIS!