Planning our first DVC as members, few questions

[bernina]

Just closed on a 220 point resale contract at Boulder Ridge with June UY. We have 80 2017 points and 220 all other years.

We're planning a Sept 2018 stay at our home resort so imagine we should be ok getting a 2 bdr if we book when 11 months becomes available (sometime in Oct)?

We're not planning to travel before June 2018 so will need to bank the 80 2017 points. This comes in handy since we'll need slightly more than 220 for the week according to the 2018 point charts (269 points). Per membership dashboard we have until Jan 31, 2018 to bank those points. When I go to book our Sep '18 trip in Oct '17 I assume I'll have the ability to bank during the booking process or will I neee to do before booking? Those 80 banked points will now only be good through 5/31/19? Not an issue as long as we don't cancel the Sept '18 trip.

We're traveling with good friends but will be splitting the cost of the room. Does anyone have a method they recommend for determining fair value? I don't want to nickel and dime but do need to come up with a simple method as they would never allow us to treat and also we will need points (or cash to rent more points) for a future trip with my parents (and don't want to be perpetually borrowing). Idea #1 - determine point difference between 1 bed and 2 bed (what we would get if they didn't go) and multiply by $15/pt. Idea #2 divide total points by 2 and multiply their half by $15. I used $15 as that's what DVC charges for 1x points (only up to 24/year I know). I see rental sites are from $15 up to $19. Again, not trying to create some exact science and fully knew when we bought DVC part of the value would be traveling with friends.

Appreciate all of your help!

Also, can anyone recommend an app that would allow me to plug in our vacation date and see 11/7 mo booking window, ADR, FastPass+ and other important dates? Found plenty of websites but an app I could view as needed would be great (or a website that I could bookmark that would save my dates, almost like a countdown ticker).

 

[hakepb]

September shouldn't be hard like peak December time at BRV.

I think they could bank them book relatively easily (I've borrowed and booked a bunch) but you might as well call earlier to bank.
(And if you later decide to take a trip before June 2018, you can borrow 2018 points)

Cost splitting.. I've seen a ton of different opinions.
Some charge nothing (may accept a nice dinner as a thanks)
Some just charge dues
Some charge various rental rates.
Also consider what they would book if you were not booking (may not want to charge Deluxe prices if they would book a value)

 

[CarolynFH]

Re banking, you need to do that before you begin booking your stay. Borrowing is part of the booking process but banking is not.

And I use an app called "DVC by D Point" on my iPhone. It does everything you list and also tracks your points (although I have a spreadsheet I created long before apps existed!).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Borrowing is done during the booking process but banking is something that needs to be done as a separate transaction before you can use the points to book.

And yes, you'll have no problem booking a 2BR at VWL at 11 months for a Sept trip. Either of the 2 ideas you have for what to charge your friends seem fair.

 

[bernina]

Thank you all for the quick replies and information. Greatly appreciated!

Now just need to settle in until booking opens in Oct and then the fun begins. I think I'll bank just a few days before our window opens just in case a last minute need comes up.

 

[kniquy]

As for fair value to charge your friends. Look at what room type you would typically need and figure out the difference in points from the 2br to the say 1 br you might typically get. The take that difference in points and figure a per point rate- you can either go for the going rental rate approximately $14 per point or just an amount to cover your MF so $7 per point.

We are traveling with our in laws and are doing just the above and only charging them to cover our MF (so $7 pp) They are family and I know they will be paying for some dinners while there so I don't want to charge them more. If it were just friends I'd maybe do $10 pp still very reasonable and it covers your MF and a little more for use of the points

 

[Teresadoxie]

And I use an app called "DVC by D Point" on my iPhone. It does everything you list and also tracks your points (although I have a spreadsheet I created long before apps existed!).

How cool is this!!! I had no clue. Thank you!

 

[jimmytammy]

Another good one to checkout is DVC Planner
I find it to be easy to use for a quick check on how many pts you will need for a possible upcoming trip, plus it will tell you when the 11 and 7 mos windows are, 180 days out(for booking dining)60 days out(for FP booking). I know the app does a lot more but these are specific things I like about it

 

[Teresadoxie]

Another good one to checkout is DVC Planner
I find it to be easy to use for a quick check on how many pts you will need for a possible upcoming trip, plus it will tell you when the 11 and 7 mos windows are, 180 days out(for booking dining)60 days out(for FP booking). I know the app does a lot more but these are specific things I like about it

adding this one too! So cool

 

[DenLo]

You can bank points online using the Member website. I would do it now if you are positive you will not be using those points until your 2018 UY. That way when you are ready to book your reservation the points are already banked.