Instead, the DIS invites you to post a reply into an existing ‘Points for Rent’ thread with your desired resort, room size and dates. You may also respond to a ‘Reservation for Rent’ thread, if your travel dates happen to match up.
This policy makes it more difficult for scammers to take advantage of DIS posters searching for a DVC rental.
Thank you for reading the pinned threads on the Rent/Trade Board. Far too many do not.
Just keep in mind you CAN make requests for points and dates, but you just need to do it as a 'reply' within a 'rental thread' that has been started by someone else.
Many times, people are able to accommodate particular requests, but they need to know what you are really looking for.
But if I do that, wouldn't that lead to an "against the rules" PM contacting me to sell points? Or is it allowed if I make a request?
Instead, the DIS invites you to post a reply into an existing ‘Points for Rent’ thread with your desired resort, room size and dates. You may also respond to a ‘Reservation for Rent’ thread, if your travel dates happen to match up.
No, it's not against the rules. We want you to beware of those who initiate contact with you. When you reply to an owner offering to rent, we expect that owner (and only that owner) to contact you via PM with more info, and also to exchange personal info. Personal info should not be posted on a public post.But if I do that, wouldn't that lead to an "against the rules" PM contacting me to sell points? Or is it allowed if I make a request?
Not as I understand it. I have never done it myself, and I try very hard to follow the rules, but as I understand it, if someone on the Rental Board has a posted thread where they are trying to rent points, it is acceptable for YOU to go on that thread, REPLY, and publicly ask if they have availability for certain Resorts on certain dates. They might. And you can repeat your request on other threads. Or you can do the same request to that poster by private message.
Other people can also see this public message and might contact you. Be careful. THAT is one place where scanners might be more active.
This is what I understand from the administrators message below.
No, it's not against the rules. We want you to beware of those who initiate contact with you. When you reply to an owner offering to rent, we expect that owner (and only that owner) to contact you via PM with more info, and also to exchange personal info. Personal info should not be posted on a public post.
Those who contact you "out of the blue" are the ones you need to be very wary of. You should be making the first contact. Safer, that way.
Not much point to doing that. You either need to wait until a BCV owner posts an offer, wait for the 7th month window opens and hope here is still availability, select another resort or look elsewhere for a rental.There's no open offers for the Resort I'm looking for(BCV) and we are still in the 7/11 window for our trip. I'd essentially have to make an open request on a BCV thread thats closed or "hijack" another resort thread. That puts it in a grey are in my reading of the rules as a person with enough BCV points would have to PM me with info. If that's acceptable, just let me know. Just trying not to upset the apple cart.
Not much point to doing that. You either need to wait until a BCV owner posts an offer, wait for the 7th month window opens and hope here is still availability, select another resort or look elsewhere for a rental.
FWIW, demand for BCV rentals often exceeds the number of points BCV owners are willing to rent. Most BCV owners prefer to use their points for their own stays.
Hope you find what you want. Good luck!
I keep hearing that theres never availability at BCV and no one ever rents their points. I know the room is available for now, but without the points, not much can be done with it. I guess seeing that someone posted points Saturday got my hopes up. This is rental stuff is all new to me. I probably just need to book the Swan and stop worrying about it.
Thanks!
Well, people do rent their points, but there are far more renters interested in BCV than BCV owners looking to rent out their points - so when points are posted they move fast - that is the case with several of the resorts (Poly, VGC, VGF, BWV) - lots of demand for points, most owners at those resorts use their own points to book there. You should know that any availability you can see as a non owner through Disney's website isn't DVC inventory available to book for points - that's cash only availability - and getting more than a night here and there at this point in a BCV studio any time between late September and mid January isn't going to be likely even if you have an owner.
You would not be the first renter to post a request for nights that are outside of the 7-month “owners can book anywhere” window. It happens a lot, either because renters are not familiar with DVC booking rules or because renters want to line up an owner before their 7-month window opens. An owner can decide whether they want to consider your need once you post. The worst they can do is tell you that they cannot book your nights yet. Some might be willing to wait until the 7-month window opens in order to help you. Or they might tell you that they will consider renting to you if their points remain unrented at 7-months.There's no open offers for the Resort I'm looking for(BCV) and we are still in the 7/11 window for our trip. I'd essentially have to make an open request on a BCV thread thats closed or "hijack" another resort thread. That puts it in a grey are in my reading of the rules as a person with enough BCV points would have to PM me with info. If that's acceptable, just let me know. Just trying not to upset the apple cart.
I've been looking at a couple sites that show DVC availability and am waitlisted at two rental sites. Granted that can change any minute, but all confirm the room is available. Looking at 2 BR, so that helps on availability. Of course that means more points, so harder to come by.
You would not be the first renter to post a request for nights that are outside of the 7-month “owners can book anywhere” window. It happens a lot, either because renters are not familiar with DVC booking rules or because renters want to line up an owner before their 7-month window opens. An owner can decide whether they want to consider your need once you post. The worst they can do is tell you that they cannot book your nights yet. Some might be willing to wait until the 7-month window opens in order to help you. Or they might tell you that they will consider renting to you if their points remain unrented at 7-months.
What you cannot do is spam the closed (but not locked) rental threads hoping that someone else with BCV points bypasses the board rules and contacts you via PM without actually posting their own thread.
Just an FYI, any website you are looking at is not showing current availability. This can only be viewed by owners through the DVC website when using the online booking tool. Even if you find that unicorn, an owner with sufficient points to book your room at your desired resort, you may find it is not available. Even for DVC owners, having a plan B is always a good idea.
You’re probably right. I know that I would not put my points in limbo for a renter that could pull out in the very end. But I’m not speaking for every owner. You have very few options available to you as a non-owner. This is why a lot of people choose to own DVC rather than deal with a fickle rental market.I'm at 10 months, so it's a bit early to be approaching people about 7 month bookings. Especially since the general consensus is that theres no way there will be availability when that point hits. If we get to a few weeks out of the 7 month deadline and the room is still there, I can look into finding someone willing to do the reservation. Until then though, I'd probably be wasting people's time.
Availability changes from moment to moment. There’s no way of knowing whether there are 78 dedicated 2BR villas available for your dates or just one. The agency that you are dealing with should notify you if availability dries up before points become available. Until then, there’s always hope.I'd assume that the booking site I'm waitlisted on has access to that info. Wouldn't it be something if they got the points then didn't have the room.
You’re probably right. I know that I would not put my points in limbo for a renter that could pull out in the very end. But I’m not speaking for every owner. You have very few options available to you as a non-owner. This is why a lot of people choose to own DVC rather than deal with a fickle rental market.
I suggest that you start expanding your search and look beyond the disboards if the rules for the rent/trade board don’t meet your needs. Try social media sites or other message boards where there are fewer restrictions (but also more risks). There are places where you can make your ISO posts.
Availability changes from moment to moment. There’s no way of knowing whether there are 78 dedicated 2BR villas available for your dates or just one. The agency that you are dealing with should notify you if availability dries up before points become available. Until then, there’s always hope.
I'm at 10 months, so it's a bit early to be approaching people about 7 month bookings. Especially since the general consensus is that theres no way there will be availability when that point hits. If we get to a few weeks out of the 7 month deadline and the room is still there, I can look into finding someone willing to do the reservation. Until then though, I'd probably be wasting people's time.
I'd assume that the booking site I'm waitlisted on has access to that info. Wouldn't it be something if they got the points then didn't have the room.