Point Strategy: How do you work the most out of your points!

[Dean]

Wow- a whole new world here.... what if one of your family members had bought,say a small 25 point contract thru resale,and attached it to your contract,planning to be mimimal members, but in reality could combine trips with family,and thus all people involved got perks access?
Or if they bought it,would it be in theirs,or your name, or do you,the member, get to choose that,thus ensuring member perks for your family also?
thanks...

For the contracts to be combined the registration has to be the same. In my case the registration is the same but will change so that will no longer be the case and that will make it an entirely new contract all to itself. So relatives couldn't buy and then attach to my contracts unless either I changed my current contracts first or they put it in our name only. Once anyone's name is on a contract they are members and get all perks. Remember some of the perks are points stay specific and some are not. I can see people who live close and have certain family makeup buying 25 points just for the perks and discounts alone. And I know of several people who own small contracts and stay off property but use the small amount of points to get a studio a day at a time here and there so they get pool hopping access and now DDP options even if not actually staying in that unit. For certain families and with a little planning I could see paying for a 25 pt contract by using perks in one to two years if you planned it right from the start. Take four families of 4 who go in together to get the 25 points at say $2500-3000. Two years of AP discount alone would pay for it. The savings on an AP would be less for FL residents but with free valet, a minor AP discount and the dining discounts plus occasional PH options, it could still easily make sense.

Some timeshares offer day use options. I know of several people who bought a timeshare simply for the day use options for the pool instead of joining a community pool club or country club.

 

[Dean]

Is there anybody willing to glean (which rymes with Dean) the nuggets of money/point saving information/strategies from this type of thread. Would the Mods make a stickey out of it? I would volunteer but you could fit what I know about the DVC into a thimble. Mods any input, or should I pipe down? It could be called Dean's Means hehehheh, sorrry Dean.

LOL. I bet there are a number of people reading this thread who are hoping it will go away and shuddering when you post things like this. Some look down on some of the tricks I've shared with you and on the people who may use them so I doubt they want them repeated too often. Frankly I haven't used most of them, however, when I see a system my mind jumps directly to how it can be used and abused though I'm generally not one to abuse it personally. There are those that don't want some of the ways to work the system repeated and even those that post the way they wished it was hoping people will believe it's really that way. Me, I'd rather just lay it out on the table. If that means it goes away sooner as some found when they abuse the DDP, so be it.

 

[RobDoc]

We now own at 3 resorts. Am I able to borrow 2008 points from one resort to complete a reservation if I still have 2007 points from another resort that have not been used. This, of course would be if I was within the 7 month window. Thanks.

If all 3 resorts are under one membership, there is no need to transfer any points, as you will have access to all points in the contract - although you will still be subject to the 11 month priority and could only combine the points at 7 months.

If they are 3 separate contracts, you could transfer between contracts, but the points will retain the original Home Resort status and could not be used at another resort until 7 months. You could easily reserve individual days from each account and link them all together without the need to transfer points (and you would still be subject to the one transfer per year policy anyway).

As Dean pointed out earlier, MS will usually allow points to be combined for reservations at the non-DVC options (like the cruise) which can be reserved at 11 months, but not at DVC resorts until 7.

 

[nisiemouse]

If all 3 resorts are under one membership, there is no need to transfer any points, as you will have access to all points in the contract - although you will still be subject to the 11 month priority and could only combine the points at 7 months.

If they are 3 separate contracts, you could transfer between contracts, but the points will retain the original Home Resort status and could not be used at another resort until 7 months. You could easily reserve individual days from each account and link them all together without the need to transfer points (and you would still be subject to the one transfer per year policy anyway).

As Dean pointed out earlier, MS will usually allow points to be combined for reservations at the non-DVC options (like the cruise) which can be reserved at 11 months, but not at DVC resorts until 7.

Thanks Doc for clarifyng. We are all under one contract. I also wanted to make sure that if I was reserving at say OKW at 6 months out that I could borrow points from the next year (OKW points) even if I had BCV points still remaining from the current year. Does that make sense? I know I have done this at greater than 7 months but of course I could not use points from another resort at that time. Thanks.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Dean gave a very good list of how most of us conserve points. I do know that some feel it is best to always be in a borrowing status, since when the contract ends, you will kind of "miss" a year. For us, that doesn't make much difference, since we are not likely to outlive our contract, and it's doubtful our offspring can afford the maintenance fees.

Our preferred method is to mostly book at our main home resort (OKW), where the points are lower in the first place. Then we tend to try to most often go during the lower point seasons as well.

 

[alldiz]

OK...this thread got me thinking....

Can u get the ddp with a cash ressie w/o buying a 1 day pass?

Can I buy my hubby and daughter a discounted AP
if they are not on dvc contract.....only my name....
Kerri

 

[alldiz]

OK...this thread got me thinking....

Can u get the ddp with a cash ressie w/o buying a 1 day pass?

Can I buy my hubby and daughter a discounted AP
if they are not on dvc contract.....only my name....
Kerri

I'm answering my own question

In case anyone else wants to know...I called ms...
You CAN get ddp with cash ressie....no 1 day ticket needed....

AND....I can buy DD and DH passes....they are at
the same address.....
at least for now....DH...has been very annoying lately
Kerri

 

[DISNEY FIX]

I'm answering my own question

In case anyone else wants to know...I called ms...
You CAN get ddp with cash ressie....no 1 day ticket needed....

AND....I can buy DD and DH passes....they are at
the same address.....
at least for now....DH...has been very annoying lately
Kerri

Tell DH you are going to trade him in for Preminm AP!

 

[alldiz]

Tell DH you are going to trade him in for Preminm AP!

Good thing that "perk" is not in the handbook
Kerri

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Good thing that "perk" is not in the handbook
Kerri

Really??????????????? I thought I read somewhere about trading in the wife for a DDE card..........just kidding dear........................maybe a free boat ride?!?

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Who else out there has some point useage tips?

 

[Machta]

LOL. I bet there are a number of people reading this thread who are hoping it will go away and shuddering when you post things like this. Some look down on some of the tricks I've shared with you and on the people who may use them so I doubt they want them repeated too often. Frankly I haven't used most of them, however, when I see a system my mind jumps directly to how it can be used and abused though I'm generally not one to abuse it personally. There are those that don't want some of the ways to work the system repeated and even those that post the way they wished it was hoping people will believe it's really that way. Me, I'd rather just lay it out on the table. If that means it goes away sooner as some found when they abuse the DDP, so be it.

This is a very interesting point. I always figured that if someone else sets up the "rules" and I simply figure out the best way to work within them to my advantage, that's absolutely fair. For example, with my credit card rewards program, I charge as much as I can to get the maximum rewards, but then pay it off every month. It's within the credit card company's rules, but I've always assumed that they're betting the majority of people won't pay off their card balance every month. It's their system, but I use it as I see fit. How is that different from "working" the DVC system?

 

[alldiz]

LOL. I bet there are a number of people reading this thread who are hoping it will go away and shuddering when you post things like this. Some look down on some of the tricks I've shared with you and on the people who may use them so I doubt they want them repeated too often. Frankly I haven't used most of them, however, when I see a system my mind jumps directly to how it can be used and abused though I'm generally not one to abuse it personally. There are those that don't want some of the ways to work the system repeated and even those that post the way they wished it was hoping people will believe it's really that way. Me, I'd rather just lay it out on the table. If that means it goes away sooner as some found when they abuse the DDP, so be it.

This is a very interesting point. I always figured that if someone else sets up the "rules" and I simply figure out the best way to work within them to my advantage, that's absolutely fair. For example, with my credit card rewards program, I charge as much as I can to get the maximum rewards, but then pay it off every month. It's within the credit card company's rules, but I've always assumed that they're betting the majority of people won't pay off their card balance every month. It's their system, but I use it as I see fit. How is that different from "working" the DVC system?

Dosen't seem fair that some people would be upset....
Although....I understand why...

I joined this board.....after lurking.....because of all the wonderful
information...and sharing nature of most people...

I'm sure those people learned a tip or two....on these boards...
we all start somewhere

I personally would share any info....just my nature...
Kerri

 

[RobDoc]

Thanks Doc for clarifyng. We are all under one contract. I also wanted to make sure that if I was reserving at say OKW at 6 months out that I could borrow points from the next year (OKW points) even if I had BCV points still remaining from the current year. Does that make sense? I know I have done this at greater than 7 months but of course I could not use points from another resort at that time. Thanks.

Yes, you can do that too. If MS suggests that you can use the BCV points, just let them know you have "other plans" for those BCV points that will require the 11 month priority.

Enjoy!

 

[nboicepardee]

We are going to Disney January 2008, and had decided to stay at a value or moderate for our Saturday night stay in order to save points. Upon further reflection, I decided that hauling our children back and forth between resorts to check-in on Sunday morning just didn't make sense. We are only doing 6 nights and I want maximize our time (our children will be 4 and 2 years old). So instead of using what seems like a ridiculous amount of points for a Saturday night stay in a two bedroom, we are getting a studio for Saturday night and a two bedroom for the remaining 5 days. They are linking our reservation and requesting a two bedroom lockoff, so we may not even need to move. This felt like the best option both financially and for our peace of mind.
That is my new strategy!
Natalie

 

[bevski]

If I want to make a ressie for August. I have points transferred to my acct. from someone who's home resort is SSR, use year Sept. My home resort is BWV, April use year. Can I combine these points to make a ressie at any resort?

 

[kimberh]

I'm answering my own question

In case anyone else wants to know...I called ms...
You CAN get ddp with cash ressie....no 1 day ticket needed....

AND....I can buy DD and DH passes....they are at
the same address.....
at least for now....DH...has been very annoying lately
Kerri

I did not know this, I just changed one of my reservations from weekend points to cash. I will have to call and add the DDP! Thanks!!!