Points and Cash Vacation

[dis@dills]

We just passed ROFR last week and I have a question in regards to points and cash vacations.

The questions I have are:

Do we have to change villas when you split the vacation between points and cash?

Is it the same ressie or are they linked?

Do you book through MS for the "cash" portion or do you have to go through CRO?

I keep looking at this and...

I have Caskbill DVC planner which is AWESOME and I am crunching numbers but I still come up with saving money using points (your own, rent, transfer, etc.) on Sat, Sun nights even though there is an increase VS. a cash transaction?

For example Aug ressie (dream season for DVC) at BWV for a 1 BDR standard view is 22 pts. and preferred is 28 pts. Using $11 as a rent/tranfer cost that would be $242 -standard and $308 for preferred.

Cash (value season) $425 regular rate. Factor in 25% DVC discount and TAX 12.5%, the total is $358.59.

If I am going on COST only am I missing something? Sorry for the long drawn out thread.

Thanks for your help.

Matt

 

[javaj]

When making a cash ressie, we go through MS so that we can get the 25% member discount (based on availability of course), and so that we can link the cash and points reservations. Linking the reservations allows for the request to keep the same room (they always mention not guaranteed but highly likely) and to get the dining plan for all the linked reservations.

Regarding cash or points for weekend nights, it depends on the resort, season, and type of room. For instance in September for a 2BR at SSR, if you can get the member discount, it would be 434 with tax or 54 points. For a studio at SSR, with the member discount $235 with tax or 20 points. So for the 2BR, we'd go with cash, but with the studio we'd use points.

The only time we will consider using CRO for weekend nights is if there happens to be an AP discount (or some other promo) that can't beat the 25% member discount. The difference would have to be pretty significant for us because we really like being able to stay in the same room and getting the dining plan.

 

[dis@dills]

When making a cash ressie, we go through MS so that we can get the 25% member discount (based on availability of course), and so that we can link the cash and points reservations. Linking the reservations allows for the request to keep the same room (they always mention not guaranteed but highly likely) and to get the dining plan for all the linked reservations.

Regarding cash or points for weekend nights, it depends on the resort, season, and type of room. For instance in September for a 2BR at SSR, if you can get the member discount, it would be 434 with tax or 54 points. For a studio at SSR, with the member discount $235 with tax or 20 points. So for the 2BR, we'd go with cash, but with the studio we'd use points.

The only time we will consider using CRO for weekend nights is if there happens to be an AP discount (or some other promo) that can't beat the 25% member discount. The difference would have to be pretty significant for us because we really like being able to stay in the same room and getting the dining plan.

Thanks for the info your info will be very helpful to us for future reservations. I have a quick question in regards to your example. I agree that it depends on the resort, season, and type of room. We will be alert to those variables.
The rate that I show for Sept, 2 bdrm at SSR is $515 per night (value), take the 25% discount and add tax and that comes to $869.06.
I hope I have the correct rate sheet from Mousesavers.com.

 

[javaj]

Thanks for the info your info will be very helpful to us for future reservations. I have a quick question in regards to your example. I agree that it depends on the resort, season, and type of room. We will be alert to those variables.
The rate that I show for Sept, 2 bdrm at SSR is $515 per night (value), take the 25% discount and add tax and that comes to $869.06.
I hope I have the correct rate sheet from Mousesavers.com.

Yes that's what I have too, for a 2 BR in Sept, $515 per night, minus 25% = $386.25 + 12.5% = $434.53. So I agree that 2 nights is 869.06. Each weekend night is 54 points, so both weekend nights would be 108 points. So for us, we'd go for the cash discount at $869 vs 108 points.

 

[dis@dills]

Yes that's what I have too, for a 2 BR in Sept, $515 per night, minus 25% = $386.25 + 12.5% = $434.53. So I agree that 2 nights is 869.06. Each weekend night is 54 points, so both weekend nights would be 108 points. So for us, we'd go for the cash discount at $869 vs 108 points.

Gotcha? I was not looking correctly at the points charts . I get so excited when I start to plan any WDW vacation that I rush a little and I overlook some things.

Thanks again and have a GREAT time on your upcoming trips!!!