Points Plus Paying Cash

[Tink316]

Ok, we are relatively new DVC members. Have only used our points for two trips...and both times have had more than enough points for the room we selected.

We are starting to plan a trip for a large family vacation (3 families), and I wanted to book a 3-bedroom Villa. I don't have quite enough points for the total number needed so am wonder can I book with the points I do have available, and then pay cash for the remaining "balance?"

Or I guess the other option is to borrow remain points from the next year. Just wondering how this works...and open to advice from what other members may have done...again, not even sure I can pay cash?

Thanks!

 

[poohj80]

You would need to pay cash for as many nights that you are short. Even though DVC members get a discount over rack rate, it might make more sense financially to borrow the points. If you gave an AP, compare the AP discount to DVC. For a recent trip for us, AP was much better than DVC.

 

[MouseMomx2]

You can book some nights on points and some nights on cash and then link the two reservations together. You cannot pay for one night with some points and some cash. All of this depends on availability in both points and cash inventories, of course. Some resorts have only a few grand villas which makes them harder to book.

Personally, I would borrow the points and pay for the entire reservation that way, especially since you are booking the most expensive room category. Next year you could book a cash room or borrow from the following year, whichever works best for you.

 

[Tink316]

Thanks for the info... definitely helps. And makes sense.

Thank you, thank you!

 

[starry_solo]

How many points do you need? Maybe you can find someone you can get a points transfer from?!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Ok, we are relatively new DVC members. Have only used our points for two trips...and both times have had more than enough points for the room we selected.

We are starting to plan a trip for a large family vacation (3 families), and I wanted to book a 3-bedroom Villa. I don't have quite enough points for the total number needed so am wonder can I book with the points I do have available, and then pay cash for the remaining "balance?"

Or I guess the other option is to borrow remain points from the next year. Just wondering how this works...and open to advice from what other members may have done...again, not even sure I can pay cash?

Thanks!

Before you book that GV, make sure all the other families are really going. There are a lot of horror stories on the DIS about family and friends canceling on the member at the last minute and leaving them with lots of empty beds, wasted points and hard feelings.

 

[DebbieB]

Be sure to look at the cash rate for a grand villa, they are well over $1,000 per night.

http://www.mousesavers.com/2013-walt-disney-world-resort-room-rates-season-dates/

 

[Dean]

If you're set on the 3 BR, I'd borrow the points. However, the 3 BR creates additional risk if you have to make changes or change your group in any way. Generally a 2 BR plus a studio is both cheaper and safer.

 

[Tink316]

Ok, definitely not doing the cash; yikes! That is a lot of money. I'd rather borrow the points.

But then I was thinking of booking more than one room instead -- so you can do that I take it based on Dean's comment? Can you book more than one room online or am I better off calling to make such a reservation. Clearly a novice so I'm learning as we go.

Thanks everyone!



P.S. We travel annually with the folks we would be taking so I'm confident no one would be cancelling.

 

[com_op_2000]

You can book multiple rooms online or by calling.
The catch is you can only book one room at a time, either way.
You will get multiple reservation numbers. Once you have all the reservation made, call MS to have a "Travel with" notation put on each of the reservations.

I have booked three studios at one time for a family trip at SSR. We were in the same building and on the same floor.

 

[Dean]

You can book multiple rooms online or by calling.
The catch is you can only book one room at a time, either way.
You will get multiple reservation numbers. Once you have all the reservation made, call MS to have a "Travel with" notation put on each of the reservations.

I have booked three studios at one time for a family trip at SSR. We were in the same building and on the same floor.

One caveat is you need to put a different lead name on each separate reservation that is for the same time frame.