Points to use but no availability?

[MarcyMouse]

I am wondering how the points work- We are thinking of becoming DVC members, but for now just trying to rent points and get a feel for things. Anyway, in trying to get a reservation I have found that the DVC resorts are pretty much booked solid until January. I have seen a lot of owners who need to rent points out by the end of Aug or Sept.. What happens if there is no availability, but you have these points you need to rent?

 

[Dean]

I am wondering how the points work- We are thinking of becoming DVC members, but for now just trying to rent points and get a feel for things. Anyway, in trying to get a reservation I have found that the DVC resorts are pretty much booked solid until January. I have seen a lot of owners who need to rent points out by the end of Aug or Sept.. What happens if there is no availability, but you have these points you need to rent?

If you can't bank them or use them for other things, you lose them.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC doesn't work that well for people who can't plan a vacation ahead of time. If you can only go spur of the moment, you could wind up being one of those members who didn't bank their points (or who couldn't bank them a second time - not permitted) and now there is nothing to reserve. Except maybe one night here, one night there, all different sized accomodations.

 

[gretchen265]

We became members last Oct, and had a trip the following month! The key is you either have to be a long-term planner OR you have to be flexible...Last year (Nov.), we split our stay between 3 resorts, which I thought would be a nightmare but it actually gave us a chance to see other places! It worked out great (I wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis, though). This year, at 11 months, I secured our location, and then switched at 7 months to try something new!

 

[CandyMandy]

DVC doesn't work that well for people who can't plan a vacation ahead of time.

The most important piece of DCL gospel - which sadly seems to be increasingly getting lost (there are most posts here than ever with new members whining about not being able to get short term -- read 7 months or less -- reservations).

When anyone who asks me about joining DVC, the first thing they hear is "it really only works for those who not only have the ability and willingness to plan vacations over a year out, but who actually enjoy planning that far ahead."

 

[Mommb]

Really, DVC is not designed for people who often "need to rent points." Sure, life happens, but as previous posters have said, DVC work best for people who can plan vacations well in advance and people who can be flexible for reservations not made for in advance.

My family had a trip planned earlier this year that we had to cancel. By the time we were ready to re-schedule it, the kids are already signed up for camps all summer, so the first time we could go is when they have a day off school in October. We were able to find a room for the 4 days we wanted -- not at the resort we wanted (Boardwalk or Beach Club) but at Saratoga Springs. I was well aware that BWV and BCV would both be full in October, but I'm willing to stay anywhere on property.

If we did not want to flexible, we could have tried renting the points several months ago, when there might have been more options available. (I've never rented points so I don't know exactly what's involved.)

 

[CocosMeme]

I decided to go on a sort of last minute trip in August a few weeks ago. I had my choice or a Studio at AKV-Kidani (Savannah View), Studio at OKW, or Studio at SSR for the 5 nights I wanted. I could have had Boardwalk or BLT if I was willing to split stay, but I wanted to unpack 1 time, so I took the AKV one.

 

[Geezer]

If you can't bank them or use them for other things, you lose them.

Or you could deposit them into RCI and use them for a future non-DVC trip.

 

[Dean]

Or you could deposit them into RCI and use them for a future non-DVC trip.

Not in the exact scenario referenced, that of having points that would expire but no availability. There must be a week that can be deposited within the timeframe of the points in order to deposit with RCI. That week would have to be starting on Fri, Sat or Sunday and fall completely within the expiration date of the points unless it crossed over and one also used other points in the next UY.

 

[disneychic]

DVC doesn't work that well for people who can't plan a vacation ahead of time.....

I couldn't agree more If you're not a "planner" you learn to become one really quickly -- because no one wants to ever lose points!

 

[vakamalua]

The most important piece of DCL gospel - which sadly seems to be increasingly getting lost (there are most posts here than ever with new members whining about not being able to get short term -- read 7 months or less -- reservations).

When anyone who asks me about joining DVC, the first thing they hear is "it really only works for those who not only have the ability and willingness to plan vacations over a year out, but who actually enjoy planning that far ahead."

We have been DVC members for 16 years and this need to book your vacation the minute you hit the 12/7 month mark has only been an issue in the past few years. This is NOT the product we bought into.

And the new members are NOT whining. In the DVC salespersons' rush to get you to buy, they do NOT emphasize (in most cases, don't even mention)
this requirement that you plan far ahead. They make it sound like to go use your points anywhere, anytime--WDW, cruises, Hawaii!!! Most of the excited, young families that Disney depends on to buy into DVC are the very ones that can't always plan far ahead or travel in off times. Happy to hear you are telling prospective buyers about the reality of the product, DVC marketers are not.

 

[Dean]

We have been DVC members for 16 years and this need to book your vacation the minute you hit the 12/7 month mark has only been an issue in the past few years. This is NOT the product we bought into.

And the new members are NOT whining. In the DVC salespersons' rush to get you to buy, they do NOT emphasize (in most cases, don't even mention)
this requirement that you plan far ahead. They make it sound like to go use your points anywhere, anytime--WDW, cruises, Hawaii!!! Most of the excited, young families that Disney depends on to buy into DVC are the very ones that can't always plan far ahead or travel in off times. Happy to hear you are telling prospective buyers about the reality of the product, DVC marketers are not.

One needs to understand the product they are buying into, not put faith in a timeshare salesperson. There are several reasons things have gotten tougher the last few years but SSR points are the main one for DVC 7 month availability issues, both directly and indirectly.