Poll: DVC perks used by owners & recommended?

[BoardwalkSuzy]

DVC Points for exchanges?

1) Have you used DVC points for RCI Resorts, Disney Cruises or Adventures by Disney?

2) Have you NOT used DVC points for RCI Resorts, Disney Cruises or Adventures by Disney?

 

[Mjasp]

This is the type of thread that should have the ability to vote on more than one answer, I'm just saying

 

[nunzia]

This is the type of thread that should have the ability to vote on more than one answer, I'm just saying

..agreed..can it be adjusted?

 

[Sandisw]

I have only used my points for DVC and the only exchange I plan to consider is cruising.

And, I do think that using points for a cruise can provide you with value. I bought DVC for my yearly vacations so my OOP vacations costs each year were limited.

If I make the choice to do a 4 night cruise instead of a 5 night WDW trip,then it is providing me exactly what I bought it for--my yearly vacation.

 

[Dean]

Technically these really aren't perks but exchange options, as are the CC and rest of the DC. Perks are more like the dining discounts, valet parking before, AP discount, etc. It might be interesting to see but don't expect it to get you even a valid picture of what DIS members do and feel.

 

[JimMIA]

I agree the poll needs to be re-structured to allow multiple votes.

I personally have not used DVC points anywhere but DVC, nor do I think cruises or any of the collections are cost-effective uses of DVC points for our family. My personal opinion is that all of those choices are horrifically overpriced on a cash basis, and an even worse value for points.

However, everyone has different priorities and if a member is satisfied with the value they receive for their points, that's really all that matters.

From what I've read on the subject, RCI exchanges may or may not be decent values, depending on the resort you get. The selection is limited (+/- 600 resorts worldwide) and RCI exchanges require more advanced planning and patience than a DVC reservation.

If I was going to exchange, I'd use my Wyndham points to get access to a much larger selection (more than 6,500 resorts) and a much easier exchange system...even though Wyndham does not exchange that well.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've used our points for cruising twice. The first time I used banked points that came from a resale, and they were points that I wouldn't be able to use at WDW before the UY ended. So, that is something that I would not be able to do any more under the new rules. The second time was for a Members Cruise. Because of the cost of MC's I do not think we'll be going on another one, but if we did, I would most likely use points for one again.

Bobbi

 

[Mjasp]

My daughter just told me that you can get a 7 night caribbean cruise for 2 adults in an inside cabin on the Fantasy for 150 pts, of course that is off season, but still. At that amount of pts, I think it is worth it

 

[DebbieB]

In 11+ years, I've never used my points outside of DVC except for 1 night at POFQ and 2 trips to DL.

 

[Chuck S]

I've never used points anywhere, except OKW, since purchasing in 1992. As I get older, trading may be an option at some point, and I'm happy to have them available. BUT, even if they were taken away from direct purchasers, it would not really have any impact on my membership.

 

[princessfionasmom]

My daughter just told me that you can get a 7 night caribbean cruise for 2 adults in an inside cabin on the Fantasy for 150 pts, of course that is off season, but still. At that amount of pts, I think it is worth it

Can you tell me where she got that info? We have only used our pts for DVC stays so far. The only other option I would consider is using them for a cruise.

 

[Mjasp]

OKAY, I just saw that those are the points PER PERSON, sorry

 

[princessfionasmom]

OKAY, I just saw that those are the points PER PERSON, sorry

Thanks for the link! I was looking for that info.

 

[CleoPahd]

We booked the Dream on points. I know many say it's not a good use of points, on top of the $95 fee. However, in our case it worked. I think it really depends on the circumstances. For the dates we are cruising it was only 79 pts per person, so 158 for both me and my husband. When we compared it to the cash price vs renting our points the price was very close. Close enough that we felt it wasn't worth the hassle of renting our points. We looked at other cruises where there was no question that paying cash would be the way to go.

 

[Dean]

I've used our points for cruising twice. The first time I used banked points that came from a resale, and they were points that I wouldn't be able to use at WDW before the UY ended. So, that is something that I would not be able to do any more under the new rules. The second time was for a Members Cruise. Because of the cost of MC's I do not think we'll be going on another one, but if we did, I would most likely use points for one again.

Bobbi

Obviously that's true for future purchases, but not what you already own. Also, for those with qualified and unqualified points there are options such as using non qualified points for DVC and RCI but using qualified points for cash equivalent exchange options. Also I suspect resale buyers will have a way to cross over. It will likely cost them money but still likely less overall than buying retail.

 

[Dean]

We booked the Dream on points. I know many say it's not a good use of points, on top of the $95 fee. However, in our case it worked. I think it really depends on the circumstances. For the dates we are cruising it was only 79 pts per person, so 158 for both me and my husband. When we compared it to the cash price vs renting our points the price was very close. Close enough that we felt it wasn't worth the hassle of renting our points. We looked at other cruises where there was no question that paying cash would be the way to go.

I think the key is to look at specifics. The points chart was somewhat favorable for the Dream which is likely whey the system got overbooked with DVC points. One of the common "mistakes" people make in comparing points vs cash cruises is missing the early booking deadline and not taking that into account when comparing.

 

[Mjasp]

My daughter is 19 and plans on buying DVC in the future, she had a good point when I told her about the age old debate for cruising, she said well if you have DVC already and can't afford to take a cruise by cash, well then it is worth using your pts then isn't it?

 

[DizDays]

We used our points to book the Members Cruise in 2011. Absolutely ridiculously high points. But this is a first time adventure and, I hope, worth it for the experience. If the poll can get fixed to allow each category to be answered, I'd be curious to see what the numbers look like.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

We are using some of our points on our upcoming Alaskan cruise. For us it is worth it since the points were prepaid. We are not interested in renting out points. We got them to vacation as we see fit.

 

[Dean]

My daughter is 19 and plans on buying DVC in the future, she had a good point when I told her about the age old debate for cruising, she said well if you have DVC already and can't afford to take a cruise by cash, well then it is worth using your pts then isn't it?

To a degree. However, one who plans to buy in has the opportunity to make a better choice by buying less DVC points and using the money saves (up front and dues) to pay cash for the other options with a significant long term savings, less stress, more guarantees and more options.