POP vs. renting DVC points

[gohappy92]

Greetings from Massachusetts! I have a question for you Disney experts...
We plan on driving to DW in May, and because we are on a fixed budget for this visit, I am debating on whether to book at POP using the Spring Rate discount.
Or...
Attempting to rent points for AKV. If I am able to rent points @ $10.00 - $11.00 per point it would be roughly the same amount for a value studio there, as it would to stay at POP.
I have been scouring the DVC threads, and it seems that as soon as someone posts rental points, they go quick!

My question is... how difficult is it to secure rental points through a DVC owner? Any tips or advice?


I thank you all in advance!

 

[I Run Long]

You're right it is difficult with the changes made on the rental thread, to find what you are looking for. It used to be that you, as a potential renter, could post asking for points to a resort over a specific set of dates. Now you can't do that. You have to wait until DVC owner posts and hope that you see it soon enough AND that they have enough points for you. When I rented for the first time in 2010 I posted and had numerous owners reply to me. Thank goodness for that because I have made a connection with an awesome DVC owner and am renting from them again for a 1 bedroom at BCV. I don't know that there is any easy way to do it now but to check it frequently through the day and hopefully an owner posts advertising exactly what you need. Once you make a good connection with an owner, hang on to it for dear life and hope that they can or are able to rent to you again. If I had to do it now I don't think I could find an owner with the number of points we need at the resort we want. I love renting - it's a great way to stay deluxe for much less - good luck to you. Hopefully someone here will post with better tips for you

 

[rpcvpanama]

Also, another thing to consider is the timing. If you are looking for May 2012, the chances of getting a Value Studio at AKL at this point are pretty slim. Those rooms book up quickly if not at the 11 month window but certainly by the 7 month window. If it isn't in your budget for a AKV - Savanna view I would just go with POP at this point.

That being said if you find someone you may get lucky or get a room at another DVC resort. Generally the DVC resorts are considered deluxe resorts so any of them would be a step up from POP (no offense meant to any POP fans).

 

[sunshinehighway]

I tried to rent points directly from an owner last year. It wasn't the easiest experience. Lots of back and forth with both deals not working out. If you are only looking for enough points for a studio, in my experience, it will be harder because the owners want to rent out as many points as they have to use. In my case, both owners ended up being contacted by someone looking for more points so they went with them.

I ended up using DCV request. I paid more per point but it was much smoother than searching the boards and contacting owners. Old Key West is lovely and I believe it is the least amount of points. If you haven't already, check out the points calculator on their website. Maybe staying at OKW for $13/point is within your budget.

Good luck!

 

[xceebeex]

I got really lucky as far as finding a great DVC owner to work with. I was posting in different people’s threads asking for availability of different rooms for my upcoming stay in May and I ended up getting a PM from a member asking me if I want to rent from him for $11 a point. So I did my homework on him by first checking to make sure he really owned a property and then I asked for references and I emailed all of his references (one of them had already rented from him 4 times, her mom 3 times and then 3 friends so that alone was enough for me). He has answered all questions I had and once we picked a place he sent me his contract, I sent him the deposit and later that day he sent me the confirmation from DVC showing the room being reserved.

This is my first time renting points and I think I got spoiled by having someone so great to work with. I will DEFINITELY go back to this member for my next vacation as well. So my suggestion is to post in as many threads in the rent/trade section as you can asking for availability and people will notice and may even contact you. Just make sure you are ready to commit to a place and duration because as you have seen, the points go fast.

 

[Sammie]

Renting points usually requires advance planning of 11 to 7 months out. As stated what you want is probably not available. The rooms that require less points go very quickly.

 

[Missyrose]

I got really lucky as far as finding a great DVC owner to work with. I was posting in different people’s threads asking for availability of different rooms for my upcoming stay in May and I ended up getting a PM from a member asking me if I want to rent from him for $11 a point. So I did my homework on him by first checking to make sure he really owned a property and then I asked for references and I emailed all of his references (one of them had already rented from him 4 times, her mom 3 times and then 3 friends so that alone was enough for me). He has answered all questions I had and once we picked a place he sent me his contract, I sent him the deposit and later that day he sent me the confirmation from DVC showing the room being reserved.

This is my first time renting points and I think I got spoiled by having someone so great to work with. I will DEFINITELY go back to this member for my next vacation as well. So my suggestion is to post in as many threads in the rent/trade section as you can asking for availability and people will notice and may even contact you. Just make sure you are ready to commit to a place and duration because as you have seen, the points go fast.

There are threads on a couple of the DVC boards about this. The moderators are trying to find out people who have been contacted by PM about renting points. Apparently, it's against the rules for someone to contact you beyond the Rent/Trade board threads. You might want to check one of these threads and get in contact with the moderators.

I'm not trying to say that there's anything wrong with your reservation, but you may have info the people who run the boards need.

 

[xceebeex]

There are threads on a couple of the DVC boards about this. The moderators are trying to find out people who have been contacted by PM about renting points. Apparently, it's against the rules for someone to contact you beyond the Rent/Trade board threads. You might want to check one of these threads and get in contact with the moderators.

I'm not trying to say that there's anything wrong with your reservation, but you may have info the people who run the boards need.

Hmmm, never realized that was against the rules of that board. Did something happen in the past where people got screwed forcing the change? Or was it because the site wanted to make money off of people who want to “advertise” their points? My guess is that it is the latter. If that is the case, this particular member has an ongoing thread in that section where he is renting his points so he already made the “donation” to advertise. I think the member just contacted me because I was posting in a lot of different threads and wasn’t really getting many answers to my questions.

EDIT: After looking at the thread you linked I think we are fine for two reasons:
1) I am not complaining
2) He has an active rental thread in the Rent/Trade forum

But this is good to know for the future. I didn't realize it was a problem. I am going to go back and re-check their thread to see if maybe I did post in the thread to begin with (I posted in so many I could have things mixed up) Either way, I do not want to get the member in any trouble because the member has a great reputation among people he has rented to and like I said, the member has a current thread.

 

[chimilady]

I tried to rent points directly from an owner last year. It wasn't the easiest experience. Lots of back and forth with both deals not working out. If you are only looking for enough points for a studio, in my experience, it will be harder because the owners want to rent out as many points as they have to use. In my case, both owners ended up being contacted by someone looking for more points so they went with them.
Good luck!

Emphasis mine.

Not necessarily. For instance, my friend is a CM in Orlando, and also a DVC owner who recently went through a rough divorce. She's saving to take her kids to DL, and realized she won't be able to do it this year financially. I'm trying to convince her to rent out some points so she can do things like pay for her after school care and her DD's braces, but still save some points to bank for next year when she CAN take that trip. So not everyone is out to rent out a large number every year, some are looking to make ends meet. Especially in this economy when not everyone can afford to take vacations. By renting them out, she'll be able to pay some bills, and someone else will be able to take a great vacation, so it's a win/win for her.

 

[gohappy92]

Thanks for all of your input, I appreciate it! After reading the replies, I think we will book at POP, and next time begin planning earlier for a DVC rental.

 

[joeytdog]

you should rent points

its such a better experience (deluxe v value)

renting points is easy---if you are that nervous go with Davids site, you will pay $2-$3 more per point, but it will give you peace of mind.....I did that the 1st time I rented.....have rented 4x in past 5 years---

May is not that busy, I always go end of May---most kids if not all kids are in school during May

I urge you to reconsider---you will NOT regret renting points

go to davids site and fill out a request, you will know in a day or two if the points are available or not and if not you can always book POP then

do it--you will thank yourself later---

 

[sunshinehighway]

you should rent points

its such a better experience (deluxe v value)

renting points is easy---if you are that nervous go with Davids site, you will pay $2-$3 more per point, but it will give you peace of mind.....I did that the 1st time I rented.....have rented 4x in past 5 years---

May is not that busy, I always go end of May---most kids if not all kids are in school during May

I urge you to reconsider---you will NOT regret renting points

go to davids site and fill out a request, you will know in a day or two if the points are available or not and if not you can always book POP then

do it--you will thank yourself later---

I agree. It won't hurt to check out the points calculator and send in a request if something is in your budget. When I used David's site to rent points I did it at about 5 months out. That was for December. They'll get back to you quickly once you fill out the form so you'll know within a day or two if anything is available.

 

[Marionnette]

My brother booked a studio for me at AKV using his points. He owns at SSR. There were no value studios available when he tried at the 7-month window. The concierge and value studios go the morning that the 11-month window opens for owners who have AKV as their home resort. So, not only would the OP need to try to find points early, they would pretty much need to find an AKV owner with points to rent at 11 months before their planned arrival date. The stars would have to align just right for that to occur. That's not to say that someone might not cancel a reservation for one of those studios. But the waitlist for them would be so long that it would be almost impossible to get one for May of this year.

I really loved Kidani and would recommend it in a heartbeat over staying at Pop. But I think that the OP has made a good decision to stay at Pop this time and start looking for a DVC rental early for their next trip.

 

[jpmom]

I would try to get AKL through points. It's an incredible resort, and in my opinion, just doesn't compare to the moderates.

 

[Desnik]

I was checking AKV value studios for May for a trip for DH and I and there are none available. We own at AKV & SSR and if you want a value or concierge room at AKV those have to be booked 11 months out.

 

[gohappy92]

Thank you, everyone! And Desnik... thanks for letting me know that there are no more value studios available in May at AKL.
I will check out David's rentals and see if it is affordable for us.

 

[Desnik]

Thank you, everyone! And Desnik... thanks for letting me know that there are no more value studios available in May at AKL.
I will check out David's rentals and see if it is affordable for us.

You know what? You may have a shot! Someone just posted on the DVC boards they got a value room for March!

 

[superdiz]

Just keep sending a PM to the members who are renting points. Someone will eventually get back to you. HTH!

 

[ppony]

I was checking AKV value studios for May for a trip for DH and I and there are none available. We own at AKV & SSR and if you want a value or concierge room at AKV those have to be booked 11 months out.

Just to confirm my experience on this, I own at AKV and I called at my 11 month window AT call center opening and by 2 minutes in there was only one 1BR CL left. I was happy to get mine. Whew!

These threads are good to read. I had no idea about some of these rules. I've off and on thought about renting our points but for now, we're enjoying them SO MUCH.

 

[Camno's Mama]

I had several people on the disboards telling me that I wouldn't find anything because we were booking two weeks or so ago for the end of March. I did it anyway, and I got something. And we are staying at AKV...not value, but standard so not a huge price increase. So, give it a shot. It won't hurt to try!

ETA: I got something for 10.00 a point, too!