Pros & Cons of renting DVC points?

[BabyHabs]

I booked a week at BCV and a week at BLT (both 1 bedrooms) through David's and saved an easy 4k than if I'd booked through Disney paying cash. Of course, this is prior to any Disney promos that may come up. But this is in March discounts may not be very good then.

 

[mkla2015]

I booked a week at BCV and a week at BLT (both 1 bedrooms) through David's and saved an easy 4k than if I'd booked through Disney paying cash. Of course, this is prior to any Disney promos that may come up. But this is in March discounts may not be very good then.

We are going in March as well and we're booked for 9 nights in a 1 bedroom at BLT- renting points from David's and we're saving around $2700 off rack rate. After doing lots of research and comparing prices, we decided David's was the way to go for us and it has been great! Super easy process.

 

[ciera321]

We always buy trip insurance if we rent points. Of course it doesn't cover if you change your mind, but if something unforeseen does happen, you're covered. For our May trip, we paid $198 for both of us. Worth it to us....

 

[ErinInCT]

We've always rented points from people here on DIS. The only con for us is that once you stay in a deluxe you can never go back to anything but!!! We could have done Coronado Springs with free dining and STILL chose DVC so we could get a one bedroom with kitchen and w/d. We pack way fewer clothes. We get grocery delivery and eat breakfast in the room. We come back for lunch or pack it and bring it to the park. We eat dinner out every night. I don't mind the lack of housekeeping at all! We've always had good luck and I will never consider anything but DVC rental for our trips! Wish I could buy and go more often but DH and kids don't share my passion and only wanna go every 5 yrs or so.

 

[loves to dive]

I've rented points from David's and had a very good experience with the process. You have to pay a fee up front, I think it's $100 which is added back to the cost of what you are renting and if they can't find something you want they refund it. You do have to pay up front and you can't cancel once booked, which was one of the only drawbacks for me. I don't normally know I'm going until 2 or 3 months before I go if I'm lucky so availability is often limited, I don't mind the lack of housekeeping except for you don't get the amenities restocked either, which for shampoo, etc. is not big deal but the coffee is. They have regular coffee pots in the rooms, they provide one coffee pack. As a solo person ain't no way I'm drinking a whole pot of coffee in one day, so I had to just nuke a cup from that pot the next day. In the regular rooms you get the Keurig type pots, which I prefer. I was a little disappointed my first stay in a DVC studio, it was a BW before they renovated and I actually got it through Disney, it just so happened to be the cheapest option at the time. The room was old and used, the "studio" portion was simply a bar sink, a microwave a few cabinets with paper plates and a coffee cup and the room was actually a tad smaller than a non-villa room. DVC are timeshares and in order to keep dues down, they don't upgrade as often as the regular resorts but a deluxe is a deluxe and the convenience of staying at an Epcot resort during F&W far outweighed any issues I might have had. They have since started rehabing BWV so the rooms are in a lot better shape.

 

[crisi]

I think this post covers it best, and I agree with all points. Only thing I would add to the cons is that typically most brokers don't allow cancellation or changes once your booked and paid (unless you buy the insurance that only some offer), and with some brokers you have to pay for the full cost up front at time of booking. You also will likely pay more per point with a broker than you would a private owner, but a broker does mitigate some of the risk.

We are staying on rented DVC points with a private but reputable (with references) owner that rents all the time. It's been a great experience and I'll probably always rent going forward.

Individual owners may have the same cancellation and flexibility issues - if you book through an individual because flexibility is important to you, make sure you understand THEIR ability and terms - every owner will set their own terms, and it might depend on where you fall in their use year. This lack of cancellation and lack of flexibility isn't just a broker issue - its pretty fundamental to DVC ownership - even owners have problems with cancellation or moving their own reservations.

The other thing I would make sure you understand - DVC units are timeshares, not Deluxe hotel rooms. For the most part, a studio is going to have a Queen bed and a full pullout and a twin Murphy bed - but when the pullout is out and the Murphy bed is down, there isn't exactly a lot of remain space to take up dancing. DVC gets refreshed less often than Disney hotel rooms, and generally speaking, the rooms tend to show more wear and tear. That doesn't mean they aren't nice, but if you are used to staying at the Boardwalk Inn and move to the Boardwalk Villas, you'll notice that you left the Deluxe hotel for the timeshare. If you want two Queen beds in your room, or a room for two with a King bed, or bunkbeds for your kids, that's going to make DVC a poor fit (OKW does have two Queens in studios)

 

[browniemtb]

Great thread.....Over the years we've rented out our points several times. We haven't for the last 4 years or so due to large family trips and bringing friends along. Now we have some points to rent and the amount of requests are fantastic though most requested times I find things booked up. Also I was asked for referenced just last night. I've never been asked before. Though I find this perfectly fine, I have no real history with anyone since the amount of time that has lapsed from our last rental.

I'm sure this has been mentioned but for those renting points, plan a head as do most DVC members. Wanting to book BWV or BCV for October or November today is pretty much impossible.

 

[nkereina]

Individual owners may have the same cancellation and flexibility issues - if you book through an individual because flexibility is important to you, make sure you understand THEIR ability and terms - every owner will set their own terms, and it might depend on where you fall in their use year. This lack of cancellation and lack of flexibility isn't just a broker issue - its pretty fundamental to DVC ownership - even owners have problems with cancellation or moving their own reservations.

Right. But what I mentioned a few posts before the one you quoted is that all owners make their own rules. While they may not be able to cancel and get their points back, they may be willing to advertise again and rent your points to someone else to help you out and recoup some of your cost. Brokers aren't going to do this because they have hard and fast rules about canceling that apply to everyone across the board.[/QUOTE]

 

[crisi]

Right. But what I mentioned a few posts before the one you quoted is that all owners make their own rules. While they may not be able to cancel and get their points back, they may be willing to advertise again and rent your points to someone else to help you out and recoup some of your cost. Brokers aren't going to do this because they have hard and fast rules about canceling that apply to everyone across the board.

[/QUOTE]

If I were a renter (and I have been as well as an owner) I'd start with the assumption that all rentals will be non-refundable. If finding flexibility is important to you, you may have to really look for an owner - and may not find one who is willing or able to be flexible for the time you want at the resort you want.

Owners looking to rent their points, particularly those who own at high demand resorts, can pick and choose their renters - more people looking for those points than people looking to rent - so as a con - the more requirements you have as a renter (it must be this resort, the owner must provide flexibility to cancel, I want someone with references who has rented before, I want someone willing to walk the reservation to get a standard view at the BW during Food and Wine) the harder it will be to find someone to rent from. Of course, you never know until you try and the first person you respond to might meet your every need.

 

[Miffy]

We've never rented points but are contemplating doing it for the next trip.

One question I have that I haven't seen addressed anywhere: What if you check in and you don't like your room? Can you go to the front desk and ask to be moved to another room, the way you can when you've booked a Disney hotel (not DVC) room? I realize that even then sometimes it's impossible (the hotel's totally booked, for example), but I want to know if it's even a possibility or if the room is basically locked in and no changes are possible.

Thanks for any info about this!

 

[Minniesgal]

Kinda apples to oranges because it depends on if you are fixed on ONLY staying at deluxe accommodations. In that case, DVC might save you more than the savings of free dining.

I guarantee you that if I rented points with DVC, but had to pay for the dining plan, my vacation would be MUCH more costly. Granted, I would be in a deluxe resort.

We have Free Dining later this month. For our family of 5, for 8 nights, the regular dining plan would cost $2094. There is now way I am going to save over $2000 by purchasing DVC points. Our room at Port Orleans Riverside is $1775 total for the 8 nights, for a family of 5. So free dining alone saves me more than the total cost of my room.

Dan

We save with our DVC over this because we would never ever buy a dining plan. If you want a Hotel room type trip with a dining plan you are quite correct and you are probably not a good candidate for DVC.

 

[crisi]

We've never rented points but are contemplating doing it for the next trip.

One question I have that I haven't seen addressed anywhere: What if you check in and you don't like your room? Can you go to the front desk and ask to be moved to another room, the way you can when you've booked a Disney hotel (not DVC) room? I realize that even then sometimes it's impossible (the hotel's totally booked, for example), but I want to know if it's even a possibility or if the room is basically locked in and no changes are possible.

Thanks for any info about this!

You will pay a room change fee equal to a full cleaning for one night according to policy, which will vary by room size. Its seldom actually charged.

As a member, I'd like to REALLY DISCOURAGE this over something like view. DVC is alway almost totally booked - and someone will get the room with a lousy view. This time, by luck of the draw, its your turn (its certainly been my turn to get a less desirable room - and my last stay we had a truly awesome room). That, to me, is part of timeshare membership - and as a guest on my membership, I'd expect my renters to understand the etiquette. Other members disagree.

 

[nkereina]

If I were a renter (and I have been as well as an owner) I'd start with the assumption that all rentals will be non-refundable. If finding flexibility is important to you, you may have to really look for an owner - and may not find one who is willing or able to be flexible for the time you want at the resort you want.

Owners looking to rent their points, particularly those who own at high demand resorts, can pick and choose their renters - more people looking for those points than people looking to rent - so as a con - the more requirements you have as a renter (it must be this resort, the owner must provide flexibility to cancel, I want someone with references who has rented before, I want someone willing to walk the reservation to get a standard view at the BW during Food and Wine) the harder it will be to find someone to rent from. Of course, you never know until you try and the first person you respond to might meet your every need.[/QUOTE]

Well, most are non-refundable. My only point was that by going with an individual owner, it may be possible that you can have some flexibility. When thinking about that versus a broker, you won't find that same flexibility wit a broker. I certainly wasn't saying that a renter should lay out THEIR requirements, one of which being the option to cancel. That's hard to find in an owner. I'm just saying that knowing an owner may provide some flexibility gives someone a little peace of mind for unforeseen circumstances that could arise.

 

[nkereina]

That, to me, is part of timeshare membership - and as a guest on my membership, I'd expect my renters to understand the etiquette. Other members disagree.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that strangers who are renting from you are guests on your membership and representing you at that resort. Your renters are paying you a fair amount to be there. It's been my experience that once I'm on-site at the resort as a renter, the member I'm renting from never even comes up. Nothing I do reflects positively or negatively on the member. It's been no different for me checking in, changing rooms, or just staying at the resort than if I had booked it myself through Disney.

 

[crisi]

I wouldn't go as far as to say that strangers who are renting from you are guests on your membership and representing you at that resort. Your renters are paying you a fair amount to be there. It's been my experience that once I'm on-site at the resort as a renter, the member I'm renting from never even comes up. Nothing I do reflects positively or negatively on the member. It's been no different for me checking in, changing rooms, or just staying at the resort than if I had booked it myself through Disney.

And that's the attitude that makes some members get very angry about renters and people who rent. Technically, my renter is a guest on my points. Legally, I have a responsibility for them (If they don't pay their bills, Disney can come after me. If they trash their room, Disney can come after me.) They are getting a great deal over a hotel room, because its a timeshare. Want to switch rooms and behave like a hotel guest? - book the hotel and pay more money. Want to stay in a timeshare, understand timeshare etiquette and get a good deal.

 

[LisaS]

I'm with crisi on this. Of course it depends on how the guest (whether renter or owner) handles it when the front desk says "I'm sorry but we're full and I can't change your room." If the guest accepts that answer, great. If the guest insists on a different room and the front desk CM caves, the guest is taking the room assigned to someone else, perhaps from someone who was finally getting exactly what they requested this trip but they haven't checked in yet.

With a timeshare, every resource and every cost is shared by all of the members. Whether it's taking someone else's assigned room or grabbing towels from the pool area to avoid paying the towel fee, it affects other members.

 

[nkereina]

I'm with crisi on this. Of course it depends on how the guest (whether renter or owner) handles it when the front desk says "I'm sorry but we're full and I can't change your room." If the guest accepts that answer, great. If the guest insists on a different room and the front desk CM caves, the guest is taking the room assigned to someone else, perhaps from someone who was finally getting exactly what they requested this trip but they haven't checked in yet.

With a timeshare, every resource and every cost is shared by all of the members. Whether it's taking someone else's assigned room or grabbing towels from the pool area to avoid paying the towel fee, it affects other members.

But aren't you taking a room assigned to someone else even a hotel too if you demand another room? If the hotel is at or near capacity, you are. I understand your point that members pay dues and share in the cost of the resort, but if you're going to make money renting out your points and worry about the etiquette of the people you are renting to, perhaps you should either do some due diligence or not rent at all.

And FWIW - if someone rents through a broker, the owner and the renter never even make contact. The owner has no idea who is "representing" them at the resort. If the etiquette is so important, its never even communicated by the brokers to the renter.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney's policy seems to be, first to physically check in has a better chance of getting their room request by asking for a different room. Disney wants the guest to be happy so if you haven't checked in, received your room number, you stand the chance that someone can get the room originally assigned to you.

Only once in years of WDW stay did that seems to change. We stayed at BLT shortly after it opened, at check in we were showed the resort map and our request was the opposite of the assigned room. We asked if we could have a different room and was told by the CM and her manager that there was a new policy that assigned rooms stayed as assigned.

A few months later at BLT we were told that the policy was a resort policy because the CM's didn't know the BLT room layout and they didn't want to waste time switching rooms.

Bill

 

[McCrae]

I wouldn't go as far as to say that strangers who are renting from you are guests on your membership and representing you at that resort. Your renters are paying you a fair amount to be there. It's been my experience that once I'm on-site at the resort as a renter, the member I'm renting from never even comes up. Nothing I do reflects positively or negatively on the member. It's been no different for me checking in, changing rooms, or just staying at the resort than if I had booked it myself through Disney.

Whilst I agree with your sentiment your comments are not 100% accurate. The member you rent from is liable for any damage a renter may make to their room and for any unpaid room charges. Disney will hold the owner responsible. The biggest risk an owner takes renting points is that the guest they rent to trashes the room and they are left with a big bill and a difficult if not impossible task of recovering the costs from the renter.

 

[Miffy]

You will pay a room change fee equal to a full cleaning for one night according to policy, which will vary by room size. Its seldom actually charged.

As a member, I'd like to REALLY DISCOURAGE this over something like view. DVC is alway almost totally booked - and someone will get the room with a lousy view. This time, by luck of the draw, its your turn (its certainly been my turn to get a less desirable room - and my last stay we had a truly awesome room). That, to me, is part of timeshare membership - and as a guest on my membership, I'd expect my renters to understand the etiquette. Other members disagree.

Thanks for answering and for all the subsequent posts. This is probably why I won't rent DVC points. I actually like it that the front desk at Disney is always so accommodating.