Purchasing Transfer Points

[Aron1012]

I am curious how purchasing Transfer Points works and how readily available they are. My thought is if some of our extended family wanted to travel with us we would need a 2-3 bedroom unit. Since we don't have enough points for a lengthy stay in that unit(and no I don't want to borrow and give up our trip the next year) we would need to either rent points or transfer them in.

My understanding is transfers can only be done once per year and that they become just like the rest of our points with availability to book at 11 months (assuming same home resort). Based on this it sure seems like transferring is a much better way to go. I'm guessing that also means they are more expensive and harder to find??

Any knowledge you can provide will be much appreciated.

 

[disneynutz]

Per DVC rules you can only buy transferred points from Disney. If you find someone to give you the points, they keep their home resort and UY. You have to book with MS, no online booking.

Bill

 

[Aron1012]

Per DVC rules you can only buy transferred points from Disney. If you find someone to give you the points, they keep their home resort and UY. You have to book with MS, no online booking.



Bill

OK that makes sense. Do you by chance know what going rate is for buying transfer points? Am I thinking about that right as the best option for adding to points without buying more or borrowing?

 

[jekjones1558]

Transferring points should work well for you. You can look at the Rent/Trade board here on the DIS to get an idea about the going rate.
https://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-trade.29/

 

[CarolMN]

Keep in mind that unless the transferred points match your use year and home resort, they will NOT appear in your online acount. You will have to call MS to use them. That usually isn't a problem unless you have your heart set on something that requires you to book as soon as the 11 month window opens (most booking categories do not sell out within a few hours of the window opening).

 

[Aron1012]

So when brokers list Transfer Points available to purchase, are those coming directly (through them) from Disney or are they skirting the rule? I have noticed several brokers list them for sale at $15/pt.

 

[erionm]

So when brokers list Transfer Points available to purchase, are those coming directly (through them) from Disney or are they skirting the rule? I have noticed several brokers list them for sale at $15/pt.

If a broker is listing points available for transfer, those points are not coming direct from DVC.

I doubt that there is any member that does a gratuitous (free) transfer of points to another member (unless family). DVC will not get involved if there is a dispute over funds for transferred points and they will refuse to process the transfer if payment of said transfer is mentioned during the phone call.

 

[disneynutz]

IMO Disney doesn't want to support transferring of points because they want you to buy additional contracts. That's why they have the "no monetary compensation" rule and that's why their software has never been able to display or properly handle transferred points.

Bill

 

[Aron1012]

IMO Disney doesn't want to support transferring of points because they want you to buy additional contracts. That's why they have the "no monetary compensation" rule and that's why their software has never been able to display or properly handle transferred points.

Bill

So in your opinion Bill is that a pretty risky route to go? Seems strange that such a prominent broker would blatantly advertise them in the weekly email (even including price). Also how does this differ from the one-time use points DVC offers directly (ie..price)?

 

[kboo]

And there are up to 25 transfer points one can buy direct, right? (Probably wouldn't help the OP)

And since transfer from another DVC member keeps the UY and home resort of the original contract, they're better used for a wholly separate reservation rather than adding on (unless a split stay situation) to a reservation with your own points, right?

 

[Denise W]

And there are up to 25 transfer points one can buy direct, right? (Probably wouldn't help the OP)

And since transfer from another DVC member keeps the UY and home resort of the original contract, they're better used for a wholly separate reservation rather than adding on (unless a split stay situation) to a reservation with your own points, right?

It's 24 points at $15 per point.
Denise

 

[supersnoop]

So in your opinion Bill is that a pretty risky route to go? Seems strange that such a prominent broker would blatantly advertise them in the weekly email (even including price). Also how does this differ from the one-time use points DVC offers directly (ie..price)?

Well, what did you think when you read the restriction in the plan documents? But seriously, how many people do you think have actually read that document and realize that they aren't supposed to get paid for transferred points? Whether it's ignorance or blatantly skirting the rules, the rule seems to simply allow DVC to avoid getting involved in a disagreement. Once points are transferred, there's no getting them back. And, if you paid for a transfer but the owner didn't come though, DVC isn't going to help you out. That's what makes it risky. What if the points don't get transferred? What if the check doesn't clear? What if the credit card gets charged back? You could be out the money and the points, no matter which side of the transaction you're on.

 

[kboo]

Well, what did you think when you read the restriction in the plan documents? But seriously, how many people do you think have actually read that document and realize that they aren't supposed to get paid for transferred points? Whether it's ignorance or blatantly skirting the rules, the rule seems to simply allow DVC to avoid getting involved in a disagreement. Once points are transferred, there's no getting them back. And, if you paid for a transfer but the owner didn't come though, DVC isn't going to help you out. That's what makes it risky. What if the points don't get transferred? What if the check doesn't clear? What if the credit card gets charged back? You could be out the money and the points, no matter which side of the transaction you're on.

In which case, wouldn't it make more sense to do as a rental (other than the lack of control over the reservation by the renter/transferee and the (slightly?) more legwork by the transferor?)

 

[Aron1012]

Well, what did you think when you read the restriction in the plan documents? But seriously, how many people do you think have actually read that document and realize that they aren't supposed to get paid for transferred points? Whether it's ignorance or blatantly skirting the rules, the rule seems to simply allow DVC to avoid getting involved in a disagreement. Once points are transferred, there's no getting them back. And, if you paid for a transfer but the owner didn't come though, DVC isn't going to help you out. That's what makes it risky. What if the points don't get transferred? What if the check doesn't clear? What if the credit card gets charged back? You could be out the money and the points, no matter which side of the transaction you're on.

Yeah I understand your points and the thought about renting. Just don't like the idea of renting, thus why I am buying. Guess I am just surprised a DVC broker is advertising them for sale when clearly they aren't to be sold. I would assume the risk of purchasing from them is probably less risky than another individual?

What about difference in one time use points that DVC will sell?

 

[mustinjourney]

With transferred points -- you get to control the points like they're your own. Downside is that both parties have more risk in the transaction since once the points are transferred, there is no way of getting them back. This means that the person receiving the points has to send money to the owner PRIOR to the points being transferred...and therefore, trust that person to follow through with their promise. Ultimately, if they do not transfer the points, there is not a lot you can do--other than to sue them for breach of contract. Good luck collecting.

Also -- transferred points must be from their original use year (can't transfer points that have already been borrowed or banked). They CAN be banked after transferred -- but they cannot be borrowed after transfer. Additionally, since there is a limit of one transfer per UY, most owners will want to transfer ALL of their points at one time so they aren't left with a small amount of points.

With rental points -- as the lessee, you have ZERO control of the points or reservation. You pay money to the lessor, and have to TRUST that they do not cancel the reservation at any point. The lessor has very little risk in this situation, since they control everything and they usually require full payment well in advance. Rentals run anywhere from ~$12 for distressed points (banked points that expire soon) to $17 for VGF/VGC. Most seem to be in the $14-$15 range.

Transferred points usually go for between $14-$15 per point -- sometimes the nicer places are slightly higher (e.g., VGF, VGC can be at $16+ per point).

Trading points rarely seems to work out (e.g., I have 100 VGF points and you have 100 BCV points -- let's swap!). Since each resort costs different amount of points, it's hard to find someone that will need the exact same amount of points you need. You can obviously exchange some additional money to make it even, but again, matching up points seems to be the problem. I know people have done it -- but it is much easier to just get points transferred into your account and then rent your points out separately. Also -- with the one transfer per UY, swapping points means I get this year's points and you get my next year's points. Again -- not always ideal for everyone.

 

[mustinjourney]

Yeah I understand your points and the thought about renting. Just don't like the idea of renting, thus why I am buying. Guess I am just surprised a DVC broker is advertising them for sale when clearly they aren't to be sold. I would assume the risk of purchasing from them is probably less risky than another individual?

What about difference in one time use points that DVC will sell?

DVC only sells one time use points that can be used at 7 months...and they only sell them when you are on the phone trying to make a reservation. So you can't buy them today (April 14) to use for a vacation for January 2018 since that is outside your 7 month window.

Now -- it might be possible to call and make a reservation for November 14th with your points and some one time add-ons -- and then cancel it, and then wait to make the reservation in january with the points now in your account. My guess is you would still have to call in to use the points...but not sure.

Has anyone tried this workaround in an effort to bypass waiting until 9:00 am EST to use the one time use points from Disney?

 

[Aron1012]

With transferred points -- you get to control the points like they're your own. Downside is that both parties have more risk in the transaction since once the points are transferred, there is no way of getting them back. This means that the person receiving the points has to send money to the owner PRIOR to the points being transferred...and therefore, trust that person to follow through with their promise. Ultimately, if they do not transfer the points, there is not a lot you can do--other than to sue them for breach of contract. Good luck collecting.

Also -- transferred points must be from their original use year (can't transfer points that have already been borrowed or banked). They CAN be banked after transferred -- but they cannot be borrowed after transfer. Additionally, since there is a limit of one transfer per UY, most owners will want to transfer ALL of their points at one time so they aren't left with a small amount of points.

With rental points -- as the lessee, you have ZERO control of the points or reservation. You pay money to the lessor, and have to TRUST that they do not cancel the reservation at any point. The lessor has very little risk in this situation, since they control everything and they usually require full payment well in advance. Rentals run anywhere from ~$12 for distressed points (banked points that expire soon) to $17 for VGF/VGC. Most seem to be in the $14-$15 range.

Transferred points usually go for between $14-$15 per point -- sometimes the nicer places are slightly higher (e.g., VGF, VGC can be at $16+ per point).

Trading points rarely seems to work out (e.g., I have 100 VGF points and you have 100 BCV points -- let's swap!). Since each resort costs different amount of points, it's hard to find someone that will need the exact same amount of points you need. You can obviously exchange some additional money to make it even, but again, matching up points seems to be the problem. I know people have done it -- but it is much easier to just get points transferred into your account and then rent your points out separately. Also -- with the one transfer per UY, swapping points means I get this year's points and you get my next year's points. Again -- not always ideal for everyone.

Thanks for the information. That is a very useful breakdown of the options.

I am guessing that if you are buying transfer points directly from one of the most well-known brokers it probably limits the risk portion of that somewhat. Obviously they could go broke too, but less likely an established company takes your money and keeps the points than the individual you only know from online.

For the $1-$2 per point it seems transferring would definitely be the way to go if you can find same UY/home resort. Either option you can be taken, but at least this way you have a little more control over using them.

 

[huskerfanatic7]

is buying transferred points from disney different than buying one time use points you can buy from disney

 

[jekjones1558]

is buying transferred points from disney than buying one time use points you can buy from disney

What?

 

[mustinjourney]

is buying transferred points from disney different than buying one time use points you can buy from disney

No.