Question on Renting Points if vacation plans change

[DavidNYC]

Hi all,

Looking to possibly rent points for the first time. Now that my wife and I have 7 month old twins, our typical commando Disney vacation will obviously be changing!

The DVC resorts look absolutely perfect for travel with young children and I've been looking on the boards about renting points. The one thing that scares me is what happens if I rented points to make a reservation in * and then something comes up either at the last minute like a baby getting sick, or a few months before - like a work schedule change. I know with regular Disney reservations I can cancel a week before but I would assume it's not so easy (or possible at all) with a DVC point rental.

Can anyone give me the quick summary of what flexibility you have if any in such a situation?

 

[chalee94]

depends on the owner and their use year and what kind of pts they are using (banked/current/whatever)...

many/most DVC owners who rent don't allow cancellations so it may not work for you. you'd be taking your chances.

 

[cseca]

Yeah, different members will have different contracts or agreements.

You can try to find one that will allow you to cancel up to 31 days prior to your check in date but that might be difficult. No member will allow you to cancel within 30days since the points will become holding points and they are a pain to use.

Good luck and congrats on the twins!

 

[daisyduck123]

No member will allow you to cancel within 30days since the points will become holding points and they are a pain to use.

Good luck and congrats on the twins!

We are the exception to the rule.

In 2008, we rented points from a DISer for a Thanksgiving trip w/ extended family because we had already used up our points for that year.

We were supposed to be in WDW for 8 days during Thanksgiving week. Well 2 weeks before Thanksgiving my DD14 ended up in the hospital. We hoped she would get out in time & be well enough to go to WDW...but she did not. 3 or 4 days before we were scheduled to check in, we called the DVC member & tell him our dilemma. Our DD ended up staying in the hospital for 17 days & we did miss our trip. She was released the night before Thanksgiving day.

The wonderful DISer who rented the reservation for us was very agreeable to trying to work with us on this. The points went into holding & we ended up going 2 months later at the end of January.

 

[Dean]

As noted there is some variabiltiy but most members that rent their points will not allow cancelations without a penalty, actually most won't allow cancelations at all. Some will allow you to reschedule within the parameters of the points expiration. Some might be willing to give you more flexibility for a higher price and non refundable deposit.

 

[cseca]

We are the exception to the rule.

In 2008, we rented points from a DISer for a Thanksgiving trip w/ extended family because we had already used up our points for that year.

We were supposed to be in WDW for 8 days during Thanksgiving week. Well 2 weeks before Thanksgiving my DD14 ended up in the hospital. We hoped she would get out in time & be well enough to go to WDW...but she did not. 3 or 4 days before we were scheduled to check in, we called the DVC member & tell him our dilemma. Our DD ended up staying in the hospital for 17 days & we did miss our trip. She was released the night before Thanksgiving day.

The wonderful DISer who rented the reservation for us was very agreeable to trying to work with us on this. The points went into holding & we ended up going 2 months later at the end of January.

Aaaw... I'm glad the DISer you worked with was very kind and glad to hear that your DD got better. I shouldn't say that no member would be willing to cancel within 30day mark. I should say that it's highly unlikely.

I guess for OP they could make sure that he/she rents from someone who has a more lax cancellation policy. Again possible but highly unlikely.

When I rent out my points our contracts say that no cancellation outside of xx/xx/xxxx date but if some unfortunate incident occurs after the said date I will be willing to work on rerenting the points if possible. If I could find another renter I will refund their $ but if not, they are out of luck.
I've done that for a renter several years back, but it was well before the 30day mark.

Good luck OP! I know how it feels traveling with an infant. Suddenly your trips are at the mercy of these wonderful little peoples...