Questions on Renting Points

[canabrits2]

Hi there,

Please forgive my newbie questions below but we're (me, my other half and my DD) going to WDW before our DCL cruise in May 2011. I really want to stay at SSR as a trial because I'm very interested in buying into DVC and want to try it out (looks absolutely beautiful!).

I WAS going to just go to AKL for the animals (see sig) but this may be the only time I get the boyfriend to Disney and I KNOW we'll love SSR because of spa and golf (and I want to convince him to come back and/or buy into DVC with me) He's never been to WDW and thinks it's kiddie. I digress....

Anyway, I was just reading the threads over at the DVC point rental section and so now I'm thinking about renting points from a DVC member to cover those 2 or 3 nights before the cruise instead of paying rack rates.

Looking for DISboard gurus' expert advice:

Is Renting points for a short trial at a DVC resort generally a good idea? Would you recommend it?
Is renting point cheaper/advantageous over just instructing my TA to tack those nights onto my package?
How do I go about finding someone reputable?
Do you have any tips/tricks/warnings?
What about timelines? If I need to book the 2 or 3 nights before May 07th, 2011, what do I need to consider? I don't know much about DVC booking windows etc....

Any comments/info appreciated!

 

[cseca]

I'm not a guru but I'll try to chime in with what I know... HTH...

Is this generally a good idea? Would you recommend it?
- It is a great idea to check out the place before purchasing DVC. Whether it's a great idea to purchase will depend on your vacation habit and finance situation. For people who visits every 3 or 4 years and like to stay at value resort DVC is not a great match. I think mousesavers has some sort of a calculation on breakeven points and such.

Is it cheaper/advantageous over just instructing my TA to tack those nights onto my package?
- Cheaper than renting from member you mean? I doubt it. If you have Annual Pass and they have room available with AP discount then maybe...

How do I go about finding someone reputable?
- Look for the post counts and check out their previous posts. Some renters also have references that they could provide. It is honor system based, so if you get an iffy feeling from the member then back out. Don't feel pressured into renting from anyone unless you both are comfortable.

Do you have any tips/tricks/warnings?
- see above
- Always have a contract. No misunderstanding on both parties.

What about timelines? If I need to book the 2 or 3 nights before May 07th, 2011, what do I need to consider? I don't know much about DVC booking windows etc....
- Member who has SSR points can book 11months in advance. SSR rooms shouldn't be difficult to book unless you are looking for THV (treehouse villa). But if you are sure already on your dates, it doesn't hurt to book early. The downside is that cancellation policy depends on your contract. Some members allow cancellation up to a certain date some don't.

Good luck on your research...

and one more advice, if you are thinking of purchasing dvc with your BF (both names on the deed). Make sure to understand that any changes to name on the deed will most likely require the contract to be paid in full beforehand... just a thought...

Have fun on your cruise!

 

[canabrits2]

Is this generally a good idea? Would you recommend it?
- It is a great idea to check out the place before purchasing DVC. Whether it's a great idea to purchase will depend on your vacation habit and finance situation. For people who visits every 3 or 4 years and like to stay at value resort DVC is not a great match. I think mousesavers has some sort of a calculation on breakeven points and such.

Thanks! I don't think I was clear. hehehe ... I've edited my questions now to read properly as renting points questions.

I'm going back now to digest all of the info you offered.

and one more advice, if you are thinking of purchasing dvc with your BF (both names on the deed). Make sure to understand that any changes to name on the deed will most likely require the contract to be paid in full beforehand... just a thought...

Yes....I've had a very quick rethink on that point and I'm going to go with just me buying and putting my and my daughter's name on deed. Or maybe just mine. But I still want him to want to come back (lived together for like 3 years now, so it's nice having someone to travel with (esp to Disney)

Thanks again for info cseca!


Keep more insights coming please!

 

[canabrits2]

So....

I should count back 12 months from May 2011, then start reading threads over in the other DVC Rental section and look for anyone offering SSR points for rent during 2011 and contact them so they can book at the 11 month out window?

Does that sound right?

 

[cseca]

You're welcome.
Another thing I forgot to add on the booking timeline. Other resort owners can book 7 months prior. So resort owner has 4 months booking headstart compared to others.

And yes, SSR owner will be able to book for you starting June 7th (for check in May 7th) and other owners Oct 7th (if my counting is correct).

 

[Rpsemont]

We actually first rented points because it saved us money over paying rack rate. After a couple years renting points we knew we had to buy - and we knew where we wanted to buy. While the pricies will go up every year, it might be worthwhile to rent points at a couple different places before purchasing.

Now to some of your specific questions:

Is it cheaper/advantageous over just instructing my TA to tack those nights onto my package?

Generally, yes for non weekend nights. Best was to find out is to take the days you want to stay, go to the point charts, figure the number of points, and multiply by $10, $11, $12 or even $14 per point. Then compare that to rack rate or even historically discounted room rates. We usually stay in studios and travel as 3 adults and one child. During many months, a studio is 12 points midweek. 12 times $10 equals $120. $120 is usually more expensive that what a value resort will cost, but less than a moderate, and rack rate at a DVC resort is probably well over $150. Plus you have to pay extra adult fees when booking through travel agent if you have more than 2 adults per room., but you don't pay any extra fees with DVC

How do I go about finding someone reputable?

Everything already said plus a few factors that I have considered when renting -is the person geographically close by? I might hesitate to rent from someone in Nova scotia, but someone is Mass (where I live) I would not. After contacting and talking to the person, I do internet white page searches, I do google maps on their home (make sure it's not a mail drop at a shopping plaza!) I have asked for work locations and if the company has a website and if I can verify employment I do that. To some it may sound over the top and instrusive, but I am equally willing to provide information about myself so that we both "feel comfortable" with each other. Where you live in Nova Scotia, if I was you, I might try to find some from Nova scotia who wanted to rent points. That being said, there are also many "pro renters" on the board that are very professional and I'm sure have many references. And also, I have rented from people in texas, and once even rented from a guy from Brazil - he wanted a western union transfer, but also only wanted $7 point and it was for a reservation about 75 days out. Worse case scenario would have been that I was out about $150 (it was only a 2 night rental) and I decided to risk it. I knew in the big picture of things it's highly unlikely that you would ever NOT be able to find a room in Orlando!

BTW - You know they have the cruise incentive going on. Just buy into DVC yourself, and get a free cruise for MAY. Then you don't need to worry about renting!

 

[canabrits2]

Wonderful Rpsemont, thank you very much. Lots of good info and points for me to consider.

Wow, who thought planning to have fun would be so complex!

You explained a couple of things I wondering about like rack rate vs rental price.

I looked at Expedia and they are quoting around $330 per night for the 1 bed units in May. The Expedia hotel only rate at the moment is a steal.

For renting points - Dream Season on a thrs and fri would be 28 and 42 points, yes? Well at $9 per point (very cheap) that's $630. That's not a big savings so far. Of course, all these variables will change over the coming months... I know that I'm using 2010 point chart and not 2011 yet , AND expedia or TA could have different pricing once time goes on...

I'll keep my eyes on open for threads from here on in and take on board all the good points so far.

What I was hoping was that if I rent points, I might be able to squeeze a third night in at little extra cost than 2 nights would cost me rack rate... I think my expectations may be unreasonable there. hehe

Thanks again and if anyone has anything else to add, please feel free.

 

[cseca]

SSR 2011 for 1 br is 31 weeknight, 36 weekend
$330/night is amazing - wait I actually saw AP rate for $250... whew...

 

[canabrits2]

Ahh! Thanks for the real 1br point-count!

Just in case, can you let me know the May 2011 studio point count for weekday and weekend as well?

Is there somewhere that 2011 point charts are posted?? I've only seen 2010, but maybe DVC members get charts earlier than the public.

 

[cseca]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/SS-Points.htm#saratogasprings
studio 15/18