rent or buy new points

[disneykins]

We are taking the Magic cruise at New Years eve 2003. We booked it with cash for $5800 with Dreams. We have 230 points with DVC but only 33 left in 2002 use year (starts December) because of heavy borrowing lately. My question is this: If we bank those points, add our 2003 points and borrow our 2004 points we would have 493 points. To do the cruise we would need 748 points. Would I be better off to rent the additional 255 points, or keep the cash ressie? My other option would be to buy maybe 80 points and bank and borrow them to make up the difference. At least that way I would still have the extra points in future years. Should I buy them in the same use year that I have or does it matter? Same resort (OKW)? Any help in sorting out the numbers would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Tony

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

It sort of looks like you'd need 85 points. That'd be $6,800 if you buy from Disney. It does seem like it would be possible to get closer to your $5,800 if you bought resale...but I guess time is a factor & basically for $1,000 (plus fees) you buy 85 points at BCV.

Using similar logic is how I got into DVC in the first place...why spend whatever it was on a hotel room when I could use it as a deposit on DVC.

 

[disneykins]

thanks doubletrouble, thats what I thought. Why buy at bcv?
Would it be easier if I bought at OKW where I am already? Would it be easier if I bought in the same use year (December)?

 

[Cruelladeville]

Several members have noted that there are discounts out there for cash customers that members using pts don't get. Have yoou checked with some travel agencies to see if they have any specials? I have never taken a cruise, but I do know that last Christmas I stayed at BWV in a one bedroom for $233 per night, when the same thing would have cost me 40 pts per night. AP holders, AAA, and Disney Club often have specials, too.

 

[robinb]

I personally don't feel that using points for a cruise is a good use for DVC points. I usually value points at $10 each and 748 points = $7480, $2000 more than your existing cash reservation. Plus, you'll be gutting your already heavily borrowed contract and will have no points until December 2004!

Maybe your borrowing habits mean that you need more points , but buying more now just to spend them on a cruise and still not have any points until 12/04 seems to be, well, pointless.