Renting DVC points - am I missing something?

[kikismom]

I'm booking my daughter and I a stay at GCH for mid March. I can save almost $2000 going through Davids to rent points for a studio over going direct through Disney for what appears to be a similar room.

Am I missing something? It's such a massive savings amount that it seems too good to be true.

 

[Matrixleos]

DVC members have points they need to use yearly (they can also move points). Although at some point in time, they have to get rid of points instead of losing them.

That's why you can get great values renting points compared to going through Disney and paying full price.

 

[kikismom]

DVC members have points they need to use yearly (they can also move points). Although at some point in time, they have to get rid of points instead of losing them.

That's why you can get great values renting points compared to going through Disney and paying full price.

Nothing is missing from the service though? If it's housekeeping I'm 100% okay with that, I prefer to not have housekeeping.

Did you still get early entry when it was a thing? I think I'm just so floored by the savings.

 

[Becca1007]

Nothing is missing from the service though? If it's housekeeping I'm 100% okay with that, I prefer to not have housekeeping.

Did you still get early entry when it was a thing? I think I'm just so floored by the savings.

The only issue is that you aren't protected as well with a points rental if something should happen and you need to cancel a trip. Many people had issues getting refunds from points rentals when Covid first started and the parks shut down.
So you give up some flexibility but you get a discount.

 

[Matrixleos]

Renting DVC points is similar to buying DVC membership, exactly the same benefits are awarded and available to you, as they would be the DVC member. It's just the DVC owner would need to make the reservation under your name (using their points), instead of making of reservation under their name (using their points).

Check out the sub-form at the link below about the Disney Vacation Club. Check out DVC Trip Reports for more detailed info on what was available and check out the section on DVC-Rent/Transfer.

https://www.disboards.com/#disney-vacation-club.7

 

[Nonsuch]

Am I missing something? It's such a massive savings amount that it seems too good to be true.

Renting can be a great deal, and VGC guests receive all the same benefits as GCH guests.
Studios have an occupancy of 4, hotel rooms occupancy is 5.
No daily housekeeping.

Generally renting will have very restrictive terms:

• Pay 100% at time of booking
• No cancellation
• No rescheduling
• No refunds

 

[StormyCA]

The only issue is that you aren't protected as well with a points rental if something should happen and you need to cancel a trip. Many people had issues getting refunds from points rentals when Covid first started and the parks shut down.
So you give up some flexibility but you get a discount.

I've looked around and thought about DVC rentals but I worry that I wouldn't get my money back if I had to cancel. I get that a refund should be due for park closures or the like. But a 'regular' cancellation? I'm not so sure. Wouldn't that be between the DVC owner and the renter?

 

[StormyCA]

Renting can be a great deal, and VGC guests receive all the same benefits as GCH guests.
Studios have an occupancy of 4, hotel rooms occupancy is 5.
No daily housekeeping.

Generally renting will have very restrictive terms:

• Pay 100% at time of booking
• No cancellation
• No rescheduling
• No refunds

I think you answered my questions!!! That's why it's a 'no go' for me. Too much money to take a chance on. I'd rather pay more and have some type of refund policy.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

FWIW, the calculator on David's site does not represent availability and the chances of you getting a studio for March right now are very poor.

 

[kikismom]

FWIW, the calculator on David's site does not represent availability and the chances of you getting a studio for March right now are very poor.

Oh thank you! We aren't stuck with March. I ended up with some extra money and am taking my daughter sometime in 2022 to stay at the GCH. March happens to have my birthday so I thought it may be nice. Is there a trick for when to book?

 

[sophy1996]

Oh thank you! We aren't stuck with March. I ended up with some extra money and am taking my daughter sometime in 2022 to stay at the GCH. March happens to have my birthday so I thought it may be nice. Is there a trick for when to book?

Owners of VGC points can book 11 months before. Owners of other DVC points can book 7 months before.

We booked through David’s for Aulani pre-COVID and got 3 nights for the price of 2. It all worked out nicely (including free parking for booking on points). But given COVID, I would be very, very wary of plunking down full, nonrefundable payment many months in advance.

 

[dcfromva]

Oh thank you! We aren't stuck with March. I ended up with some extra money and am taking my daughter sometime in 2022 to stay at the GCH. March happens to have my birthday so I thought it may be nice. Is there a trick for when to book?

Maybe a little bit ahead of the 11 month booking time frame. (The 11 months goes by the check in date. You can book up to a week).

Also, fewer points are required during certain times. March is in the second highest season. (The week before and week after Easter, a few days around Thanksgiving and around Christmas through New Years are the highest).
It takes more points on the weekend (Fri/Sat) than on the weeknights (Sun-Thurs)

Jan 2-Feb 26 and Sep4 to Oct 6 are the lowest season (for 2022).
Apr 24-Jun 6 and Oct 7-Nov 21 and Nov 27-Dec22 are the second lowest season (for 2022).

It used to be pretty wide open for owners to book between the 7 month and 11 month in advance booking window. But, I don't think that is always the case anymore. There were some dates for June (2022) that were booked up at the 11 month point . (Now about 12 nights are sold out in Jun plus looks like some days around Memorial Day weekend plus 4 out of 5 Sundays in May).
I've noticed in the past that early December dates go quickly, too (Especially around the Sat and Sun that the Candlelight Processional is typically held).

As been previously mentioned--if you are less than 7 months out I would count you pretty lucky to get a reservation. IIRC, there are just 22 studios at the VGC and at 7 months all DVC owners are able to reserve, so if anything is available it goes pretty fast.

Long story short, it works best to have a plan and then be able to book the reservation at the earliest time it can be reserved.

 

[PirateBrigade]

VGC (and AUL) owner here -- I've rented my points out for both, and I've rented others' points. The main catch is the non-refundable nature of the deal. Once I book those points in the 7-11 month window and it falls to < 7 months, it's virtually impossible for me to rebook (I've simplified that a bit), so my agreements with renters are always non-refundable.

You can always buy a separate trip insurance contract sufficient to cover any non-refundable payments paid. I use, tripinsurancestore.com, but any reputable/independent provider will be able to help you. You'd probably want a CFAR policy (cancel for any reason) but that will only cover (usually) up to 75% of the cost.

That will eat into your $2000 savings, but the way I see it, booking direct with Disney for +$2000 is like paying for a $2000 trip insurance policy.