Renting DVC points

[Kiwifan]

Has anyone done this? If so did you rent directly from an owner or go through a broker?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I've rented points for my upcoming trip and have booked a split stay with two different brokers. I just felt much more secure going with a broker rather than direct with a stranger. The brokers do a few things (hold onto money and write up contracts) to make the transaction more secure. It also allows you to pay by credit card rather than making an international money transfer. Most credit card companies will support you if you end up getting caught up in a case of fraud.

My first 5 nights are in a BWV studio - Boardwalk view, that I booked through the DVC Rental Store. My last 6 nights are in AKV Studio - Standard View Jambo house, and I booked this through Davids Vacation Club.

I know that even going through brokers is not 100% safe, but service from both companies has been excellent and I'm presently feeling very at ease with both reservations. If you want any more info on the type of service I've got from both companies, and which one I prefer, let me know and I'll PM you. Not sure how much I can say on here, before I start breaking forum guidelines.

Just a few days after making my bookings, I could view them both on the WDW website and I have linked them together. I had no trouble getting the broker/owner to attach the Magic Express bus to my AKV booking.

It seems, from a bunch of threads I have been reading, that brokers are struggling at present to get enough owners to rent their points. So, if you go with a broker, it's probably a good idea to be a bit flexible with where you want to stay. If you need a lot of points, keep a split stay as an option as I've heard that brokers are struggling to get huge amounts of points for one booking. Also, some of the more desirable room choices book out bang on the 11 month mark (the cheaper AK Value villas, and BW Standard View Villas are prime example), so if you want any chance at getting these, I would start making enquiries prior to the 11 month mark. Either way, I definitely recommend starting your search prior to 7 months. It becomes increasingly difficult after this to get what you want. If it makes a difference, DVC Rental Store don't charge you a deposit to check availability, while Davids does.

When I first made a request with David's they had no points for any of my choices. So, I then enquired with DVC Rental Store, who said that they had points for BWV. The next day Davids got back to me and said AKV points had come in. I jumped at both. I'm really excited.

Lastly, just so you know, going through a broker, your booking is final. I think that going straight with the owner, they might be a bit more flexible about changing the date of your booking should the need arise. Canceling your booking with either option is very difficult, if not impossible. You have to pay upfront (David's charges you the full amount at booking and DVC Rental Store charges you about 2/3 of it), so make sure your dates are definite.

Sorry, this is way more info than what your question asked for, but I hope it helps.

 

[craxyfox]

I think WanderlustNZ pointed out all the main aspects well. Although I haven't had any experience with this yet, I have done a lot of searching about renting points, and usually for a first timer it would be easier to go through a broker and it would give you a peace of mind, rather than trusting a complete stranger.

It can be tempting to rent points directly since it can be cheaper than going through a broker like David's ($13 a point), and as mentioned previously, they can possibly be more flexible.

Either way, I think renting points as an option is great and is a life saver for my bank account

 

[Kiwifan]

Thanks so much for the information. We own a time share here in NZ so I am familiar with how exchange companies work & I guess the brokers work along the same lines . I would be way more comfortable dealing with a broker than an owner.

Thanks Wanderlust I look forward to seeing your TR when you get back

 

[Cocobean]

I stayed at Saratoga Springs in December 2012 and used a broker (David's Disney Vacation Club Point Rentals). I had no issues at all and would definitely do it again. For me, I decided that it was better to pay a little bit more per point and have the extra security of using an established company than risk renting directly from an owner.

 

[Sugarglider]

I did this last year and it worked for me. I went through a broker - DVC Rental. Wanderlust has covered the main points - but if you are speedy on the contact you could score a discount on the DIS boards!

My piece of advice is to only book for 7 nights or less. Disney open up bookings 11mths and 7 mths in advance - but if you want more then 7 nights (I wanted 9 nights) and I had to wait another 2 days to book so that all of my nights were covered in the open booking period. It meant that I didn't get my 1st preference cause it booked out on the first day. But I still enjoyed a WDW holiday at a deep discount!

DVC renters are very keen to go during the value periods and resorts book out very quickly during those periods.

 

[ColinA]

My piece of advice is to only book for 7 nights or less. Disney open up bookings 11mths and 7 mths in advance - but if you want more then 7 nights (I wanted 9 nights) and I had to wait another 2 days to book so that all of my nights were covered in the open booking period. It meant that I didn't get my 1st preference cause it booked out on the first day. But I still enjoyed a WDW holiday at a deep discount!

When making any booking regardless of the stay you can book at the renters home resort at 11 months which is important for the hard to get in times, when the initial booking is started you can book the first seven nights and then the renter rings every day to add on each night. Length of stay is not an issue unless booking at the seven month window.

As a DVC member I call on the 11 month window and at 9 am Florida time or 8 am for the initial online and ensure the booking is made. For the initial booking I always start early and then take off some days but a renter is only going to book from the requested date.

 

[Sugarglider]

When making any booking regardless of the stay you can book at the renters home resort at 11 months which is important for the hard to get in times, when the initial booking is started you can book the first seven nights and then the renter rings every day to add on each night. Length of stay is not an issue unless booking at the seven month window.

As a DVC member I call on the 11 month window and at 9 am Florida time or 8 am for the initial online and ensure the booking is made. For the initial booking I always start early and then take off some days but a renter is only going to book from the requested date.

Oh - Colin - thanks for this input - my broker said that DVC would not take the booking until all days were open - your method is more likely to score a desired room - shame my broker didn't think like you!!

 

[ColinA]

Oh - Colin - thanks for this input - my broker said that DVC would not take the booking until all days were open - your method is more likely to score a desired room - shame my broker didn't think like you!!

It is not the broker that makes the booking, it is the owner of the points.

For example at the 11 month window provided the initial date and up to the first 7 days are available they will have no problems getting extra days but the owner must call every day to secure them.

 

[marvel]

Hi Wanderlust. Wondering what price range the two bookings were ? if its not too personal a question. Considering renting points for a future trip.

 

[ColinA]

Hi Wanderlust. Wondering what price range the two bookings were ? if its not too personal a question. Considering renting points for a future trip.

To get the cost estimate you need to look up the points chart http://www.dvc-resales.com/DVC-point-charts.htm click on points chart for each of the resorts and select the room type and view. Cost per point you would probably get for $11.0 per point from a private renter to $13.00 per point for a middle man like Davids.