Renting DVC points

[hetzeltj]

I am considering renting DVC points for a trip in September. Has anyone done this before? I am hesitant to do it. I know there are websites out there that specialize in this, but I wanted to hear someones experience before I move forward. Thanks in advance.

 

[tigergrad]

It's been several years ago, but we rented twice before buying into DVC. We used the rent/trade board here on Disboards. We had zero problems.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You are inside of 7 months for Seotember, so you are late to the game for renting. Your options will be very limited, and if you are expecting availability outside of Saratoga, OKW or maybe AKV you will be disappointed by the process.

 

[hetzeltj]

You are inside of 7 months for Seotember, so you are late to the game for renting. Your options will be very limited, and if you are expecting availability outside of Saratoga, OKW or maybe AKV you will be disappointed by the process.

Those are the exact ones that I were told that were available. I would choose the AKV if i go through with it.

 

[Mike_Mac]

My family just took the plunge as first time renters in mid-January for this coming December. Honestly, I had to do a lot of research to figure things out, because the rental agency websites are a little confusing, but here is the gist:

• DVC owners have points they don't want to use, so they offer them to an agent to "rent"
• Someone like us comes along, looking to rent points for a DVC resort at some time during the year
• We fill out the online forms with our requests for dates and DVC resort location, and the agency checks availability to see if there are actually rooms open (agencies usually charge for this, tho the company we used does not, which was nice)
  
• If there is availability, then with a deposit the agency goes forward and tries to match your points/date/location request with a DVC owner who is looking is looking to rent out their points
• If you match up with a DVC owner, the DVC owner takes your information and makes your reservation for you and your guests through their DVC portal (the reservation is in your name)
  
• The reservation shows up on your My Disney Experience page, and you can link tickets, ADRs and other things just like a normal reservation.

The big catch is getting in early enough to match your desired dates and location with a DVC owner before availability goes away. Many resorts have availability 7 months out, but the popular resorts and lower priced villas seem to go quickly, especially for particular weeks throughout the year. And then the agency still has to match you with a DVC owner with enough points to rent, which may be challenging if you're looking for a lot of nights at an expensive DVC resort, which may require a LOT of points.

Also, given that you're looking at going in September, a lot of villas (depending on location popularity and type of room) may already be sold out, or getting close to it. Studios and 2-brs tend to sell out first, followed by 1-brs according to what I've read. A previous thread did a nice job two years ago tracking DVC availability by resort from 11 months out all the way down to one month, which may help you visualize how likely what you want is available or not:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

My family rented for the first time in January for a December stay at BRV through an agency, putting our request in for a studio right at the 11-month mark, where the booking patterns showed our location as open to spotty for our dates in December 11 months out and completely gone by 9 months. Fortunately, it only took two weeks to match us with a DVC owner (tho the wait, not knowing what is going on behind the veil, can be a bit odd). If you believe those charts, we would have been completely out of luck if we waited until seven months out, so I'm glad we heeded their advice. We had absolutely no hiccups with My Disney Experience, and everything was effortless.

 

[wonderlandaddict]

We have rented points on our last 4 trips and LOVE it! We stay at Boardwalk and because the Boardwalk stays full we book right at the 11 month mark. The only difference we have found is the housekeeping only comes every 4 days, that doesn't bother us because we usually just take fresh towels and keep the room tidy ourselves. We are now spoiled to the deluxe and this is so much more affordable!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Couple of key notes:

• When you "rent points" you are actually renting a reservation at a DVC resort made for you by a DVC member.
• The member will control the reservation until you check in.
• Your booking is generally non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for refund due to the restrictions of a timeshare booking by the owner.
• You will often need to pay in full up front, versus the $200/first night's stay deposit on a booking with Disney.
• Any changes, special room requests or adding the dining plan have to be done through the owner. Dining plans must be paid in full at the time that they are added to the reservation because that's the way that DVC works. If Free Dining is announced, you will NOT get it.
• Tickets, FP+ and ADRs are your own responsibility.
• DVC units are not the same as staying in a hotel room. Aside from not getting daily housekeeping, you will not get 2 beds in a studio unless you're staying at OKW. What you get in a studio is a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa.

 

[sharkyandbones]

As someone who has rented out our points a few times, it is a good benefit for both the renter and the owner. Owners have a specific amount of time to use points for a given year and if they know they will not use them, you can often work out a good deal with a willing owner. And obviously the renter gets access to some pretty awesome accommodations a much cheaper price than paying rack rate. Often, owners and renters can develop a working relationship for securing future rentals.

As Aurora mentioned, the reservation is still controlled by the owner, so all changes must be made through the owner. However, the reservation is made in the renter's name, so you'd check in at the resort as usual. And the owner would have to hook up Magical Express service, dining plans, etc. at the renter's request.

Also, if you're looking at renting less than 7 months into the future, you're probably going to have to look at AKV, OKW and SSR as those are the largest resorts with the most availability. If you're looking further out than that, you may be able to secure a room at other resorts. Just know that cost will likely be relevant to the resort that you're booking at and how desperate the owner is to unload points

 

[rwdavis2]

We rented points last November with no issues at all. We used a rental store that offers limited cancellation insurance and the payment can be done in 2 installments. About 50% upfront and then 50% about 2 months ahead. We rented at 11 months out and got exactly what we wanted at Boardwalk Villas. We will do it again.

 

[Hopefully]

You need to understand the restrictions of renting DVC points. It is not the same as a hotel reservation.
The biggest concern for us prior to buying DVC was the inability to cancel a rental and get our money back. A lot of "life" can happen in 11 months.
You will not get daily housekeeping. You will not get fresh towels daily. You will not have toiletries replenished daily. Your coffee will not be resupplied daily.
For a 7 night or less stay, you will get "Trash and Towel" service on day 4. They will empty the trash, replenish supplies and leave clean towels. They do not clean, change sheets, make beds etc.
It is a timeshare, not a hotel.
As mentioned Deluxe Studio Villas at everywhere but OKW are 1 Queen bed and 1 double sleep sofa, not 2 real beds.
Not everyone likes these restrictions. Others love it.
You just need to understand what it is that you are getting for your money.
Good Luck

 

[kmv]

We have done this once and are planning to go in June again and are renting DVC points.
Every other time we have gone thru Disney or Southwest vacations.
My plus is I found a friend of a friend who has the points. I only paid $10 a point and yes, we only had 2 choices and went with OKW, but it was one of the cheapest DVC points so I am okay with it. For me, we are paying LESS for a deluxe with 2 queen beds, a kitchenette and a nicer pool with water slide then we would have when I priced out the values. The values were $1 less a night but going through Disney (or southwest vacations) you have to pay fees and taxes, with DVC points I am just paying the exact amount. You also get a free parking pass if you use DVC points so that will save us money as well each day.

 

[gratefulfred]

I almost got bay lake tower for a September stay in 2014 but ended up at wilderness lodge made the reservation second week of March about six months out. I got the Polynesian for this September but I made that request the night before the 11 month window.

 

[JETSDAD]

We've rented twice through David's and everything went smoothly. We have a friend who owns DVC so he checked availability for us allowing us to know what we could get before submitting our request. We booked 3-4 months out for the end of February and were able to do a split stay between BLT and Poly. Others have covered the pros and cons but for us it has allowed us to stay Deluxe when we otherwise wouldn't have. We are now shopping to buy in ourselves.

 

[westie55]

Others have outlined the differences between renting and cash reservations. A friend told me about renting and I've done it twice now, both times at 11 months out and both times I got the resort I wanted within 24 hrs from David's. Bottom line: if you can live with the inability to cancel, no mousekeeping besides day 4 trash & towel service, the need to pay upfront, and understand the differences between DVC rooms and the resort rooms (just look at photos on the website), renting points is an amazing way to stay deluxe for a fraction of the price. I will be going to GF this year for about $283/night. I could never touch a price like that other than to rent points, and since I can't afford to pay $450-$650+ for a room there, I'd never to be able to stay there if not for renting!

 

[wlfarm]

Rented through DVC Rentals in March 2015. Got 1 bedroom at BLT 7 months out. Used them again for our trip in 2 weeks 1 bedroom at BWV booked 5 months ago. You choose/or are assigned a Rep who guides you thru the process. Pay 60 percent at booking and rest at 60 days. They can book tickets, dining and ME for you. Doing this allowed me to book a villa for less than a regular room would have cost at CR or BWI. Great experience both times. (Thanks Katrina!)

 

[wlfarm]

Rented through DVC Rentals in March 2015. Got 1 bedroom at BLT 7 months out. Used them again for our trip in 2 weeks 1 bedroom at BWV booked 5 months ago. You choose/or are assigned a Rep who guides you thru the process. Pay 60 percent at booking and rest at 60 days. They can book tickets, dining and ME for you. Doing this allowed me to book a villa for less than a regular room would have cost at CR or BWI. Great experience both times. (Thanks Katrina!)

When I said book Dining, I meant purchase dining plan. You make your own ADR's.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It is important to note that availability for a stay between marathon-August will be markedly different than a September-marathon stay. Fall is DVC high season.

 

[DisBuckMan]

It is important to note that availability for a stay between marathon-August will be markedly different than a September-marathon stay. Fall is DVC high season.

Agree, and 1br's are generally the easiest reservation to book.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Agree, and 1br's are generally the easiest reservation to book.

I feel like a broken record lately. On another forum, people talk about buying, then people chime in about how "they've NEVER had trouble switching at 7 months not ever!!!" and it always turned out they travel in February or something and think California is horrible.

 

[GPC0321]

I've rented points for the first time this year for a December trip. I did a lot of research first, both looking into the DVC brokers and networking with individual owners. Thanks to people here at the DIS, I knew I had to get my ducks in a row if I wanted the coveted VGF standard studio for mid-December. I was blessed to find a fantastic owner, and the reservation is set. I paid 1/2 up front when we signed the contract, and the other 1/2 once the reservation was made. She will arrange MDE for us when I book the flights and give her that info. She has even put a note on the reservation about my mother's birthday. I could not ask for a better experience.

We're aware that there won't be daily housekeeping and I'll be sleeping on either the pull-out sofa or the Murphy bed, which is perfectly fine. We get to stay at the freakin' Grand Floridian! That's something we would not have been able to afford without the ability to rent DVC points.

It takes some planning and trust, but if this trip goes as well as I'm anticipating, I'll be renting points again for sure! Lots of deluxe resorts to explore!