Renting points

[DannyDisneyFreak]

The concept of renting points from a DVC member seems like it would be a great deal, but I'm not sure it I am understandin how it would work. I'm gonna explain how I think it works and anyone who wants can correct me if I'm wrong.
Okay, say for example a DVC member had X amounts they wanted to rent out at say $10 per point. And we wanted to go in the first week of December and stay at the villas at WL in a studio for 5 nights sun.-thurs. Now on the point chart it shows 12 points pernight Sun. - thurs., times 5 nights is 60 points. Now 60 points times $10 is $600. We could pay $600 to the DVC member ay stay at the VWL for five nights. Would they want any aditional fees? That would be only $120 a night! I know I must be wrong. I'm sorry if I screwed this all up, please correct me.

 

[magicmommy]

You are correct! There are some things you need to consider when renting points. You would not be entitled to daily housekeeping when renting points. Trash and towel service only every 3- 4 days. There also requires trust on both parts for renting points and the payment options will vary. Though I have not rented points, I am a DVC member and wish I knew about this option on the many visits I had to WDW before becoming a member.

 

[Kick Save]

I rented points three times prior to purchasing, and depending who you're renting from it can be a pretty easy process. There is a certain amount of trust involved on both sides, but if you're cool with sending $600 to total stranger then it can work out.

 

[robinb]

Yup. That's how it works. You may have to pay up to $11 or $12 per point, though. If you are really thinking of booking VWL for the first week of December I would suggest you do it ASAP. That first week sells out very quickly. No kidding!

 

[MrShiny]

Yes you have it right- so renting points is the big way to really save! Now if you notice on the charts, weekends (Fri & Sat night) are sometimes twice what the week is, so you can really save the most by staying Sun-Fri.

It does require trust. I have rented (and in fact am doing so now because I rented my points to a friend!), and had no problems. Unlike the FAQ says, I usually have had to pay up front. Note too that costs can be up to $12 a point (especially for VWL), but it's still better than an equivalent room.

You don't get housekeeping (except on days 4 (trash & towel) and 8, I think), but you don't pay tax either! So that $120/night is like a room rate of $107 before tax.

I do feel somewhat safer renting from these boards. I figure if someone was cheating folks, it wouldn't say secret long.

Just make sure you get the res number once things are booked. They should also send you the confirmation once that comes.

Most people renting are merely folks who find themselves with extra points (which is quite easy to do!). I suggest you give it a whirl. It does require trust, but I think you'll probably have a good experience.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Wow! This may be our way to go for our next trip. So tell me more about laundry and housekeeping, there would just be no house keeping, or only a couple of times per week? If you needed more towels or clean sheets could you get them? I don't mind making the bed but I don't want to use the same towel for 7 days straight .

Also, how would I go about finding a renting DVC member, just go on the renting board and say somthing like, We need a studio at the BWV for so many nights in December? Any should you say how much you want to pay per point.

And, how would the dinning plan work with renting?

 

[MrShiny]

Wow! This may be our way to go for our next trip. So tell me more about laundry and housekeeping, there would just be no house keeping, or only a couple of times per week? If you needed more towels or clean sheets could you get them? I don't mind making the bed but I don't want to use the same towel for 7 days straight .

You get trash and towel on the 4th day, and housekeeping on the 8th. If you need fresh towels, best is to wash some - there are free washers and dryers (if you get a 1BR or above, they are right in your unit).

Also, how would I go about finding a renting DVC member, just go on the renting board and say somthing like, We need a studio at the BWV for so many nights in December? Any should you say how much you want to pay per point.

And, how would the dinning plan work with renting?

I've found that it's best to watch those renting rather than posting what you need. The WANTED posts tend to ge buried (hey DiS - what about making them 2 separate boards?). For VWL at December, you'll probably have to pay about $12 - you'll need to find someone with VWL points to book (since they might be all booked by the 7 month window when others can book there).

Once DIS'er I've used there (who seems to rent often) is Gary K. D. (unsolicited testamonial!).

When you rent, it's just like you were staying there as a member, except it's on someone elses's points. The res is in your name, so you can add the dining plan if you wish (you could probably even charge it to your charge card - you might need to set up a conference call with you, the renter and member services to get it going).

So watch the rental boards - PM those with VWL points right away.

Any while you are at WDW - take a tour of DVC. You might find it more economical than you think! (we sure did!)

 

[Deb & Bill]

Wow! This may be our way to go for our next trip. So tell me more about laundry and housekeeping, there would just be no house keeping, or only a couple of times per week? If you needed more towels or clean sheets could you get them? I don't mind making the bed but I don't want to use the same towel for 7 days straight .

Also, how would I go about finding a renting DVC member, just go on the renting board and say somthing like, We need a studio at the BWV for so many nights in December? Any should you say how much you want to pay per point.

And, how would the dinning plan work with renting?

Just remember that DVC reservations get booked early. We can make our reservations 11 months ahead of time. So busy times (or cheap times, or preferred locations/villas) get booked early. If you want a studio in Dec, you need to be talking to a member now. Cancellation policies are different since this agreement is between you and the member, no one else. The member controls the reservation until you check in.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

You can request additional towels or full housekeeping on a day other than your scheduled day but you will have to pay for that. And yes as a VWL owner I would charge more for any reservation in early December because that is a popular time of year (for DVC'ers because the points are rock bottom) , because I'd have to hang on to the reservation for such an extended period of time AND because my use year is December.

So if I wuz you I'd think twice about this... Early December is Value season everywhere else in Disney World. Before you pay a Dis'er $600 possibly non-refundable dollars you might want to cross check other offerings from WDW. The deluxes and moderates now have coffee makers and refridgerators (no micros, no toasters).

On the plus side by the time December rolls around the dining plan will be available to DVC reservations. So you get a discounted room AND the dining plan.

(Editted to add: The December Use Year is my problem of course but if you cancelled on me within 60 days of your reservation I'd be screwed).

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Just make sure you get the res number once things are booked. They should also send you the confirmation once that comes.

.

Once it is booked and you have a confirmation number, are you pretty safe at that point? Can the member at anytime just cancel your ressie and you are out of luck, or do you have some control of it?

 

[Susieab]

No, even with a confirmation number the member can cancel the ressie. The member really holds all the cards in that respect. So that is why you should be sure to check out the person that you are renting from. Get references, etc. I have rented to people a few times and never mind giving out names (if the renter doesn't mind) and have my history checked out. If someone has a problem with that then maybe that is a clue that you shouldn't rent from them.

 

[robinb]

Once it is booked and you have a confirmation number, are you pretty safe at that point? Can the member at anytime just cancel your ressie and you are out of luck, or do you have some control of it?

The owner has full control over your reservation and can cancel at any time. That's the main reason to find an owner that you can trust and why I wouldn't recommend renting from someone who only has a few posts with all of them on the rental board.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

As for the dining plan, you just tell the person you're renting from that you want to include the plan. They call member services and add it for you. You should not be giving anyone you rent from money for the dining plan...you pay it directly to Disney @ check-in. Congratulations, you just discovered what is really the "Best Kept Secret" -- renting points.