Reservation vs Renting Points?

[Peaseblossom36]

I’m sure a thread like this exists some where but I couldn’t find it.

Are there pros/cons to making a regular reservation vs renting points? I’m wondering if we should consider renting points for our instead of the package we have. We are currently booked for AKL standard view and it looks like we would be able to book a savanna view for less if we rented.

Are there hidden fees or costs? Is there any reason not to do points? How is it different to a regular stay?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Renting points is cheaper but harder if not impossible to cancel if need be.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Everyone’s circumstances are different, but I need max flexibility to cancel or modify as close to travel as possible, so renting points is not ideal for us, despite the potential savings. As we have APs, room only reservations direct via Disney is our preferred booking method given the 5 day cancellation policy.

 

[Robber Baron]

I’m sure a thread like this exists some where but I couldn’t find it.

Are there pros/cons to making a regular reservation vs renting points? I’m wondering if we should consider renting points for our instead of the package we have. We are currently booked for AKL standard view and it looks like we would be able to book a savanna view for less if we rented.

Are there hidden fees or costs? Is there any reason not to do points? How is it different to a regular stay?

One big pro: Cost

One big con: Cancellation

If you are in the habit of needing to change or cancel vacations, don't rent points.

We make our plans and have never found it necessary to change or cancel our dates. We've rented points maybe a half dozen times and saved a ton of money.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Thanks everyone. That was what I was thinking the con would be We’ve change this trip several times, for several different reasons (three date changes and also switching up resorts).

Honestly we still aren’t positive on going in September (2023), I’m concerned about weather but figured we still have some time to think on that before we could even book.

 

[SL6827]

I have yet to hear of anyone successfully getting a claim paid with trip insurance when renting points. That's why I won't go that route.

 

[babydoll65]

I've rented points a few times with an upcoming trip, staying at Boardwalk in October.
I don't usually have to worry about canceling since I tend to go 2-3 times a year but if I should have to cancel my reservation, you do not get refunded but you get credited to use 2 years from the cancellation date (I booked with the DVC Rental Store) I technically go for seven night with a one night resort stay at one of the value or moderate resorts on my arrival day and add all my tickets to that one night reservation to make it a pkg. This way if I have to cancel, I can get a full refund for that one night with tickets. I book the other six nights renting points (room only) I have that same type of reservation for next Sept 16-23. Sept 16-17 at Allstar Music suites with seven day parkhopper pkg and booking (have to wait till the 11month mark) either the Polynesian or the Riviera Sept 17-23 renting points.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I've rented points a few times with an upcoming trip, staying at Boardwalk in October.
I don't usually have to worry about canceling since I tend to go 2-3 times a year but if I should have to cancel my reservation, you do not get refunded but you get credited to use 2 years from the cancellation date (I booked with the DVC Rental Store) I technically go for seven night with a one night resort stay at one of the value or moderate resorts on my arrival day and add all my tickets to that one night reservation to make it a pkg. This way if I have to cancel, I can get a full refund for that one night with tickets. I book the other six nights renting points (room only) I have that same type of reservation for next Sept 16-23. Sept 16-17 at Allstar Music suites with seven day parkhopper pkg and booking (have to wait till the 11month mark) either the Polynesian or the Riviera Sept 17-23 renting points.

That’s really smart. Thanks for the idea, I wouldn’t have thought to do that.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

One other shot in the dark you can try is booking with Disney direct but keeping an eye on the DVC rental sites that have Confirmed reservations. It's possible that right before your cancellation window is over you'll realize you're definitely going on the trip and might find a confirmed reservation that you can sitch your Disney booking to. It's definitely harder to find it last minute with the proper length of stay but it's worth a shot! Almost did that myself this time around.

 

[saraheliz]

We had this same debate and decided given the state of the world and elderly parents etc, everything felt too unpredictable to rent points, so we sucked up the $2,000 difference (Kidani 1 bedroom) and booked through Disney.
Turns out Disney the released a promotion (current Disney+ promotion) that brought the price down to pretty much the same. So, we got our cost savings and kept the increased flexibility.

 

[nw6675]

I have yet to hear of anyone successfully getting a claim paid with trip insurance when renting points. That's why I won't go that route.

I did! I had a Cancel for Any Reason policy for my David's DVC rental. They gave me the documentation showing it was non-refundable and the insurer never questioned. Refunded my non-refundable military tickets, too.

 

[RoseGold]

I rented points multiple times before I bought into DVC. You really need to do your homework, and there is risk involved. Even with a confirmed reservation, a DVC owner is capable of canceling it last minute. It's important to know who you are dealing with.

There are groups dedicated to this in many places on the internet. There are many owners I would rent from here for sure.

 

[SL6827]

I did! I had a Cancel for Any Reason policy for my David's DVC rental. They gave me the documentation showing it was non-refundable and the insurer never questioned. Refunded my non-refundable military tickets, too.

Wow! What insurer did you go through?

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I rented DVC points once. I didn’t like not having control over my reservation and the risk of being scammed.

I also didn’t like paying that much $ to Disney so I bought my own DVC contract.

If buying in wasn’t an option I would probably continue booking through Disney and stay in moderates/values split stay with a deluxe.

 

[nw6675]

Wow! What insurer did you go through?

Mods, is it ok to post the name?
It was a major, well known company.

 

[katyjeka]

We've rented for years and had to cancel one time. Thankfully the renter was really kind and gave us a small credit for a future use.

 

[Miffy]

I had a WDW trip a few years ago where I had to go home 3 days into a week-long trip. WDW refunded me the money for the rest of my reservation. I cannot imagine this would happen if I'd rented points.

My feeling is that since I don't know what could happen--I might need to change or cancel or (and I hope this would never happen again) leave early. Because of all that, I book direct through WDW.

One other thing: If I'm booked direct thru WDW and I get to my room and it's not to my liking for some reason, I can request to move to a different room. There's no guarantee this could work out since the resort could be full, but I have in the past had to change rooms for various reasons and WDW has always been accommodating.

 

[Wells Larsen]

Mods, is it ok to post the name?
It was a major, well known company.

If the moderators say it's okay to share, I would like to know as well.
I did confirm with the travel insurance company that I am working with that their only requirements is a policy that states that the timeshare reservation is "non-refundable" and a receipt.

*Edit* They also told me that it does not matter if it's a company (LLC) or if it's a private party. As long as there is a policy/agreement/contract and a receipt, timeshare rentals are covered.

I also have the built in travel insurance from my credit card, but I can't get a clear answer form them, so I'll buy additional coverage this go around.

 

[rwdavis2]

If you search for dvc rentals you will get most of the major ones.

 

[Robber Baron]

I have a credit card that covers trip insurance. I called them to ask if I am covered for a timeshare rental. I was told that if it is for lodging and it is non refundable, it's covered.