Short on points, what can you do??

[smjj]

We are thinking of buying 150 points. If we go every other year, this should take care of us for a 2 bedroom at OKW. But what happens if you are short a few points??. Can you pay the difference or buy the few extra points if needed? On one of my calc. we would be about 23 points short. I would hope we could purchase these points or simple buy the additional day if needed...smjj

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you want to make the reservation at the 11 month window, you could rent the extra points from someone else who has that same home resort. You could also pay cash for one night, but you might have to move to a different room on the cash night.

Did you come to this conclusion by figuring out possible scenarios of point usage? If so, you might want to purchase 175 points instead of 150. Sit down and figure out your point usage for about 5 running years, and you should be able to get a picture of what amount of points is best. Since OKW would be a resale contract, your per/point cost would probably be a bit less, so you might be able to swing a larger contract.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I just checked the Timeshare STore listings, and they currently have two 190 point OKW contracts available in the $70/point range. You might want to check that out.

 

[colleen costello]

There are many way to stretch points. You can "borrow" from the following year if you need to; but then you'd have less points the following year. You can knock one night off your reservation. You can stay at Old Key West some of your trips and that save points -- it's a bargain! Some people only stay at DVC rooms for 5 nights -- between Sunday and Thursday when the points are low. My favorite solution is to stay at a Moderate resort the night we arrive. We get in and swim at a "new" pool and the kids love this. We eat dinner and walk around and it's like a mini vacation somewhere different. The next morning, we go to our DVC resort for a week. This plan has saved me tons of points over the last couple of years and works well for our family.

If you have enough points for 6 nights at OKW, you can usually add on a 7th night and pay cash. Member services will offer you a 25% discount if it's available. If you want to buy more points later, Disney adds on in chunks of 25 or more. Many people add on as the money becomes available.

Hope this helps!

 

[CarolMN]

Just want you to know that you do not have to buy in increments of 5 or 10 points. Even though the minimum purchase from Disney is 150 points, you can buy 161 or 162 or even 153, LOL!

The minimum for an add on purchase direct from Disney is 25, but you could buy any number you choose that is more than than - 27, 32, 41, 28 - you get the idea.

If you know you will need 323 points every two years, consider buying 162 points for your initial purchase.

When you buy via resale market, you must purchase the contract offerred - you cannot "break up" an existing contract into smaller amounts.

HTH with your decision.

Best wishes -

 

[DebbieB]

I stretched my points the past 2 years by paying cash for a weekend night at OKW (1 bedroom). Last year I used the member discount (25%) to add 2 weekend nights. If you book with the member discount, they guarantee that you will not have to move, it's treated as one stay. This year it was our last night, a Friday night, so I got the AP discount which was about 30% off. I figured the odds would be good that they would not move us for a Friday night (alot of members checkout on Friday). I had to go to the front desk and get new keys and parking permit on Friday morning but we did not have to move. We also got full housekeeping for that day. I paid $301 incl tax and saved 48 points. Of course cash nights might not always be available, but OKW is the most likely to have them.

 

[smjj]

DebbieB:

You mentioned housekeeping. Is this included with you yearly dues or is this extra?? Thanks smjj

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by smjj
DebbieB:

You mentioned housekeeping. Is this included with you yearly dues or is this extra?? Thanks smjj

DVC Members do not receive daily housekeeping services.

The services we receive depend on the length of stay.

Count check in day as day 1. On the 4th day of your stay you receive "Trash & Towel" service. Basically, housekeeping exchanges yours towels for a fresh set, empties the trash and replenishes your coffee supply (1 regular and 1 decaf packet).

If you stay more than 7 nights, a full housekeeping service is provided on day 4 and T & T sevice on day 8.

Those services are included with your stay. If you want more frequent housekeeping services, they are available for an additional fee.

$10 for T & T no matter what size unit you have and for a full cleaning:

$25 for studio
$30 for a 1 bedroom
$40 for a 2 bedroom
$60 for a 3 bedroom

HTH.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by smjj
DebbieB:

You mentioned housekeeping. Is this included with you yearly dues or is this extra?? Thanks smjj

Since my last night was on an AP rate through CRO, not points, I got full housekeeping for that day at no extra charge. If you are staying at a DVC resort but not on points, you get full housekeeping everyday just like any other resort.

 

[jekjones1558]

You mentioned housekeeping. Is this included with you yearly dues or is this extra??

If, perhaps, you are worried about not having the daily housekeeping, you could find, as we did, that we actually prefer it! We were concerned when we first bought DVC, but now we love not wondering when mousekeeping will arrive, having to stash things before leaving for the parks, stepping out of the shower and finding a maid in the room. Of course there are some who miss it, but that would not be us!