Some questions for those who have rented DVC points...

[scottishgirl87]

I know there's a DVC renting board but there doesn't seem to be much chit chat on there so thought I'd ask here instead

I've been thinking that if we go next year I'd like to try and rent points for a 1 night stay at AKV, savannah view. I've looked up how many points I'd need and so on. I also know DVCers with AKV as their home resort can book 11 months out, or 7 months at any other resort, so should I start looking to rent at that point (11 months out)? Obviously at this moment in time we don't have any flights or anything booked so I'd be waiting until we had our dates set in stone before renting points.

Now if I do this it's going to be kept a surprise from boyfriend. I haven't quite decided but I'd maybe tell him for his birthday (January) or our anniversary (May) or I'd love to try and keep it secret until check-in! My only problem here is that we don't drive over there and while I'm sure I could get him to AKL under the disguise of an ADR, I don't think I'd be able to pass off the overnight bag! Was just thinking though and is there not some sort of baggage transfer service between resorts? If so, I could possibly sneak out while he's in the shower and get down to reception to do this.

Any other hints and tips on renting DVC points would be greatly appreciated

 

[wilma-bride]

I am a DVC owner but have previously rented (in fact, it was our first DVC stay with a rented reservation that persuaded my DH to buy in).

I think the main thing to say is that you need to be aware that it is unlikely that a DVC owner will offer a refund in the event of cancellation, particularly not once you are into the 'points going into holding' period (usually 30 days before arrival date, whereby your points can only be used within particularly timescales and there are limitations on when/what you can book using them).

Be aware that you are not renting the points, you are acutally renting a reservation, which the DVC owner will make on your behalf. If you do decide to rent, be sure to get references/referrals from previous renters. Depending what time of year you are planning, you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting a SV studio (assuming you only want a studio?) so no real need to book dead on the 11-month mark, however if you are dead set and don't want to risk disappointment, it might make sense to rent from an owner at AKV to be sure of booking as early as possible.

If you could stretch to it, I would recommend trying to rent for a couple of nights as you would need to be out of the room by 11am so you would only really get 19 hours, of which you will probably be spending at least 7 of them sleeping. Unless you're planning to spend the whole evening and next morning in your room, I really don't think you'd get the full benefit or appreciation.

As far as the baggage transfer, there is a facility to have bags transferred - you would just need to take your overnight bag to Bell Services and ask them to transfer it to AKV (or whichever resort). Be aware, though, that there is no guaranteed time of arrival and, as check in is not before 4pm, you may not get your bag until early evening.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I am a DVC owner but have previously rented (in fact, it was our first DVC stay with a rented reservation that persuaded my DH to buy in).

I think the main thing to say is that you need to be aware that it is unlikely that a DVC owner will offer a refund in the event of cancellation, particularly not once you are into the 'points going into holding' period (usually 30 days before arrival date, whereby your points can only be used within particularly timescales and there are limitations on when/what you can book using them).

Be aware that you are not renting the points, you are acutally renting a reservation, which the DVC owner will make on your behalf. If you do decide to rent, be sure to get references/referrals from previous renters. Depending what time of year you are planning, you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting a SV studio (assuming you only want a studio?) so no real need to book dead on the 11-month mark, however if you are dead set and don't want to risk disappointment, it might make sense to rent from an owner at AKV to be sure of booking as early as possible.

Thanks Joh. I'm definitely going to wait until we're definitely going before even attempting to rent points. And yeah it's only a studio we'd need (2 adults) and I think I'd rather rent through someone on the Dibb than here as it's a smaller group and I don't know why but I feel a bit safer about the fact they'd be Brits. Will definitely have to research into potential people to rent from

 

[Disneymadhouse]

I have rented points from a Dibber for our stay at OKW in December. It has been very easy, and I have the "hard copy" of our reservation as well as the e mail version! I do keep checking the reservation though and am in contact with the Dibber once a month or so just to keep the communications open! I don't have any concerns that it will all go "belly up", and as you say there is a small friendly group of Dibbers who seem to rent the pooints out.

Claire

 

[scottishgirl87]

I have rented points from a Dibber for our stay at OKW in December. It has been very easy, and I have the "hard copy" of our reservation as well as the e mail version! I do keep checking the reservation though and am in contact with the Dibber once a month or so just to keep the communications open! I don't have any concerns that it will all go "belly up", and as you say there is a small friendly group of Dibbers who seem to rent the pooints out.

Claire

Thanks, Claire. I've not heard of anyone having a bad experience renting DVC points but I'm sure there are some out there. Don't really have any reasons but I just think I'd feel better renting from someone on the Dibb.

Do let us know how it went when you get back!

 

[Disneymadhouse]

Thanks, Claire. I've not heard of anyone having a bad experience renting DVC points but I'm sure there are some out there. Don't really have any reasons but I just think I'd feel better renting from someone on the Dibb.

Do let us know how it went when you get back!

Will do!! We are so excited as we haven't stayed at OKW before! I found the Dibber after I had been on the Dibb only a short time and started a thread asking when I could actually rent the points for OKW ( I didn't fully understand it then!), and I had a PM from the lovely Dibber saying that she owned at OKW and would be happy to rent me some points! That was in March 2011, so we had a while to chat a bit and I suppose get a "feel" for each other long before she made the reservations in Jan this year.

Claire