Strategy advice when short of DVC points

[Ailsa]

I am planning an unexpected trip to WDW in 12 months' time, but as it it unexpected I only have a small amount of points available. I am a couple of nights short and I wondered if anyone had any tips on the best strategy to make up the missing nights? I have considered the following options:

1. one time use points - my understanding is that you can only buy 24 at 7 months out. That means I could only get a value studio at AKV (this is my home resort so I could waitlist at 11 months) but that is unlikely to be available at 7 months and I cannot use OTP to waitlist a room.

2. renting points for 2 nights from David's DVC but this comes out more expensive than buying OTP. Again I am unlikely to get an AKV value and will probably end up with OKW for 2 nights.

I am not planning on hiring a car so I would rather stay at WDW. Is there another way round this I haven't thought of?

 

[Sandisw]

Can you borrow? You can use a waitlist if you authorize borrowing?

You could also contact MS to see if they have the nights available for cash at the 25% discount?

Probably can’t get AKV value but could something else.

The other option is to make a random night in the same UY as your trip that is currently 7 months out, buy the OTU points, and then cancel it. Those would then be sitting in your account for a 7 month or less booking.

They can’t be used for a waitlist you put in during home resort but you could have them so if you see it pop up when 7 months comes you could grab it, even if it’s only one of the nights.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

When I run out of DVC points I usually make a cash booking at a moderate or value. I figure it’s a chance to try out a new resort.

 

[vicarrieous]

Borrow if possible / OTUP / or look for a transfer of points?

 

[houseofduck]

Another option would be to find an AKV owner on the rent/trade boards here to make the reservation for you or transfer points to you.

 

[FrannyFrogs]

I like doing the point transfer. You can find someone offering a transfer on this board, or I've used https://www.dvcstore.com/transfer.cfm (if this site isn't visible, just google "dvc points for transfer") in the past. That way, you can get points from the resort you want, book what you want using the 11 month window, and have complete control of your own reservation.

 

[Ailsa]

Can you borrow? You can use a waitlist if you authorize borrowing?

You could also contact MS to see if they have the nights available for cash at the 25% discount?

Probably can’t get AKV value but could something else.

The other option is to make a random night in the same UY as your trip that is currently 7 months out, buy the OTU points, and then cancel it. Those would then be sitting in your account for a 7 month or less booking.

They can’t be used for a waitlist you put in during home resort but you could have them so if you see it pop up when 7 months comes you could grab it, even if it’s only one of the nights.

I am already borrowing up to my max to get 9 nights but I wanted to come for longer as I'm flying from the UK.

I did try the random night booking once but the points disappeared when I cancelled it. I then had to call to make a reservation using those points when customer services opened. Is that not the same experience for everyone?

 

[Ailsa]

When I run out of DVC points I usually make a cash booking at a moderate or value. I figure it’s a chance to try out a new resort.

That's not a bad idea. Do you know if it's better to book early or last minute?

 

[Ailsa]

I like doing the point transfer. You can find someone offering a transfer on this board, or I've used https://www.dvcstore.com/transfer.cfm (if this site isn't visible, just google "dvc points for transfer") in the past. That way, you can get points from the resort you want, book what you want using the 11 month window, and have complete control of your own reservation.

This would be my preference, but I've not done it before so am slightly nervous.

 

[Sandisw]

I am already borrowing up to my max to get 9 nights but I wanted to come for longer as I'm flying from the UK.

I did try the random night booking once but the points disappeared when I cancelled it. I then had to call to make a reservation using those points when customer services opened. Is that not the same experience for everyone?

You will only see them when booking a trip but I have used them online without issue.

They put them in a temporary contract for you so it is only going to show when going to book.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

That's not a bad idea. Do you know if it's better to book early or last minute?

I’m not sure tbh - I have only ever booked last minute because it was an unexpected trip. I don't always see all resorts as available when I do it but there’s still decent options (eg Movies available but Music may not be). Prices were reasonable too. Log in with what you have (AP, Disney+, etc.) to see all available discounts.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

I like doing the point transfer. You can find someone offering a transfer on this board, or I've used https://www.dvcstore.com/transfer.cfm (if this site isn't visible, just google "dvc points for transfer") in the past. That way, you can get points from the resort you want, book what you want using the 11 month window, and have complete control of your own reservation.

Same here.

 

[Stargazer65]

Is there another way round this I haven't thought of?

Did you think of adding on another contract?

 

[SugarSweetLee]

That's not a bad idea. Do you know if it's better to book early or last minute?

Early.

If you book early you have a larger assortment of room types to choose from. If/when discounts are released later, you can call to have them applied to your existing booking.

If you wait to book until later, sometimes the cheaper categories and/or smaller resorts (like POFQ) get sold out before the discounts are ever announced.

 

[2010dvcfan]

Maybe just purchase more points? That could not only solve this booking issue but several more in the future from ever occurring.

Just a thought, first place my mind went to solving the issue and making booking more comfortable in future.

 

[skier_pete]

I agree with those that are commenting on transferring some points into your contract through a rental store. You are only allowed one transfer per use year, but when you do that it gives you home resort priority at whatever resort you transfer the points from. If your trip is really 12 months away you could get the points transferred in the next month and be ready to book at 11 months.

 

[Ailsa]

Maybe just purchase more points? That could not only solve this booking issue but several more in the future from ever occurring.

Just a thought, first place my mind went to solving the issue and making booking more comfortable in future.

I looked into this and it's a bit of a hassle to do from the UK because there's a cooling off period etc. It's easier for me to do this when I'm back in the States. This is also a one off problem - it's an extra trip at a different time of year. One month later and I'd be able to borrow from the next use year.