Thinking of Buying 25 points for Convenience

[bwbuddy5]

After reading all of the great information here for months now, I'm seriously considering buying a small contract, hopefully 25 points at SS, for convenience. Here's why:

In June 2018, I plan to take my extended family of 9, including a 4yo granddaughter, to WDW to celebrate my retirement. I had considered renting points, but the large number of points I would need for the configuration we want made it difficult; it's tough to find one owner renting that many points. In addition, I would also consider a dining plan, but, if renting, I would have to both send money to the renter and ask him to make all of the arrangements.

So, I think I've decided instead to buy 25 points, bank and borrow, and pay other owners to transfer points into my DVC account. I could then do my own dining plan, sync with my magic band, perhaps take advantage of some DVC owner perqs, and basically satisfy my type A personality and the planning obsession that comes with it. And, I'm confident, given dsruba's charts, that the configuration we want will be available at the 7-month window. But, even if not, we will be happy at any of the DVC resorts.

So, how crazy am I?

 

[mco65]

Congrats on retirement!
I don't know about the 25 points... so you have NO DVC today. Are you thinking direct or secondary market?
I would be interested to see how this works out... but in fairness, we are all a little crazy!

 

[jekjones1558]

Minimum initial purchase to buy direct is 100 points. You could try to find a 25 point resale but then you will lose some perks.

 

[CMNJ]

I have heard of DVC selling 50 point master contracts at times but never 25 points (that small is reserved for add ins by current members). Also make sure you understand how transfers work. First of all you can only transfer (in or out) once per UY. So if you think you will have trouble renting enough points from one owner you most likely will encounter the same problem with a transfer. I suppose you could try to get 2 different transfers-one in your UY 2017 and one in UY 2018 then bank the 2017 points into 2018. Though I personally have never done this my understanding is that you can bank points that were transferred in but you cannot borrow ones (so you could only get 2 transfers from other owners to obtain the points necessary for your stay). Second most owners won't transfer points until they have received your payment so unless you use a third party to "broker" the deal (like the timeshare store) you will have to trust the dvc owner to send them a large sum of money before you actually receive the points.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I do not think that having only 25 points is convenient for what you want to do.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Minimum initial purchase to buy direct is 100 points. You could try to find a 25 point resale but then you will lose some perks.

What perks do you lose?

 

[jekjones1558]

My Purchase – Frequently Asked Questions
Q.
What are the benefits of purchasing an ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Club compared to purchasing through a timeshare resale company?
A.


As a Disney Vacation Club Member, you'll enjoy vacation options available to you at uniquely themed Disney Vacation Club Resorts and through RCI®. And when you purchase your real estate interest directly through Disney Vacation Development, Inc., you'll also enjoy the following benefits:

• Access to fantastic vacation options for you and your family from Disney Cruise Line, select Disney Resort hotels around the world, Adventures by Disney and the Concierge Collection.
• Access to Membership Extras, like exclusive Member events and discounts on dining and merchandise.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Note: Discount on annual passes is one of the member perks not available if you own only resale points.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I agree. I don't think buying a 25-point purchase will make anything any easier. You can only transfer once a year, so you will need a large transfer to have sufficient points for your trip, or need to coordinate transfers in two UY that are bankable, again requiring finding owners with points they're willing to transfer. Then, if you're trying to make sure they all have the same home resort, let alone a specific home resort?

And that purchase will have to be resale. Disney will not sell 25-point master contracts.

I think you'll end up finding yourself unable to get sufficient points to make the booking you want with this approach, and are missing a few key understandings about point transfer.

 

[kristenrice]

You won't be able to transfer in points from multiple owners since you only get one transfer per year. This could actually make it more difficult than renting because you have to find one owner with enough points to transfer to you AND they have to have their transfer available. I see your intent, but I don't see the value in your plan. On top of that, you may have a long wait to find a resale contract for only 25 points at any resort. They are often snatched up within minutes of being listed.

 

[bwbuddy5]

You won't be able to transfer in points from multiple owners since you only get one transfer per year. This could actually make it more difficult than renting because you have to find one owner with enough points to transfer to you AND they have to have their transfer available. I see your intent, but I don't see the value in your plan. On top of that, you may have a long wait to find a resale contract for only 25 points at any resort. They are often snatched up within minutes of being listed.

Great information. Ironically, I actually threw my name in the hat for a 25 point resale that came across my email today and was told I had 7 days to return the paperwork or it goes back on the market. In addition, I've already found an owner who had a large number of points to transfer that I assume I can bank until 2018. And, I don't plan to book until the 7-month window; we are thinking about an AKV GV. According to dsruba's availability charts, they are usually available at 7 months, and even if they're not, the fam will be happy with any resort.

What else am I missing?

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

In your case, I would just rent. The 25 points will not help you that much. I would think that David's (https://www.dvcrequest.com) would be able to find an owner with enough points for a GV at AK. But worst case, you could rent 2 2BRs and sleep up to 18 or 20. But I see the appeal of a GV - that would be spectacular. Congrats on your retirement.

 

[MrInfinity]

I dunno. You are only planning for 1 trip. Just stay in the hotels. Buying DVC is not the best solution when your goal is to pay for 1 trip. DVC is for someone who wants to do Disney every couple years for 10, 20, 30 years. You're going to create this big headache of having a max of 75 points, having unpredictable and potentially limited availability, and trying to pull in points on top of it. Plus pay a premium for a small contract, get none of the perks, and still not be done. Now you have to find the right person to transfer in, etc. I just wouldn't. You're making a laborious and uncertain task of what is otherwise a very simple thing, booking a MYW package thru Disney or travel agent.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I also think I'd rent. You can rent from more than one owner and ask them to link the reservations together.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Never assume points being transferred can be banked. Know their UY. If they're being transferred late in their UY, they may not be bankable.

 

[ELMC]

Great information. Ironically, I actually threw my name in the hat for a 25 point resale that came across my email today and was told I had 7 days to return the paperwork or it goes back on the market. In addition, I've already found an owner who had a large number of points to transfer that I assume I can bank until 2018. And, I don't plan to book until the 7-month window; we are thinking about an AKV GV. According to dsruba's availability charts, they are usually available at 7 months, and even if they're not, the fam will be happy with any resort.

What else am I missing?

Remember that the points have the home booking advantage, not the member. So if you find an AKV owner to transfer you points then you can book an AKV GV at the 11 month window. I think what you might be missing is that DVC is a long term contract that obligates you to pay dues every year. If you plan on going every few years, then that's no big deal. If you don't, now you have to find something to do with your 25 points every year, which may be difficult. So while you're looking to make things easier for this one trip, and this may accomplish that, you might be making things more difficult going forward.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Everything that has been said makes sense, I still haven't decided. I've listed a comment below that I read from a poster a few months back who owns a lot of points. The post is one of the reasons this small contract purchase idea is stuck in my head. This is the great thing about these boards, lots of great information on both sides of the argument. I guess it's my turn to make a decision. Someone also mentioned on a previous post that they've actually done a partial transfer/partial rental split stay when a large amount of points is difficult to find.

From a previous post:

"I know there are plenty of ways to get the points. One thing you can do is buy a small contract (80 points or something low) and when you rent points from someone, have him/her transfer them to you. That way, you retain control of the points.

Also, if you have a friend or family member who is a DVC member ~~, you can ask them to manage the reservation for you and have the points transferred in to his/her account so that you continue to retain control of the points. David's is certainly a great option, you certainly have satisfaction and of course you have peace of mind, but you are paying a premium for that."

 

[Lynne M]

You mention convenience, but to me, your plan is the opposite of convenience. You're going to enter into a 30-40 year timeshare contract that you will owe dues on every year, just for one trip? And then rely on being able to find a single owner that can transfer enough points to get you a grand villa for the dates you want? When the alternative is "call Disney, book the trip?" Or "contact David's, book the trip?"

I'm just not seeing what you feel you'll be gaining by buying that contract.

 

[kniquy]

If you are only buying mainly for your trip in 2018 it doesn't make sense. Just as others have mentioned a 25 point contract will not be of any benefit in the long term. Too little point to use even with banking/borrowing. Receiving a transfer of points would be difficult too because of the various UY -- you can only receive one transfer per year. If you are only looking for this one trip then i would just rent. If you are planning on long term usage of DVC resorts (at least every other year) then you should consider buying.

For a June 2018 trip you would need a 2BR for your party. AT SSR, depending upon the week and room type you are looking at a 2BR DVC rental would cost between $3720 (248 points) - $5160 (344 points). If you looked into purchasing a loaded resale contract of 100-125 points (~$8500-10,600) Then you could make that trip happen - this only makes sense if you are planning on using the contract at least every other year. You have to consider the maintenance fees that you would have to pay yearly.

 

[Dean]

After reading all of the great information here for months now, I'm seriously considering buying a small contract, hopefully 25 points at SS, for convenience. Here's why:

In June 2018, I plan to take my extended family of 9, including a 4yo granddaughter, to WDW to celebrate my retirement. I had considered renting points, but the large number of points I would need for the configuration we want made it difficult; it's tough to find one owner renting that many points. In addition, I would also consider a dining plan, but, if renting, I would have to both send money to the renter and ask him to make all of the arrangements.

So, I think I've decided instead to buy 25 points, bank and borrow, and pay other owners to transfer points into my DVC account. I could then do my own dining plan, sync with my magic band, perhaps take advantage of some DVC owner perqs, and basically satisfy my type A personality and the planning obsession that comes with it. And, I'm confident, given dsruba's charts, that the configuration we want will be available at the 7-month window. But, even if not, we will be happy at any of the DVC resorts.

So, how crazy am I?

If it's just this one trip, I'd just look for someone who can do it, it really shouldn't be difficult to get a week or 2 for a 2 BR or 2 BR plus a studio or even a 3 BR. If you think you might go periodically you might look at buying such that you could squeeze this one trip out of it. I'd rather see you buy 100 points and have to sell later rather than just 25 points and pay a premium for transferred points in this situation. And you wouldn't be able to make the reservations online with the transferred points in most cases.

 

[mustinjourney]

You might be better off buying a large, loaded contract, use the points for your trip, and then sell the contract stripped.

If the contract has points that expire before your trip, just rent them out.

Closing costs on small contracts are usually prohibitively expensive and eat into your savings.