Trading/Swapping Points Between Owners

[MouseOfCards]

This method does not require owning multiple use years and is an alternative to renting (though renting is probably easier and would provide more options and multiple use years more flexibility).

Example:

John owns 150 points BLT October UY. Mary owns 150 points BWV December UY. They both would like to be able to book, as early as possible, a December 2018 trip at the other person's resort.

They make a conference call with MS and do the following:

1. John transfers 150 points from his BLT 2017 October UY into Mary's 2017 UY.
2. Mary transfers 150 points from her BWV 2018 December UY into John's 2018 UY.
3. Mary then banks the transferred in BLT points into 2018.

In essence, they have swapped points and both can now book trips for December 2018 using their new points' home priority window.

Suggestions? Comments? Am I missing anything here? Any way to improve on this?

 

[CarolMN]

Technically, your method should work.

I have two thoughts:

1. The most difficult part of that transaction (IMO) will be finding someone who wants what you have and then successfully negotiating the value of each resort's points. FWIW, I do not subscribe to the "a point is a point is a point" philosophy for the 11 month window.

2. The transferred points will not show up in the recipients' online accounts. They will have to call MS to use them. If they want standard view studios at either BLT or BWV, that hour's delay may mean they go on a waitlist. While that may not be a concern for the other resorts, I believe it will be for most of the more difficult reservations at the near park resorts (and concierge/value at AKV) for early December. If the reservations aren't in that category, there may not be much of an incentive for owners to go through all that.

.

 

[disneynutz]

To keep this from happening I thought that DVC restricts transfers to only one in or out per year.

Bill

 

[supersnoop]

To keep this from happening I thought that DVC restricts transfers to only one in or out per year.

Bill

In the example, they transfer into different use years.

Sure, it works in theory. In practice, however, you're unlikely to find a scenario where it would be realistic. You need to find someone who needs the exact same number of points. They need to be booking in the same timeframe. And they have to have use years that allow for the transfer.

Just rent out your points and find someone to rent from. The result is the same, but without all the limitations.

 

[LAX]

In the example, they transfer into different use years.

Sure, it works in theory. In practice, however, you're unlikely to find a scenario where it would be realistic. You need to find someone who needs the exact same number of points. They need to be booking in the same timeframe. And they have to have use years that allow for the transfer.

Just rent out your points and find someone to rent from. The result is the same, but without all the limitations.

I agree finding a willing partner in swapping would be difficult. However, renting from someone/broker will result in relinquishing control of the reservation, which would be a fairly big drawback for me (and I think many other members, too). The most important difference (unless it can be arranged in a private transaction) to me would be the inability to cancel the reservation when the need arises. I realize any cancellation within 30 days of arrival will result in holding points, but that would still be better than total loss of those points. Plus, the option to re-rent the reservation may no longer be available when it's already arranged by a 3rd party.

LAX

 

[Dean]

This method does not require owning multiple use years and is an alternative to renting (though renting is probably easier and would provide more options and multiple use years more flexibility).

Example:

John owns 150 points BLT October UY. Mary owns 150 points BWV December UY. They both would like to be able to book, as early as possible, a December 2018 trip at the other person's resort.

They make a conference call with MS and do the following:

1. John transfers 150 points from his BLT 2017 October UY into Mary's 2017 UY.
2. Mary transfers 150 points from her BWV 2018 December UY into John's 2018 UY.
3. Mary then banks the transferred in BLT points into 2018.

In essence, they have swapped points and both can now book trips for December 2018 using their new points' home priority window.

Suggestions? Comments? Am I missing anything here? Any way to improve on this?

There is more risk to the person going first than second. Plus just coordinating the issue is difficult. And there really isn't any need, just rent out and then rent for your use or for a transfer. The exception might be between friends or similar. It's not worth putting any real effort into it, IMO.

 

[MouseOfCards]

Technically, your method should work.

I have two thoughts:

1. The most difficult part of that transaction (IMO) will be finding someone who wants what you have and then successfully negotiating the value of each resort's points. FWIW, I do not subscribe to the "a point is a point is a point" philosophy for the 11 month window.

For something like this, would be nice to have some standard/consensus exchange rate for points. Agree the difficult part is finding someone to do this with. Obviously, if both members had 2 memberships, would provide more options.

 

[MouseOfCards]

In the example, they transfer into different use years.

Sure, it works in theory. In practice, however, you're unlikely to find a scenario where it would be realistic. You need to find someone who needs the exact same number of points. They need to be booking in the same timeframe. And they have to have use years that allow for the transfer.

Just rent out your points and find someone to rent from. The result is the same, but without all the limitations.

Renting points is definitely easier. But as has been mentioned, one of the primary advantages of swapping or transferring points is that it allows one to maintain control of the reservation.

 

[MouseOfCards]

I agree finding a willing partner in swapping would be difficult. However, renting from someone/broker will result in relinquishing control of the reservation, which would be a fairly big drawback for me (and I think many other members, too). The most important difference (unless it can be arranged in a private transaction) to me would be the inability to cancel the reservation when the need arises. I realize any cancellation within 30 days of arrival will result in holding points, but that would still be better than total loss of those points. Plus, the option to re-rent the reservation may no longer be available when it's already arranged by a 3rd party.

LAX

So true. Controlling my own reservations is important to me too.

 

[supersnoop]

I agree finding a willing partner in swapping would be difficult. However, renting from someone/broker will result in relinquishing control of the reservation, which would be a fairly big drawback for me (and I think many other members, too). The most important difference (unless it can be arranged in a private transaction) to me would be the inability to cancel the reservation when the need arises. I realize any cancellation within 30 days of arrival will result in holding points, but that would still be better than total loss of those points. Plus, the option to re-rent the reservation may no longer be available when it's already arranged by a 3rd party.

LAX

Renting points is definitely easier. But as has been mentioned, one of the primary advantages of swapping or transferring points is that it allows one to maintain control of the reservation.

Nothing precludes you from renting out your points and then paying someone else for a transfer. Finding someone willing to transfer points to you is hard enough. Limiting that to someone who will want your points in return is exceeding unlikely. Add the restriction that the use years and vacation plans need to line up to allow for the transfer, and you're in the realm of "practically impossible."

 

[LAX]

Nothing precludes you from renting out your points and then paying someone else for a transfer. Finding someone willing to transfer points to you is hard enough. Limiting that to someone who will want your points in return is exceeding unlikely. Add the restriction that the use years and vacation plans need to line up to allow for the transfer, and you're in the realm of "practically impossible."

That's a really good point! I am surprise the brokers haven't gotten into this business, which is much easier to manage although there is likely less profit to be made.

LAX