Ugh, used too many points!

[tor]

I have found that the best way to maximize my points when I want to cruise is to rent out the points and then book the cruise on cash.

Figure out how much cash it is for the cruise. Say, it's $4,500. At $10/pp, you only have to rent out 450 points to cover the cost of the cruise. Othewise, it may cost you over 700 points to book it as a points-only cruise.

I did that for a cruise we have planned for next spring. The points cost is over 300, yet the cash price is $1,700. So, I rented 170 points and paid cash for the cruise, leaving me with enough points to go to WDW for a few days prior. I've used David's rental service and the process is SO easy and safe.

We have done this as well for 3 cruises. But for a true cost you need to add in the yearly dues to get a true cost calculation. With the dues eating 5 dollars out of the rental income the 450 point becomes 900 points making 700 a reasonable deal. Just my opinion but I may be way off base

 

[Dean]

We have done this as well for 3 cruises. But for a true cost you need to add in the yearly dues to get a true cost calculation. With the dues eating 5 dollars out of the rental income the 450 point becomes 900 points making 700 a reasonable deal. Just my opinion but I may be way off base

Assuming one is comparing points for a cruise in one way or another (directly vs renting them out), the dues really don't come into play too much. IMO the only issues in this situation are how many points for the cruise and the price one can get for the rental points. OTOH, the maint fees do play a very large role in the comparison of using points vs using cash and rarely provides enough return to make using points a reasonable choice unless there are extenuating circumstances.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

The Grand Californian is such a wonderful place, I would consider heading out to DLR. The fact that it's essentially in DCA gives it an amazing closesness that even BLT can't match.

If you haven't been to DLR in a while (for us it was nearly 20 years) heading out west was a very nice change of pace.

Granted, I've never done a cruise (but I'm trying to convince the wife that it would be a good idea).

K

 

[toniosmom]

We have done this as well for 3 cruises. But for a true cost you need to add in the yearly dues to get a true cost calculation. With the dues eating 5 dollars out of the rental income the 450 point becomes 900 points making 700 a reasonable deal. Just my opinion but I may be way off base

I don't view it that way. I have to pay the dues regardless. I could either (a) use all of my points for the cruise or (b) rent some of them out and use the rest for a pre-cruise stay at WDW. IMO, the dues are not a factor at all. It's how I choose to use the points.

Here is what I did for our March 2013 trip: Our 4-day cruise cost about $2,000 (cat 5D balcony). That same cruise in points is 304 points (for 2 of us). I rented out 200 points (paying for the cruise in full) and had 104 left over. I was able to get a studio at BCV for the 5 days prior for 98 points. So, by renting the points and paying for the cruise in cash, I added 5 DAYS onto my vacation.

Either way, I still have to pay the dues.

I'd say it worked out in my favor....