Using DVC points for reg hotel

[Scrufsmom]

Has anyone every used DVC points for the Disney Collection? If so, who has used it for the conceirge level at the deluxe resorts? Did you recieve any exceptional service or was service under par? Was the CM on that level helpful or not helpful enough? Would you do it again? Was the room assigned using the points okay or did you have to request a change? If a change was needed were you charged the change fee or was it done gratis?

 

[JimC]

We have used points at AKL once, have another AKL scheduled in August and are planning trips to Contemporary in November and Grand Californian in September 2005. We generally use AP codes for deluxe resorts. However, this past year the cost of our points have been better than the AP codes.

We have stayed on concierge level and the experience is expensive but worth it, particularly at AKL if you desire the Sunrise or Sunset Safaris. My experience wtih Concierge is that it is premium service at premium prices. You get lots of personalized service.

We have changed rooms at a deluxe resort, while on points, and it was done gratis.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

The only thing I noticed was to use your points for any of these rooms seemed VERY costly to me. I've stayed in concierge at BC and YC and sure, it was nice. But it is not worth the points they want out of my account to stay there.

This is the way I USED to travel to WDW... staying at Deluxes and paying for concierge. I also stayed at some DVC properties over the years and IMHO, these locations are a lot better value for the points and thus, I joined DVC.

Just my two cents,

MDF

 

[JimC]

I agree that the most cost effective use of points is within the DVC resorts. Normally we would only use AP codes at the deluxe resorts but the AP codes this year have not been that great and the points cost less to use than AP code and cash.

I don't agree that DVC resorts and concierge level are comparable. DVC has fabulous resorts, but they do not offer the level of personal attention and service that is available on concierge floors. We use concierge for very special trips.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We used points to stay at AKL concierge in March and I don't regret it one minute! Yes, it was alot of points, but as a wise DVCer said "use the points to make you happy"!

The service was wonderful. You are met by a "suit" as you drive up and are escorted upstairs to check in. You cruise right pass that check in desk and the crowd. We got drinks and a snack from the lounge while the concierge CM went over our paperwork.

Our room was exactly as I had requested via email with the concierge planners.

If people staying on points are treated differently, I sure didn't see it. We had 2 signs for our dashboard. One sd AKL and the other had the DVC logo on it. Both had the usual check in and out info. So anyone who saw that knew we were staying on points.

 

[rnnomore]

"We have used points at AKL once, have another AKL scheduled in August and are planning trips to Contemporary in November and Grand Californian in September 2005. We generally use AP codes for deluxe resorts. However, this past year the cost of our points have been better than the AP codes."

Since I am a newbie, I want to ask a question based on that statement. How do I figure out if it would be better to use my points for a non DVC hotel or to use an AP rate?

I know you experts have it all figured out, so that's why I am asking. For example, if a room for 3 nights using an AP rate is $716, (that would be including tax), how would I figure out if its best to use my points? The points in this example would come to 126.

Besides being a newbie, I am NOT a math expert at all! . Thanks in advance!!

 

[FLYNZ4]

Assuming you could rent your points for $10 each... They have a cash value of $1260 minus any expenses you occur, and minus any percieved or real risk that you have.

If that is more than the cost to pay cash for the same services it would seem like a good deal to rent vs use points.

/Jim (who is also a newbie... but this is how I would look at it)

 

[FLYNZ4]

One more factor that you should consider... your points are perishible... and if you are going to be in a position where you would lose points... or need to bank more than you could possibly use the following year... then you should also look at the cost of losing your points as well.

So in your example above... you can use points with a current value of $1260 to pay for a $716 room. However... if you did not want to rent the points to someone else (maybe you think the risk is too high)... then it still may be the best decision to use points if their value would go to -0- because they would expire in your account.

/Jim

 

[JimC]

I take a different view. I know the points have a value of roughly $10 in the rental market (more or less depending on personal views on such things and market conditions). But I figure my points are my pre-paid vacation and I use them as such.

I simply look at what my points cost me. My OKW points cost me $5.27 each ($1.59 for the original purchase amortized over the remaining contract term plus $3.98 for this year's maintenance fees). My BCV points cost me $5.70 using the same methodology.

I multiply my point cost times the number of points and that is what I am paying to use my points. If I am deciding on points versus AP code I multiply the AP code times the hotel tax (11.5% I believe) times the number of nights. Whichever total is less wins.

 

[wintergreen]

I like JimC's approach. We also view DVC as prepaid vacation, and therefore do not rent points. Our next trip is a short one (in 3 days!!!), and we all really wanted to try AKL, . . so . . . we are going to. Love the DVC resorts, but we also like to try different hotels. One of the reasons that I LOVE DVC!

 

[rnnomore]

Remember I told you I was not a math expert...but if I figured it out correctly, and I am hoping I did, then it looks like getting a room on an AP discount saves me a whole 6 dollars. But, if I get a different room in the same non DVC hotel, then the savings using the AP is huge.

Thanks for helping me out!!