Using DVC to travel the world? RCI Questions!

[redboxcar]

Hi everyone,

I'm brand new to the boards and DVC so I have a few questions. Forgive me in advance if my question has been answered elsewhere, but I promise I read a gabillion pages before deciding to make my first post!

My question is: how come I haven't seen (or found) any threads on using DVC points to go to places around the world like Spain, Italy, Thailand, Egypt, and other countries?

I am aware that there is a $95 fee for using points at non-DVC resorts, and I get that people buy in because they love Disney (duh!), but is there something else I'm missing??

I would love to travel to other countries. Is it just unpopular among DVC owners? Is it, in reality, not worth it to use DVC to travel international? Or is it something else entirely?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[disneynutz]

Using points for anything other than staying at a DVC resort is really a poor value. You would be better off looking for a deal elsewhere.

 

[rentayenta]

We are going to Mexico next March doing an exchange through DVC with RCI.

Part of the reason we bought DVC was to be able to travel other places in addition to Disney if we wanted. We enjoy Disney but also enjoy adults only trips to other places. For us, DVC holds great value for us even though we won't use it only for Disney. It insures we get to take a vacation at least every year. One of the selling points for DH was that we could travel to non-Disney destinations. And just think when we add on!!!

I will give a full trip report upon our return.

 

[redboxcar]

Using points for anything other than staying at a DVC resort is really a poor value. You would be better off looking for a deal elsewhere.

Are you able to elaborate on this?

In theory, it looks like a decent deal. Maybe I am not understanding properly.

According to the little brochures I got, anything marked with a green dot is part of the "World Passport Collection," which is what most international places are marked as. According to the point chart I have, a vacation this year during high season would be 16 points per night for a weeknight.

Now take, for example, Playa Linda Beach Resort in Oranjestad, Aruba (I picked this randomly)... according to their website, the least expensive studio is $295 per night.

Even at $10 per point, wouldn't 16 points ($160) per night be a better deal? The $95 surcharge at that point would still be worth it.

Am I doing this all wrong?

 

[redboxcar]

We are going to Mexico next March doing an exchange through DVC with RCI.

Part of the reason we bought DVC was to be able to travel other places in addition to Disney if we wanted. We enjoy Disney but also enjoy adults only trips to other places. For us, DVC holds great value for us even though we won't use it only for Disney. It insures we get to take a vacation at least every year. One of the selling points for DH was that we could travel to non-Disney destinations. And just think when we add on!!!

I will give a full trip report upon our return.

Thanks for the reply! These are my thoughts exactly... I was just wondering why no one ever talks about it! If you don't mind me asking, how many days are you going and how many points did it cost?

Is it worth it, points-wise, or are you just going because you have the points (even though it may be, as another pointed out, a poor value)... ?

THANKS! =)

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks for the reply! These are my thoughts exactly... I was just wondering why no one ever talks about it! If you don't mind me asking, how many days are you going and how many points did it cost?

Seven nights, one bedroom with a full kitchen, 160 points. playagranderesort.com When we bought, we bought 170 points. But remember, for us there is great value as we would have gone to Mexico with or without DVC.

Is it worth it, points-wise, or are you just going because you have the points (even though it may be, as another pointed out, a poor value)... ?

THANKS! =)

For us it's totally worth it. When we bought DVC just this past May we knew Disney would not be our first trip. I think the value is in the eye of the beholder just like most things in life. One man's treasure is another man's junk or something like that. You will find very differing opinions on this but heck, some folks will fight over which DVC has the best bathroom.

When I called for Mexico, I chose 2 destinations, with 7 different weeks to choose from. I was put on a wait list and it took a little less than a month to come through. On a side note, I scored an amazing deal on airfare yesterday! RT, non-stop, great times, from SLC to Cabo on Delta: $253 per person!!!!! Today the flights are back up to $532!!

I am the Disney junkie in the family so I could go to Disney every month if given the chance. DH, not so much. DVC was a very nice compromise and we couldn't be happier!

HTH

 

[Lynne M]

Here's the deal...DVC is one of the more expensive timeshares to own. You can buy timeshares that are far, far cheaper (especially through resale) that will allow you to trade into the exact same RCI resorts that DVC does. It's kind of like paying $100,000 for a Honda Accord when you can get it for $25,000. Therefore, most DVC members don't use it to trade out.

The standard recommendation is to buy only enough DVC points to cover your DVC stays, and either pay cash for your other trips, or pick up another timeshare on the resale market that trades to the RCI resorts you want to visit.

 

[arthur06]

I think people say that it is a poor value to trade out your WDW points to RCI. Mainly because DVC points are expensive and hold there value. If trading is one of your main reasons of buying many suggest that you buy a cheaper alternative to dvc that still trades thru RCI.

Many TS can be had on ebay or other places for pennies on the dollar. Those can be traded with as much weight as DVC which you paid $10,000+

 

[CarolA]

Thanks for the reply! These are my thoughts exactly... I was just wondering why no one ever talks about it! If you don't mind me asking, how many days are you going and how many points did it cost?

Is it worth it, points-wise, or are you just going because you have the points (even though it may be, as another pointed out, a poor value)... ?

THANKS! =)

Because as soon as you mention it on this board, the "naysayers" appear (as you may have noticed!)

The veiw on here is that it's not a wise use of points.... my view.... They are your points do what you want with them.

That said, the few times I have tired to do an exchange have not worked out. I have not tried with RCI so can't help you there!

 

[rentayenta]

The veiw on here is that it's not a wise use of points.... my view.... They are your points do what you want with them.

Exactly.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

Seven nights, one bedroom with a full kitchen, 160 points. playagranderesort.com HTH

OK, had to check out the resort. Is your one bedroom/full kitchen the JUNIOR, LUXURY, MASTER SUITE...what does RCI consider the one bedroom? All three of these look like one bedroom/kitchen combos...

 

[rentayenta]

OK, had to check out the resort. Is your one bedroom/full kitchen the JUNIOR, LUXURY, MASTER SUITE...what does RCI consider the one bedroom? All three of these look like one bedroom/kitchen combos...

It's a Luxury Suite.

 

[rentayenta]

And FWIW, the customer service at the Playa Grande has been exceptional thus far. We have exchanged several emails and their responses have been timely. I requested what building we wanted and that we would be celebrating our birthdays. They have given me TONS of local info. I have been to Cabo before but we really like the less touristy areas. They have been awesome with their dining and local shopping suggestions.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

PLEASE let me know how the trip was. Definately want a review

 

[rentayenta]

PLEASE let me know how the trip was. Definately want a review

Absolutely!

 

[littlestar]

I would only trade DVC for something high end - like a Hilton or the Manhattan Club.

If you buy DVC to trade on a regular basis, all the people in RCI who want to trade into DVC who only paid $1.00 for their timeshares on Ebay are going to love you, though.

 

[rentayenta]

If you buy DVC to trade on a regular basis, all the people in RCI who want to trade into DVC who only paid $1.00 for their timeshares on Ebay are going to love you, though.

Then it's a win/win.








I find it interesting that the value of my vacation would be remotely based on what someone else paid for their timeshare. I guess I am less concerned with someone getting something over on me.

 

[dd08]

I find it interesting that the value of my vacation would be remotely based on what someone else paid for their timeshare. I guess I am less concerned with someone getting something over on me.

Agree with this sentiment.

 

[Brian Noble]

was just wondering why no one ever talks about it!

The conventional wisdom is that if you want to use your points to stay somewhere else, you are often better off renting the points out, and using the cash proceeds to rent the lodging that you desire, and you'll have money left over. But, renting is more work than just calling DVC and putting in your exchange request.

Like many other things to do with timeshare, there is a time/money tradeoff, and you get to decide which to spend and how.

That said, if you expect to *regularly* exchange out, you are probably better off buying a slightly smaller contract, and using the money you didn't spend buying and maintaining a larger DVC contract for other vacations.

 

[Anal Annie]

Seven nights, one bedroom with a full kitchen, 160 points. playagranderesort.com When we bought, we bought 170 points. But remember, for us there is great value as we would have gone to Mexico with or without DVC.






For us it's totally worth it. When we bought DVC just this past May we knew Disney would not be our first trip. I think the value is in the eye of the beholder just like most things in life. One man's treasure is another man's junk or something like that. You will find very differing opinions on this but heck, some folks will fight over which DVC has the best bathroom.

When I called for Mexico, I chose 2 destinations, with 7 different weeks to choose from. I was put on a wait list and it took a little less than a month to come through. On a side note, I scored an amazing deal on airfare yesterday! RT, non-stop, great times, from SLC to Cabo on Delta: $253 per person!!!!! Today the flights are back up to $532!!

I am the Disney junkie in the family so I could go to Disney every month if given the chance. DH, not so much. DVC was a very nice compromise and we couldn't be happier!

HTH

Congrats on your deals!! How many people does this "luxury suite" sleep? If it sleeps 4 then 160 points for a week in Cabo is a pretty fair trade IMO!! You said March...are you going over a spring break time period? We stopped in Cabo on our first DCL back in '05 and it's been on our "short list" of land vac. destinations that we'd like to return to.