VIP/Tiered Rewards to be released soon

[Sandisw]

We originally purchased the then minimum 230 points originally, but very quickly realized we wanted to used more than that most years, so we added on another 150 at the same resort the next year. I see no reason to add on just for using points to use for a cruise or any other non/DVC option. It just isn't cost effective. I would NOT add on points to use them for dining or housekeeping! If I value them at the cost of the points plus the maintenance fees, it is not a good value.

I am with you in the fact that I won't add on simply to use points for other features.

However, you wonder if that was an option (using points to pay for dining, mousekeeping, etc.) if it would prevent some owners with a lot of points from selling some of those contracts off.

For example, if points are going for $40 - $50ppt on the resale market, a high point owner may keep what they have instead of "downsizing" if those points could offset other expenses.

And, any contracts not offered up via resale do potentially have the ability, while maybe small, of creating more owners vs. just getting replacement owners. Just a thought.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I know a guy who took a cheap flight to Australia, turned around and came back the next day just for the miles! (mainly to keep his premier status for the next year). Makes me laugh but it's also totally understandable.

To funny. My girlfriend flew to Germany and stayed one night and flew back for the same reason. she is now lifetime plat on American.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am with you in the fact that I won't add on simply to use points for other features.

However, you wonder if that was an option (using points to pay for dining, mousekeeping, etc.) if it would prevent some owners with a lot of points from selling some of those contracts off.

For example, if points are going for $40 - $50ppt on the resale market, a high point owner may keep what they have instead of "downsizing" if those points could offset other expenses.

And, any contracts not offered up via resale do potentially have the ability, while maybe small, of creating more owners vs. just getting replacement owners. Just a thought.

Except that even the high point rollers aren't going to see a value in using the cost of a point for something that costs far less out of pocket like dining.

 

[Dean]

While that may be true for many members, I doubt it is true for all members. Every member has a limit to the number of points they can use each year. I can't imagine any perk that would make it worthwhile to buy say 500 more points than one needs. -- Suzanne

Again, I can guarantee there is a break point where every member would want to add on points. Whether they can afford to do so or it makes sense for them may be another matter. It's unlikely even the most robust of such programs will be enough to lure the majority to add on but it would depend on specifics. EVERYONE has their price.

question for dean. why did you say all owners would add on?

...when we first became members, we sat down & figured
out the points we needed to do blt for our family. we realized
the basic 160 would not be enough. don't most new owners
figured out their idea points needs & the adding on are for other reasons?
[ cruises ]

trying to figure how you looking @ adding on in case there something
we're missing, tia.

See above, I didn't say all owners would add on or even decide to, simply that there was a situation that would entice each and every owner. Let me give you a specific absurd example to illustrate the issue and simply ignore any arguments as to whether a given option is feasible or even legal, for sake of discussion.. Lets say that DVD made changes such that if you added on 50 points retail ($5000) that you'd get all of the following.

• Same dues as you're paying now.
• Home resort option at all DVC resorts.
• free exchange options.
• RCI, DCL, DC, CC exchanges at half the points as now.
• Cheap short term rentals, say a 2 BR at $79 a night.
• Park pass for each day of your stay.
• Priority over other owners for WL.

I realize these are extreme and all are a stretch, but the principles are valid for each line item and each and every one reflects something that other timeshares with VIP systems are doing already or have done in the past.

 

[lah3hh]

I bought into DVC for the purpose of taking vacations for the next 50+ years. I have continued to love DVC for that same reason ever since I bought in several years ago...but...the perks have since been awesome as well.

So at this point of my membership I would have to say I would be one of those members saying....I need how many more points to reach what level??!! I know DVC is pulling my chain but have to say....I love it that much and will add on to reach the highest level if they sweeten the pot enough.

All I can say at this point is....come on and announce the VIP tiered system so I know how many more I need!!!

 

[BBG-BLT]

I'm with the previous post - tell me how much I'm going to need. Sitting at 400 BLT pts.

 

[Dean]

A number of years ago I bought a second week at Marriott's Grande Ocean (just under $20K), largely for the purpose of getting a 1 month reservation advantage. Of course the week was worth more than I paid at the time and even with the downturn, I can likely get a reasonable amount out of it.

 

[mac_tlc]

I think it is reasonable to think that most would add-on depending on the tier benefits. We have 385 pts, have considered another 100 without any tier benefits, and would certainly consider 115 more if there was a tier benefit at 500. I just don't think the benefits will be compelling or of much value. Those things that I would consider of value would most likely result in a dilution of benefits to the other members ( thinkgs like home resort priority at all DVC's).

This is an interesting discussion and imagine the number of posts that will be made when they finally announce something!

mac_tlc

 

[dianeschlicht]

I really doubt the perks will be worth the extra maintenance fees in the case of DVC. They aren't known for the best perks.

 

[AdamsMum]

I only own 180 points. So, I assumed I would not be included on any VIP program.

I didn't buy for the "perks". I have never bought an AP (can't afford two trips in one year), have not yet used the free internet although my brother and family are coming along this year and he likes his toys, pool hopping(?) the idea of packing up my stuff to travel to another resort just to swim, when I have a great pool with a slide at BWV doesn't appeal to me. The year I was going to be able to make use us free valet parking, they cancelled that perk. We did get 10% of at McDonalds once, that was nice.

I bought because 1. I love being at Disneyworld; 2. I wanted to stay in a better room and location than I would be willing to pay for in cash. Guess what? I got exactly what I wanted!

I love my BWV....rooms, hallways, clown slide, walk home from Epcot...and I'm not selling. I'm hoping they will turn it into a nursing home in about 20 years. Of course that might only be for VIPs.

 

[dis-happy]

I really doubt the perks will be worth the extra maintenance fees in the case of DVC. They aren't known for the best perks.

Plus, the perks could just disappear any time DVC decided to end the program. Hardly seems worth the risk of an add-on just for perks.

 

[disneymotherof3]

I guess I've just been looking at this VIP system as a lot noise about nothing. Kind of like the "sign about the sign" a couple of years ago, everybody was speculating that it would announce some new resort or great incentive and it was Goofy in a bus waving a DVC banner or something.
When I first heard about this it just struck me as the same type of thing. Basically the "perk dept" taking DVC into the ladies room to freshen her up a bit. Its been a long night for the old girl with the no valet, $95 resort fee and no outside trades for buying resale and they thought it was time to slap a little lipstick on her and check eye-liner. So out comes "If you have 750 points or more you can now books 2 full weeks and if you have 1500 or more you can get daily maid service for the length of stay."
As I stated ealier, I might be reading this completely wrong.

This response cracks me up!!

 

[Greysword]

...Let me give you a specific absurd example to illustrate the issue and simply ignore any arguments as to whether a given option is feasible or even legal, for sake of discussion.. Lets say that DVD made changes such that if you added on 50 points retail ($5000) that you'd get all of the following.

• Same dues as you're paying now.
• Home resort option at all DVC resorts.
• free exchange options.
• RCI, DCL, DC, CC exchanges at half the points as now.
• Cheap short term rentals, say a 2 BR at $79 a night.
• Park pass for each day of your stay.
• Priority over other owners for WL.

...

In support, only offering a couple of these perks would be enough to entice me to buy an additional 135 points to reach the 500 point threshold and collectively all would entice me to stretch to 750 points. The park passes alone would make this a financial win for my family of three (basically APs for my DW and I for the rest of our contract would be worth over $30,000, not including 13+ years for my DD). No increase in dues would also add (or even replace) the financial viability of doing an add-on. If the package also granted an increased booking window at non home resorts (like 9 months instead of 7), it would likely be enough to justify spending the $46,900 to add the 335 points need to reach a 750 points threshold ($46,900= 335pts x $140/pt).

So as another post asked, How do I contact Jim Lewis?

 

[HookdonWDW]

Plus, the perks could just disappear any time DVC decided to end the program. Hardly seems worth the risk of an add-on just for perks.

To me, this is key. Unless these new VIP "Rewards" were guaranteed to last for the majority of the time left on my deed, I wouldn't be worth it for me. But I'm cheap, and we have a decent number of points already. We're not looking to add on. I'd need to be able to do the math, and see that the value of the perks (perceived or real) would make up for the increased cost. I know that it's already been stated that DVC banks on a lot of people not doing this, but there are those of us (especially here on the DIS) who do...

 

[disneynutz]

If the VIP program ever happens, you can bet that the rewards will be items that cost Disney nothing and can be easily programmed into the MS computer system.

Different booking window
Different banking window

Any other ideas?

Bill

 

[Califgirl]

Plus, the perks could just disappear any time DVC decided to end the program. Hardly seems worth the risk of an add-on just for perks.

I was thinking this exact thing when reading through the thread. 'Perks' are never guaranteed for long. Remember when they gave out park passes for length of stay when buying OKW? I think they stopped offering the passes for sales in early 1998 and the park pass offer completely expired in 1999. I remember everyone thought that DVC would replace it with something. It's all been downhill since then.

 

[DVC Mike]

I'd be happy if the VIP program rewarded owners who have already purchased a set level of points from DVC, and isn't based upon future purchases and/or referrals.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'll add unlimited transfers...

If the VIP program ever happens, you can bet that the rewards will be items that cost Disney nothing and can be easily programmed into the MS computer system.

Different booking window
Different banking window

Any other ideas?

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

I'd be happy if the VIP program rewarded owners who have already purchased a set level of points from DVC, and isn't based upon future purchases and/or referrals.

The only reason Disney would make a VIP program is to stimulate additional sales. I'm sorry that you won't be happy.

Bill

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

But I thought they were going to do it to simply give back to us hard working folks who drop a poop-load of cash there every year!