What can REALLY go wrong when renting DVC points?

[mort1331]

Speaking on an owners side. There are some of us that have great relationships with our renters. If you have someone that you rent to time and time again, then if changes need to be made, you don't feel hassled or upset or screw it not in the contract. I have a few that I help out, sometimes I cant.
I have a current one that wanted to add a day, felt bad nothing available but was able to get them a cash rate and link it up so they did not have to move rooms. Not all renters will do that. I don't know if I would do that for a 1st timer with me. But with someone that I have rented multiple times, I bend and help where I can. This same person has a special date coming up and I don't have the home resort in question, I implored him to find another renter because there is no way I could get his room at 7 months. I'm not losing a customer, but making one happy. He will be back.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I am renting for the first time this year and have not enjoyed the uncertainty of the process. We were not able to request Disney's Magical Express as it has to be added by the member booking the reservation. Moreover, we are unable to link our current reservation to the rental reservation, even though both reservations are for the same category and view, because a conference/three-way call needs to be arranged between us, the renter, and DVC member services. Right now, we are relying on the notes in our reservation and hoping that we will not need to move three times.

 

[guilderlandmouse]

We have rented from both David's and *********** without incident. Actually, it was a seamless and easy process. Of course, there are risks. However, these seem to be far and few between. I do purchase travel insurance to hedge against a problem. This way I feel that I have a contract with a large broker & insurance coverage to fall back on. The thought is to hopefully mitigate any lost funds, rebook, make other arrangements, etc. Our experience has been positive.

 

[maburke]

I am renting for the first time this year and have not enjoyed the uncertainty of the process. We were not able to request Disney's Magical Express as it has to be added by the member booking the reservation. Moreover, we are unable to link our current reservation to the rental reservation, even though both reservations are for the same category and view, because a conference/three-way call needs to be arranged between us, the renter, and DVC member services. Right now, we are relying on the notes in our reservation and hoping that we will not need to move three times.

Sorry to hear that. Are you using a broker? Those are things I'd certainly do for anyone renting from me.

 

[CarolMN]

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[SpaceMountain77]

Sorry to hear that. Are you using a broker? Those are things I'd certainly do for anyone renting from me.

We are renting through another member. Should I need to rent from a member again, I will add to the beginning or end of my reserved trip. Having the middle reservation is proving to be worrisome and somewhat challenging.

 

[RobDoc]

Over the years, the DIS has had only a handful of failed rental transactions and none for the past several years. Regardless, with any rental you should do your due diligence (reviewing past posts, contacting references, getting to know the member via correspondence). The rental companies do offer a bit of security since they have the financial ability to make good on a failed rental - but that still does not help when you are already at WDW at the resort.

Failed rental transactions are NOT a common event or concern, but everyone should recognize that possibility. If that risk is too much of a concern, a better option may be to reserve directly through Disney for any travel plans. I am not aware of any Disney rental that has failed.

 

[gdrj]

Apparently I am too trusting a person. What owner would do such a thing> I can't even imagine that! It never even occurred to me if I were renting my points out. Up to now, I have only given them to family but it just surprises me. I would assume that their ability to do this is very limited as hopefully once they have done it once they are forever blacklisted on the broker sites?

As an owner though, I would be worried about them ruining the room or leaving me with problems.

A couple scenarios:
1- Just a scam completely- person does not own DVC at all, they take your deposit and run.
2- Financial- Owner defaults on loan, or does not pay dues. It may be they fully intended to stay current when you rented from them but something unexpected happened.
3- There are just horrible people in the world that do slimy things.

 

[ajc]

I am a dvc member with AKL as my home resort; you better plan quickly as studios are selling out at Jambo house and Kidani village has more availability but when the 7 month window opens they may get booked up. Make sure you have an alternate choice in mind. Check out www.***********.com for private rentals; I have had good luck with additional bookings beyond what I own; also if you are an RCI owner you can do point exchange rental directly with DVC (I think). Check with RCI & DVC.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When you trade RCI, you are most likely to get a Saratoga 1BR.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you trade RCI, you are most likely to get a Saratoga 1BR.

Plus if you own a local timeshare (not DVC), you cannot trade into DVC.

 

[jengine]

I think with DVC the resorts do try to accommodate any special requests. We stayed at Aulani for my Mom's birthday a few years ago, and when she made the original booking (using her own points though) we had to move rooms halfway through since they didn't have the 2bdr suite for the whole week. When we checked in they had noticed that and made it so that we didn't have to change rooms. My Mom was so overwhelmed with the gorgeousness of the resort and the way we were treated upon arrival/check in that she started crying!

 

[supersnoop]

Plus if you own a local timeshare (not DVC), you cannot trade into DVC.

* depending on the system.

 

[mickeymom629]

So we are considering renting DVC points for our first (and probably only) family trip to WDW. I want to really be sure I understand all the risks before we do this, though. Trip will be end of October for DH and me, plus our 2 boys - looking at renting points for a studio at AKL. I have been looking at some trip insurance plans, but not sure if they will cover every scenario...

Most people seem to have great experiences renting points, and I already know about the differences in room services, etc. when staying DVC...but what would be a worst case scenario if we do this? Could we show up and suddenly our reservation has disappeared? The owner cancels it and we're screwed? Would we have ANY options in that case, or would we have to find a hotel off property for the trip? Does trip insurance even matter in such a case?

If we do this, we would go through a broker, but I'm not sure that makes much of a difference either...would love to hear from others who have experience with this.

If it's your "first and only" trip, why would you put yourself through possible unnecessary worry/aggravation by doing this? There is so much more flexibility (if any of your plans change) and certainty booking a resort through Disney if you want to stay onsite.

ETA that I rented points once for a 4 night trip for DH and I, about 7 years ago and all went smoothly.

 

[Mousetopia]

So we are considering renting DVC points for our first (and probably only) family trip to WDW. I want to really be sure I understand all the risks before we do this, though. Trip will be end of October for DH and me, plus our 2 boys - looking at renting points for a studio at AKL. I have been looking at some trip insurance plans, but not sure if they will cover every scenario...

Most people seem to have great experiences renting points, and I already know about the differences in room services, etc. when staying DVC...but what would be a worst case scenario if we do this? Could we show up and suddenly our reservation has disappeared? The owner cancels it and we're screwed? Would we have ANY options in that case, or would we have to find a hotel off property for the trip? Does trip insurance even matter in such a case?

If we do this, we would go through a broker, but I'm not sure that makes much of a difference either...would love to hear from others who have experience with this.

The risk is minimal. I would NEVER rent from a private person. I researched David's reviews in depth and found nothing but good! It still was a little scary ..Im a worrier but we tried last November. Had savannah view AKL studio for about the cost of a moderate!!!!!! Went off without a hitch and we are working with them on the next reservation. P.S. You DO have access to DVC laundry priviledge ..at least as AKL.

 

[skier_pete]

New to the thread - but I will still post my thoughts. If you ignore the most likely scenario that something happens to YOU and you cancel your trip (which you SHOULD be able to get trip insurance for - you have a contract for a rental that you paid for, and can provide proof of payment) and also you are considering through a broker, then here is the likely worst cases:

1) Owner cancels reservation to recover points. This isn't likely to happen after 30 days as there's little benefit to the points going into holding, and rather unlikely to happen in general. They are breaking a contract and could well get sued. Any good rental company will refund your money should this happen.

2) DVC cancels reservation because owner is being foreclosed on. Possible but extremely rare scenario. Similar to above but could happen fairly last minute.

The consequences of either of the above is likely that you would have to book at a regular room. Now it's POSSIBLE that all the values and moderates are 100% booked, but that is very rare. The second scenario is the worst, as if something like this were to happen with only a week or less notice, it might be hard to find other accommodations, particularly on-site. Understand, this is probably a 10,000 to 1 case. (The one case Ive heard of was mentioned earlier in this thread.)

Renting from an individual you don't know is inherently more risky. We did it once, and everything worked out great. We found someone, and then asked for some references, and then called the references. However, this would be a MUCH easier situation to perform a scam in, and knowing what I know now, I am not sure I would do it that way again.

You also mentioned comparing prices to a moderate. If you are booking the dates you are listing, you are likely to get a 20% discount at a moderate, so you should factor that into your price calculations.

Edit: Just realizing now this thread is a bit old. If OP hasn't rented by this point, unlikely to get into anywhere because their trip include F&W marathon.

 

[Mousetopia]

I am renting for the first time this year and have not enjoyed the uncertainty of the process. We were not able to request Disney's Magical Express as it has to be added by the member booking the reservation. Moreover, we are unable to link our current reservation to the rental reservation, even though both reservations are for the same category and view, because a conference/three-way call needs to be arranged between us, the renter, and DVC member services. Right now, we are relying on the notes in our reservation and hoping that we will not need to move three times.

You do not need to schedule magical express with the member..you just call magical express directly. I did this in november.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

You do not need to schedule magical express with the member..you just call magical express directly. I did this in november.

Thanks, Mousetopia. It is a shame that some cast members in Member Services are unaware of this possibility.

 

[eileenrbl]

I am a private owner at several properties with DVC. I love being a DVC owner! Sometimes I do not use all my points and I am happy to help someone else have a magical experience too by renting them on occasion. I've never had a problem. BTY - Travel Insurance is always recommended and you can purchase travel insurance on your own with Travel Guard or Travel Allianz.