What do you think is the better use of a cash vs. points ressie for weekend nights??

[edk35]

Okay we are going to OKW in Jan. for 6 nights in a dedicated 2br. Two of those nights are weekend and the points are 54 a night. I currently have discounted cash ressies for those two nights which equal 408.75 a night plus tax.I did this to have enough points in July. In July we are hoping to stay at BCV for a week and in order to do this... we need to either do cash on the two weekend nights there or the two in Jan. at OKW. Then I started thinking hmmmmmm maybe my better value is to do cash this summer vs. cash in Jan. Since the points in Jan. are lower at OKW and it is not that much more for cash in July at BCV put the points are pretty steep.

The disc. cash nights at BCV are 472.50 plus tax and the points are 75 each night.


ANY TAKERS????????????????

I am now thinking points Jan. and cash in July. Now of course that is if the disc. cash will even be available.

 

[edk35]

bump bump

 

[permavac]

Ok - I'll bite So - you're saying you will "save" yourself 42 points by using points for the OKW/January stay and subsequently spend an extra $127.50 for the cash weekend for the BCV/July stay. My first instinct is pay the money and keep the extra points (of course!), but there are some variables here, not the least of which is if you truly can get the discounted rate in July. What's the full rate and would you end up paying it if you can't get the discounted one? I guess I would let that decide it for me - I would base the scenario on paying the FULL rate in July and see where that takes you. Either way - not a bad dilemma to be in

Terri

 

[edk35]

Ok - I'll bite So - you're saying you will "save" yourself 42 points by using points for the OKW/January stay and subsequently spend an extra $127.50 for the cash weekend for the BCV/July stay. My first instinct is pay the money and keep the extra points (of course!), but there are some variables here, not the least of which is if you truly can get the discounted rate in July. What's the full rate and would you end up paying it if you can't get the discounted one? I guess I would let that decide it for me - I would base the scenario on paying the FULL rate in July and see where that takes you. Either way - not a bad dilemma to be in

Terri

LOL "I'll bite" I knew people wouldn't want to attempt this one. The full rate would be 630 and you are sooooooooo right that I might not ever get the discount. I guess if in a perfect scenario......I would have a discounted cash night available before I went in Jan. but that is not going to happen. SO....I guess it comes down to taking this trip and then if I get a discounted night in July....I could save 75 points and pay cash.

 

[edk35]

Ok - I'll bite So - you're saying you will "save" yourself 42 points by using points for the OKW/January stay and subsequently spend an extra $127.50 for the cash weekend for the BCV/July stay. My first instinct is pay the money and keep the extra points (of course!), but there are some variables here, not the least of which is if you truly can get the discounted rate in July. What's the full rate and would you end up paying it if you can't get the discounted one? I guess I would let that decide it for me - I would base the scenario on paying the FULL rate in July and see where that takes you. Either way - not a bad dilemma to be in

Terri

Actually OKW in Jan. for a weekend night is 54 points.

 

[msabol01]

At what point will you know and be guaranteed the discounted cash points? I've never booked a cash ressie so this would be great info to have. I would also go with the points in Jan if you can secure the discounted rate.

 

[edk35]

At what point will you know and be guaranteed the discounted cash points? I've never booked a cash ressie so this would be great info to have. I would also go with the points in Jan if you can secure the discounted rate.

Well i asked today about disc. rate in July and they are not even showing rack room rates available because it is just too early. See last year I booked my BCV week at the 5 1/2 month window and elected to use points for one weekend night and disc. cash for the other because we had 8 days at OKW prior to moving over to BCV. We needed to stretch our points. However I am booking my week tomorrow at BCV and I will just book with points because I have no idea if I will even get a cash weekend there. I am also borrowing some points for the summer trip so once they are borrowed...they have to be used by Oct. 1st. I guess I will just keep it the way it is....two cash nights in Jan. and points in July..

 

[DebbieB]

I used cash nights to stretch points 2 or 3 times at OKW in May a few years ago. A weekend night was 48 points (1 bedroom) and the discount cash rate was around $325 with tax. I figured that came to under $7 a point. I was not in a position to add-on. If you amortize the cost of DVC and add annual dues, it's close to that.

 

[permavac]

Actually OKW in Jan. for a weekend night is 54 points.

Maybe my math is off but actually I was figuring that you would save the difference in the points - i.e. 75 vs. 54 which means for one night you save 21 points and 2 nights you save 42. Did I do that right? Basically, 150 points for the BCV/July weekend versus 108 points for the OKW/January weekend, right? I shoveled a lot of snow today so my brain could have evaporated a little bit

Terri

 

[permavac]

The full rate would be 630 and you are sooooooooo right that I might not ever get the discount.

OK, so I'll go out on a limb here and assume my math was correct (and if it's not certifying once and for all that I am no math wiz ) and take this equation one step further: Paying the full $630 per night for the BCV/July trip means you would be spending an additional $442.50 total for the weekend nights (over the OKW discounted rate). So I agree that it's a bit steep to save those 42 points. Funny how these things come down to gambling sometimes - too bad we don't have a crystal ball! In any case, good luck and we do know one thing - you'll be having a great time in January and July!

Terri

 

[buzz5985]

I usually pay cash for weekend nights. I have never paid rack rate. I have always gotten the discount. I ask for the discount when I first book. If it isn't available I make a note to call again. If you are booking at the 11 month window - I would call at 9 months, 7 months, 6 months, 5 months, etc. Always worked for me. I've gotten the discount at AKV last summer, BCV in the summer, BWV during F&W, HHI in the summer.

This coming November is the first time I am using points for a Saturday night since I joined. Yikes!!! But I was able to get standard view at the BWV for a quick 4 night stay for my DS 13th birthday. I have his free admission to the parks voucher - so I splurged on the points. LOL I only have 250 points and I like to go for 2 weeks at least so I like to streeeetccchh my points.

Janis

 

[Dean]

I usually pay cash for weekend nights. I have never paid rack rate. I have always gotten the discount. I ask for the discount when I first book. If it isn't available I make a note to call again. If you are booking at the 11 month window - I would call at 9 months, 7 months, 6 months, 5 months, etc. Always worked for me. I've gotten the discount at AKV last summer, BCV in the summer, BWV during F&W, HHI in the summer.

This will work most of the time as long as you're not getting something you know will not be discounted like BWV standard or BW view, AKV concierge, etc.

We almost never use points for weekends but then again we usually only go on weekends in special circumstances such as when we exchange to Orlando including DVC. I've used DVC points on weekends exactly 3 times. Two were for a singled weekend night to extend a 5 day stay to 6 days, the third to extend a a 2 day week night stay to 3 days for AKV concierge.

In this instance and assuming one was committed to using points for one or the other, I'd use points for Jan and pay cash for the summer assuming it's not a dedicated 2 BR reserved at BCV, but that's me and I'd likely shorted by one weekend night and pay cash for both. I think DVC becomes of questionable value in general using in a way that is weighted heavy on weekends.

 

[CarolA]

POINTS or offsite!

Sorry, but those rooms aren't worth Disney pricing. Avoiding Disney's "land of make believe" pricing is one reason I bought DVC. I am not paying those rates. And our discount does not bring the rate into the land of "reality". A 25% discount on on overinflated price????

I would take a break from Disney and head to the Ritz or JW for less money and real luxury instead. (Generally I just either stay at the local Marriott or use points now!)

 

[Laneychris]

I still dont' know what is most cost effective, cash or points for the weekend.

 

[edk35]

This will work most of the time as long as you're not getting something you know will not be discounted like BWV standard or BW view, AKV concierge, etc.

We almost never use points for weekends but then again we usually only go on weekends in special circumstances such as when we exchange to Orlando including DVC. I've used DVC points on weekends exactly 3 times. Two were for a singled weekend night to extend a 5 day stay to 6 days, the third to extend a a 2 day week night stay to 3 days for AKV concierge.

In this instance and assuming one was committed to using points for one or the other, I'd use points for Jan and pay cash for the summer assuming it's not a dedicated 2 BR reserved at BCV, but that's me and I'd likely shorted by one weekend night and pay cash for both. I think DVC becomes of questionable value in general using in a way that is weighted heavy on weekends.

I went ahead and booked my weekend on points at BCV this morning. I don't think I am willing to gamble that the discount wiill be available. I know it was last year a week later in July but you just never know. I think if I pay 630 plus tax per night with no discount......I would rather just spend the points. Of course I could do one points night at OKW and pay cash the other and then pay cash for one night at BCV hoping it is available on discounted cash closer to the time. Last year I booked our BCV week on cash and points at 5 1/2 months with no problem.

 

[Anal Annie]

I would keep checking with MS right up until time for the January trip to see if they open anything for cash on your July dates. It took 3 calls but I was able to get a value studio at AKV on a cash discount 9 months out last year (got it in Oct for July). If nothing opens on cash by your Jan. trip then pay cash for Jan and use pts in July. Since we are "points challenged" I always look for the best way to save on points... I have however decided that for what we have spent on our previous 2 cash trips we should just buy more points next time around as opposed to booking more nights on cash. Now to convince DH about that one!

 

[Dean]

I still dont' know what is most cost effective, cash or points for the weekend.

neither are good deals.

 

[edk35]

I called back to MS and there are no cash rooms available right now at BCV in a 2br. I am sure stuff will open up over the next few months but since we are going in late Jan. it won't work out. So we will take the hit on the high point weekends at BCV. I don't know why it bugs me so to use my points on the high point weekends. I should just look at it avg. over a week.