What if you don't have enough points?

[Roveer]

I'm looking at a resale contract for 240 something points. For most of our trips that will be just fine. Occasionally we may want to go during easter break which might require approx 280 points.

Is there any way (short of buying add-on points or borrowing) that I can still take these trips? Is there way to buy points for 1 time use?

If I really get out the calculator I could probably figure out that having 240 something and with trips in the 220 range and some banking borrowing I would probably have the 280 points that I need but I'd like to know if there are other ways.

 

[browniemtb]

Sure....for the trips that you need more points you could just get a transfer from another member. In essence you would rent their points for the one time use.

 

[Roveer]

Ahh!! Knew there was a way. Tought about renting but forgot about transfers. That would work nicely.

Thanks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

But, since members are only allowed one transfer in or out a year, you might have a hard time getting a member to use up their once a year transfer for a small number of points.

You could make as many days as possible using points and then add on the additional days paying cash.

 

[MrShiny]

Remember you can bank and borrow points too. So if you could do slightly less than 240 points the year before and/or the year after, you'd be fine (e.g. year 1 use 220, year 2 use 280, year 3 use 220).

If you can't find a transfer, you could always rent enough points for 1 night (probably best at the beginning or end of the trip). It would be a second reservation, but if the same room type and view, you might not have to switch rooms.

 

[DebbieB]

As Deb mentioned, you can add cash nights. I stretched my points in the past by adding a cash night through member services for a Friday or Saturday. The 2 or 3 times I did it was for a 1 bedroom at OKW in May. It was 48 points for a Friday or Saturday, I got a cash rate of around $325 incl tax (this was about 5 or 6 years ago). That came out to less than $7 a point, better than renting.

 

[Roveer]

All excellent suggestions. Gives me a good sense that I will be able to accomplish what I want without having to buy a gigunda amount of points and pay MF's on them.

Was starting to get a little disuaded when I was looking at the easter break points needed. That would probably be one of our regular trips.

Would really like to get DVC to the point where we could do 2 trips/year. That would be my idea of a good thing. Just don't know if I want that kind of outlay and MF. Might be something I work up to over time. At least I have ways to supplement if I fall short on a given trip.

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

 

[Deb & Bill]

All excellent suggestions. Gives me a good sense that I will be able to accomplish what I want without having to buy a gigunda amount of points and pay MF's on them.

Was starting to get a little disuaded when I was looking at the easter break points needed. That would probably be one of our regular trips.

Would really like to get DVC to the point where we could do 2 trips/year. That would be my idea of a good thing. Just don't know if I want that kind of outlay and MF. Might be something I work up to over time. At least I have ways to supplement if I fall short on a given trip.

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

We used to take two trips a year, sometimes three. And we paid a whole bundle per year in member fees, upwards of $2500 a year. And these were mostly OKW points. DVC was smart to let you pay by direct debit from your bank account because you don't realize how much you are actually paying until you add it all up. We wound up selling two of our three contracts and now we go once a year for a nice trip of about 8 or 9 nights in a one bedroom.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Every 2 or 3 years it's our turn to host the family reunion and every one wants to come to Disney so that year I'm always short of points. I go to the rent boards and I've never had any trouble getting the extra point I need transferred to me, even before the economy. With a transfer rather then renting, I get to reserve and handle my own reservation and the confirmations come to me. The transactions have been smooth with no worries.

The ideal might be to buy more points but I can't afford any more maint. and I really only need the extra points every few years or so. Buying transfer is a better way to go for me.

 

[Roveer]

Every 2 or 3 years it's our turn to host the family reunion and every one wants to come to Disney so that year I'm always short of points. I go to the rent boards and I've never had any trouble getting the extra point I need transferred to me, even before the economy. With a transfer rather then renting, I get to reserve and handle my own reservation and the confirmations come to me. The transactions have been smooth with no worries.

The ideal might be to buy more points but I can't afford any more maint. and I really only need the extra points every few years or so. Buying transfer is a better way to go for me.

This sounds like a perfect way to do what I want. I think my needs will be fairly infrequent as well. Good to hear there is a decent system for transfer of points.

 

[toniosmom]

I own enough points at AKV so that we can take a good minimum week-long trip once a year. I just bought a small BCV contract (60 points) and plan to bank and borrow to get a week-long trip every 3rd year. So, every 3rd year, we will have a 2nd annual trip. As much as I would love to travel to WDW 2-3 times a year, it's just not affordable for me. I also may cruise on points (don't flame me -- I've already read the debate). For me, it's a matter of having to lay out several thousand dollars for a cruise at one time. Just can't do it. It's either use the points, or don't cruise. I choose to cruise.

What I have works for me and I can afford it. Yes, I financed some of this and plan to pay it off early. But I am turning 50 next year and just became a member last year. If I waited until I saved up enough money to buy, it would be many years of lost memories ahead. I don't want to miss any more time enjoying my "luxury".