What to do with small contracts extra points?

[casper]

I'm beginning to entertain the idea of a small contract to give me a 11 month booking right to another resort once every three years. But no matter how I go, it seems there will be points that expire. Example:
If I get 25 pts at OKW and plan on using that for a studio once every three years for a six night stay during the Choice season (NOV 61 pts) then I would go in 2007 using 25 pts banked from 2006, 25 pts from 2007 and only 11 pts from 2008. That leaves me 14 pts in 2008 and with next year additon (2009) I still could not go for a six night stay (39 pts). In some situations, fewer than 14 pts would be left. One situation left me with 1 pt. (can't remember which resort and time now). I like being able to just stay in one spot when I go. So moving around for a couple nights here and there does not appeal to me.

So I thought I would ask those of you who have small contracts: What do you do with your extra points that will expire?

 

[Granny]

I think it is extremely difficult to purchase a contract and really plan on going only every three years. Yes, you can bank and borrow as you describe but you will inevitably run into the problems you are experiencing unless you buy exactly one third of the number of points required for the same number of nights during the same DVC season for the rest of your contract. The odds of doing that are pretty slim, IMHO.

That's why I've always said that DVC works best for those who plan to go at least every other year. That's much more manageable and allows for banking unused points.

And as others may point out, you can always rent out any leftover points. Probably with the number you are talking about, it would have to be a transfer to someone's account, and that's a small number to use up someone's once-per-year transfer.

 

[Granny]

Re-read your OP and it sounds like you are already a member? If so, my response doesn't make as much sense.

If you are already a member, and going every year, you can just use leftover points to add to one of your annual trips at the 7 month window. You can use your own once-per-year transfer to accomplish that.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

no matter how I go, it seems there will be points that expire. Example:If I get 25 pts at OKW and plan on using that for a studio once every three years for a six night stay during the Choice season (NOV 61 pts) then I would go in 2007 using 25 pts banked from 2006, 25 pts from 2007 and only 11 pts from 2008. That leaves me 14 pts in 2008 and with next year additon (2009) I still could not go for a six night stay (39 pts).

You could by borrowing again. You would bank the 14 points from 2008 into 2009. Then borrow the 2010 points that you need into 2009. By borrowing the 2010 points, you would have at least 25 points to bring into 2009 for a maximum of 14+25+25 (which would give you enough to do something in 2009).

HBC

 

[casper]

You could by borrowing again. You would bank the 14 points from 2008 into 2009. Then borrow the 2010 points that you need into 2009. By borrowing the 2010 points, you would have at least 25 points to bring into 2009 for a maximum of 14+25+25 (which would give you enough to do something in 2009).

HBC

Yes! But then you would have 3 pts 2010 + 25 2011 + 25 2012 = 53pts total. I wouldn't be able to stay 6 nights at OKW (using the example above). It's those dangling 3 pts. that bothers me.
Still just wondering how some of you do it. Thanks.

 

[Pennyguy23]

Re-read your OP and it sounds like you are already a member? If so, my response doesn't make as much sense.

If you are already a member, and going every year, you can just use leftover points to add to one of your annual trips at the 7 month window. You can use your own once-per-year transfer to accomplish that.

Granny, did you say you have to transfer your own points if you have a different contract to use at a different resort? I hope that I am just reading that wrong

 

[Dean]

Granny, did you say you have to transfer your own points if you have a different contract to use at a different resort? I hope that I am just reading that wrong

If they are totally separate contracts, you'd be treated like two different members. For multiple contracts under one master, they are all treated like a single contract with the exception of home resorts priority.

 

[Pennyguy23]

Ok good, Thanks Dean, I got a little worried there for a minute. I thought maybe I was confused about the whole thing. Thanks very much Dean,

 

[kdzgon]

Yes! But then you would have 3 pts 2010 + 25 2011 + 25 2012 = 53pts total. I wouldn't be able to stay 6 nights at OKW (using the example above). It's those dangling 3 pts. that bothers me.
Still just wondering how some of you do it. Thanks.

I think you need to put it in perspective: if you were to rent (or need to rent) those extra three points they would have a value of $30 - $45 at current prices. The question is, is that really enough to be a deal breaker for you?

 

[kdzgon]

If they are totally separate contracts, you'd be treated like two different members. For multiple contracts under one master, they are all treated like a single contract with the exception of home resorts priority.

If you have separate contracts, can't you just link the reservations rather than actually have to transfer the points between contracts?

 

[Dean]

If you have separate contracts, can't you just link the reservations rather than actually have to transfer the points between contracts?

You can for wholly reserved nights but what about that night when you have just a few points left from one or both separate contracts. Or what if you want to use the CC, DC or similar where all points have to be in a single contract (Master).

 

[kdzgon]

You can for wholly reserved nights but what about that night when you have just a few points left from one or both separate contracts. Or what if you want to use the CC, DC or similar where all points have to be in a single contract (Master).

So, if I understand correctly, you would need to make individual reservations and then link them, but could not simply combine the points without a transfer, correct? What about same UY contracts - can you simply combine the points and then make the ressies, or does it work the same as different UYs?

Even so, I still say re: the "extra" points (sometimes as few as 1), one needs to evaluate the "extra" cost of lost points and see if the contract is still worth it. Personally, I agree that if you are not visiting at least every other yr it likely is not worth the purchase, depending upon how much one would use the other perks of ownership.

 

[Delaware Mike]

I'm subscribing...

We have a similar situation as we'll have 2 points left-over each year.

Here are the current particulars:

Purchased 120 SSR points via resale​

We closed in October 2006 and got all '06 points​

We have an October UY​

Since we won't use our points until the '07 UY, we banked the '06 points​

We plan on an annual 8-night studio stay at SSR in October (Choice Season), using 118 points.​

On a 120 point contract, we'll have 2 points remaining each year​

I have two questions:

1. Someone please set me straight on the following point... I believe since we banked the 2006 points, we can't rent the two remaining '06 points in 2007. Is this true?​

2. Those two left-over points bother me. Any ideas on what can I do with them?​

Thank you!

 

[Doctor P]

I think you probably need to look at it from a broader point of view. We have three add ons plus our original 150 contract at OKW. We have 32 pts more at OKW, 32 at BCV, and 60 at HH. The key is to let the smaller add ons not be used just for that once every three years trip. Our issue is our BCV contract since that tends to be our "orphan" points at any given point in time. Sometimes, HH can also be an issue. The tactic I have generally used is that at the end of each trip I want to have no CURRENT year's points left and then know what the next year's points will be used for, minimizing the amount of "orphan points" that I have at any given point in time.

The way you would do this is to use some of the OKW add on for your other trips, as well as substituting some of your other points for OKW for your once every three year trip in November. Trust me, it can work. I have only had a few points expire in 7 years and those were ones I had promised to somebody for a charity that ended up not being claimed.

 

[Dean]

So, if I understand correctly, you would need to make individual reservations and then link them, but could not simply combine the points without a transfer, correct? What about same UY contracts - can you simply combine the points and then make the ressies, or does it work the same as different UYs?

Even so, I still say re: the "extra" points (sometimes as few as 1), one needs to evaluate the "extra" cost of lost points and see if the contract is still worth it. Personally, I agree that if you are not visiting at least every other yr it likely is not worth the purchase, depending upon how much one would use the other perks of ownership.

I think that any likely lost points are a real problem and even 2 or 3 every year or two may me enough to be a deal breaker, but that's just me. I do totally agree one needs to look at the entire package to see what's best.

To answer your question, it depends on whether the contracts that are the same use year are under one Master Contract or totally separate. If they are under one master (must be the same use year and exact ownership registration) they are all treated as one contract other than the home resort priority. This means you can combine them seamlessly(not a transfer) for anything once you get to the 7 month window and your banking totals are based on the total points in the master contract. But if they are totally separate contracts, even if the same home resort and use year, they are treated like different ownerships. This means you'd have to make separate reservations and link them and/or transfer points. In the past DVC has been more flexible with multiple contracts of a single owner but it remains to be seen how this will work with the changes in transfer rules and the like.

 

[Dean]

2. Those two left-over points bother me. Any ideas on what can I do with them?​

Thank you!

Stay longer or in a larger unit for all or part of one trip. One time of doing this will put you in a situation not to have to worry about losing points for years to come given the stated plan. Even a single weekday night in a studio will give you several years where it's not an issue.

 

[kdzgon]

I'm subscribing...

We have a similar situation as we'll have 2 points left-over each year.

Here are the current particulars:

Purchased 120 SSR points via resale​

We closed in October 2006 and got all '06 points​

We have an October UY​

Since we won't use our points until the '07 UY, we banked the '06 points​

We plan on an annual 8-night studio stay at SSR in October (Choice Season), using 118 points.​

On a 120 point contract, we'll have 2 points remaining each year​

I have two questions:

1. Someone please set me straight on the following point... I believe since we banked the 2006 points, we can't rent the two remaining '06 points in 2007. Is this true?​

2. Those two left-over points bother me. Any ideas on what can I do with them?​

Thank you!

If you are going every year, there is no need to "lose" the points (except the 2 banked from 2006). You can just keep banking them ea. yr until you have enough to add one more night or make it worth the trouble to rent, etc. Technically you will be using the previously banked points and banking current yr points (2 in 2007, 4 in 2008, 6 in 2009, etc) as you cannot re-bank points, but there is no reason to lose them.

edited to add:

In linw with what Dean said, you can do this "extra" anywhere along the line, except then you will be borrowing from a future yr to make up the diff instead of banking until you accumulate enough "extra" points.

 

[Granny]

If they are totally separate contracts, you'd be treated like two different members. For multiple contracts under one master, they are all treated like a single contract with the exception of home resorts priority.

Dean...thanks for clarifying for me. I was thinking of two master contracts since that's what we have. My bad for globalizing my situation.

 

[Delaware Mike]

If you are going every year, there is no need to "lose" the points (except the 2 banked from 2006). You can just keep banking them ea. yr until you have enough to add one more night or make it worth the trouble to rent, etc. Technically you will be using the previously banked points and banking current yr points (2 in 2007, 4 in 2008, 6 in 2009, etc) as you cannot re-bank points, but there is no reason to lose them.

edited to add:

In linw with what Dean said, you can do this "extra" anywhere along the line, except then you will be borrowing from a future yr to make up the diff instead of banking until you accumulate enough "extra" points.

Thank you for trying to help us understand using banking to our advantage, yet we're still a little confused.

If we have this straight, we banked 120 Oct '06 UY points into the Oct '07 UY. Since we're vacationing in Oct '07, after the start of our '07 UY, we'll use 118 of the 120 '06 UY points, and will have two '06 points remaining plus our 120 point allotment for Oct '07 UY. That leaves 122 points in our account.

Since we'll have 122 points in our account, we can bank all of them into the Oct '08 UY? If that's the case, we'll use another 118 points in the '08 UY(assuming another 8-night Studio ressie in October...we'll go to WDW every October), leaving 4 points that can be banked into the Oct '09 UY? This also assumes we bank in the 100% window.

Something tells us we don't have this right, or we don't completely understand yet. Going every October, we believe we'll always lose 2 points at the end of each UY.

Thank you again for your help!

 

[kdzgon]

Thank you for trying to help us understand using banking to our advantage, yet we're still a little confused.

If we have this straight, we banked 120 Oct '06 UY points into the Oct '07 UY. Since we're vacationing in Oct '07, after the start of our '07 UY, we'll use 118 of the 120 '06 UY points, and will have two '06 points remaining plus our 120 point allotment for Oct '07 UY. That leaves 122 points in our account.

Since we'll have 122 points in our account, we can bank all of them into the Oct '08 UY? If that's the case, we'll use another 118 points in the '08 UY(assuming another 8-night Studio ressie in October...we'll go to WDW every October), leaving 4 points that can be banked into the Oct '09 UY? This also assumes we bank in the 100% window.

Something tells us we don't have this right, or we don't completely understand yet. Going every October, we believe we'll always lose 2 points at the end of each UY.

Thank you again for your help!

I apologize - I had forgotten you banked the entire 120 when calculating the carryforward. You cannot bank twice, so you will only be able to bank 100% of your contract (120, not 122). Since you have the extra 120, you must do something in the upcoming yr to avaoid losing points. IMO you should use and/or rent the excess in the first yr or two of your contract. If indeed you have no intention of using more than 118 per yr, it makes no sense to carry the extra pts and lose 2 pts per yr as well.

For example, let's say you know you are using no more than 118 per yr, and will do so for at least the next 5 yrs. (590 points total). In that same time period, you will have 720 points, or an excess of 130 pts. In yr 1 (2007), you have 240 (120+120 banked). If you rent out 130, you will need to "borrow" 6 pts from 2008 to complete your own reservations. In yr 2 (2008), you would need to "borrow" 4 pts from 2009, in yr 3 you would borrow 2, yr 5 you will have 118 avail points.

There are other alternatives, as well. By using just an extra 8-10 pts in the current yr, you will be able to carry the extra pts for a few yrs without losing any points. Stay one extra day every few yrs and you can carry the extra pts (up to 120) indefinitely by banking all current points.

Sorry for the original confusion - I hope this post helps a little bit more.