What's cheaper ??

[etemplet]

I had no idea on how to do a search on this topic so forgive me. I'm sure this question has been asked previously.

Is it cheaper to purchase points from a DVC member to go on vacation or to pay cash? From the costs I see, it looks like one would save a good bit of money purchasing points. Am I wrong ??

I ask because my wife and I are in the process of purchasing at the BLT but I think I'd like to have a stay earlier in 2012, before our points come on and...I want to go 2 times next year anyway. What can I say...this whole thing looks like fun to us.

I think I'd like to stay at least 5 days in a room with a nice view studio or One Bedroom. We are buying at the BLT so I guess that would be our preferences. Any thoughts?

 

[vicki_c]

I'm not sure I understand your question, or else it seems like you don't understand how it all works. But in my take on what you're asking:

1 - it is usually cheaper to rent a DVC reservation from a member than it is to pay cash through Disney reservations for the same room type and size.

2 - owning your own points, which apparently you are in the process of, is obviously a large outlay of cash, but since you use your membership for 40+ years, your "per vacation" costs are lower over time, even with annual dues factored in. That is why most people buy.

 

[etemplet]

Sorry for any confusion. I am asking if it is cheaper to purchase points for a particular stay, than it is to pay Disney Cash for the same stay. From what I am calculating, it looks to be significantly cheaper to purchase points.

This is not to be confused with being a DVC member, which we will be...soon.

Thanks for any input

 

[vicki_c]

But you can't purchase points for a stay.

You can rent a reservation that has been made using points from a member. You cannot do this through Disney, only a personal transaction with a DVC member.

 

[etemplet]

When I pay money, I call it a purchase.

 

[DVCconvert]

the lingo here would be to "rent" points....and yes, renting points from a member would likely be notibly cheaper than paying disney's charges for staying at a dvc resort.

 

[etemplet]

the lingo here would be to "rent" points....and yes, renting points from a member would likely be notibly cheaper than paying disney's charges for staying at a dvc resort.

Thanks for confirming that.

I didn't want to lock myself into saying I would rent points as I could also transfer if I am a member at the time I pay for the points. I figured the term purchase would cover all the bases. I do find it difficult to read many of the posts due to the abbrevated terms on the site.

Thanks again

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for confirming that.

I didn't want to lock myself into saying I would rent points as I could also transfer if I am a member at the time I pay for the points. I figured the term purchase would cover all the bases. I do find it difficult to read many of the posts due to the abbrevated terms on the site.

Thanks again

Personally, I'd prefer to transfer in the points that I'd need for a trip rather than rent them. That way the points become mine and are treated exactly as if I am the owner. I can make my own reservation and not depend on a fellow owner to do my legwork for me.

You'll get used to the lingo around here, it doesn't take long. And it really helps to use the "standard" wording so that everyone understands your questions/answers. If you're not sure of how to say something, just ask! Most people at the DIS are very helpful.

 

[Deb & Bill]

However, if you get a PIN from Disney, you might be able to book the same DVC lodging and get daily full cleaning for less or about the same. With the Disney VISA discount that is already out and may so be coming out to all guests, you have to figure out all the angles.

And then you get the members who change banks, fail to pay their dues for a few months, get the reservations they made cancelled.... And you wind up with no room even though you have paid the member.

Purchasing a reservation from a member is not a sure thing - most of the time, yes - but not always.

 

[drusba]

I ask because my wife and I are in the process of purchasing at the BLT but I think I'd like to have a stay earlier in 2012, before our points come on and...I want to go 2 times next year anyway.

Etemplet, the above statement in your original post indicates you might have some confision about how you use your points if you were to purchase today. You don't have to wait until the beginning of your use year to call to make a reservation using points in that given use year. You can always call to make a reservation 11 months out at home resort and 7 at others. All that matters is whether points will be avaialble at time you will be at WDW not time you call to reserve. Thus, for example, if you bought today and had a use year that started April 2012, you could call today and use those points at your home resort for a reservation that occurs anytime between April 2012 and early September 2012.

Also, if you purchased an April use year from Disney today you would likely get April 2011 points and thus start off with ones you can use immediately or bank if you do not intend to go before April 2012.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When you say you are "buying in at BLT" do you mean by resale or via direct from Disney? If you are buying direct from Disney, you will be able to book as soon as you have made a down payment. If you are buying through resale, it could take about 4 weeks to pass ROFR and then another couple to close and more to get into the DVC system.

What use year are you purchasing? If it's resale and your contract does not have 2011 points available, you can still borrow from 2012 use year to make that reservation ASAP. The problem with booking early in 2012 is that the time frame is such that you might not find DVC has anything available at this late date. I know most of January is difficult if not impossible at this point at most resorts. BLT will be more difficult than most for availability.

 

[DenLo]

Since you are new, just a reminder member services does not want to hear that you paid anyone for a transfer. Technically it is not allowed. But is it okay to rent points. In many member's eyes there's no difference, but the DVC does care. So if a "friend" transfer points to you don't tell MS that you gave the "friend" compensation.

Here's the information from the Home Resort Rules and Regulations:

Club Members are expressly prohibited from receiving compensation for engaging in any Transfer activity.

 

[etemplet]

Since you are new, just a reminder member services does not want to hear that you paid anyone for a transfer. Technically it is not allowed. But is it okay to rent points. In many member's eyes there's no difference, but the DVC does care. So if a "friend" transfer points to you don't tell MS that you gave the "friend" compensation.

Here's the information from the Home Resort Rules and Regulations:

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely do more reading.

 

[etemplet]

When you say you are "buying in at BLT" do you mean by resale or via direct from Disney? If you are buying direct from Disney, you will be able to book as soon as you have made a down payment. If you are buying through resale, it could take about 4 weeks to pass ROFR and then another couple to close and more to get into the DVC system.

What use year are you purchasing? If it's resale and your contract does not have 2011 points available, you can still borrow from 2012 use year to make that reservation ASAP. The problem with booking early in 2012 is that the time frame is such that you might not find DVC has anything available at this late date. I know most of January is difficult if not impossible at this point at most resorts. BLT will be more difficult than most for availability.

Hello, and thanks for the advice. I am a little too spontaneous for the 11 month window. but I'm sure I'll do that on occasion. As I stated, I want to go twice next year, once in the spring, to check things out. I don't want to use my 2012 points for that. As I was looking at prices, I began calculating the cash costs of lodging VS Purchase (renting) of points and wanted to insure that I wasn't missing something. Hence my question.

As has been my pleasure since finding this boad, the people here, yourself included have been so very helpful. You all are true ambassadors of DVC and have inspired me to participate better than any meeting with a DVC guide ever could. The energy you bring to the board and information you all share are priceless.

I'll let you guys know if our contract passes ROFR and when.

Thanks so much for your help and support.

 

[Dean]

A DVC rental will normally be significantly cheaper than a cash stay in the same resort/unit type, normally about 60%. As noted, sometimes there are discounts that will put them close. The savings of DVC comes with some risk and compromise though such as lost ability to cancel, no housekeeping, lack of control.