Why do I feel like a 2nd class citizen?

[tjkraz]

I guess I just don't get these threads.

When the economy is purring along, folks work up their spreadsheets or whatever other decision-making tools they may use and figure out they can pay $.30 on the dollar for their vacations over the next 40-50 years.

Most proceed to trip over themselves rushing to buy into DVC.

Then as soon as Disney starts offering rack rate discounts and other incentives to attract business it becomes "gee the thirty-cents-on-the-dollar thing was nice but what have you done for me lately???"

Is there another company out there who consistently offers better discounts to customers than what we get from the likes of Disney/DVC/Chase/DTD merchants?

I don't recall Apple or Microsoft giving me any frequent customer discounts. Target didn't mark down my purchase the 1000th time I walked through the doors. Applebees charges me the same price for my 100th meal as the guy at the next table who is dining there for the first time.

Do Hilton and Wyndham offer perks programs to owners which put DVC to shame?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Do Hilton and Wyndham offer perks programs to owners which put DVC to shame?

*Once again I would like to state that the cash discounts do not bother me personally. I am just doing my best to state the facts.*

Your statement above kind of wraps it up.
As I'm sure you know, both hotel chains have a frequent guest program (Hilton's is very good).

The point is, if Hilton offers a deal or discount to the "non repeat" guest, they also offer it to the loyal diamond Hilton members.
They don't say: "Well because we give you free nights through the Honors program, we can't give you this special nightly rate or the free breakfast."

MG

 

[dmoore22]

The problem is that most of those discounts are also offered with an AP.

It is so much sweeter when the AP/PAP is purchased with a DVC member discount. If you have 5 daughters, like I do, the dining discounts are a wash. There can never be enough merchandise discounts

The restaurant discounts are useless if you have TIW.

The TIW card is so much sweeter when purchased with an AP discount, using an AP purchased with a DVC member discount. Unfortunately the TIW, like DDP, AP, and DVC are only good at "participating locations." Where one is not accepted, the other will be, hopefully.

Besides, everyone can use a lodging or dining discount.

Only of it is a true discount, and not a thinly veiled "loss leader" to get the guests into the parks/resorts to spend their hard earned dollars on the premium priced, nondiscounted, Mouse Club Ears, Mickey Premium Bars, that framed picture of junior on Splash Mountain, face painting for little Susie, etc.

Not everyone can use a "Magnetron Magnetz" discount.

MG

As long as we have refrigerator doors we'll need quality, inexpensive magnets.

 

[tink'smom2B]

Well, I am excited that WDW is offering any kind of discount! But, I think Disney will have a hard time selling timeshares when they are offering such wonderful deals on rooms and dining. In the end, I think it will hurt DVC.

 

[tjkraz]

*Once again I would like to state that the cash discounts do not bother me personally. I am just doing my best to state the facts.*

Your statement above kind of wraps it up.
As I'm sure you know, both hotel chains have a frequent guest program (Hilton's is very good).

The point is, if Hilton offers a deal or discount to the "non repeat" guest, they also offer it to the loyal diamond Hilton members.
They don't say: "Well because we give you free nights through the Honors program, we can't give you this special nightly rate or the free breakfast."

MG

But DVC isn't a rewards program. DVC is a timeshare.

To clarify, my question is whether owners in other timeshare programs like Hilton Grand Vacations or Wyndham Worldwide receive perks which exceed those provided by DVC?

 

[Chuck S]

*Once again I would like to state that the cash discounts do not bother me personally. I am just doing my best to state the facts.*

Your statement above kind of wraps it up.
As I'm sure you know, both hotel chains have a frequent guest program (Hilton's is very good).

The point is, if Hilton offers a deal or discount to the "non repeat" guest, they also offer it to the loyal diamond Hilton members.
They don't say: "Well because we give you free nights through the Honors program, we can't give you this special nightly rate or the free breakfast."

MG

But, Hilton Honors is quite different than owning a timeshare. Hilton also owns and manages timeshares, and I'd be very surprised if people get those types of credits and free nights when using their timeshare points. Comparing a timeshare to a cash resort rewards program is apples to oranges.

Just as it is fair to say that Disney offers the same cash discounts to everyone...DVC members CAN take advantage of Disney promotions, just not when using their timeshare points.

 

[tink'smom2B]

I should add that I just cancelled my Expedia trip and booked a room with Disney, so their promo worked. I would much rather stay on property than off, but I can't always afford it. Now I see that my Disney Visa is offering free dining for kids. It seems that everyone is offering something except DVC. I would love it if DVC would do more than just send me an email to watch a video about the new things to come. (They are going to send me a picture if I watch it!) Maybe we'll get extra perks someday

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It is so much sweeter when the AP/PAP is purchased with a DVC member discount. If you have 5 daughters, like I do, the dining discounts are a wash. There can never be enough merchandise discounts




The TIW card is so much sweeter when purchased with an AP discount, using an AP purchased with a DVC member discount. Unfortunately the TIW, like DDP, AP, and DVC are only good at "participating locations." Where one is not accepted, the other will be, hopefully.



Only of it is a true discount, and not a thinly veiled "loss leader" to get the guests into the parks/resorts to spend their hard earned dollars on the premium priced, nondiscounted, Mouse Club Ears, Mickey Premium Bars, that framed picture of junior on Splash Mountain, face painting for little Susie, etc.



As long as we have refrigerator doors we'll need quality, inexpensive magnets.

There is absolutely no doubt that the AP discount is a great perk offered by DVC.

That said, I think there should be some modification...
A family of six that has 25 points should not get the same benefit as a family of two that own 1400..

The later statement is just my opinion.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

But, Hilton Honors is quite different than owning a timeshare. Hilton also owns and manages timeshares, and I'd be very surprised if people get those types of credits and free nights when using their timeshare points. Comparing a timeshare to a cash resort rewards program is apples to oranges.

Just as it is fair to say that Disney offers the same cash discounts to everyone...DVC members CAN take advantage of Disney promotions, just not when using their timeshare points.

I am not familiar with Hilton and Wyndham timeshares.
Because tjkraz specifically said "Rewards Program", I assumed he was referring to the hotel chain.

MG

 

[FOXFIELDZOO]

I'm not sure what kind of deal you received on your DVC purchase, but we didn't get 40% off..
Just because we pay 40% less than a cash ressie is really irrelevant... That's the price of point, and we paid it in full.
When you book CRO, you pay the price of a room in full.. BUT they sweeten the pot. They don't have to sweeten the pot with DVCers, even though we paid full price. They already have our money.

That said, no I'm not entitled to anything, I knew what I was buying, yada yada yada...
I'm not complaining, and it really doesn't bother me. I'm just pointing out the facts.

MG

,

Aren't you sorry you said anything LOl,the same thing happened to me on another thread

 

[NewDCLGuy]

I was so disappointed to see that Disney is continuing to offer deep discounts

Considering that I walk out every trip without paying anything, I have no envy for people who pay a discounted price.

 

[BIERMUGG]

But you are paying for your vacation. Its the dues. I have been reading this thread and everyone has valid points. We joined In 95. Nobody made us join and we added on six times. Its the little things that they have taken away, it kind of looses its special feel. It used to be The Vacation CLUB and it made its members feel special, The resorts and rooms are great no complaints.
A co-worker a non DVC member is going to WLV in June has two 2 bedroom's booked for 11 nights, and is paying less than i would, plus free park passes.
It is a little frustrating, Look the economy stinks and Disney is a business thats trying to survive.

 

[lark]

It bothers me that the CRO rate for DVC villas are more significant than the discounted DVC cash rate. For example, right now through CRO I can book cash rates for BLT for 40 percent off, but only at a 25 percent discount through MS.

I understand that they are separate inventories, but it's ultimately the same mother ship. You should be able to book the same discount and link the reservations through MS. I shouldn't have to pay a 15 percent premium just for the honor of not having to change rooms.

 

[ssawka]

But you are paying for your vacation. Its the dues. I have been reading this thread and everyone has valid points. We joined In 95. Nobody made us join and we added on six times. Its the little things that they have taken away, it kind of looses its special feel. It used to be The Vacation CLUB and it made its members feel special, The resorts and rooms are great no complaints.
A co-worker a non DVC member is going to WLV in June has two 2 bedroom's booked for 11 nights, and is paying less than i would, plus free park passes.
It is a little frustrating, Look the economy stinks and Disney is a business thats trying to survive.

I agree that the perks are nice to have. It is always nice to be given a acknowledgement of your loyalty, but to say "I'm not happy with Disney because they gave a person off the street a 40% off discount this year (or free dining), even though I will be saving 60% off over the next 50 years." Seems a little silly, although everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

 

[BIERMUGG]

Please dont take me the wrong way and I'm not looking to argue. I love my DVC, if i didn't we would not have added on 6 times. Heck my daughter works for DVC. Just saying over 15 years of ownership i can understand somebody feeling like a 2nd class citizen.

 

[dmoore22]

But you are paying for your vacation. Its the dues. I have been reading this thread and everyone has valid points. We joined In 95. Nobody made us join and we added on six times. Its the little things that they have taken away, it kind of looses its special feel. It used to be The Vacation CLUB and it made its members feel special, The resorts and rooms are great no complaints.
A co-worker a non DVC member is going to WLV in June has two 2 bedroom's booked for 11 nights, and is paying less than i would, plus free park passes.
It is a little frustrating, Look the economy stinks and Disney is a business thats trying to survive.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Or perhaps right. No matter how I attempt to manipulate the Disney Discounts they still come up short compared to my DVC. I even called a reservation sales agent/travel agent to see what kind of a deal I could negotiate with my AP rates. It still comes up short to the DVC. Perhaps, because our ownership was paid off about ten years ago and our only cost for rooms is the MF we may be at more of an advantage than other folks in enjoying the fiscal benefits of DVC ownership. As far as the perks, it seems that over the years the perks lost were, for the most part, perks we did not use. On the other side of the perks coin those that have been added have been those that we do indeed use and benefit from. Perhaps it is all relative to your travel patterns, and where and when you stay. I do miss the "free" fishing excursions on Bay Lake perk.

DDP, free or otherwise, is kind of an oxymoron for us. From a fiscal point of view the "free" isn't really free since it is based on the purchase of a vacation package at the rack rate. Using our TIW and DVC accommodations we still manage to come out ahead in comparison to the Vacation Package discounts. In spite of all the wonderful restaurants that are DDP participants we are disappointed that some of our favorites, specifically in DTD, are not DDP participants. We also find DDP to be a ball and chain that compels us to stay on-site to spend our vacation dollars. Perhaps it is great for the occasional or first time visitor but it is rather stifling for those that want to use their DVC as a home-base while they venture out to Kissimmee, Orlando, or, dare I say, Universal Studios. We have no complaints about DVC other than wishing we had known about it years earlier. We are still getting our bang for the buck. For us it not only continues to have that "special" feel. It seems to improve at each visit.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Not from me. I basically use DVC as lodging now. OKW is a great place to kick back and relax. Now if they want me to spend money there, and I will pay for it, is to give me value for my money. When WDW first open it was expensive but they gave you your moneys worth. Disney didn't give anything away but you came back because they knew how to put on a great show.

So you don't go to the parks?

 

[yitbos96bb]

Huh?? Over the life of your DVC contract the largest expense by far will be annual dues. They will indeed go up, sometimes faster than a hotel room.

MG

No... Annual fees will never be higher than the equivalent cost of the room you are staying in; percentage increase you could make that arguement but my statement is based on actual dollar cost not percent of increase. And besides, I was comparing room costs not maintenance fees... So the cost of buying DVC points sans annual fees vs the escalating cost of the equivalent room.

I can go to Disney cheaper than DVC, but I can't get as nice a room as I can through DVC.

 

[yitbos96bb]

True, but not practical for many Members.
What do you suggest we do with our points if we continued to reserve cash deals?

Again, the cash discounts don't bother me personally. I'm just stating the facts.

MG

Bank them or rent them, or let them go, which would be dumb to do.

 

[Muushka]

I used to pay close to $600 (maintenance fees) for a 5 night stay in 1 bedroom. Now with the new improved point schedule, we get 4 nights for $600. Not to rehash the point increase because I understand why they raised them, but my maint fees just went from $120 a night to $150 a night.

Yeah yeah, I know....sell them and quit whining. And 'it would cost you a lot more for that 1 br thru CRO' or what ever anyone wants to say. My point being that for some of us, DVC is not the great pre-paid vacation plan (I almost said investment!!!) that we thought it was.