What to Do When You Are Out of DVC Points

You’ve used your current Use Year points. You’ve borrowed all your points from the next one but still want to plan another trip.  Now what?  The first answer that may come to mind when you are out of points may be to buy another contract thanks to add-on-itis®. However, there are more options than that.  From one-time-use points, rentals, and transfers to add-on contracts, here’s what to consider when weighing these choices.

One-Time-Use Points

If you are only short a small amount of points, one-time-use points can be a good option.  These are points that you purchase at the 7-month mark or less by calling Member Services.  Currently, they cost $20 per point.  The main downside is that you can only purchase a maximum of 24 one-time-use points per Use Year, and you do not get any home resort advantage because you can only use them at the 7-month mark or less.  One-time-use points can’t be banked, borrowed, or transferred, so you have to make sure you use them before they expire.

Rental Points

Another option when you are short on points is to rent DVC points.  Unlike with one-time-use points, you can rent as many points as you would like, and if you put in a request early enough, you can take advantage of home resort advantage.  One con to renting points is that you do not have control over the points should you need to make any modifications.  All of that must go through the owner of those points.  

Another con to this route is that if you are creating one trip with both a rental and a reservation made with your own points, you cannot merge the two even if they are for the same resort, room type, and booking category.  This is because the reservations are made with different memberships.  

In this case, the best that you can do is to ask Member Services to note that your reservation is a continuing reservation and include the confirmation number of the rental.  If possible, ask the owner of the rental to do the same.  This would help increase the odds that you can stay in the same room rather than switching rooms in the middle of your trip.  

Point Transfers

Point transfers are another means of obtaining more points.  They are different from rentals in that the points are actually moved into your account, so you control how you book your reservation.  Just remember that point transfers are really intended for transfers between friends and family to pool points, not to sell.  Compensation for point transfers is not permitted as per the DVC Public offering Statement.  While there isn’t an exact limit on the number of points you can transfer, you are allowed only one transfer in or out per Membership per Use Year.  

Add-on Contract

When you are regularly short of points, it may be time to purchase another DVC contract.  Over time, this makes the most sense economically over one-time-use points and renting.  Plus, when it’s your own contract, you have more control over your reservations compared to renting points.  Of course, buying another contract is the most costly means of obtaining more points.  Beyond the initial cost of the contract, you should also consider what the annual dues will be.  

Cash Stays

Last but not least are cash stays.  Depending on where you stay, this may or may not be the most economical option.  If you do go the cash stay route, be sure to check for any annual passholder, Florida resident, or even DVC Member discounts that may apply.  Discounts on DVC cash stays are sometimes available through Member Services.  

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There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but hopefully this will give you a few ideas on how to book that next trip, even when you are out of points.