DVC Holding Points Explained: Can You Rent Them Out?
If you’ve ever had to cancel a Disney Vacation Club reservation at the last minute, you may be familiar with the dreaded words: holding points.
The good news? Holding points aren’t necessarily lost points. While they come with some restrictions, you can still rent them out and recover some of the value.
At DVC Rental Store, we regularly help Members find ways to get value from their unused points, regardless of their status. The key is understanding how holding points work and having a strategy for using them before they expire.
Let’s take a closer look at what holding points are, the restrictions that come with them, and how you can potentially rent them out.
What Does “Holding” Mean for DVC Points?
Any time a DVC Member cancels a reservation within 30 days of the scheduled check-in date, the points used for that reservation are placed into a holding account. This means they have restricted use moving forward.
Main Restrictions:
- Holding points can only be used to make reservations within 60 days of check-in.
- Holding points cannot be banked forward, so at the end of the use year, they will expire.
Example:
Let’s say you have a DVC reservation with a check-in date of May 30.
On May 5, you decide to cancel your reservation. Because you’re canceling fewer than 30 days before check-in, the points used for that reservation will be placed into holding.
From that point forward, you can only use those points to book reservations with check-in dates within the next 60 days, up until the points expire.
So, if you’re looking to make a reservation with holding points on May 5, these can be used for stays checking in through July 4 (60 days).
The 60-day window is rolling, meaning another day becomes available each day that passes. For example, on May 6, you can book through July 5, etc.
How to Rent DVC Holding Points
One of the biggest challenges with holding points is finding available accommodations within a 60-day booking window.
DVC resorts can book up quickly, and availability becomes increasingly limited as check-in dates approach. While you may find openings at some resorts, highly requested properties often only have sporadic availability.
Availability can also change rapidly, making it difficult to coordinate a last-minute rental request with a Guest.
So, what’s the best way to approach renting your holding points?
1. Set Up Alerts
Start by adding your points to your DVC Rental Store Member account. Be sure to indicate that your points are in holding.
From there, you will be signed up to receive alerts when new Guest requests come in for reservations within the 60-day booking window.
When you receive an alert, be prepared to act quickly! DVC availability isn’t guaranteed, and the dates a Guest requests may disappear before you have a chance to book them. Claiming a rental request and securing the reservation as soon as possible gives you the best opportunity to successfully rent your holding points.
2. Book a Confirmed Reservation (Or Two)
Because availability can be unpredictable within 60 days, we often recommend another approach: booking a reservation first and then listing it for sale.
This strategy allows you to snag a desirable reservation while it’s still there. Our Confirmed Reservations page features DVC stays that Members have already secured and gives potential renters the confidence of knowing that the reserved dates won’t lose availability.
How It Works:
- Find a desirable reservation: Our Member Relations Team can help recommend resorts, dates, and room types that may appeal to potential Guests.
- Book your reservation: Use your holding points to secure an available stay within the 60-day booking window.
- List it for sale: Once your reservation is booked, you can list it directly through your Member account portal.
- Control the asking price (up to our maximum rate): Offering a competitive price is one of the best ways to attract Guest interest and increase the likelihood of selling your reservation.
By creating a confirmed reservation, you can lessen the risk of losing the full value of your points due to a lack of availability.
Don’t Let Your Holding Points Go to Waste!
Having DVC points placed into holding can certainly be frustrating, especially when you weren’t expecting to lose the flexibility that comes with your regular points. But with a little planning, flexibility, and the right strategy, you may be able to recover value from points that might otherwise go unused.
Ready to rent your DVC holding points? Sign up with DVC Rental Store today to get started!
Have questions about your points or need help deciding which strategy is right for you? Contact our Member Relations Team:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 855-382-7368
At DVC Rental Store, our team is here to help you make the most of your membership. Whether you’re looking to respond to last-minute Guest requests or need help finding the right confirmed reservation to list, we’re happy to help you explore your options.
