Understanding DVC Confirmed Reservations – Should You Book One?
When renting your Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points, you may come across the option of listing a Confirmed Reservation. While this is a method some Members use to rent their points, it is not the primary approach we recommend. This guide will help you understand what a Confirmed Reservation is, when it makes sense to use one, and how to set yourself up for success should you choose this method.
What is a Confirmed Reservation?
A Confirmed Reservation is a pre-booked DVC stay that is listed for sale to potential Guests. Rather than matching your available points with a Guest’s request, you create a reservation at a DVC resort and list it as a rental opportunity.
While this option may work in certain scenarios, it comes with higher risks compared to our primary method of matching your points with a Guest’s specific request.
Why This is NOT the Primary Way We Rent Points
At the DVC Rental Store, we primarily match Members’ available points with real-time Guest requests through our Claim Open Listings process. However, Confirmed Reservations require Members to book a reservation before a Guest commits to purchasing it. This has key downsides:
- No Guarantee of Rental: There is no certainty that a Guest will book the reservation.
- Guest Flexibility is Reduced: Guests must commit to a pre-set travel date, resort, and room type rather than customizing their booking.
- Potential for Unused Points: If the reservation does not sell, you risk losing the points entirely if they expire before you can use them otherwise.
When Does a Confirmed Reservation Make Sense?
While we do not recommend Confirmed Reservations as the primary method for renting your points, there are specific scenarios where this option may be useful:
- You Already Have a Reservation You Can’t Use
- If you previously booked a DVC stay that you can no longer use, you may list it as a Confirmed Reservation to attempt to rent it rather than canceling it outright.
- Your Points are Expiring Soon
- If your points expire within the next few months, a Confirmed Reservation may be one of the only ways to successfully rent them, especially if availability is limited.
How to Set a Price for a Confirmed Reservation
We allow Members to set their own payout rates for Confirmed Reservations, with a maximum of $20 per point. However, price plays a significant role in whether your reservation successfully rents.
Based on our experience, here are the most successful price ranges:
- $18-$20 per point – Premium resorts or peak travel seasons
(Examples: Grand Californian, Beach Club, Polynesian, Christmas/New Year’s bookings) - $16-$18 per point – Most standard reservations booked more than 60 days before check-in
- $12-$16 per point – Less in-demand resorts
(Examples: Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Hilton Head, Vero Beach) - $8-$12 per point – Last-minute reservations booked within 60 days of check-in
If your Confirmed Reservation is not selling, you may need to adjust the pricing to attract Guest interest. Doing this is simple by calling or emailing our Member Management Team.
How to List Your Confirmed Reservation for Sale
If you’ve decided that a Confirmed Reservation is the best option for renting your DVC points, the next step is to list it for sale through the DVC Rental Store Member Center. Follow these simple steps to get started:
Step 1: Create a Member Center Account
If you haven’t already, you’ll need to create an account on our website. This account serves as your hub for managing your rental listings, tracking payouts, and staying informed about rental opportunities.
- Visit DVC Rental Store and click Rent Your Points in the menu bar.
- Follow the prompts to create your Member Center account.
- Once registered, log in to access your Member Dashboard.
Step 2: Navigate to “Rent Out Your Booked Reservation”
Once you’re in the DVC Rental Store Member Dashboard, locate the “Rent Out Your Booked Reservation“ option. This is where you’ll submit the reservation details for listing.
Step 3: Enter Your Reservation Details
Provide all necessary details about your Confirmed Reservation, including:
Resort
Check-in & Check-out Dates
Room Type & View Category
Total Number of Points Used for the Reservation
Reservation Number
These details help Guests browse available reservations and find a listing that fits their vacation needs.
Step 4: Upload Proof of Reservation
To ensure accuracy, we require you to upload a screenshot, photo, or PDF of your reservation confirmation from Disney Vacation Club. This helps verify the details you’ve submitted and builds trust with potential renters.
Step 5: Our Team Prices and Lists Your Reservation
Once your reservation is submitted, our team will review the details and price it accordingly based on current market demand and availability. We then list it on our website, making it available for Guests to browse and book.
You will be notified as soon as a Guest expresses interest in your reservation, and we’ll guide you through the next steps to finalize the rental.
How the Transfer Process Works Once Your Reservation Sells
If a Guest books your Confirmed Reservation, the DVC Rental Store will send you an email with the necessary details to transfer the reservation into the Guest’s name. Here’s what happens next:
- Receive the Guest’s Information
- You’ll get an email with the Guest’s full name, contact details, and any special requests.
- Modify the Reservation
- You must update the lead Guest name and Additional Guest Details in your Disney Vacation Club Member account within 48 hours of receiving the request. This must be done by calling DVC Member Services or chatting with them on the Disney Vacation Club website.
- Complete the Payment Process
- Once the reservation is successfully transferred, we initiate your payment based on the agreed-upon price per point (75% once booking and transfer is finalized / 25% upon check-in).
Final Thoughts – Should You List a Confirmed Reservation?
Listing a Confirmed Reservation can be a useful tool, but it is not for everyone. Before booking one, consider the following:
Do you have expiring points that you need to use?
Are you comfortable with the possibility that the reservation may not sell?
Have you explored the Claim Open Listings process to match your points to existing Guest requests first?
If you’re unsure whether this method is right for you, our Member Relations Team is happy to assist in finding the best strategy for renting your points. Call us today at 855-382-7368 or email [email protected]!
Next Up in Our Series:
Part 5: What Happens After You Rent Your Points? Understanding Payments, Cancellations, and Guest Requests!
