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The Disney empire is vast, encompassing everything from parks and shopping to movies and streaming services. Disney even has its own timeshare offering called Disney Vacation Club. Guests can purchase ownership interests in select Disneyland and Disney World Resorts and receive a block of Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points, which are redeemable for booking stays at their home resort or another participating property.
But these Disney Vacation Club points aren't valid forever. Here is everything you need to know about Disney Vacation Club point expiration.
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Do Disney Vacation Club Points Expire?
Your Disney Vacation Club points expire at the end of their “Use Year”. This is the twelve-month period determined by the date you purchased the contract. Per the Disney Vacation Club points FAQ Page:
“If they’re not used by the end of that Use Year, they will expire.”
For instance, if you have a March Use Year, your new Use Year starts every calendar year on March 1st and ends at the end of February in the next calendar year.
Track your points and miles expiration for 630+ loyalty programs and get email alerts before your miles expire by signing up for a free AwardWallet account.
How To Keep Disney Vacation Club Points From Expiring
There are two main ways to prevent your DVC points from expiring: You can bank them for the following year or transfer them to Interval International. Let's examine each option.
Bank DVC points for the following year
Owners can bank points from one Use Year to the following year (or borrow points from the following Use Year to use this year). This option proves helpful if you're not taking a vacation one year, but have a trip planned for next year that requires a lot of points. The latest you can bank points is four months before the end of their Use Year.
You can only bank points once into the next Use Year. If the points are not used during the Use Year in which they were banked, they will expire at the end of the consecutive Use Year. In other words, banking points give you up to twelve months of extra life for your points. Remember that once you bank your points, they cannot be banked again.
Banked points cannot be transferred or borrowed. They are effectively locked into personal use in the Use Year they're banked into. Only owners who are current on their monthly dues and loan payments may bank their points. Disney reserves the right to suspend DVC point banking to maintain the balance of points in the system.
Related: How To Use Chase Ultimate Rewards for Disney Trips
Transfer into Interval International
An easy way to extend the life of Disney Vacation Club points is to initiate a transfer to Interval International. This company represents Marriott and Hyatt properties and boasts over two million members worldwide. To transfer, you must first sign up with Interval International and browse your options. Specific fees apply depending on the redemption you choose.
While you'll retain your points from expiring, please note that this is a one-way transfer, and your points will leave the Disney Ecosystem. You will no longer be able to use your points for Disney Vacation Club bookings, and you cannot transfer your points back.
How To Use Up Your Expiring Disney Vacation Club Points
Instead of extending the expiry of your DVC points, you can use them. Here are two ways to do so.
Rent out your DVC points.
Before they expire, you can rent your DVC points to someone else. Put differently, owners may use their DVC points to make a reservation in someone else's name. You can do this to gift Disney lodging to friends or family, or rent them to a stranger for a negotiated price.
Most owners find prospective renters through word of mouth, Facebook groups, or DISboards. Alternatively, you can use an online broker, such as David's Vacation Club Rentals or DVC Rental Store, which can help match you with a potential renter.
Related: How To Book a DVC at Disney World
Transfer DVC points to another Disney Vacation Club member
Another way to utilize expiring points is to transfer them to another DVC member. However, this does not extend the validity of the points. They will still expire at the end of their original Use Year.
To initiate a transfer from one member to another, you need to call Disney at 800-800-9800. Choose your recipient wisely; owners can only transfer or receive DVC points once per Use Year. Thus, if your friends or family intend to repay the points you loaned, they can't transfer them to you, and you can't receive them until the next Use Year.
Savvy DVC members know that the “other” member you can transfer points to can be yourself. If you own one or more contracts, you can transfer points between them to combine for a larger redemption.
It's also worth noting that transferred points can't be used for Home Resort Priority reservations. Every DVC owner gets priority reservation access to their home resort each Use Year. Transferred points are only good for bookings in the general seven-month reservation window.
Related: Disney FastPass Programs: Genie+ and Lightning Lane
Use AwardWallet to Track Your Disney Vacation Club Points Expiration
One-year validity and restricted booking windows mean you must keep a close eye on your Disney Vacation Club points to maximize their value. The best way to do so is by using AwardWallet. That way, you will receive email reminders about any points that are about to expire. That will give you ample time to take action and keep your DVC points from expiring.
Adding your DVC to your AwardWallet account is simple. Simply log in to AwardWallet and add your DVC account to your AwardWallet account.
Related: How to Track Your Rewards Using AwardWallet
Bottom Line
You have plenty of options if your Disney Vacation Club points are about to expire. You can rent out your points, bank them for the following year, or transfer them to another member — or over to Interval International. Whatever the case, don't lose out on your annual contracted points. Get creative and make the most of your DVC contract.
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