Any Wyndham Timeshare Owners???

[ROB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROB]

Hi everyone.

Im new to the forum and Im considering buying a Wyndham timeshare at the Oceanside, CA property. I like their points system, but I wanted to get some feedback from current Wyndham owners. How is their service? Are you able to get what you want when you want it if you let them know in advance? How are they with handling last minute reservations? And what do you think about the Discovery program? Is it a waste or is it beneficial? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Lisa P Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa P]

Welcome, Rob.

The Oceanside property is on the small side, waterfront and very popular. So if you expect to want to vacation at this resort in prime season, repeatedly, you would be wise to own at this home resort, giving you ARP - advance reservation priority (an earlier booking window) there. But, probably not developer points - far too expensive! No, the discovery program is not worth it. Instead, look for owner rentals to try it out - you'll pay less in every way.

We love the Wyndham points system but it's not for everyone. To fully enjoy it, you'll need to be able to make your reservations early for popular seasons - right around the 13 month mark for your home resort and at the 10-month mark for the rest. When people can't plan this early and they need prime season reservations or larger units, they become terribly disappointed as it gets booked by other owners and they're out of luck.

Wyndham used to have terrible customer service. It's become average to above average overall, and exceptional at times, IMO. Their sales staff are brutal and full of lies - so stay away and you'll enjoy great vacations at the lovely Wyndham resorts. We've never reserved only a few days prior to check-in but I've read a handful of complaints about lost reservations made at the last minute. Ressies made a couple months out have worked out fine but availability is very limited then.

Take your time and do plenty of research. We've loved traveling to many Wyndham resorts with our points for ~13 years. For this kind of variable vacationing, our home resorts haven't mattered - we just want low maintenance fees. But if you want to vacation regularly at one of the oceanfront resorts in prime season, and if you decide to buy, get your points at that home resort. Reserve as early as possible. Save tens of thousands by looking for a good resale contract, taking your time about it. Points from smaller contracts at the same home resort may be combined for reservations but closing costs will be higher on separate contracts. HTH!

[Jeanne Sz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeanne Sz]

I heartily agree with Lisa P. We haven't owned Wyndham points as long as she has, but we love our ownership for the flexibility it offers us. We've been able to enjoy several different resorts at different times of year, and all have been very nice with good service.
I also agree that if you want Oceanside in prime season, buy resale contracts for that location or you won't be able to get in there. It looks like one of those resorts where owners book prime weeks and weekends at the 13 month mark so they can turn around and rent them out at a profit. You'd also have to be an owner to get those weeks.
For other trips, especially in off season weeks, you can try to book there or elsewhere at a discount within the 30 or 60 day window, when Wyndham discounts some of the resorts.
We've enjoyed our Wyndham stays, and kept the phone unplugged while in our units to ward off unwanted sales calls. Makes our stays even better!

[MargeS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MargeS]

Do yourself a huge favor, and check into this site. It is comprised of Wyndham owners, and those wishing to learn more. NOTHING to do with the corporation. You will find the honest answer to any question you may have.
The pros and cons are often discussed.

Wyndham Resorts Forums • Index page

I am for the most part, a happy owner, and mostly due to the fact that I spent a lot of time to learn the ins and outs. This is crucial to successful vacation planning.

[thegoodsoldier Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close thegoodsoldier]

I used to be a Project Director for the company and highly reccomend that you rent at the resort prior to purchasing. I would also reccomend that you look into the secondary market.

[ROB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROB]

Thank you all for the input. I figured it was better to buy second hand. I have found that I can rent a weekend at the Oceanside property pretty cheap. Now to be specific I'm speaking of the 333 Myers Rd address, not the other property. Thank all of you for your input and I look forward to conversing with you more. I do like the Wyndham program and when I do buy my first one, it will be with Wyndham. My next goal is to rent a week at the Wyndham resort in Indio, CA. Its a pretty nice place way out there in the desert. If anyone else has any suggestions please supply them. Im going to check out that other website Marge suggested. Thanks again.

[ROB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROB]

Welcome, Rob.

The Oceanside property is on the small side, waterfront and very popular. So if you expect to want to vacation at this resort in prime season, repeatedly, you would be wise to own at this home resort, giving you ARP - advance reservation priority (an earlier booking window) there. But, probably not developer points - far too expensive! No, the discovery program is not worth it. Instead, look for owner rentals to try it out - you'll pay less in every way.

We love the Wyndham points system but it's not for everyone. To fully enjoy it, you'll need to be able to make your reservations early for popular seasons - right around the 13 month mark for your home resort and at the 10-month mark for the rest. When people can't plan this early and they need prime season reservations or larger units, they become terribly disappointed as it gets booked by other owners and they're out of luck.

Wyndham used to have terrible customer service. It's become average to above average overall, and exceptional at times, IMO. Their sales staff are brutal and full of lies - so stay away and you'll enjoy great vacations at the lovely Wyndham resorts. We've never reserved only a few days prior to check-in but I've read a handful of complaints about lost reservations made at the last minute. Ressies made a couple months out have worked out fine but availability is very limited then.

Take your time and do plenty of research. We've loved traveling to many Wyndham resorts with our points for ~13 years. For this kind of variable vacationing, our home resorts haven't mattered - we just want low maintenance fees. But if you want to vacation regularly at one of the oceanfront resorts in prime season, and if you decide to buy, get your points at that home resort. Reserve as early as possible. Save tens of thousands by looking for a good resale contract, taking your time about it. Points from smaller contracts at the same home resort may be combined for reservations but closing costs will be higher on separate contracts. HTH!

Thank you soooo much, Lisa. This was very helpful. I will definitely be utilizing your wisdom while making this decision.

[ROB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROB]

I heartily agree with Lisa P. We haven't owned Wyndham points as long as she has, but we love our ownership for the flexibility it offers us. We've been able to enjoy several different resorts at different times of year, and all have been very nice with good service.
I also agree that if you want Oceanside in prime season, buy resale contracts for that location or you won't be able to get in there. It looks like one of those resorts where owners book prime weeks and weekends at the 13 month mark so they can turn around and rent them out at a profit. You'd also have to be an owner to get those weeks.
For other trips, especially in off season weeks, you can try to book there or elsewhere at a discount within the 30 or 60 day window, when Wyndham discounts some of the resorts.
We've enjoyed our Wyndham stays, and kept the phone unplugged while in our units to ward off unwanted sales calls. Makes our stays even better!

Thanks Jeanne. This wisdom is much appreciated.

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

My next goal is to rent a week at the Wyndham resort in Indio, CA. Its a pretty nice place way out there in the desert.

Welcome

Indio, CA belongs to WorldMark. Although it also managed and developed by Wyndham, both systems are different and has only limited unit (1 or 2) exchange between each other

Jya-Ning

[ROB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROB]

Welcome

Indio, CA belongs to WorldMark. Although it also managed and developed by Wyndham, both systems are different and has only limited unit (1 or 2) exchange between each other

Jya-Ning

Thanks. I thought Wyndham bought them out or something because when I was there a week ago for an unscheduled tour the resort had Wyndham all over it. So that means if I bought a Wyndham timeshare I would have to use the exchange system to go there? Ok. I'm going to be looking to rent there in the winter. Again, thanks for info.

[ROB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROB]

I used to be a Project Director for the company and highly reccomend that you rent at the resort prior to purchasing. I would also reccomend that you look into the secondary market.

Thanks for your input.

Would you care to elaborate a little on why you recommend that I rent first? Since you used to work for Wyndham you definitely know some things I dont, and I will definitely look into the secondary market.

[Timeshare Helper Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Timeshare Helper]

This could help

Rob,

You can buy fully paid off Wyndham Properties for a fraction of their original cost. This link has an Oceanside sale:
Timeshare Rentals Resales Timeshares for Sale Rent Vacation Condos
Also ResortHoldings: Buy, Sell, & Rent Timeshares & Other Owned Vacation Units has a large inventory of Wyndham properties all over the USA.
Hope this helps.
ST

[jacobrobs Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jacobrobs]

I am very pleased with the thought and don’t feel like adding anything in it. It a perfect answer.

[thegoodsoldier Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close thegoodsoldier]

Thanks for your input.

Would you care to elaborate a little on why you recommend that I rent first? Since you used to work for Wyndham you definitely know some things I dont, and I will definitely look into the secondary market.

Yes, use exra holidays by wyndham to experience the property 1st. then google wyndham or trendwest timeshare resales.

[kennyw Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kennyw]

Be sure to check ebay! hundreds of thousands of points offerred for $1 with no bidders.