Can resort mgmt co. force me to convert to points?

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

I've accepted an invitation to attend an "owners' meeting" (I know this is just a come-on), and during the call they said that all persons listed on the deed have to attend,, and the word "points" was used. This company has several resorts throughout the USA, (as far as I know it's not currently a "points" system) and I own a floating, deeded week at one of the resorts. I'm not at all interested in converting my week to points, not interested in trading to any of their other resorts, do not belong to II or RCI; only use my week at the resort where I own.

So, it sounds like they are going to give me a pitch to convert to points; which I will "gracefully " decline. I'm thinking they can't "force" me to convert to points if there is an addtl charge (isn't there always?). What do you think?

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

No, they cannot force you to do so. If they use any pressure tactics, I would 1) turn them in to the Real Estate Commission in the state where the timeshare is located, and 2) complain to all HOA board members. A management company, or stand alone manager at resorts that use that arrangement, is just a hired gun for the HOA board but sometimes the HOA board is not told of everything a management company or manager is doing. If a management company is out of line, the HOA needs to jerk their chain.

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

I don't think they can force you to do anything.

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

They may tell you that you have to convert. IT IS A HUGE LIE!!

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

So, it sounds like they are going to give me a pitch to convert to points; which I will "gracefully " decline. I'm thinking they can't "force" me to convert to points if there is an addtl charge (isn't there always?). What do you think?

No, they can't. If they say you MUST or that they can force you or that your "week will be worthless" they are lying through their weaselly teeth. Tell tem to put that in writing so you can take it to the State Regulators before you buy and watch how quickly it all gets retracted.

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

Thanks, all, that's pretty much what I thought. If they are changing their whole system over to "points" and want to assign my week so many points that's fine as long as I can still get my week when and where I want it.

I'm kinda looking forward to this, yanking their chain. FYI, it's Festiva and they've already been in trouble with the Missouri AG for their sales tactics.

Maybe I should invite JLB to go with me????? LOL......

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I've accepted an invitation to attend an "owners' meeting" (I know this is just a come-on), and during the call they said that all persons listed on the deed have to attend,, and the word "points" was used. This company has several resorts throughout the USA, (as far as I know it's not currently a "points" system) and I own a floating, deeded week at one of the resorts. I'm not at all interested in converting my week to points, not interested in trading to any of their other resorts, do not belong to II or RCI; only use my week at the resort where I own.

So, it sounds like they are going to give me a pitch to convert to points; which I will "gracefully " decline. I'm thinking they can't "force" me to convert to points if there is an addtl charge (isn't there always?). What do you think?

I would never convert to points if I were in your place since you like to go to your own resort only. It's another way to get more money from you and you would be buying your own resort all over again. Let us know how much they want to charge you for converting.

We were offered this once and I am so glad that we didn't convert because the people who did, had nothing but trouble getting what they wanted ever since. We never exchange either.

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

Exactly what does converting to points mean. What is the legal mechanism behind the concept? How is it effected?

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Exactly what does converting to points mean. What is the legal mechanism behind the concept? How is it effected?

Some resorts which started out on a weeks reservation and exchange system have converted to a points based reservation system. Your ownership is assigned so many points and you use those points as a means of getting your reservations or exchanges.

If you exchange your weeks, like we do with Polo Towers, then you can sometimes squeeze more value out of those points. Expecially if you book off season or shoulder season weeks and you own a high season week. Basically, points become the means of barter and, if you're trading down, you can stretch you usage.

However, if you always stay at your home resort, converting to points can become a nightmare. Rules can change, booking your home resort can become a problem and, worst of all, if there's a club membership fee associated with those points, fee's can go up. Under most systems, if you only use your week and never exchange it, converting to points is a bad thing to do.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

You may lose your ownership and have just a points membership instead. It may be structured in such a way that the developer will henceforth exercise your vote at the HOA. You have my sympathy having to deal with the likes of Festiva!

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

I wouldn't even attend the meeting. You know what's going to happen. You know you don't want what they are offerng. Why waste time?

I own a couple fixed weeks at Festiva-managed resorts. They trade very well in both RCI and II. I'd be getting much much less value using them in Festiva's points system. Much less value.

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

Thanks, bnoble, I normally wouldn't go to one of these "meetings", but there are a couple of reasons I decided to go this time. First, I'm ready for a short getaway. Branson is only a 3-hr. drive from my home; and second, the "meeting" is going to be at Stormy Point Village and that's where we will be staying for two nights. I'm interested in checking out that resort.

Carolinian, thanks for your sympathy. I'm pretty sure I now know enough to "deal" with Festiva !!

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Thanks, bnoble, I normally wouldn't go to one of these "meetings", but there are a couple of reasons I decided to go this time. First, I'm ready for a short getaway. Branson is only a 3-hr. drive from my home; and second, the "meeting" is going to be at Stormy Point Village and that's where we will be staying for two nights. I'm interested in checking out that resort.

Carolinian, thanks for your sympathy. I'm pretty sure I now know enough to "deal" with Festiva !!

Interesting that the meeting will be at Stormy Point Village. I was under the impression that Festiva had sold the rights to brand the rest of that resort to Summer Wind Management.

I am sort of envious. We've wanted to check out Stormy Point Village. Just not to the extent of actually doing a presentation there. If it wasn't for the fact that their only check in day was Sunday we probably would have exchanged in as some point in time.