Pay More for VRI Managed Resort??

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

I am trying to decide between buying two timeshares and would appreciate thoughts/input. Both these purchases would be for trading only. They are both solid prime time weeks in the same solid demand area.

1st Option:
- Buy a 1 bedroom unit at a VRI managed resort. Buy price is $350, MFs currently $550. Resort went thru overhaul a few years ago when VRI took over so things at the resort are "fresher". I would have the ability to trade using VRI*ety (although I don't currently know if that would be a benefit to me or not. I do not currently own any VRI resorts). I wonder if VRI managed resorts are accepted by pickier independent exchange companies like SFX??

2nd Option:
- Buy a 1 bedroom lockout (locks to 2 studios) at a "standard" resort. Buy price is $700. MFs currently at $440 (so $220 per studio). Resort has high owner usage and is well used during off season (not alot of owner defaults). I would lock out for trading for as long as studios in RCI get me what I want (I see the recent trend at RCI to put more emphasis on size) and switch to trading it as a 1 bedroom only when necessary.

It's clear to me that the VRI resort is more expensive (the savings on buy price would be eaten up in 2 years due to MF differences). The VRI unit is less flexible as it's not a lockout. BUT it is a VRI managed resort and comes with a new trade avenue available (VRI*ety and maybe more if SFX accepts it).

Which would you buy and why? Would you buy both?? Neither??

I need to make a decisoin in the next few days. Thanks!

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

I have owned at a VRI managed resort at Gaslamp Plaza Suites in downtown San Diego for several years. It is a Gold Crown urban resort. The M/F are reasonable but this is determined by the resort's HOA and not the management company. The only effect VRI may have on the M/F is how much they charge to manage the resort vs what other resort management companies would charge. We bought at Gaslamp strictly for trading and bonus time as we live close to an Diego. I have exchanged it through SFX for 12 years and it is an excellent trader which answers your question about SFX accepting a VRI resort. What SFX will accept is determined by the quality of the resort, the size of the unit, location, and time of the year.

VRI has always been very easy to work with. I can reserve my week up to 24 months in advance. There is NO requirement to pay the M/F in advance which is very common at many others. I just reserved the July 4th 2011 week yesterday.

VRIety has a new vacation program that covers exchanges, cruises, travel discounts on hotels ( guaranteed lowest rate ), car rentals, etc., etc. You might want to check this out. They called me last Friday about it but I didn't join.