Substitute points to bonus time?

[pagui42 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pagui42]

Hello everyone,

I had an owner update last week at Shenandoah Crossing last week and the sale representative said to me I could substitute points for bonus time in a point confirmed reservation. He told me he had done it already himself in the past. Here is the example that apply to my case:

I have a 7400 pts point confirmed reservation at Shore Crest for a 1 bdr (Aug 30 - Sep 7). According to the salesman, I could substitute any days I want in my booking from points to bonus time beginning 45 days before my check-in date. In my case, I could pay bonus time 59$/night (for Friday and Saturday) instead to use the 4200 pts it costs. The only thing I need to do is called directly Bluegreen in that 45 days timeframe and mention to the rep I need to substitute (not change or cancel) some days of my reservation.

Then, if this works that 1 bdr at Shore Crest could cost me 3200 points and 118$/tax.

I'm quite skeptical if what he told me it's true or false.

Is there anyone in this forum is aware of this strategy and already used it? Does Bluegreen really allow to do this. If positive, do they charge any fees to do it?

Thanks.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

This violates a policy discouraging the practice. I wouldn't do it unless you don't mind losing your reservation.

[jabjaw7 Member Find all posts View Profile Close jabjaw7]

Yes it is possible, BUT

The salesman are very quick with slick solutions vacation club owners would like to here.

There are 2 problems with this senario. It requires cancelling your current reservation, unless there are weeks available. The reservationist would then convert your reservation into 2 different reservations. 1 with points and 1 with bonus time.

The caveate is if anyone else is on the phone or anyone on the waitlist for your reservation and timeframe you could lose your unit.

The week you are going is a shoulder season so it is possible to convert your reservation. Check and see what availablity there is before you try to do this. If there is availability, then you could book the new unit before cancelling your previous reservation. Verify the unit assigned to both reservations is the same and confirm with the resort before you go. Depending on your membership level, there could be a cost for changing your reservation. Yes this is a change.

Others may have suggestions if this actually worked for them.

Justine

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

To "try" to get the same unit you would first have to shorten your current reservation so it would be available. On the same call then book bonus time and ask for the same unit. Still, there's no guarantee that you'll get the same unit. If not, you could possibly call the resort directly and see if they will change the unit for you.

This would not be a big deal if you don't mind changing units.

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

Seems to be a cheat...

Bonus time is supposed to be inventory that is leftover at the 45 day window.

I certainly don't want to think that Bluegreen owners are making reservations with points, then switching to lower cost bonus time in the 45 day window.

I'm not surprised that a salesperson would recommend something so dubious, but I hope the booking agents don't allow it.

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

It's not cheating, it's working the system. If you have the bonus time benefit you can make a reservation for the same resort for the weekend if there is availability.

Then you change your current reservation, as needed, for the cost of the change fee, if applicable.

I would do it if I needed to save points. After the changes I would call the resort directly and see if they could assign the same unit - this is the resort's discretion. I WOULD be willing to change units, if needed, during the stay.

All would be 'legal' as I have the right to do any of it.