Bluegreen questions

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

So how does a regular old BG points package work without all the bells and whistles of Traveller Plus etc.

What are the club fees, exchange fees, housekeeping fees and any other fees. What is included in any fees?

I'm thinking of BG because I like the resorts I've been to but not sure I need all the extra bonus time and upgrade stuff, so what do you get with the basic just buying BG points resale package.

Also, are BG points a points is points kind of club? Does it matter where you own if you travel mostly off season?

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

Bluegreen is pretty clean and simple!

With Bluegreen, points are points. And these days, points are dirt cheap

No booking fee, no housekeeping fee, no guest certificate fee.

You can book at 11 months out for full or partial weeks. (Wait list prior to 11 months is a Premier benefit).

99% of the time, you don't need to worry about where you're deeded.

Good online reservation system.

There are several different trust funds governing MFs and I'm not versed in them all, but MF for Trust Fund E are currently approx .0405 per point.

Anita

PS - after reading all these Marriott threads, I'm so happy to be a Bluegreen owner right now

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

I agree Anita,
This whole Marriott thing has me dizzy.

Besides I've been pretty lucky getting getaways and using my MR points for stays in MVC resorts so I hope my luck continues because honestly I don't think I want to deal with the Marriott mess.

I think BG has more resorts in places that I actually want to go to, especially in Florida.

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

What are the club fees, exchange fees, housekeeping fees and any other fees. What is included in any fees?

Maintenance fees and the membership fee, that's it. You get points, bonus time at your home resort, and an RCI membership. Although you may have to fight for the bonus time and RCI. Actually, if you get a really old ownership, where the membership fees are under a hundred dollars a year, you don't get RCI. But most memberships, that's what you get.

If you're in Florida or for some other reason it's a short drive to a lot of resorts, and if you like to take off for a spur-of-the-moment weekend, it might be worth it to buy authorized points, since then you could use bonus time at more than one resort, which can be by far the better deal on weekends. Boca Bum can get you the best deal on that front.

There are some resorts - mostly associate resorts - where it can be tough to get in without being able to get on the wait list. And some units at the Bluegreen resorts, too - 3 BR cabins at Big Cedar, for instance. But generally the key is to reserve early and you can get in.

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

So you can't get an II membership with BG? Oh Pooh. I've already got 2 RCI accounts was hoping to get a free II account.

Can you tell me how the bonus time works with your own resort? Is it the same prices as the VIP bonus time? I'd probably only be interested in bonus time at my home resort so I guess I probably should look at the resort that I wanted to stay at most to buy my points, right?

I called the resort and they said that they allow day privileges which I really like because I already have it at one of my other TS's and use it often but this resort is closer than my other one so could use it almost like a second home if it had day privileges. I think this is a nice plus for BG.

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

So you can't get an II membership with BG? Oh Pooh. I've already got 2 RCI accounts was hoping to get a free II account.

No free II membership, although I believe some of the resorts trade through II.

Can you tell me how the bonus time works with your own resort?

I assume it works like bonus time for anyone else, except that it's limited to the one resort. Boca would know. Never tried it, myself - we own at the closest BG resort, but it's a 4 1/2 hours drive away through Chicago traffic, which can be nightmarish Friday and Sunday evenings. If it's just hubby and I we get a discounted bed and breakfast in Amish Country; if it's the troops we head north or south or east - we never head toward Chicago for a weekend trip.

I'd probably only be interested in bonus time at my home resort so I guess I probably should look at the resort that I wanted to stay at most to buy my points, right?

If you're saying you should check it out first, then that's probably a good idea, but if you mean you need to buy there, then no. You can't get unauthorized points at the resorts, plus the resort you buy at is not necessarily the resort you'll own at.

You also need to think about whether you want biannual or annual points or if you care. Biannual are supposedly more of a pain to combine, but easier to find resale. Their advantage is that the first year you have more points you can use in any season - with biannual, you get all your points year one, then year two half of them "roll over" and can only be used in red season or lower. With annual, you get your points year one, year two you get your next set of points but the first set rolls over into red or lower if you haven't used it. Either kind the points expire two years after you get them (which I would think would mean more "stray" points left over than you can't use with biannual, but I dunno, never having owned them).

I *think* all that translates to a 16000 biannual membership costing the same in terms of Maintenance Fees as a 8000 annual, but you have the option of using 16000 points in any season the first year. You can make annual points work kind of like biannual by paying your MF ahead, though.

I believe you have to call ahead for day privileges - at some resorts it's basically a courtesy call, but with others they'll tell you not to come if it's crowded. Which the salespeople apparently don't tell you, so I know there's at least one guy who hauls his family in to use the pool anyhow, cuz that's the deal he thought he signed. Me, I'd just as soon they refuse me so I could avoid the crowds.

We have unauthorized points that we got from the TUG bargain basement - we knew where we wanted to buy and hubby saw a good deal there. We contacted Boca Bum right after the seller told us we had it, and Jim was a great source of information and did our paperwork and all. He's been good to us and I highly recommend you talk to him.

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

....... You can't get unauthorized points at the resorts, plus the resort you buy at is not necessarily the resort you'll own at.

You also need to think about whether you want biannual or annual points or if you care. Biannual are supposedly more of a pain to combine, but easier to find resale. Their advantage is that the first year you have more points you can use in any season - with biannual, you get all your points year one, then year two half of them "roll over" and can only be used in red season or lower. With annual, you get your points year one, year two you get your next set of points but the first set rolls over into red or lower if you haven't used it. Either kind the points expire two years after you get them (which I would think would mean more "stray" points left over than you can't use with biannual, but I dunno, never having owned them).

I *think* all that translates to a 16000 biannual membership costing the same in terms of Maintenance Fees as a 8000 annual, but you have the option of using 16000 points in any season the first year. You can make annual points work kind of like biannual by paying your MF ahead, though.

I believe you have to call ahead for day privileges - at some resorts it's basically a courtesy call, but with others they'll tell you not to come if it's crowded. Which the salespeople apparently don't tell you, so I know there's at least one guy who hauls his family in to use the pool anyhow, cuz that's the deal he thought he signed. Me, I'd just as soon they refuse me so I could avoid the crowds.

We have unauthorized points that we got from the TUG bargain basement - we knew where we wanted to buy and hubby saw a good deal there. We contacted Boca Bum right after the seller told us we had it, and Jim was a great source of information and did our paperwork and all. He's been good to us and I highly recommend you talk to him.

I called the resort I am interested in and she said they do have owner privileges but they want you to call first and then show your BG card.
I'm staying there this weekend and they are already trying to sign me up for the owner update. I told her that I wasn't an owner so what is there to update me on but I found it interesting that the front desk person answering the phones was trying to book me an appointment.

So even if I bought at Solara I wouldn't necessarily be sold Solara points? That's not acceptable if that's where I wanted to own. Don't get that logic.

Very interesting how the biennials work. I think I actually would prefer a biennial over an annual having the option to use high red all in one year. This is a benefit I wasn't aware of. Thanks. I've asked a few people what are the benefits of a biennial and no one seems to have a good grasp on why it would be beneficial but this makes sense.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Hey Chris, got your pm....let's talk on the actual telephone Monday evening
Buying at Solara is a GREAT idea for you and you can buy a resale there - EOY would be fine for you.

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

Very interesting how the biennials work. I think I actually would prefer a biennial over an annual having the option to use high red all in one year. This is a benefit I wasn't aware of. Thanks. I've asked a few people what are the benefits of a biennial and no one seems to have a good grasp on why it would be beneficial but this makes sense.

I think one problem with biennial points may be that it's hard to find them resale in a large enough amount to make them worthwhile, but I've never looked for biennial so I dunno. I know a lot of people say they're harder to combine than annual points, anyhow.

I wasn't clear. You CAN get points at the resort where you buy, if they have anything that breaks down to the number of points you want to buy. But even if you make ownership there a condition of the sale, the salesperson has to have the units to sell. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. What I was trying to say is that buying at Solara does not necessarily mean you'll get ownership at Solara.

The other problem with buying at Solara is that they'll be selling authorized points, which are way more expensive than unauthorized. Authorized points at their cheapest are a dollar something a point, now - we got our unauthorized points for five dollars and processing costs. I saw a deal just like ours on TUG a week or two back. Of course it disappeared rapidly, because that is not exactly standard - but that's how low the price can go.

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

Pts.

Ok so how do the points work for the seasons, red, high red etc.? If I buy a pts in red period does that mean I can only use those pts in red or lower? I am not familiar with the pt system so sorry if this question has already been covered. I'm thinking of buying BG and have lots of questions and I tend to research this stuff to death. I had a bad experience with BG sales but liked the product. Just trying to figure out which way to go when i do make my purchase and so far am leaning toward regular pts since it sounds like they are much more affordable.

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

When you buy points, you can use them at all the BG resorts. For each resort, they have a points chart system (which is avail to view on the forum I believe) which tells how many points are required per unit size and per season. So if you have 15,000 points, you can have a couple weeks in FL at some of the resorts (7000 per week), or 1 week at The Fountains (13-18K points). A resort in North Myrtle Beach may cost 5000-15,000. It all depends on what, where and when.

You can buy points off ebay or other secondary market, but you will not get any of the VIP rights such as being able to put in for a reservation early. You will put in at 11 months before your check in date, where the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels will be putting in for their reservations at 12 to 15 months out. Not all resorts will still be available at the 11 month mark. You also won't have bonus time, traveler plus or be able to use select connection access to some other resorts.

You can buy points through an authorized reseller. BocaBum on this site is able to sell points that will allow full VIP rights. He can answer your other questions too.

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

Bluegreen Questions

But when you have resale pts you still get bonus time at your home resort? Is that correct? Also do you get any preference into getting into your home resort or are you just thrown into the mix with all of the other pt holders?

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

I do not know for sure about bonus time at a home resort. I am thinking no to that, but not positive.

However, when you are deeded at a resort, you can get into that resort for your week at the 12 month point. When you are buying resale, you many not be able to choose which resort and week you get, so it does not matter to most people about their deeded week as long as they have points they can use when and where they want.

[kcbedo Member Find all posts View Profile Close kcbedo]

But when you have resale pts you still get bonus time at your home resort? Is that correct? Also do you get any preference into getting into your home resort or are you just thrown into the mix with all of the other pt holders?

Unauthorized resale points do give you bonus time at the home resort, so if you have deeds from multiple results you would get bonus time at each of those resorts.

Where your points are from does not give you any advantage when booking at a resort, unless you are booking the specific week on your deed. The owner of a specific unit/week always has first dibs on booking that week before anyone else starting at 12 months. At 11 months if no one has booked the week, it is opened to all Bluegreen owners, starting with those on the wait list.

To book your underlying week, you need to book the full period. If you want to book a partial week then you get in line with everyone else at 11 months. Also, I believe you can book your own week at 12 months without having to borrow points from the next year.

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

But when you have resale pts you still get bonus time at your home resort? Is that correct?

Boca says he's had customers do that. We haven't tried it, but I have yet to catch Boca wrong on anything Bluegreen.

Also do you get any preference into getting into your home resort or are you just thrown into the mix with all of the other pt holders?

As vintner said, you get first choice of your own unit so long as you claim it twelve months out. Beyond that, no. All points are in a common pot as of eleven months out, and you can use those points in any season. Premiere owners can get on a wait list, and at eleven months out they are "first in line," but even there it's "first come, first served." Which in practice means there are some units on some dates that are hard to get if you are not Premiere, especially when it comes to Associate Resorts, but it does not seem to make much difference with most of the Bluegreen-owned resorts.