Newbie with lots of questions!

[Jfultz81 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jfultz81]

Hi all! Last weekend we went to our first Bluegreen sales presentation at Big Cedar (our first timeshare presentation as well!). Having never really been interested in timeshares, we were both surprised by how much Bluegreen made sense to us.

We both thought however that the prices were just wayyy too high, so we passed (considered the sampler, but with the limited use, we wouldn't be able to use it all). I started looking into the resale market and am pleasantly surprised at how well priced they are. So, we are seriously considering buying points next year.

I've been lurking here trying to answer my own questions without posting, but I still have some, so here goes!

If I start out with bi-annual points, can I still get bonus time, etc through an authorized reseller?

How many bonus time rooms/trips can I book at once (like 3 cabins during the same week)? Does your premier status increase this amount?

We really loved the Big Cedar resort, but I realize they all can't be that nice..are there any that compare?

I get the difference between what they own and the associate locations, but is there any chance of getting a room booked at one of the associate locations (specifically Big Sky and any of the NC properties)?

Does Shenandoah Crossings still have the R/C track? Can you bring your own R/C cars (DH is a huge R/C car nut)?

How much does it cost to play golf at the World Golf Village?


I'm sure I'll have lots more questions.. and I know that next year, you can count on me contacting you Boca Jim!!

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

If I start out with bi-annual points, can I still get bonus time, etc through an authorized reseller?

YES

How many bonus time rooms/trips can I book at once (like 3 cabins during the same week)? Does your premier status increase this amount?

I res per adult on your deed. For me + husband, that's 2. I'm not sure what the Friends and Family deal is - that might have impacted this long standing rule.

We really loved the Big Cedar resort, but I realize they all can't be that nice..are there any that compare?

They are all different, having different charms. I generally find Bluegreen quality to be consistent. Please note, that would be among the resorts that THEY manage, vs the affiliates.

I get the difference between what they own and the associate locations, but is there any chance of getting a room booked at one of the associate locations (specifically Big Sky and any of the NC properties)?

Of course! There is just less inventory so you have to plan as far ahead as possible and maybe keep calling to hope to scoop up a cancelled res.

Does Shenandoah Crossings still have the R/C track? Can you bring your own R/C cars (DH is a huge R/C car nut)?

Yes and Yes.

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

I think boardgirl answered most of your questions. The one I recall she didn't answer was golf green fees at World Golf.

Last time I was there it was about $150 per round. Remember, it's a PGA course. And, the have a pro tour golf academy as well.

[Jfultz81 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jfultz81]

Yeah, I noticed it was incredible looking.. way past my mini-golf skills!

If I start out with biannual points.. do they still roll over or how does that work? I'm assuming I can't buy something like 20k and then only use 10K and then have 10k the next year, it would roll over to the next year I actually get points?

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

Yeah, I noticed it was incredible looking.. way past my mini-golf skills!

If I start out with biannual points.. do they still roll over or how does that work? I'm assuming I can't buy something like 20k and then only use 10K and then have 10k the next year, it would roll over to the next year I actually get points?

Here is how biannual points work. Let's say you have 20000 biannual points which are granted on Sept 1 every odd year. So, the next anniversary date is Sept 1, 2009 when you will receive 20000 points.

If you do not use any points by Sept 1, 2010, then 10000 points will turn into saved points. If you use only 5000 points, then 5000 will turn into saved points.

Any points you do not use by Sept 1, 2011 will expire at which time you will be granted another 20000 points.

[Jfultz81 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jfultz81]

LOL.. they don't make anything easy.

So, essentially, if I get biannual points, I can use them within the two years that I get them, I'm not limited to only using them the year I get them, correct?

If this is the case.. that works a lot better for me. Are the maintenace fees still paid yearly or every other year?

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

LOL.. they don't make anything easy.

So, essentially, if I get biannual points, I can use them within the two years that I get them, I'm not limited to only using them the year I get them, correct?

If this is the case.. that works a lot better for me. Are the maintenace fees still paid yearly or every other year?

yes, you have it right. biannual points are billed annually. The maintenance fees and taxes for 20000 biannual points is the same as the maintenance fees for 10000 annual every year.

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

So, essentially, if I get biannual points, I can use them within the two years that I get them, I'm not limited to only using them the year I get them, correct?

Please note carefully what Jim said about saved points. Saved points can only be used on reservations up to Red level, not high/ultra/super-duper red (leaf season). So the points you have saved in the second year of your biannual period are not as good as they were during the first year, if I understand correctly what he said.

This will mean that you won't be able to go to the most desirable resorts during the most desirable times of year in those years (but there are still plenty of good places to go).

Regards,

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

But with EOY points, half of them are still Current in the second year, half are Saved.

[Jfultz81 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jfultz81]

Please note carefully what Jim said about saved points. Saved points can only be used on reservations up to Red level, not high/ultra/super-duper red (leaf season). So the points you have saved in the second year of your biannual period are not as good as they were during the first year, if I understand correctly what he said.

This will mean that you won't be able to go to the most desirable resorts during the most desirable times of year in those years (but there are still plenty of good places to go).

Regards,

sc
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This would actually work for us since we typically do a big vacation one year and a few smaller the next. We also vacation during off season, just because it works better for us money and vacation time wise.

Boca - looking at your site, it shows a sample of what you have for sale. When it shows the MF, is that the yearly fee for them? For example, I'm looking at the 20k biannual points at Falls Village. It shows $371 + $310 (since we don't own anything to combine), so this would be $681/year?

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

This would actually work for us since we typically do a big vacation one year and a few smaller the next. We also vacation during off season, just because it works better for us money and vacation time wise.

Boca - looking at your site, it shows a sample of what you have for sale. When it shows the MF, is that the yearly fee for them? For example, I'm looking at the 20k biannual points at Falls Village. It shows $371 + $310 (since we don't own anything to combine), so this would be $681/year?

you've got it.

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

Also, if you ever get into the situation of about to have points expiring, you can book a week (7 nights) and bank that with RCI. Then you'll have 2 years to trade that banked week with RCI. You won't "lose" the points.

Of course, you'll need enough points in the first place to be able to book 7 nights.

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

Also, if you ever get into the situation of about to have points expiring, you can book a week (7 nights) and bank that with RCI. Then you'll have 2 years to trade that banked week with RCI. You won't "lose" the points.

Of course, you'll need enough points in the first place to be able to book 7 nights.

Depending on the week/resort you book, you may also be able to deposit that week with other exchange companies. Some are dual-affiliated with II, some trade with SFX, and DAE/TPI/HTSE/Platinum Interchange are good general options as well.

Regards,

sc
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[jamstew Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamstew]

I don't mean to hijack and will start a new thread if necessary, but I want to be sure I'm clear, too. For example, if I were to buy 168K biennial points (in this case Wyndham La Cascada), does that mean I have two years from the anniversary date to use the 168K points? If the MF is $33/month, then the total MF for the points if $792 ($33 x 24 months)? I don't have to book full week stays, right? If this is correct, a biennial might be the best thing for me. That would make the MF/K $4.71. Does that sound reasonable?

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

I don't mean to hijack and will start a new thread if necessary, but I want to be sure I'm clear, too. For example, if I were to buy 168K biennial points (in this case Wyndham La Cascada), does that mean I have two years from the anniversary date to use the 168K points? If the MF is $33/month, then the total MF for the points if $792 ($33 x 24 months)? I don't have to book full week stays, right? If this is correct, a biennial might be the best thing for me. That would make the MF/K $4.71. Does that sound reasonable?

sorry, you are on the wrong thread. You need to post your question in the Wyndham Forum.