Latest Conversion info

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

Diamond/Polo Towers owner has reported being offered $2995 conversion of their unit with no additional SunOptions.

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

Eileen A

How many points did you convert and did you keep the deeds because I personally want my deeds since they have a cheaper MF associated with them than the trust 7.5 cents per point. By the way Bill Paradise what a great name!

thanks

Jason

Diamond/Polo Towers owner has reported being offered $2995 conversion of their unit with no additional SunOptions.

And reported that he would keep his deed but, there was an additional fee of $151 on top of his MF's for his SunOptions points.

If his information is coming directly from DRI, how accurate the information he's getting may be suspect. Just a couple of months ago I was told by DRI this wasn't going to happen and that PT's owners would see no benefit from this merger. I'm certain the DRI is offering this package, just not certain all the strings attached or the accuracy of whether you can or can not add additional SunOption points resale to what is already owned by converting the fixed week PT's unit to SunOptions or, for that matter, any of the other details about the conversion. PT's owners will need to read the details of the contracts they're offered VERY CAREFULLY.

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

And reported that he would keep his deed but, there was an additional fee of $151 on top of his MF's for his SunOptions points.

If his information is coming directly from DRI, how accurate the information he's getting may be suspect. Just a couple of months ago I was told by DRI this wasn't going to happen and that PT's owners would see no benefit from this merger. I'm certain the DRI is offering this package, just not certain all the strings attached or the accuracy of whether you can or can not add additional SunOption points resale to what is already owned by converting the fixed week PT's unit to SunOptions or, for that matter, any of the other details about the conversion. PT's owners will need to read the details of the contracts they're offered VERY CAREFULLY.

Hey guys! I am a Tugger for life but I do browse here once in a blue moon (like there is only so many hours in a day!). I am the 'lucky' guy who has been offered a Polo (DRI) conversion to Sun Options. Apparently, they (DRI) are now starting to make calls to existing Polo owners to convert. As far as I could gather, conversion would either be:

1) straight conversion $2995 for set amt of sunoptions ('pts'), depending on what owner current owns - 2 BD Suite gives 12000 pts, 1bd Suite gives 9000 pts, 1 bd Villa gives 10500 pts. Other units, like a high-peak week apparently gives more. For example, a 1bd New Years week 52 yields 11000 pts.

2) upgrade-then-convert, in which case the $2995 conversion fee is waived. This is where an owner is offered an upgrade (for a $fee) to a unit which yields higher annual pts (per info I provided in #1 above), then converts for $2995, and the $2995 is then waived.

In both offers, if owner purchases 2000 pts (about $5000, I believe - but did NOT get this exact figure written down), he can then bring in additional re-sale sunoptions in the future (not sure if there is a deadline to do this conversion or re-sale pts).

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

And reported that he would keep his deed but, there was an additional fee of $151 on top of his MF's for his SunOptions points.

If his information is coming directly from DRI, how accurate the information he's getting may be suspect. Just a couple of months ago I was told by DRI this wasn't going to happen and that PT's owners would see no benefit from this merger. I'm certain the DRI is offering this package, just not certain all the strings attached or the accuracy of whether you can or can not add additional SunOption points resale to what is already owned by converting the fixed week PT's unit to SunOptions or, for that matter, any of the other details about the conversion. PT's owners will need to read the details of the contracts they're offered VERY CAREFULLY.

$151 is the annual membership fee for Club Sunterra (or Club DRI) this is nothing new and obviates any exchange fees for Club reservations and includes the corporate membership into II.

How could anyone think/believe that DRI/Sunterra would not try to milk more money from Polo owners with the offer of conversion.

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

Hey guys! I am a Tugger for life but I do browse here once in a blue moon (like there is only so many hours in a day!). I am the 'lucky' guy who has been offered a Polo (DRI) conversion to Sun Options. Apparently, they (DRI) are now starting to make calls to existing Polo owners to convert. As far as I could gather, conversion would either be:

1) straight conversion $2995 for set amt of sunoptions ('pts'), depending on what owner current owns - 2 BD Suite gives 12000 pts, 1bd Suite gives 9000 pts, 1 bd Villa gives 10500 pts. Other units, like a high-peak week apparently gives more. For example, a 1bd New Years week 52 yields 11000 pts.

What fixed week do you own? While we can't see any values because Polo isn't in SunOptions Directory yet, it would seem different weeks would receive different offers.

2) upgrade-then-convert, in which case the $2995 conversion fee is waived. This is where an owner is offered an upgrade (for a $fee) to a unit which yields higher annual pts (per info I provided in #1 above), then converts for $2995, and the $2995 is then waived.

What a bunch of BS, they're getting all the money they want in the 'upgrade.'

In both offers, if owner purchases 2000 pts (about $5000, I believe - but did NOT get this exact figure written down), he can then bring in additional re-sale sunoptions in the future (not sure if there is a deadline to do this conversion or re-sale pts).

You might try to get the 'right' to add more resales for a period of a year without having to buy these extra SunOptions, this has often been negotiable in the past. This 2000pts for $5000 figure has been the norm for resale conversions of late.

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

How could anyone think/believe that DRI/Sunterra would not try to milk more money from Polo owners with the offer of conversion.[/FONT]

I didn't believe for a minute they wouldn't be offering "upgrades" despite what I was told. I only wanted to see if they would admit that they weren't sure or if they'd just lie once again.

I have very little faith in DRI with what I'm told and this affects my decision making when I'm offered anything from them. I am pretty much leaning the opposite direction of Winger on converting to SunOptions but I will always keep an open mind. If I feel I can make it work for me then I'll give it serious consideration.

I just don't know that an additional $2,995 plus an increase in yearly fee's of $151 will net me something I'm not getting now by keeping that $2,995 in my pocket and just paying the I.I. exchange fee. To date I've not had problems exchanging for what I want. For instance I had no problems getting the 2 bedroom Gatlinburg Town Square for the standard I.I. exchange fee, which is less than the extra $151 SunOptions mandatory fee. Why pay $2,995 plus a higher fee than the I.I. exchange fee when I can keep that money in my pocket?

I just haven't seemed to have had an issue seeing Sunterra properties with even my lowest of traders. That's not to say that I can pull any Sunterra property for any time frame that I want. I'm sure I couldn't do that. What I am saying is that I've been able to pull most Sunterra properties for the time frame we choose to travel.

Wingers situatioin is a little different from ours. With young kids in school he may be limited to traveling during high season. Even though he'd have to pay an additional $2,995 plus the $151/yearly SunOptions membership fee, he very well may get enough usage out of SunOptions to make this a very attractive option for him. Points based exchange systems can look exciting and makes one feel freer to reserve from a menu of resorts. If you have limited dates you can take off but can still plan 8 to 10 months out points based reservations systems often appear superior to week for week exchanges through an exchange company like I.I.

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

...Wingers situatioin is a little different from ours. With young kids in school he may be limited to traveling during high season. Even though he'd have to pay an additional $2,995 plus the $151/yearly SunOptions membership fee, he very well may get enough usage out of SunOptions to make this a very attractive option for him. Points based exchange systems can look exciting and makes one feel freer to reserve from a menu of resorts. If you have limited dates you can take off but can still plan 8 to 10 months out points based reservations systems often appear superior to week for week exchanges through an exchange company like I.I.

The conversion to SunOptions is very appealing to me b/c points offer more flexible choices for us over a fixed week and trades to II seem pretty good given the sunoptions needed for higher end resorts. Plus, Club Sun has a couple of resorts that we would love to get in with 10 months notice on a regular basis. We were actually in process of giving/selling our fixed polo towers week to my sister until this conversion offer came about, and thought this conversion was a cleanest way of accomplishing our objective of going to the pts system.

I've read through many posts trying to figure out Sunterra (Trust, UDI, deed, etc.) but it is pretty confusing. If someone can outline an alternative route (and safe from scammers) to get me 10-12k annual sunoptions membership, with a deed to a good property, annual cost about $600, with rights to travel to the 100 clubsun resorts (not just the 17 trust resorts) for lots less than $5200, I'll appreciate it. I can then sell my Polo week to my sister and pursue the alternative.

If the suggestion is to go back to DRI (actually, this offer was made from the Polo offices) tomorrow and counter with an offer (to upgrade to week 52 then convert for 11000k pts at $5200), but for them give me the right to add resale pts over the next year or two, I'll consider it as more points for cheap would be GREAT for the long term. I just don't want to ask for something too far out there in left field.

BTW, in what form does this 'right to add resale pts over x yrs' look? Is it a letter attached to the contract, or is verbiage added to the contract itself?

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

What fixed week do you own? While we can't see any values because Polo isn't in SunOptions Directory yet, it would seem different weeks would receive different offers.

Week 31

You might try to get the 'right' to add more resales for a period of a year without having to buy these extra SunOptions, this has often been negotiable in the past. This 2000pts for $5000 figure has been the norm for resale conversions of late.

Are you saying for the $5200 upgrade-then-convert, ask for the right to add extra resale pts for say one or two yrs? if this is reasonable, what form does this come in? Is it in the contract itself or a simple letter referenced by the contract?

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

Are you saying for the $5200 upgrade-then-convert, ask for the right to add extra resale pts for say one or two yrs?

Yes, it has been reported as having been done before.

if this is reasonable, what form does this come in? Is it in the contract itself or a simple letter referenced by the contract?

Contracts are boilerplate, although I've not seen details I would expect that it would be some sort of addendum letter.

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

Yes, it has been reported as having been done before.

thanks I'll think about this one. I am just not that good on asking more than given ... just shoot me : (

Contracts are boilerplate, although I've not seen details I would expect that it would be some sort of addendum letter.

yes, this sounds like what the rep was going to do regarding that special use of my deeded when whenever I want. He mentioned they cannot really change the contract, just add an addendum letter. Sounded a little 'fishy' esp coming from a TS rep, if you know what I mean.

BTW, how can I look up the Sunterra CC&Rs' ? specifically Page 20, Article 9.1. I am looking for something in writing to transfer entire membership, including annual sunoptions/pts to my heirs at no charge, and this was mentioned as the place that states this.

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

BTW, how can I look up the Sunterra CC&Rs' ? specifically Page 20, Article 9.1. I am looking for something in writing to transfer entire membership, including annual sunoptions/pts to my heirs at no charge, and this was mentioned as the place that states this.

I'm on vacation through 22Jul so I don't have them with me, someone else surely can quote you before I return.

[Schultzie6 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schultzie6]

Latest conversion info

Juat for clarification -- does this mean that Sun Options deeds, whose owners who converted into points, will not transfer into the Points Options without paying the $2,995 fee to Sunterra?? Just want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly.
Thanks

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

Juat for clarification -- does this mean that Sun Options deeds, whose owners who converted into points, will not transfer into the Points Options without paying the $2,995 fee to Sunterra?? Just want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly. Thanks

For me to answer, you'll have to clarify or re-sate your question. Sun Options deed is not a term I'm familiar with or use. Club Sunterra does not transfer when you sell whatever ownership it is that you may have.

[Schultzie6 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schultzie6]

Latest conversion info

Sorry ... guess my terminology is in need of help.
I own (3) summer, fixed week deeds at Greensprings & (3) summer, fixed weeks at Powhatan. I attended the "owners meeting" last summer - of course the sales rep wanted us to convert our deeds into SunOptions (or is it called a Trust membership). They stated that we could then travel into any Sunnterra resort, worldwide. So if I convert, then decide years from now to sell, I'm guessing that the buyer would have to pay another $2,995.00 themselves to convert again. Is this correct?
I've also read posts about buying a point value Trust membership on eBay. Is this the same as a converted week? Do you have to pay the $2,995.00 to get these points into your existing Trust membership account (if you have one)? Sorry to sound so uneducated on this issue but Sunterra certainly doesn't make the conversion details easy to figure out & unfortunately, you cannot trust the sales reps!

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

Sorry ... guess my terminology is in need of help.
I own (3) summer, fixed week deeds at Greensprings & (3) summer, fixed weeks at Powhatan. I attended the "owners meeting" last summer - of course the sales rep wanted us to convert our deeds into SunOptions (or is it called a Trust membership). They stated that we could then travel into any Sunnterra resort, worldwide. So if I convert, then decide years from now to sell, I'm guessing that the buyer would have to pay another $2,995.00 themselves to convert again. Is this correct?

Or more, Club Sunterra membership does not transfer on resale, only when passing it on to relatives, though I haven't come to the point of needing to do this. (That's a lot of summer weeks!)

I've also read posts about buying a point value Trust membership on eBay. Is this the same as a converted week? Do you have to pay the $2,995.00 to get these points into your existing Trust membership account (if you have one)? Sorry to sound so uneducated on this issue but Sunterra certainly doesn't make the conversion details easy to figure out & unfortunately, you cannot trust the sales reps!

Trust memberships (the 'new' product Sunterra sells) are deed based but the member does not hold the deed, it is held in a Trust for a couple reasons. Sunterra can easily 'foreclose' on delinquent accounts and the Trustee votes in each Home owners assn which results in management control of the resorts instead of 'owner' control.

If you buy resale Florida Trust (CSV-1 Club Sunterra Vacations - 1) it is good only at the Trust resorts unless you pay to convert to Club. Sunterra purposely does not make resale conversion easy or clear, this discourages resales.