Cheapest way to get into Trust?

[d0ugie_fresh Member Find all posts View Profile Close d0ugie_fresh]

Hello everyone! I just got back from Branson and while there I attended the owners "update". In exchange I decided the 1000 Sun Options would benefit me best for my time.

Anyway, I own 8500 points that is a floating deeded week. Sales keeps trying to get me into the Trust system. First they wanted my deed, now they are offering points (I was told the minimum points for me to get into the Trust was 1500 Sun Options) and still keep my deeded week. Their offer was 1500 points for around $4000 with maintenance fees of $109 per year. Basically, the price per point was going to be somewhere around $2.50. That way the nice sales lady said I would be in Trust so I could get the 13 month reservation window for the 19 resorts and keep my deeded week, and be able to use the points for my deeded week towards Trust reservations.

The idea of joining the trust but keeping what I have seems like a little bit of an advantage, but I know there has be be an easier/cheaper way for me to get into that?

The sales manager said that if I buy resale the normally "waived fees" ($2995 for Club Sunterra and another $2995 for Trust?) would cost more than what they were offering. I found that hard to believe.. and I haven't bought anything.. but the wheels in my head started turning and was wondering about the best way to get into the Trust and keep what I already own?

Thanks!

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

There are others with alot more knownledge of Sunterra than me but let me just say.

You bought from Sunterra on your first purchase, so you get to use your current points to reserve at any of the Club resorts. Right? So if you want into the "trust" buy it resale and save 75%. You'll lose nothing except being able to use the trust points at the non-trust resorts.

The key piece of info I know about Club Sunterra is: If you first buy from Sunterra, then buy resale, the resale points will not be in the club. So, you should alway buy resale first, then think about buying from the developer and getting your cheap resale points in the club.

[d0ugie_fresh Member Find all posts View Profile Close d0ugie_fresh]

The key piece of info I know about Club Sunterra is: If you first buy from Sunterra, then buy resale, the resale points will not be in the club. So, you should alway buy resale first, then think about buying from the developer and getting your cheap resale points in the club.

Yes, I bought resale back in 2004. That allows me to reserve 12 months in advance at my home resort (KBC) and 10 months everywhere else. I wouldn't go as far to say that I regret it, although I wish I knew then what I know now.. and that is thanks to many of this groups help!

I guess my train of thought is that a few extra points wouldn't hurt for some of those extended weekend trips I take over the year. And Branson has some very nice 2 bedroom deluxe units with flat screen TV's, upgraded kitchen, upgraded bathrooms, furniture, etc. Unless I go during slow season they can get kind of high to reserve over a weekend.

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

Anyway, I own 8500 points that is a floating deeded week. Sales keeps trying to get me into the Trust system. First they wanted my deed, now they are offering points (I was told the minimum points for me to get into the Trust was 1500 Sun Options) and still keep my deeded week.

First, let me say that Sunterra tries to keep everything so nebulous that you don't know which way is up!

Their offer was 1500 points for around $4000 with maintenance fees of $109 per year. Basically, the price per point was going to be somewhere around $2.50. That way the nice sales lady said I would be in Trust so I could get the 13 month reservation window for the 19 resorts and keep my deeded week, and be able to use the points for my deeded week towards Trust reservations.

1500x.073=$109.50 so they got that right, but don't be too quick to think that is the final price for the fees for the Trust as there is sometimes an annual Trust fee applied of something like $130 no matter how many points, I forget. The big problem I see is the statement about being able to use your deeded week points for Trust reservations. While you can, you can't do what you're thinking... the only points with a 13month reservation window are your actual trust points. Your deeded points can be used at your home resort 12months out and at any other resort including all Trust at 10months out. My considerable experience is that you can only mingle at 10months.

The idea of joining the trust but keeping what I have seems like a little bit of an advantage, but I know there has be be an easier/cheaper way for me to get into that?

Yes there are cheaper ways.

The sales manager said that if I buy resale the normally "waived fees" ($2995 for Club Sunterra and another $2995 for Trust?) would cost more than what they were offering. I found that hard to believe.. and I haven't bought anything.. but the wheels in my head started turning and was wondering about the best way to get into the Trust and keep what I already own?

There have been recent reports of people converting resale Trust properties for very little money, read this forum in its entirety. Recent sales of Trust on eBay range around $0.30/pt incl CC, you do the math.

[d0ugie_fresh Member Find all posts View Profile Close d0ugie_fresh]

Ok.. to be completely clear this is my understanding of what you said, let's assume the following:

I own 8500 Sun Options from my deeded week.
I own 1500 Sun Options in Trust.
I want to reserve a week 13 months from now at a Trust resort which costs 10,000 Sun Options.

From what you just said, my understanding is that I will NOT be able to reserve the week at 13 months because I only have 1500 Sun Options I can use that far in advance. I will have to wait until 12 months if the resort is my home resort or 10 months to reserve if it is not my home resort.

If all of that is accurate, I think I am back to not wanting any points right now that are in Trust and I'll wait until I can afford something more like a week's worth of points.

Also if that is accurate, you've answered my question and feel free to lock the thread before Bing hijacks this thread as well. LOL!

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

It takes a lot to gat a smile out of me!

Ok.. to be completely clear this is my understanding of what you said, let's assume the following:

I own 8500 Sun Options from my deeded week.
I own 1500 Sun Options in Trust.
I want to reserve a week 13 months from now at a Trust resort which costs 10,000 Sun Options.

From what you just said, my understanding is that I will NOT be able to reserve the week at 13 months because I only have 1500 Sun Options I can use that far in advance. I will have to wait until 12 months if the resort is my home resort or 10 months to reserve if it is not my home resort.

If all of that is accurate, I think I am back to not wanting any points right now that are in Trust and I'll wait until I can afford something more like a week's worth of points.

Almost right. Using your assumptions:
8500 at Kaanapali Beach Club (not a Trust resort)
1500 with Trust

You cannot make a 10,000 Trust reservation until 10months out, you have only 1500 points to use between 10-13months.

Your 8500 KBC can only be used at KBC between 10-12months.

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

Ok.. to be completely clear this is my understanding of what you said, let's assume the following:

I own 8500 Sun Options from my deeded week.
I own 1500 Sun Options in Trust.
I want to reserve a week 13 months from now at a Trust resort which costs 10,000 Sun Options.

From what you just said, my understanding is that I will NOT be able to reserve the week at 13 months because I only have 1500 Sun Options I can use that far in advance. I will have to wait until 12 months if the resort is my home resort or 10 months to reserve if it is not my home resort.

To clarify for anyone else reading this thread:

Since you bought resale, you currently have NO SunOptions (just points good only at your home resort). But if you buy direct from Sunterra (in the trust or at a single resort) you can bring your resale purchase into Club Sunterra. If you choose to do that ( by buying 1500 trust points) you'll have 10,000 points/SunOptions (8500 Sun Options from your deeded week & 1500 Sun Options from the Trust).

Hope that helps