$70 Assessment to TheClub Members - "Club Special Fee"

[Schooner Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schooner]

I have been sorting out a number of accounting errors with my membership fees over the past few weeks and have just learned that what I thought was part of yet another accounting error is in fact a new $70 assessment. According to the customer service representative I spoke with the $70 has been assessed to all TheClub member accounts. Information is apparently on its way in the mail announcing this new fee. The Fee is to cover a number of membership enhancements such as the II Gold Membership, additional resorts being added etc., etc. I don't mind paying if the "value" is there but it certainly would have been nice for DRI to have advised members before billing!

Have others seen this charge show up on their account page?

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

I just joined the club and was told every memeber now has a 225.00 club fee.

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

I just joined the club and was told every memeber now has a 225.00 club fee.

That sounds like the 2008 $155 fee +$70!

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

Now we know who paid for Spence's free gift.

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

Gold membership is great if there is value to it but, in my case I couldn't care less about it. I let my Gold membership drop several years ago after seeing no value in it. I am NOT happy that it's being force fed to me by DRI. Sounds great at the round table but to an existing owner it's getting billed for something I don't need, don't want and won't get any usage out of. Sure the Hertz #1 Gold is worth $50 but, I have never rented from Hertz and, since their prices are always considerably higher than everyone else's it's not likely that I ever will. Conceirge service, cruise exchagne et.... mean nothing to me. They're benefits that I'm not interested in using. The "discounts" are laughable if you ever try to use them.

As far as expansion that should be profitable enough on it's own without having to bill the current owners. I don't believe I've ever had my fee's increased with either Marriott or Hilton because they wanted to expand. They just build and sell in order to make the profit required to expand.

I'm not certain I'm in favor of the developer just doing what they think is best without imput from the owners/members after all the facts and costs have been laid out.

[vkrn Member Find all posts View Profile Close vkrn]

Reason for increased Club Dues

I was told today when I called about the $70 I owe that the extra Dues were because of the extra cost of a US call center. They closed the India call center due to the number of complaints and it costs more to run it in the US.
Venda

[Sue S Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sue S]

You should count yourselves lucky! We in Europe have been well and truly stung! My 'special levy' amount is £162 which equates to $315. Apparently it's due to the fall of Sterling against the Euro and, of course, the new member benefits!

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

Special assessments seem to abound within DRI at present. European members are being hit with a figure around £115 ($230 approx) allegedly due to the reduction in value of the £ against the €.

More info here

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

Sound like we are starting to pay for all the new hires in upper management.

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

I was told today when I called about the $70 I owe that the extra Dues were because of the extra cost of a US call center. They closed the India call center due to the number of complaints and it costs more to run it in the US.
Venda

This would be something I could live with as I much prefer to speak with someone who's accent I can understand. However, I can easily live without the Gold membership in I.I. Unless Interval is just throwing that one is as a freebie, my bet is we're still paying for that as part of the increased membership fee's.

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

You should count yourselves lucky! We in Europe have been well and truly stung! My 'special levy' amount is £162 which equates to $315. Apparently it's due to the fall of Sterling against the Euro and, of course, the new member benefits!

Special assessments seem to abound within DRI at present. European members are being hit with a figure around £115 ($230 approx) allegedly due to the reduction in value of the £ against the €.

More info here

We have owned with DRI since 1998. In that time they have had two special assessments. The other 5 resorts we own have had only 1 special assessment between them and that was due to getting hit by a couple of hurricanes in one year.

I am not, nor have I ever been, impressed with how DRI manages it's money or handles the maintenance fee's. Despite having fee's in the Marriott range, DRI collects less than half of what Marriott or Hilton collect for the reserve fund. Something just doesn't seem right.

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

Are we going to recieve an invoice from DRI ?

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

Some here or OY posted happily about the 'free' upgrade to Interval Gold - looks as if 'free' was a poor choice of words.

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

Are we going to recieve an invoice from DRI ?

I would guess not until your next due date for your club dues.

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

I got my 70.00 bill today and this was printed on the back, this may be missing some thing or miss spelled because I used OCR to scan this


Payment of the Supplemental Bill
This Supplemental Bill is now due and must be paid before the date quoted on your bill. Please follow the payment procedures provided on the back of your invoice. The fastest way to pay is online; log into www.diamondresorts.com.
Non Payment of the Supplemental Bill
Your invoice must be paid by the date quoted on your bill to avoid suspension of your reservation and points savings privileges. In addition, should your supplemental bill remain unpaid, then the amount outstanding will accrue late penalty charges and be added to your management fees for 2009.
Please note: If you already have a reservation booked for 2008, you will be able to check-in as normal. Non-payment will only prevent future book*ings. Should you make a reservation between receiving this bill and the due date for payment quoted on the bill and do not subsequently pay, then your reservation will be cancelled.
Q. What are dues for The ClubsM and who determines them?
Payment of your dues for The ClubsM ensures your continued access to the many member benefits and exchange opportunities provided by The ClubS':' The amount of dues for The ClubsM is established each year by The ClubsM manager. This fee enables The ClubsM manager to operate The ClubsM efficiently.
If I have a question regarding my dues for The Clubs~ who should I contact?
A. Customer service can be reached at 1.877.DRI.CLUB 0.877.374.2582) or email BillingHelp@DiamondResorts.com.

This letter came with it too.

DIAMOND RESORTS
May 12, 2008

We have enjoyed quite an exciting start to the year at Diamond Resorts International® and while we were always confident that we would improve both the service and benefits offered in 2008, we never thought we would have achieved as much as we have in the past months. Our commitment is to continue improving the services that we provide to our valued members as we move forward.
The New US Member Services Call Center
The key success story has been the successful transition of THE C1ubsM Member Services Call Center from Pune, India, to our US based centers. While many of our competitors continue to outsource their services abroad, we listened to your frustrations and complaints and made integral and important changes to our Member Services operations. These changes have been well received and welcomed by many of our members. The transition was successfully completed in January 2008 - ahead of sched*ule and nearly seamless in execution.
The realization of a US based call center has allowed us to improve the services we offer you, and has allowed us the opportunity to better provide additional products to our members benefits platform. Unfortunately, this initiative has come at a price. Any call center operation located in the United States will always be significantly more expensive than an overseas operation. Costs will never drive decisions at Diamond Resort International® if it means a lower quality of service to our members. In this case, the speed with which this successful integration occurred and the increased usage as a result of the relocation of services has brought additional overhead costs along as a necessary cost of doing business.
As many of you know, each August THE ClubsM starts its budget preparation in order to provide the figures for THE C1ubsM dues for the maintenance fee billing process. In August 2007, shortly after the acquisition of Sunterra by Diamond Resorts International®, we could not have envisioned the success in making member-driven changes to the structure and operational facets of our member services, especially the transition of the Call Center.
The result of these changes, combined with our drive to continue to provide even better services and improve the member benefits platform of THE C1ub,sM means that it has become necessary to issue a supplemental billing for 2008. The decision for this charge was not taken lightly and our hope is those who have experienced the new Call Center operations will understand the value and
of our decision and the resulting impact on the financial resources of THE Club.sM
The Call Center is just one of the customer-focused and customer-requested initiatives that will benefit from the supplemental bill*ing funding. We are proud to list the initiatives that have been introduced since August, or are ready for imminent launch, that add additional value to your membership with THE ClubsM at Diamond Resorts International®:
14 more resorts with locations across Mexico, the continental U.S. and Hawaii, which brings our 110 locations. There are more opportunities for travel and more opportunities to redeem your points.
The club launched resort Options, a new member benefit that allows for the redemption of points toward resort and t U.S. and Hawaii, Mexico, and Canada.
The club has extended your member benefits with a new, enhanced partnership with Interval InternationaL Your membership has been upgraded to a Gold membership! You may have already received your membership cards and portfolio package that provides you with full information. But, here's what you can look forward to:
$25 off all "getaways", seven-night stays in spacious resort accommodations you book without using your points.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89032 • 702.804.8600 tel • 702.804.8601 fax • DiamondResorts.com
0055225 0055225



Entertainment discounts of up to 50% at a wide range of hotels, restaurants, retailers, and attractions throughout the United States and Canada.
Gold ConciergeSM which can help you with almost any request - whether at home or on vacation. This personal assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
After enrollment, skip the rental car lines at more than 40 airports worldwide with a complimentary Hertz #1 Club Gold® membership, a $60 value.
Member communications such as Interval World® magazine, Go IntervalWorld.com newsletter, e-mails featuring travel updates, promotions, and members-only offers and access to IntervaIWorld.com.
THE ClubsM now administers a new channel of communication that offers participation in the Member Forum on the DiamondResorts.com website. The forum allows you to exchange and request information on resorts, travel arrangements, using your points and other club related activities with other members of THE Club."\;
THE ClubsM has published the first Diamond Resorts International@ magazine that is already in the mail to you. THE ClubsM will soon be mailing you the new Global Reservations points directory.
THE ClubsM now offers nightly stays in our European resorts, allowing you the ability to plan more flexible, multi-site vacations.
• And we look forward to introducing further benefits!
Short stays of as few as 3 nights on Interval Intemational® (II) exchanges.
Points redemptions on golf resort, spa resorts and city center hotels.
Points redemption for selected gift certificates.
Points redemption for Priority Pass, which provides access to certain airport lounges.
Points redemption for theme park tickets.
THE ClubsM recognizes that there are members with special needs that require the use of our adapted units. We intend to provide specific booking procedures and member profile data to ensure a better level of service to our members with special needs. We will endeavor to develop this initiative throughout the year and including holding a special forum to give members an opportunity to provide feedback on services and make suggestions for developments.
Plus, before the end of August, we expect to announce even more resorts for you to choose from - taking our portfolio to over 11510cations!
• All this is in addition to the current member benefits of: • Points redemption on flights
Points redemption on maintenance fees
Points redemption on cruises
Points redemption on air miles
Points redemption on other travel services
Our branded Chase Visa affinity card and its loyalty plan offering discounts on travel, one time use points and maintenance fees, plus other retail gifts.
Plus we are also extending the current member benefits deadlines for points redemption for Flights, Cruises, Ainniles, Hotels and Travel Services by 3 months for all Club members to the end of July 2008, and then with an additional 3 months to all Elite members too.
We have outlined the reasons why this supplemental billing has been necessary; and we do recognize how important it is for you to understand the reasoning behind this action. We passionately believe that the emphasis on service and quality of offering is of paramount importance for our members and are certain you will agree that the additional member benefits and services being offered more than offset this small supplement billing for the 2008 dues for THE Club.sM
We look forward to providing you with additional member benefits and services in the coming months, and are proud of our commitment toward delivering relaxation ... simplified.

Sarah Hulme
Vice President of Global Club Operations