Tweet
Originally posted by ChrisCraft
-
You contact RCI or II and ask for membership materials.“Maybe you shouldn't dress like that.”
“This is a blouse and skirt. I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You shouldn't wear that body.” -
Originally posted by ChrisCraftPLEASE be aware that even though a DRI resort might be in the II directory, it may not be affiliated and you would not be able to deposit to II. The affiliation that puts it in the II catalog could be the affiliation through DRI THE Club ONLY.Originally posted by T. R. Oglodyte View Post... not enough time for all the timeshares ®Comment
-
Yeah - you need to verify with which major exchange company the resort is affiliated. Many resorts are affiliated with both.Originally posted by Spence“Maybe you shouldn't dress like that.”
“This is a blouse and skirt. I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You shouldn't wear that body.”Comment
-
I am a longtime owner - originally from Sunterra. I am a member in both the trust and the Club. I have been mostly happy with my timeshare because I have learned how to get the most out of it. Diamond has just made renovations to its online booking, which were badly needed. Most of the places I stay (2BDRM) require 5500 to 6000 points or more. Since you have saved your points to 2009, use what you need to make a reservation and bank the rest for 2010. You may eventually dwindle down to not having enough points to make a regular reservation every couple of years, but at least you'll get to have a vacation most years. If you don't have enough points, you may want to check out the last minute deals that allow you to book a short time out for half the points (sorry - I can't remember how long this is - three months??) No matter what you choose to do with your points, don't wait too long to make your reservation. I always make mine no later than 10 months ahead. Otherwise, you may find there are no available units in the places you want to visit. It appears to be getting harder and harder to find available units. I've read on other forums that some people are booking the most popular weeks right away and then selling the weeks to friends or on sites like e-bay to pay for the maintenance fees. That's really not fair to those members who want to use their week or points and are unable to do so because someone else has gotten greedy! I hope you enjoy your timeshare experience - if you learn to use it right, it will open a lot of travel opportunities to you!Comment
-
In the FWIW column as to booking availablity, lately, when searching online, I'm not seeing the inventory I once saw. In fact, I was recently looking for availabilty for Branson for this coming December. Last year it wasn't a problem and I felt getting a short term exchange at reduced point values would be relatively easy. This year, there's NOTHING available. Not even a studio unit. However there were plenty of units available for our dates through I.I.
DRI is going to control it's inventory in ways it deams appropriate for DRI. If that means filling it's obligation to I.I. by depositing every availabel unit with the exchange company and holding none for members, that's what they'll do. Chances are you're going to have to book several months out if you're particular about where you want to be.
Booking several months in advance is nothing new to timeshare and it's not unique to DRI. If you're traveling to a popular destination during a popular travel time (school holiday's, summer months) you'll probably need to start looking 9 to 12 months in advance. Exceptions would be over developed locations such as Orlando, Williamsburg, Branson and Vegas. Other locations, you'd better plan ahead IMO.Our timeshare and other photo's at http://dougp26364.smugmug.com/Comment
-
DRI Availability
I agree that booking has become tighter. It never used to be a problem. I could often find availability at many resorts right up to the last minute. I noticed the inventory seemed to be a bit tighter two years ago. Last year, there were even fewer units available - especially for people needing two BDRMS. I must have been lucky this year. I made a reservation for Florida for July 2009 in the beginning of October and had no problem. However, two weeks later, when I tried to book a second unit for some friends, everything was gone. The website for online booking had some major problems and people have been complaining about it for at least a year or more. The company recently made some changes, which makes searching a little easier, especially for people who can be flexible about when or where they want to go. However, availability is still an issue. Could it be that DRI has oversold and there are now more owners than units? Sounds like the airline industry practice may have rubbed off on them. The company continually tries to get us to purchase new points. We currently have 11,500 and they want us to upgrade to an elite membership. WHY???? We can't use all the points we have. And using the leftover points for maintenance fees (as the reps try to push) is certainly not a cost-effective method of payment. I'd love to learn to REAL reason for the limited availability!Originally posted by dougp26364Comment
-
My best guess is rental inventory similar to what RCI does. Of course I can't prove it but, that's what I suspect.Originally posted by longtimer View PostOur timeshare and other photo's at http://dougp26364.smugmug.com/Comment
-
Originally posted by longtimer View PostWhenever a 'system' offers other products for your points, the management has to 'monetize' your points to pay for what they're giving you. They have to rent units to do this, so they rent your points and for sure they rent some of their points to make money, it's theirs to do this and maybe in the past they made more of their developer owned points/units available to the membership, who knows?Originally posted by dougp26364
It is kind of amazing how much the overhead has changed on things like points for maintenance fees. A few years ago the Club used to give about 7¢/pt and while maintenance fees have gone up, up, up, the amount they give you in exchange has gone down to 5¢/pt.
I've been told that the interaction between DRI and II is a very dynamic process which all depends on how many weeks that DRI members are pulling from II or are predicted to pull. II then asks for specific inventory from DRI and DRI negotiates on that trying to 'protect' what they think they need for their own members.Originally posted by dougp26364... not enough time for all the timeshares ®Comment
-
Hi all,
I agree about the need to book early to get a week. However, I was searching 10 months out (the earliest I can get a unit outside the home club advantage) and still had great difficulty finding availability. I hate to have to pay an II exchange fee for the priviledge of staying somewhere else in a location where I have a resort.
On a side note, I only tried an exchange once, a liong time ago when I had fewer points. If I do go that route, does anyone know how many points does II take for the deposit?Comment
-
I would not doubt this happens. One thing to consider though is whether DRI is part of the problem here as wel. I mean, it takes DRI points to reserve a unit. DRI controls (at least each resort has a max amt of points per week they can allow for use - Club members, II banking, rent by DRI, etc.) . IF Club members see issues with lack of availability, I say let DRI know and they can give less to II, rent less, etc.Originally posted by longtimerEMAIL me if you wish, do NOT PMComment
-
Yes, go to the sticky Spence put out there - find the one with the 2008-2009 Directory. The conversion is in there page 10-11 (approx). the pts needed for II is relatively reasonable - except you have to add in the II exchange fee approx $150. If I recall correctly for an example, I can exchange for a Marriott Newport Coast high season for 6500 DRI points + $150 exch feeOriginally posted by longtimer View PostEMAIL me if you wish, do NOT PMComment
-
Sorry I'm really new at this. I just joined the forum in the last few days, so I'm still learning may way around. Where do I find the link from Spence that you are referring to? Thanks so much. BTW - I wish this forum was available 15 years ago when I bought my first timeshare. I would have saved alot of money!Comment
-
I was referring to the 2nd sticky labeled "THE Club Global Reservations Directory fka SunOptions Directory" . I just realized the links are all gone. Per instructions, email Uncle Spence for a copy of the 2009EMAIL me if you wish, do NOT PMComment
Comment