DRI exchanges with Interval

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

Has anyone else received their 2009 II directory and checked out the way points will be charged for exchanges? I don't know if this is just a European thing but instead of the fixed amount of points currently required (depending on the season, size and quality of resort) the points will be set depending on a 'travel demand index' (and there appear to be 91 of these!).

On the points chart the resorts are divided into economy, moderate and premium - do these relate to the II categories of 'no classification', 'select' and 'premium'?

DRI's 'relaxation, simplified' doesn't seem to simplify things for me...

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

We recieved our book yesterday. You're correct, the points required for exchange HAS changed. In the past there had been three catagory's of economy, moderate and premium but, the points for each of those catagory's was the same for a studio, one, two or three bedroom unit. 6,500 points would get you a two bedroom in a premium resort without regard to the date of the exchange.

Now a 2 bedroom unit at a premium resort during peak demand (140 - 150 on the demand index) will cost you 9,000 points, 7500 points for high demand (115 - 135), 6,000 for mid demand (90 - 110) and 4,000 points for low demand (50 - 85).

WAY TO GO DRI! You could have communicated this information to owners BEFORE they decided what to do with their points for 2009. For instance, I held out enough points for my exchange needs based on only needing 6,500 points for any two bedroom exchange at a premium resort and used the rest to offset those super duper increased maintenance fee's.

DRI certainly is doing a great job taking the simplicty out of my relaxation. No I need to go back and evaluate my needs for those points, if I have enough and how many I might need to consider saving for 2010. DRI has hit owners hard with increased MF's the last couple of years and then devalued them for exchange with I.I. Isn't it a great job that DRI has done for us all. I'm so proud to be an owner with this management team at the helm.

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

On the points chart the resorts are divided into economy, moderate and premium - do these relate to the II categories of 'no classification', 'select' and 'premium'?

DRI's 'relaxation, simplified' doesn't seem to simplify things for me...

Economy, moderate and premium don't seem to have a lot of connection with I.I.'s classification system of nothing, slect and premium. I've looked online at exchanges and I've seen select resorts that required the full 6,500 points under the old system. I'll have to go back and start looking again since the rules seemed to have changed without so much as a whisper from DRI.

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

I just looked and most weeks that have any desirablity at all are going to fall into the 7,000 points range. Want to go skiing in Colorado or Utah? Better be prepared to pony up the full 9,000 points as the majority of weeks from 1 to 13 are peak season (not all but most).

There are bargains to be had and I'll still make use of them. Lake Tahoe and Vegas look to be in the 6,000 point range most of the time for instance. Hawaii appears to be a mixed bag with some weeks falling into the 6,000 point range for a 2 bedroom unit.

For my wife and I, I don't think this will be as bad as my knee jerk reaction was but, others are likely to feel some pain. What has me wondering is just how many more potential devaluations will DRI owners suffer in the next couple of years?

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

Can anyone tell me how you know if a resort is labeled as economy, moderate, or premium. I looked at the book also, and it took awhile to figure out the travel demand index. But I don't see any listings to indicate the "quality" of the resorts. I have another post in the II section about this also. I need to know if I have enough leftover points to make an exchange before I submit a request. I don't understand why things have to be so complicated. Like I've said before, the people who put together this new "service" must have worked on the IRS tax code!

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

Can anyone tell me how you know if a resort is labeled as economy, moderate, or premium. I looked at the book also, and it took awhile to figure out the travel demand index. But I don't see any listings to indicate the "quality" of the resorts. I have another post in the II section about this also. I need to know if I have enough leftover points to make an exchange before I submit a request. I don't understand why things have to be so complicated. Like I've said before, the people who put together this new "service" must have worked on the IRS tax code!

If there's a way I'd be interested as well. So far the only way I've been able to tell is to do an online search of that resort with available dates for the entire year, just to see what the point requirements would be to confirm a reservation. So far, I haven't seen many resorts that were less than premium but I have found a few.

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

just call dri reservations. maybe if enough ppl call, they will find a better way.
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[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

With Disney pulling out of II sounds like Diamond International exchange/trading power should increase. Diamond International Corp personnel needs to have a serious talk with II.

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

With Disney pulling out of II sounds like Diamond International exchange/trading power should increase. Diamond International Corp personnel needs to have a serious talk with II.

DRI wants you to buy more points. I don't think they're very interested in ideas that would require fewer points from premium resorts during high or peak periods.

The other thing is that DRI is a looooonnnnnggggg ways from being a quilty system like DVC, Marriott, Hyatt or any of the other hotel systems that trade through II. I don't think II is going to be very concerned about DRI/Sunterra.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Beware of THE Club "Letter"

DRI wants you to buy more points. I don't think they're very interested in ideas that would require fewer points from premium resorts during high or peak periods.

The other thing is that DRI is a looooonnnnnggggg ways from being a quilty system like DVC, Marriott, Hyatt or any of the other hotel systems that trade through II. I don't think II is going to be very concerned about DRI/Sunterra.

Doug -

I enjoy your posts VERY much as you clearly have a handle on the operational side of the DRI system. I note with no small amount of concern that DRI doesn't take kindly to any type of criticism. I hope you aren't a future recipient of the "Warning Letter" (threat?) they have sent out to some "owners" (are you really an owner if they can unilaterally terminate your "membership"?). I would hate to see an informed voice silenced by threats. Here is "the" letter as received by a now former member:

re: Notice to immediately cease and desist disruptive conduct, failing
which your club membership may be cancelled

The Club does not tolerate disruptive members, many of whom "cross the line"
between professional, courteous, and productive discourse and personal
attacks on Diamond Resorts European Collection Ltd (the Club), Diamond
Resorts International and /or their executives and employees.

Members are classified as being disruptive if their conduct falls within one
of the following four categories on a consistent basis;
1 Member desires to change a specific policy or procedure to suit his or
her individual needs and is persistent in demanding this change even though
it is explained as not benefitting the membership as a whole;
2 Member is abusive to the company or a company team member (usually
management or call center staff) without displaying objectivity or
willingness to listen to a viewpoint from the company;
3 Member considers any response from the club or DRI to be untrue and
communicates that to other Members;
4 Member accuses the company of wrong doing based on subjective
evaluations and false information as opposed to objectives facts and
accurate information

Information regarding Members considered to be disruptive is then presented
to to an Owners Advisory Board which consists of eleven (11) members like
you. The OAB then votes as to whether the actions of their fellow Members
are disruptive enough to warrant suspension/banning from use. The process
is transparent and objective, and well within the Club's rights.

It has been determined by a unanimous decision of the OAB that your prior
communications and conduct are disruptive, unbecoming a member and
constitute an annoyance to the Club.

As a result of your repeated inappropriate actions, I have been asked by the
Executive Directors of the Board of Directors to put you on notice that
(pursuant to Section 18 (b) (vii) of the Articles of Association of Diamond
Resorts European Collection Limited), you Membership may be cancelled if
your disruptive conduct ever occurs again in the future. If you have any
questions regarding this letter, please direct your enquiries solely to the
following phone number, xxxxxxxx.

Sincerely yours

squiggle
no typed name

For and on behalf of the Board

End of letter.

All I can say is "Wow"! Is that sort of like super secret double probation (or worse)?

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

funny thing. I was concerned about the II/Disney BS as I have young kids and am planning some sort of disney trade (with my Marriott or my DRI unit) a couple of years out so I called and spoke to II's customer svc dpt (not the one that does the exchanges).

Rep spoke to a supe and I was assured they are not cutting ties with Disney for some time.

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

Doug -

I enjoy your posts VERY much as you clearly have a handle on the operational side of the DRI system. I note with no small amount of concern that DRI doesn't take kindly to any type of criticism. I hope you aren't a future recipient of the "Warning Letter" (threat?) they have sent out to some "owners" (are you really an owner if they can unilaterally terminate your "membership"?). I would hate to see an informed voice silenced by threats. Here is "the" letter as received by a now former member:

re: Notice to immediately cease and desist disruptive conduct, failing
which your club membership may be cancelled

The Club does not tolerate disruptive members, many of whom "cross the line"
between professional, courteous, and productive discourse and personal
attacks on Diamond Resorts European Collection Ltd (the Club), Diamond
Resorts International and /or their executives and employees.

Members are classified as being disruptive if their conduct falls within one
of the following four categories on a consistent basis;
1 Member desires to change a specific policy or procedure to suit his or
her individual needs and is persistent in demanding this change even though
it is explained as not benefitting the membership as a whole;
2 Member is abusive to the company or a company team member (usually
management or call center staff) without displaying objectivity or
willingness to listen to a viewpoint from the company;
3 Member considers any response from the club or DRI to be untrue and
communicates that to other Members;
4 Member accuses the company of wrong doing based on subjective
evaluations and false information as opposed to objectives facts and
accurate information

Information regarding Members considered to be disruptive is then presented
to to an Owners Advisory Board which consists of eleven (11) members like
you. The OAB then votes as to whether the actions of their fellow Members
are disruptive enough to warrant suspension/banning from use. The process
is transparent and objective, and well within the Club's rights.

It has been determined by a unanimous decision of the OAB that your prior
communications and conduct are disruptive, unbecoming a member and
constitute an annoyance to the Club.

As a result of your repeated inappropriate actions, I have been asked by the
Executive Directors of the Board of Directors to put you on notice that
(pursuant to Section 18 (b) (vii) of the Articles of Association of Diamond
Resorts European Collection Limited), you Membership may be cancelled if
your disruptive conduct ever occurs again in the future. If you have any
questions regarding this letter, please direct your enquiries solely to the
following phone number, xxxxxxxx.

Sincerely yours

squiggle
no typed name

For and on behalf of the Board

End of letter.

All I can say is "Wow"! Is that sort of like super secret double probation (or worse)?

As a deeded owner and not a member of one of DRI's trusts, I'm not certain I'd pay a lot of attention to such a letter. Of course, they could always honor their offer to buy back my timeshares at the price they quoted me and I'd be more than happy to part company with DRI.

I suspect I won't recieve such a letter because I keep paper on the company. I'm not out to bash them for the sake of bashing them. I'm not going to say something that I don't feel I can back up either with paper or by past examples of DRI management that can be reasonably shown as past behavior. I also try to clarify statements as my personal opinion, which, may vary from others personal opinion.

As for opinion, the change in required points for exchange is strictly how I feel about it, what I can see with my own eyes and what I can tell by looking at the II resort directory for 2009. Ironicaly, while I personally see this change as bad for DRI members/owners in general, it will probably benefit me for the moment.

[tonik Member Find all posts View Profile Close tonik]

Just bought DRI resort week

I just bought a week through e-bay and when I called DR, they tried to get me to convert my week to points and charge me over $5,500! She told me as most people are going to the points system it will be hard to get a week booked.

Hoping that I will not have problems booking a week as I would think that if I can't get a red week to book my vacation, they would be breaking some kind of law or something.

After looking at the points system, the club, and how confusing and costly it is, I am waiting to see if I will be able to reserve a decent week (I bought redweek float) and if not, I guess I will sell it.

Thought Diamond Resorts were suppose to be nice and was a bit surprised on how they work. I own Wyndham/Fairfield plus points and two other regular weeks at different resorts and never had a problem with booking directly with the resort or trading through RCI. Wydham is on a points system you can exchange your resort without exchange fees and there are no extra charges other than housekeeping fees. This Diamond Resort system looks to me like it's a scam to get more and more money out of people. Maybe I am wrong as I am a new member so forgive me if I am just naive on this subject.

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

I just bought a week through e-bay and when I called DR, they tried to get me to convert my week to points and charge me over $5,500! She told me as most people are going to the points system it will be hard to get a week booked.

Hoping that I will not have problems booking a week as I would think that if I can't get a red week to book my vacation, they would be breaking some kind of law or something.

After looking at the points system, the club, and how confusing and costly it is, I am waiting to see if I will be able to reserve a decent week (I bought redweek float) and if not, I guess I will sell it.

Thought Diamond Resorts were suppose to be nice and was a bit surprised on how they work. I own Wyndham/Fairfield plus points and two other regular weeks at different resorts and never had a problem with booking directly with the resort or trading through RCI. Wydham is on a points system you can exchange your resort without exchange fees and there are no extra charges other than housekeeping fees. This Diamond Resort system looks to me like it's a scam to get more and more money out of people. Maybe I am wrong as I am a new member so forgive me if I am just naive on this subject.

Remember, when they told you that, they were trying to seperate you from $5,500 of your hard earned money.

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

to be fair, there is a plus side of having a point-based system rather than a week-based system specifically in booking/planning flexibility. however, flexibility whether in the timeshare area or anything else in life (e.g life insurance) comes at a cost. each person must analyze whether the additional cost to convert to a point system is worth the extra cost or not for his particular circumstances.