Another Diamond Improvement

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

This is big:

Introducing Pending Search Request
THE Club® at Diamond Resorts International® announces launch of new
Pending Search Request member benefit

What is Pending Search Request?
Pending Search Request is a new option available to points members that allows them to place a
"wait list" reservation request, including accommodation size, date range, resort and/or region.

How does it work?
Each night, the Pending Search Request will run a search to determine if your requested reservation type has become available. In the event that a match becomes available, you will be notified by e-mail. The e-mail notification will supply you with the option to proceed with the booking, decline but keep searching, or to cancel completely (Please note, this e-mail is not a reservation confirmation, and you will have to take action to secure the accommodation). Requests can be placed with the call center up to 10 months (305 days) in advance. Please provide us with a current e-mail address and check your e‑mail frequently, as you will only have 7 days from the date of the e-mail notification to respond to the match; once the request expires, the availability will be offered to the next member in the queue. If a match has not been made 21 days before the departure date on the search, then the request will automatically be cancelled. You can cancel or amend a request at any time. At this time, this facility is only available via the call center (1.877.DRI.CLUB).

How many requests can I place?
The number of pending searches that can be active at any given time is dependent upon your membership tier:
Platinum Member (50,000 and above points) - 5 Requests
Gold Member (30,000 - 49,999 points) - 3 Requests
Silver Member (15,000 - 29,999 points) - 1 Request

What does it cost?
This new member benefit is free to all members with more than 15,000 points.

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

But it's only an improvement if you're an Elite member. Silver Elite gets 1 pending request, Gold Elite gets 3 pending requests and Platinum Elite gets 5 pending requests. If you're a standard member with less than 15,000 points, there isn't any improvement for you.

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

DRI pushes very hard to get people to that 15,000 point level. We have no need for that many points and often get pressured to "come up" to what they are now considering to be a minimal level.

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

This is a good start and I like it!

I like it and can benefit from it. Sometimes you are looking for a resort to come up and you just can't get to it. I read on different forums how many people complain about not being able to get a resort. This will help.

I do feel for the regular guy, but I do think it's about time that Elite members get some real benefit for having bought all of those points. I think they should do more for people who have invested in the company. It is a start.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

I agree with Carlos. Being able to place a request is a huge improvement and one I never expected to be implimented FREE. I see no reason to begrudge the extras allowed to those with more points. Those elite levels have no other real benefit so this is a nice perk. At least DRI isn't shutting anyone out. Everyone can use this perk if they choose, not just the large point holders.

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

..........Everyone can use this perk if they choose, not just the large point holders.

Everyone can use this perk? Did you miss the part at the bottom of your post where it says this perk is for members with 15,000 or more points. While this is a very nice benefit when you're wanting to get into resorts with limited availability, it's not a perk that everyone can use.

I suppose one can make the arguement that everyone can choose to own 15,000 or more points and, therefore, eveyone can use this perk if they choose.

Even though we own nearly enough points to be Gold Elite, I still think it's a shame that all DRI owners can't enjoy at least one ongoing search for difficult results. On the other hand, I also understand why DRI reserves this perk for it's most loyal customers. So, here I'll stand stradling the fence on this one. I feel for those that can't afford 15,000 points and a little over $1,900 in yearly MF's but at the same time I'm glad that I have perks for owning more than the average owner and am reward for owning as much as we do.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

I stand corrected, Doug. I missed the 1500 min. line. It is too bad that it isn't available for ALL club members.

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

I stand corrected, Doug. I missed the 1500 min. line. It is too bad that it isn't available for ALL club members.

That's 15,000. Otherwise, everyone would be able to use it.

[johnsorg Member Find all posts View Profile Close johnsorg]

It is like everything else in life, if you are willing to pay you get perks. I have no problem with it and believe it is a step in the right direction by DRI.

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

It is like everything else in life, if you are willing to pay you get perks. I have no problem with it and believe it is a step in the right direction by DRI.

I don't have a problem with it except that this seems like it should be a basic function of THE Club membership. Perks like upgrades, extendeding reservation/exchange times et......based on the amount of ownership/loyalty is sort of expected. But an ongoing search seems so much like a basic function and, is a basic function with I.I., that it causes me to question if this should realy be a perk for Elite members or if it should be a basic function of THE Club.

[Werner Member Find all posts View Profile Close Werner]

It is important to remember that there is another important and financially valuable perk to having elite status, the unit upgrade. Whether you bought from the developer or resale, the cost of a 2 BR vs 1 BR or Ocean Front vs not Ocean Front is usually a big number. Even with a lowest elite status you can upgrade one level for $99 per reservation (not week). That is worth a lot of money. It argues for buying weeks at one level below what you really want rather than fewer weeks in the more expensive units.

We have used the upgrade at our home resort and it was great. Two weeks ocean front for $99. Ocean Front was twice the cost of Ocean View when we bought. I think OF is twice the cost of OV in resales as well.

The most financially useful perks of being in "the Club" are the ability to rollover points (more weeks per trip/airfare), and if you are elite, it is the upgrade. This new perk is a time saver and should be very helpful.

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

Good feature - long time overdue

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

Sound like a very positive step by Diamond Resort.

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

Pending Search Request

Has anyone used this?
Does it work?
Is it on the newest version of the website that came out today??

Introducing Pending Search Request
THE Club® at Diamond Resorts International® announces launch of new
Pending Search Request member benefit

What is Pending Search Request?
Pending Search Request is a new option available to points members that allows them to place a
"wait list" reservation request, including accommodation size, date range, resort and/or region.

How does it work?
Each night, the Pending Search Request will run a search to determine if your requested reservation type has become available. In the event that a match becomes available, you will be notified by e-mail. The e-mail notification will supply you with the option to proceed with the booking, decline but keep searching, or to cancel completely (Please note, this e-mail is not a reservation confirmation, and you will have to take action to secure the accommodation). Requests can be placed with the call center up to 10 months (305 days) in advance. Please provide us with a current e-mail address and check your e‑mail frequently, as you will only have 7 days from the date of the e-mail notification to respond to the match; once the request expires, the availability will be offered to the next member in the queue. If a match has not been made 21 days before the departure date on the search, then the request will automatically be cancelled. You can cancel or amend a request at any time. At this time, this facility is only available via the call center (1.877.DRI.CLUB).

How many requests can I place?
The number of pending searches that can be active at any given time is dependent upon your membership tier:
Platinum Member (50,000 and above points) - 5 Requests
Gold Member (30,000 - 49,999 points) - 3 Requests
Silver Member (15,000 - 29,999 points) - 1 Request

What does it cost?
This new member benefit is free to all members with more than 15,000 points.

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

Not anywhere that I can

Spence,

I looked last night when I saw your post and could not find the "feature". Not sure if they have somehow incorporated it into the search when you get no results.

Anyone else see this new improvement?