New SFX member - exchange inquiries

[jaym Member Find all posts View Profile Close jaym]

Hello Mark-
I recently became an SFX member (Gold), although I have yet to complete an exchange with the company. I am about to reserve my 2011 week and hope you can answer a couple of questions I have before depositing my Marriott (MMC) Platinum week with SFX soon.

I have also reviewed the SFX website, saw details pertaining to exchanges and award of a Bonus Week for all 2011 Prime and High deposits. It appears my Williamsburg, VA Marriott Platinum week would qualify.

So, after reserving with Marriott, and depositing a prime summer 2011 week with you, I understand that I could simultaneously make my exchange request.
I assume at that time, I would be also be awarded a Bonus Week, (website current member cost $599., deposited prior to Oct. 31)
Will I be informed by SFX that I can, and should, use my bonus week first as it would expire first (one yr.)?
If I do not need my exchange week for quite some time, say Fall of 2011, wouldn't it be better for me to wait until roll out Bonus week promo for 2011/2012, make a deposit by Jan. 2011 at $299. rate? Much lower rate to pay for my bonus.

Is it true that I'll be able to use the bonus week to request any location, not limited to "extra" or "getaway" inventory (like Interval Intl. Accomodation Certs.)? So members may utilize the bonus weeks same as exchange request weeks, correct?
So, for example, I can deposit my MMC week, request a 2011 SoCal resort with the bonus, and then request, say a HHI or Caribbean resort with my exchange week for 2012 usage? Bonus weeks are request weeks and expire first so that should be my strategy? Other way to make my requests w/SFX?
Thank you for any additional info.

JM

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I'm sure Mark will be providing you with a full answer, but just my 2 cents worth...

I have used my bonus weeks like any other week. I think there are some minor exclusions - such as you can't request NYC. However, I've made requests using one of my exchange weeks and then I've asked them to use a bonus week instead and it's no problem. I also tend to use my bonus weeks first because they are only good for a year, whereas exchange weeks have a longer expiration date and can be extended with additional deposits.

Sue

[jaym Member Find all posts View Profile Close jaym]

I'm sure Mark will be providing you with a full answer, but just my 2 cents worth...

I also tend to use my bonus weeks first because they are only good for a year, whereas exchange weeks have a longer expiration date and can be extended with additional deposits.

Sue

Sue-
Thanks for the info. Yes, from what I understand so far about SFX exchanging, a rep might suggest that a member use the bonus week first. But ultimately, I feel it is my responsibility to know how to optimize the weeks. That is, if I should make exchange request w/longer expire but be sure to use the bonus week request having one yr. term. Seems like that's how to go about it.....
My concern, and lack of actual exchange experience with SFX as I've only used II for Marriott week, pertains to how this is done in practice. Timing between exchange request from deposit and switching to use of the subsequently awarded bonus week. As in the example I provided to Mark.
Hope to know soon from Mark as he seems to respond to many members (seasoned) here at TSFM.

J-

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

You are better off waiting for the 2011 deposit promo.

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

The 2011 promo is already out. Mark announced it last month. Here's the promo link:

https://www.sfx-resorts.com/promo2011/

Bonus week starts at $399

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Hello Mark-
I recently became an SFX member (Gold), although I have yet to complete an exchange with the company. I am about to reserve my 2011 week and hope you can answer a couple of questions I have before depositing my Marriott (MMC) Platinum week with SFX soon.

I have also reviewed the SFX website, saw details pertaining to exchanges and award of a Bonus Week for all 2011 Prime and High deposits. It appears my Williamsburg, VA Marriott Platinum week would qualify.

So, after reserving with Marriott, and depositing a prime summer 2011 week with you, I understand that I could simultaneously make my exchange request.
I assume at that time, I would be also be awarded a Bonus Week, (website current member cost $599., deposited prior to Oct. 31)
Will I be informed by SFX that I can, and should, use my bonus week first as it would expire first (one yr.)?
If I do not need my exchange week for quite some time, say Fall of 2011, wouldn't it be better for me to wait until roll out Bonus week promo for 2011/2012, make a deposit by Jan. 2011 at $299. rate? Much lower rate to pay for my bonus.

Is it true that I'll be able to use the bonus week to request any location, not limited to "extra" or "getaway" inventory (like Interval Intl. Accomodation Certs.)? So members may utilize the bonus weeks same as exchange request weeks, correct?
So, for example, I can deposit my MMC week, request a 2011 SoCal resort with the bonus, and then request, say a HHI or Caribbean resort with my exchange week for 2012 usage? Bonus weeks are request weeks and expire first so that should be my strategy? Other way to make my requests w/SFX?
Thank you for any additional info.

JM

JM - Thank you for your post. I actually responded earlier but unfortunately it didn't post. Sorry abou that.

By the end of next week, we will be posting our 2011 Special Offer for qualified deposits. As in your instance, the price of the Bonus Week will be a lot less.

Bonus Weeks can be requested for all areas, and I believe there are 3 areas that do have a nominal surcharge attached to them because they are extreme high demand and very limited supply within the industry. This link will take you to the Terms.

Considering you can request your bonus week up to a year in advance, like an exchange week, and not have to take left-overs 60 days or less... and our weeks are not $600-$1,200 and are Gold Crown and 5 Star rated... Our Bonus Weeks are exceptional Value.

.............So, for example, I can deposit my MMC week, request a 2011 SoCal resort with the bonus, and then request, say a HHI or Caribbean resort with my exchange week for 2012 usage?

Bonus weeks are request weeks and expire first so that should be my strategy? Other way to make my requests w/SFX?

Correct on both questions.

We will announce our 2011 Special on this site next week. Look out for it!

Hope this information helps, and if you have furter questions, I wll be delighted to respond.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

Hi Mark, I just joined SFX and am looking forward to making my first deposit and trying out your service. In looking at your site, I did not see any reference to upgrade fees, say from a 1BR to a 2BR or in any other context. Am I correct that you do not have these fees? I know some independent exchange companies do and some do not. Also, it is a little unclear if there is a trading power component in exchanges or if anything gets anything. The summer UK week I am about to give you should do just fine on trading power, but I thought I would ask.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

The 2011 promo is already out. Mark announced it last month. Here's the promo link:

https://www.sfx-resorts.com/promo2011/

Bonus week starts at $399

djyamyam - thank you kindly for this post. I was traveling when I responded earlier and should have checked first. My oversight... and thanks again.

Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Hi Mark, I just joined SFX and am looking forward to making my first deposit and trying out your service. In looking at your site, I did not see any reference to upgrade fees, say from a 1BR to a 2BR or in any other context. Am I correct that you do not have these fees? I know some independent exchange companies do and some do not. Also, it is a little unclear if there is a trading power component in exchanges or if anything gets anything. The summer UK week I am about to give you should do just fine on trading power, but I thought I would ask.

Hi Carolinian - thank you for your post. The upgrade fees for Gold Members, requesting an upgrade from a one bedroom to a two bedroom suite is stated here.

With SFX we do use a Trading-Power formula. Although for the most part our inventory is GC and 5*, there are different levels of GC and 5*, just as there are different shades of "red" as in red time.



Trading power factors include...

• Supply vs Demand for your resort and location.
• Size of unit deposited.
• Season demand of deposited week.
• How far in advance of the arrival date of the banked week, did you place your deposit. Members who deposit early are incentivized with higher trading power.

We do not feel a system where anything trades for anything has enough appeal/integrity for those who own at high quality resorts. (For the obvious reasons).

Looking forward to receiving your requests.

Hope this helps...

Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

Hi Mark
as a Platinum member, we paid upgrade fees from a 1 bd to a 2 bed at Grand Mayan last year of $199 each week.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Hi Mark
as a Platinum member, we paid upgrade fees from a 1 bd to a 2 bed at Grand Mayan last year of $199 each week.

Hi Ron & Joan... thank you for your post. If you would be kind enough to p.m. your full name and account number, I will gladly look into this for you, and resolve any pricing issues.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications