The Cost to Exchange your week

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

There have been a number of misleading statements and incorrect statements about the costs of exchanging with SFX versus RCI and I.I.
So, for the record lets look at a "true" cost comparison.

At the time this was prepared a few months ago, all information was current. If there have been any changes that we are not aware of, we will gladly correct it.

Also consider, although the cost of exchanging with SFX is "Lower" than RCI and I.I., the savings you see in the chart do not even factor in the $500 SFX Vacation CASH-CARD that we give, making your costs even lower than the chart.

Nor does reflect you can request a BonusWeek up to one year in advance like an exchange week, versus weeks that are left-over 60 days or less.

Cost Comparison Chart

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Ilovemykidsmore Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ilovemykidsmore]

When I followed the link to this chart it says that platinum memberships "average" $80/year. That is only true if purchasing multiple year membership plans. I talked last week to II about possibly purchasing a membership plan with them. $89 (which is what is quoted on the comparison chart) was the price if I just purchased yearly. The per year price, of course, went down if I purchased multiple year plans. I don't know about the other companies but I feel that the chart is not comparing apples to apples and is false advertising. I was leaning towards joining SFX but am now a bit turned off by this charts discrepencies.

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

When I followed the link to this chart it says that platinum memberships "average" $80/year. That is only true if purchasing multiple year membership plans. I talked last week to II about possibly purchasing a membership plan with them. $89 (which is what is quoted on the comparison chart) was the price if I just purchased yearly. The per year price, of course, went down if I purchased multiple year plans. I don't know about the other companies but I feel that the chart is not comparing apples to apples and is false advertising. I was leaning towards joining SFX but am now a bit turned off by this charts discrepencies.

Ilovemykidsmore - Thank you for your post. I believe this chart has been online for quite a long time, and of course fees tend to change. I believe it was current at the original time of posting. If you would be kind enough to advise what a multiple year membership currently costs, I will gladly forward this to the IT department to make any changes.

Where I absolutely agree with you that it is not "apples to apples", is the cost comparisons do "not" take into account the savings you receive with the $500 SFX Vacation CASH-CARD given by SFX, making your costs even lower than the chart, whether specific or price averaging is used.

Nor does it reflect that you can request a BonusWeek up to one year in advance like an exchange week, versus bonus weeks with other exchange companies that are left-over 60 days or less.

Even with any current price corrections on membership fees, no matter what the adjusted average membership fee is adjusted to, with all of the above factored in, our pricing is still lower, especially as a Gold Member, as that is FREE... Saving you money.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

The cost comparison is interesting but is a very poor reason to pick an exchange company. The difference in cost is insignificant compared to other criteria one should use.

The things you need to consider are getting good exchanges, restrictions, benefits, etc. From personal experience SFX far exceeds the others in these important things. Many of my exchanges simply would have been impossible with RCI or II.

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

The cost comparison is interesting but is a very poor reason to pick an exchange company. The difference in cost is insignificant compared to other criteria one should use.

I second that. As someone who has only purchased high demand TS, I won't settle for anything less in a trade. I couldn't giving up one of my weeks for a crapshoot with one of the big trading companies. Especially after reading so many horror posts about the severely lacking customer service.

[Picker57 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Picker57]

I believe the Platinum 'extended' memberships are now: $299 for 3 yrs, $399 for 5 years.
Mark -Another area in need of correction are the Bonus Weeks comments. It appears that these are now being phased out in favor of Lifestyle Weeks, and these are MORE expensive ($599) when booking a year out. Plus, there are additional fees when booking into San Fran, Hawaii, NYC, and London. These, in addition to the Exchange Fees, make these less of a bargain - at up to $1000 if my math is correct.

---------Zach

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

I believe the Platinum 'extended' memberships are now: $299 for 3 yrs, $399 for 5 years.
Mark -Another area in need of correction are the Bonus Weeks comments. It appears that these are now being phased out in favor of Lifestyle Weeks, and these are MORE expensive ($599) when booking a year out. Plus, there are additional fees when booking into San Fran, Hawaii, NYC, and London. These, in addition to the Exchange Fees, make these less of a bargain - at up to $1000 if my math is correct.

---------Zach

Zach - Thank you for your post. That is correct with our Platinum Membership pricing. In the grid, we use a 5 year average.

You are also correct in stating the pricing quote for Bonus Weeks needs to be corrected, and explained. Although a unit booked a year in advance now costs a little more, units booked less than a year in advance cost a lot less. The pricing of a week higher in advance, and lower closer to the check in date is technically more appropriate than pricing everything at the same price, and far in favor of our Members.


In actuality, overall pricing has come way down. The average price for a 1 bedroom unit is now $361. You used to pay $399-$499 if you booked your week within 30 days. Still a good deal, but now you get that same week for $149.

The most expensive is a week booked one year in advance, it is now only $599 with an approximate value of $1,600 +/-. With the other two exchange companies, I believe you cannot even request a bonus week like an exchange week one year in advance. I think it's maybe 90 days or less and whatever is sitting around.


Not only is the overall average cost Lower now, but you also have to factor in the SFX Cash-Card we give qualified Members, which is anywhere between $250 -$500 you can use towards your transactions. No other exchange company offers this.

There are "only 4 locations” out of hundreds of other locations where you pay a little extra because they are premium demand locations. New York, London, San Francisco: $299. Hawaii is only $199 extra.

If you want to travel on a premium demand Holiday week, then like any hotel or airline you pay a premium price. With SFX it’s only $199, which is almost nothing when compared to the retail value. (I suggest looking at the prices of a hotel room for 2 in these cities and compare). I have found the average price just for a regular room for 2 in these cities is around $225 per night.

For a 2 bedroom suite… It used to be a standard price of $499 (1BR price) plus an upgrade fee of $299 totaling: $798 for 6 people for a week!

NOW… a 2 bedroom suite can be as little as $199 for the whole week !!! Minus a discount using your SFX Cash-Card.


So, when you analyze the whole pricing structure.... you are now paying less because pricing is technically correct based upon how far in advance, size of unit and season, rather than one price fits all.


Hope this helps...


Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[travelSFO Member Find all posts View Profile Close travelSFO]

The link to the cost comparison chart doesn't appear to work or the document was removed.

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

The link to the cost comparison chart doesn't appear to work or the document was removed.

TravelSFO - Thank you for your post. Apparently that Comparison Chart post is about 5 years old. Needless to say, all the information is outdated, and a new cost comparison needs to be compiled. I can look into this for you, and get you current information.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications