Positives and negatives-SFX

[catahoula Member Find all posts View Profile Close catahoula]

I'm not too happy about the extra fees tacked onto the bonus weeks. A $399 bonus week to Hawaii got bumped up to $600. And that was after using the reward dollars.

I probably will not rejoin or deposit any other weeks.

With that said, if I wanted to go to NY or San Francisco I think you guys have decent inventory.

Your staff is friendly and helpful.

[hurnik Member Find all posts View Profile Close hurnik]

Is that normal (the extra fees?) on the bonus week?

their website says:

**What is a Bonus Week?
A Bonus Week entitles an SFX member to request an additional week for travel at the promotional price. No additional deposits or exchange fees are charged for using a Bonus Week. Redeeming a Bonus Week is optional and members are not required to pay any fees unless confirmed for travel. Approximate Retail Value of a Bonus Week is $1,600.

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

I'm not too happy about the extra fees tacked onto the bonus weeks. A $399 bonus week to Hawaii got bumped up to $600. And that was after using the reward dollars.

I probably will not rejoin or deposit any other weeks.

With that said, if I wanted to go to NY or San Francisco I think you guys have decent inventory.

Your staff is friendly and helpful.

Catahoula - thank you for your post. I am not sure I quite understand your point about only having decent inventory in NY and SF. We have a lot of decent inventory in high demand locations all over the USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribean, Western Europe and Asia.

With regards to the Bonus Week... Let's keep in mind, respectfully Bonus Weeks are "not an entitlement", they are a "privilege" given by exchange companies to you at way below hotel market rates "above and beyond" your entitlement of a timeshare exchange week.

You certainly are entitled to what your opinion of value is, but most people understand that an average hotel in Hawaii is around $200 per night for a room for 2, thats $1,400 per week.

$85 per night ($597 a week for a 2-Bedroom suite booked 1 year in advance as a specific request for a Bonus Week) at a quality resort condo for 6 is an outstanding value. In fact it is much less than what you paid for your maintenance fee for the week you deposited. You also probably may have had the choice of exchanging your week to Hawaii for just an exchange fee, and could have used your Bonus Week elsewhere for only $399/$499 ... right?

If that's correct, you would have had the choice of only paying a $159 exchange fee minus another $20 discount using your SFX Cash-Card, reducing the fee to only $139. But some reason you chose not to. We clearly state in our offer that Bonus Weeks for Hawaii have a $299 upgrade fee for the week, so this was known in advance.

I also notice with the major exchange companies, extra weeks in Hawaii (more than 60-90 days out) are ranging between $600 to $1,500 for a week. Still a good value!

Hawaii is a premium demand location, and therefore has nominal extra fees as does NY. Virtually all our other locations are priced at prices of 5-10 years ago and are too underpriced and should be raised to fair market prices.

Also, I would like to mention that our Sell off week inventory has weeks in Hawaii for as little as $199. That's like paying for one night and getting 6 nights for free in comparing fair market rates. I noticed we have sent you on two previous exchanges, one at the Club Donatello, San Francisco, the other at the Manhattan Club during the July 4th Holiday week. These are not exchanges easily available with your other exchange company.

Not continuing is certainly your perogative, but in reality the other two majors will cost you more, and offer far less benefits. As always, its your choice.

Hope this helps and adds some clarity...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

Is that normal (the extra fees?) on the bonus week?

their website says:

**What is a Bonus Week?
A Bonus Week entitles an SFX member to request an additional week for travel at the promotional price. No additional deposits or exchange fees are charged for using a Bonus Week. Redeeming a Bonus Week is optional and members are not required to pay any fees unless confirmed for travel. Approximate Retail Value of a Bonus Week is $1,600.

Hurnik - Thank you for your post. The Special Offer states there is a nominal upgrade fee for Bonus Weeks in Hawaii, London and New York. These are premium demand locations, and even with the upgrade fee are way below market rates. All other locations are at the low promotional price of $399/$499 for 7 nights/8 days.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

Hi Mark,

Just to clarify, so if I decide to use my $399 bonus week at anywhere OTHER than these three locations the normal domestic exchange fee does not apply? If that is the case I am more likely to attempt to utilize my bonus weeks. I may just request something in California as I have a friend who's brother lives there, so sending him and his spouse would be a fantastic gift.

Hurnik - Thank you for your post. The Special Offer states there is a nominal upgrade fee for Bonus Weeks in Hawaii, London and New York. These are premium demand locations, and even with the upgrade fee are way below market rates. All other locations are at the low promotional price of $399/$499 for 7 nights/8 days.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Heathpack Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heathpack]

Mark, I give kudos to SFX for clearly articulating that there is an extra fee for Hawaii, NYC (and some other site or sites- maybe London?). I think the rules are spelled out clearly in advance which enables one to calculate value in advance, prior to even depositing to determine if SFX will work for your circumstance.

However, maybe I just read this wrong but I do NOT think the SFX site clearly identifies what the fees will be in entirety. For example, I am considering putting in an exchange request for NYC for a holiday, had to contact SFX to find out for sure what that fee would be. One suggestion is, if possible, publish a chart that spells out the exact upgrade fee for various size units in the fee-generating locales, for holiday and non-holiday weeks.

I agree with you that the ability to book these bonus weeks well in advance works well for some travel circumstances and in those instances can make them way more valuable than other systems bonus (like in the ability to book FF tix). Even with the extra fees, I think SFXs deposit special is an awesome deal & I've been saying so to as many TS friends as I can lately.

H

[Heathpack Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heathpack]

Found the wording in the T&Cs:
"Bonus Weeks requested and confirmed for Hawaii, London, and New York City will be subjected to additional fees ($299.00 plus the original Bonus Week rate). Larger units and holidays may be requested for an additional upgrade fee of at least $199."

and later

"Bonus Weeks: Hawaii, New York, London, The Grand Mayan, The Grand Bliss, & The Grand Luxxe will require additional upgrade fees."

So it is clear that Hawaii, London and NYC require an upgrade fee of $300. But unclear for holiday or larger unit (other than knowing it will be at least $200). Also unclear what it would be for Grand Mayan, Bliss or Luxxe.

Not a huge issue, but possibly something to consider for future promotions.

H

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

The OP does not appear to be very familiar with SFX. All he/she could do is list one disadvantage and one advantage and neither of these are correct.

Having used SFX exclusively for 14 years and RCI/II prior to that, I know of many advantages SFX has. I have gotten exchanges into many places other than NYC and San Francisco as well as 3 exchanges into NYC and 2 to Hawaii. One big advantage is you are not limited to resorts affiliated to RCI or II. I stayed in 3 different resorts in NYC ( Manhattan Club, HGVC West 57th Street, and Hilton Vacation Club ). There is NO 1 in 4/5 rule that applies to many RCI resorts. This has been very advantageous for us having stayed multiple times in the Grand Mayan - Riviera Maya ( RCI 1 in 5 ), HGVC/Flamingo Las Vegas ( RCI 1 in 4 ), etc. Free size upgrades, free guest certificates, etc. Another big advantage is we have never had to pay resort fees with SFX. Ask RCI exchangers about the resort fees at the Manhattan Club and other resorts. I won't discuss the bonus weeks as Mark covered that and I agree 100%. I haven't found any disadvantages as we have always gotten what we wanted. I know that we are not the only ones.

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

Hi Mark,

Just to clarify, so if I decide to use my $399 bonus week at anywhere OTHER than these three locations the normal domestic exchange fee does not apply? If that is the case I am more likely to attempt to utilize my bonus weeks. I may just request something in California as I have a friend who's brother lives there, so sending him and his spouse would be a fantastic gift.

Gandalf - Thank you for your post. When using a Bonus Week, there is no exchange fee. An exchange fee is only applied when exchanging your week. For the Bonus Week, you only in this instance would pay the $399 for all locations except, Hawaii, London and New York.

One important item to keep in mind... The Bonus Week expires before the exchange week. The Bonus Week you have up until one year as of the date we receive your regular deposit.

Your exchange week expires 2 years as of the check in date of the week you deposit. For example... Today if you deposit a Aug. 16, 2012 week, you will have from today and up to Aug 15, 2014 in which to use it. In this instance you would have 3 years in which to use your exchange week.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

Found the wording in the T&Cs:
"Bonus Weeks requested and confirmed for Hawaii, London, and New York City will be subjected to additional fees ($299.00 plus the original Bonus Week rate). Larger units and holidays may be requested for an additional upgrade fee of at least $199."

and later

"Bonus Weeks: Hawaii, New York, London, The Grand Mayan, The Grand Bliss, & The Grand Luxxe will require additional upgrade fees."

So it is clear that Hawaii, London and NYC require an upgrade fee of $300. But unclear for holiday or larger unit (other than knowing it will be at least $200). Also unclear what it would be for Grand Mayan, Bliss or Luxxe.

Not a huge issue, but possibly something to consider for future promotions.

H

Hi Heathpack - Thank you for your post and feedback, it is appreciated. I will pass your comments over to the IT department, and perhaps they can make it a little clearer.

I believe the only item that will be more than the $199 upgrade fee would be the Grand Luxxe. For that property it will require a phone call to member services to see what the prevailing rate is at that time.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

Thanks Mark and it does. I was aware that the Bonus Week expired before the exchange week so that was why I wanted to clarify regarding the exchange fee on the Bonus week. I am going to discuss with my friends when they would like to go to California, and see if I can get them something. Any comments on what months I should recommend to them?

One important item to keep in mind... The Bonus Week expires before the exchange week. The Bonus Week you have up until one year as of the date we receive your regular deposit.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[vandesa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vandesa]

One suggestion is, if possible, publish a chart that spells out the exact upgrade fee for various size units in the fee-generating locales, for holiday and non-holiday weeks.

I too would second this request.

Clearly the rules and fees are there so they can be captured if you book something online you will find out, but that is case specific. I would like the general rules and fees about bonus and upgrades, but they are not published or communicated.

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

Thanks Mark and it does. I was aware that the Bonus Week expired before the exchange week so that was why I wanted to clarify regarding the exchange fee on the Bonus week. I am going to discuss with my friends when they would like to go to California, and see if I can get them something. Any comments on what months I should recommend to them?

What part of California are you considering for your trip? And how many people in the party?

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[catahoula Member Find all posts View Profile Close catahoula]

I too would second this request.

Clearly the rules and fees are there so they can be captured if you book something online you will find out, but that is case specific. I would like the general rules and fees about bonus and upgrades, but they are not published or communicated.

I see other people have questions about their bonus weeks. I'm glad I started the original post.

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

I see other people have questions about their bonus weeks. I'm glad I started the original post.

Catahoula - yes, thank you for starting the post, as it allows us to address any questions both members and viewers may have about SFX Bonus Weeks. It appears none of the questions relate to value of the upgrade fees, more so about the placement of where the pricing is displayed. Even though the information is clearly posted in the Terms & Conditions within the actual offer, this gives us an opportunity to make it even clearer in perhaps additional places within the website.

Terms & Conditions (in the actual offer). This offer is subject to the current Terms & Conditions of The San Francisco Exchange Company. Units offered for Bonus Weeks are one-bedroom suites (maximum occupancy is 4 people), except for San Francisco, New York, and London where the unit may be a studio or hotel unit. Bonus Weeks requested and confirmed for Hawaii, London, and New York City will be subjected to additional fees ($299.00 plus the original Bonus Week rate). Larger units and holidays may be requested for an additional upgrade fee of at least $199, and all space is subject to availability. Based on supply and demand factors, certain locations and/or resorts may only qualify for a maximum of one Bonus Week.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications