Good news!!

[Picker57 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Picker57]

You receive 10,000 SFX Reward Points that will give you up to $1,200 off on certain travel including Cruises, Hotels and Car rentals (this is additional travel above and beyond exchange or Bonus Weeks). Access to this benefit is when you login to your SFX account, then peruse the SFX Travel Store.

Thanks Mark - I did just find your same information on a different thread - sorry for the duplication.
At the time of my last deposit, I received 3 bonus weeks and 2 $100 vouchers, so the current trade is, indeed, different. However I was confused about the SFX Reward Points. If I'm reading the website "store" correctly, that's a pretty neat deal. Is this the same as the Diamond Reward Points? Also, is there an expiration time on those points?

Thanks,
-----------Zach

[Picker57 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Picker57]

Thanks Mark - I did just find your same information on a different thread - sorry for the duplication.
At the time of my last deposit, I received 3 bonus weeks and 2 $100 vouchers, so the current trade is, indeed, different. However I was confused about the SFX Reward Points. If I'm reading the website "store" correctly, that's a pretty neat deal. Is this the same as the Diamond Reward Points? Also, is there an expiration time on those points?

Thanks,
-----------Zach

I stand corrected. The 'points' provide a discount from - as I see it - prices that are inflated to begin with. I'd rather have it the way it was - more bonus weeks vouchers to be used when/where we see fit.

--Zach

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

I stand corrected. The 'points' provide a discount from - as I see it - prices that are inflated to begin with. I'd rather have it the way it was - more bonus weeks vouchers to be used when/where we see fit.

--Zach

Hi Zach - Thank you for your feedback. However, you are still better off with this new structure because what you save on Bonus Weeks is greater than the previous vouchers, especially for those who can travel within 60 days or less. Previoulsy, the cheapest Bonus Weeks were around $399/$499, (still a great value), but now you can pay as little as $69 for a week.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

[hurnik Member Find all posts View Profile Close hurnik]

Hi Zach - Thank you for your feedback. However, you are still better off with this new structure because what you save on Bonus Weeks is greater than the previous vouchers, especially for those who can travel within 60 days or less. Previoulsy, the cheapest Bonus Weeks were around $399/$499, (still a great value), but now you can pay as little as $69 for a week.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

I'd actually almost rather have the bonus weeks back at this stage for the following:
1) We could use the vacation cash for $100 or $50 off (you cannot use vacation cash for lifestyle weeks, so my vacation cash is pretty much useless at this point--and yes I actually tried using it and all I ended up doing was getting $20 off the insurance)
2) Anything over 6 months away is $699 with lifestyle, which is $200 more than the bonus weeks (and the sell-off list is better, IMO). For example: try getting a stay in Cancun/mexico in less than 20 days notice to get the $69. Won't happen.

It MAY have been better for lifestyle when they were including 5 weeks or something (and the older pricing I thought was more in line).

Just my opinion, and yes I know that no other exchange company offers the same benefits, etc.

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

I agree. The lifestyle weeks as they were first introduced were better than the old bonus weeks, but the pricing structure of the newly "enhanced" lifestyle weeks certainly is not any kind of enticement to deposit.

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

I agree. The lifestyle weeks as they were first introduced were better than the old bonus weeks, but the pricing structure of the newly "enhanced" lifestyle weeks certainly is not any kind of enticement to deposit.

Hi Sally - we really appreciate customer feedback. We are having record number of deposits based on this new promotion. We would dearly like to hear from you and other members, what is it about this new structure that you feel is not as good as the previous special offer. I would also like to add that no other exchange company offers you the ability to request a Bonus Week like an exchange week, and for the fees we charge, so why would it not be an incentive to deposit?

We look forward to your responses.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member communications

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

I'd actually almost rather have the bonus weeks back at this stage for the following:
1) We could use the vacation cash for $100 or $50 off (you cannot use vacation cash for lifestyle weeks, so my vacation cash is pretty much useless at this point--and yes I actually tried using it and all I ended up doing was getting $20 off the insurance)
2) Anything over 6 months away is $699 with lifestyle, which is $200 more than the bonus weeks (and the sell-off list is better, IMO). For example: try getting a stay in Cancun/mexico in less than 20 days notice to get the $69. Won't happen.

It MAY have been better for lifestyle when they were including 5 weeks or something (and the older pricing I thought was more in line).

Just my opinion, and yes I know that no other exchange company offers the same benefits, etc.

Hurnik - Thank you for your post. Unfortunately some of your information you mention is not accurate. Vacation Cash can be used for LifeStyle Weeks that are $399 or more.

With the new program (SFX Bonus Weeks), anything more than 6 months in advance is only $200 more than the previous LifeStyle weeks, making it only $699 for a Bonus Week that can be requested like an exchange week that has a retail value of more than double what you are paying, and something you are not able to do with other exchange companies.

Our statistics show that an average of 82% of our Members request their Bonus Weeks less than 6 months in advance and now they can pay as little as $69 for a week instead of the previous minimum of $399/$499. So... those requesting more than 6 months in advance pay a little more for much higher market valued space, and those booking with less notice, are paying much less than before, and way below market rates.

I am not sure where you get your information about not being able to get a unit in Cancun in less than 20 days notice! I am not sure why you would state that, as it is completely incorrect information. There has been an abundance of $69 Bonus Week inventory in Cancun, except for the major Holiday weeks like Christmas, and this is factual information.

I hope this clarification gives you a better understanding of the offering.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

[Picker57 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Picker57]

Hi Zach - Thank you for your feedback. However, you are still better off with this new structure because what you save on Bonus Weeks is greater than the previous vouchers, especially for those who can travel within 60 days or less. Previoulsy, the cheapest Bonus Weeks were around $399/$499, (still a great value), but now you can pay as little as $69 for a week.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

Mark - My comment related to the newest early-deposit structure compared to the immediately prior one, not the relative value of Bonus Weeks in general. We do tend to plan out our 'big' trips well in advance, so the 3-month/$69 thing doesn't work for us anyway. But just before this latest promo, if memory serves, we were getting 3 or 4 Bonus Weeks PLUS a couple of $100 vouchers for a prime deposit. Now we're getting less of the same. Am I missing something? Those Diamond Reward-type "points" don't mean much for me.

Thanks for all of your great information and perspective; have a great 2013.

-----------------Zach

[hurnik Member Find all posts View Profile Close hurnik]

Hurnik - Thank you for your post. Unfortunately some of your information you mention is not accurate. Vacation Cash can be used for LifeStyle Weeks that are $399 or more.

With the new program (SFX Bonus Weeks), anything more than 6 months in advance is only $200 more than the previous LifeStyle weeks, making it only $699 for a Bonus Week that can be requested like an exchange week that has a retail value of more than double what you are paying, and something you are not able to do with other exchange companies.

Our statistics show that an average of 82% of our Members request their Bonus Weeks less than 6 months in advance and now they can pay as little as $69 for a week instead of the previous minimum of $399/$499. So... those requesting more than 6 months in advance pay a little more for much higher market valued space, and those booking with less notice, are paying much less than before, and way below market rates.

I am not sure where you get your information about not being able to get a unit in Cancun in less than 20 days notice! I am not sure why you would state that, as it is completely incorrect information. There has been an abundance of $69 Bonus Week inventory in Cancun, except for the major Holiday weeks like Christmas, and this is factual information.

I hope this clarification gives you a better understanding of the offering.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

Thank you Mark.

I believe I booked a lifestyle week --confirmation #214011
and was not able to use the vacation cash for that other than the $20 insurance. You may wish to better educate your reps as I gladly would've used the $50 or $100 vacation cash off of that. That comes from your reps, and that is a fact. (just like the same rep that told me that the lifestyle weeks expired sooner than they did)

There nothing available at Grand Mayan/PDC from this month through May I believe currently either (although ironically you can book it via SFX travel) That's also a fact.

--Kevin

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

Thank you Mark.

I believe I booked a lifestyle week --confirmation #214011
and was not able to use the vacation cash for that other than the $20 insurance. You may wish to better educate your reps as I gladly would've used the $50 or $100 vacation cash off of that. That comes from your reps, and that is a fact. (just like the same rep that told me that the lifestyle weeks expired sooner than they did)

There nothing available at Grand Mayan/PDC from this month through May I believe currently either (although ironically you can book it via SFX travel) That's also a fact.

--Kevin

Hi Kevin - Thank you for your reply. I double checked your transaction, and you were actually enititled to an additional $50 reduction off the price of that Bonus Week (in addition to the $20 discount off the insurance). It's $50 off because the Bonus Week is less than $400, in this instance it was only a $299 Bonus Week. Sorry for the agent over-sight. I can initiate a $50 refund to your credit card.

LifeStyle Weeks /Bonus Weeks expirations: If you deposit an exchange week in the year of it's usage, you have exactly one year in which to redeem it. If you deposit an exchange week for the following year, you have from the day we receive it and up till December 15 of the following year in which to redeem it. So, depending on how early you deposit, you could have up to 2-years in which to use your Bonus Week.

All expirations of Exchange Weeks and Bonus Weeks are viewable in your SFX online account.

....."There nothing available at Grand Mayan/PDC from this month through May I believe currently either (although ironically you can book it via SFX travel) That's also a fact".

Kevin, where are you getting this information from??? It's absolutely not a fact and not accurate. We have "many" weeks during this period in the Riviera Maya. Where is that information coming from?

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

Mark - My comment related to the newest early-deposit structure compared to the immediately prior one, not the relative value of Bonus Weeks in general. We do tend to plan out our 'big' trips well in advance, so the 3-month/$69 thing doesn't work for us anyway. But just before this latest promo, if memory serves, we were getting 3 or 4 Bonus Weeks PLUS a couple of $100 vouchers for a prime deposit. Now we're getting less of the same. Am I missing something? Those Diamond Reward-type "points" don't mean much for me.

Thanks for all of your great information and perspective; have a great 2013.

-----------------Zach

Hi Zach - it all depends on your travel habits, and also promotions change from time to time, and some will be percieved to be better than others. In this instance, with around 82% of our Members requesting space typically 6 months or less, most of our Members will be saving a lot of money with this offer. And for Members who take additional vacations/travel, there is up to $1,200 in discounts with the 10,000 points. Even if you only saved half of that, plus with the hundreds in savings for those who travel within 6 months, it's a great program that has received an overwhelming response from Members.

Even if a Members plans more than 6 months in advance, our pricing for our Bonus Weeks saves you greater than 50% off retail, and is a greater value than offers by other exchange companies. Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

Hi Zach - Thank you for your feedback. However, you are still better off with this new structure because what you save on Bonus Weeks is greater than the previous vouchers, especially for those who can travel within 60 days or less. Previoulsy, the cheapest Bonus Weeks were around $399/$499, (still a great value), but now you can pay as little as $69 for a week.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

And for clarification according to your website

Booking Window Studio 1 Bedroom 2/3 Bedroom
Number of days booked in advance of member vacation:
0-20 Days $69 $199 $299
Number of days booked in advance of member vacation:
21-90 Days $99 $399 $599

So a 2 bedroom booked 60 days would be $599 for a bonus week.
The last change in the bonus week reduced the time frame to get the lowest price to 20 days or less. $69 sounds great but you don't accept most studio deposits and most of the ones you do have additional fees to use as bonus weeks. Often I see studios in Mexico at less than 20 days which would be great but planning a trip to Mexico last minute is not usually possible.

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

And for clarification according to your website



So a 2 bedroom booked 60 days would be $599 for a bonus week.
The last change in the bonus week reduced the time frame to get the lowest price to 20 days or less. $69 sounds great but you don't accept most studio deposits and most of the ones you do have additional fees to use as bonus weeks. Often I see studios in Mexico at less than 20 days which would be great but planning a trip to Mexico last minute is not usually possible.

Hi Sally - thank you for your post. Correct, a 2 or 3 Bedroom suite Bonus Week booked 60 days in advance is only $599. The retail value is much higher. And this Bonus Week can be requested like an exchange week, which is not offered by the other two exchange companies.

Studio Bonus Weeks at $69 are typically in places like Mexico, and on occassions may be in London or New York. There are many possibilities for Studio Bonus Weeks in Mexico (Cancun, Nuevo Vallarta and Cabo) that are more than 20 days in advance. Yes, they cost a little more but so what... if the value is far greater than what you are paying. With the average price of a "decent" hotel room for 2 now being around $185 per night / $1,300 per week (and much more in cities)... people do not have a problem paying an average of $71 per night for a high quality resort condo / $499 per week (Bonus Weeks).

$69 Bonus weeks at luxury resorts in Mexico are great, but the focus shouldn't be on $69 Bonus Weeks. The core value is that you can request a Bonus Week like an exchange week for way less than the retail value, and this great value is not offered by other exchange companies. 82% of our Members historically request time 6 months or less in advance. This new pricing structure means that most of our Members will be paying less. Before, you paid the $399/$499 for your Bonus Week whether you booked one week or one year in advance. Now, the pricing is fairer and set to a more correct valuation model based on size and how far in advance you book.

The bottom line... you can travel more and save hundreds of dollars on your accommodations. View SFX Bonus Weeks.

Hope this helps....

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

[hurnik Member Find all posts View Profile Close hurnik]

Hi Kevin - Thank you for your reply. I double checked your transaction, and you were actually enititled to an additional $50 reduction off the price of that Bonus Week (in addition to the $20 discount off the insurance). It's $50 off because the Bonus Week is less than $400, in this instance it was only a $299 Bonus Week. Sorry for the agent over-sight. I can initiate a $50 refund to your credit card.

LifeStyle Weeks /Bonus Weeks expirations: If you deposit an exchange week in the year of it's usage, you have exactly one year in which to redeem it. If you deposit an exchange week for the following year, you have from the day we receive it and up till December 15 of the following year in which to redeem it. So, depending on how early you deposit, you could have up to 2-years in which to use your Bonus Week.

All expirations of Exchange Weeks and Bonus Weeks are viewable in your SFX online account.

....."There nothing available at Grand Mayan/PDC from this month through May I believe currently either (although ironically you can book it via SFX travel) That's also a fact".

Kevin, where are you getting this information from??? It's absolutely not a fact and not accurate. We have "many" weeks during this period in the Riviera Maya. Where is that information coming from?

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

thank you Mark, sorry for the delay. Website issues and vacation. Yes, if you would issue a $50 refund on the credit card, that would be great. In regards to the availability, I was basing this on the online system that suddenly showed nothing at any of the Mayan (Mayan Palace/Grand Mayan) until maybe May? But definitely nothing from Jan -March. Perhaps there was an issue with the SFX website as I was surprised the availibility dropped to nothing all of a sudden?

Anyway, I'd prefer the the more tiered system. Like the 0-60, 60-120, etc or something like that. Plus I find the pricing a bit steep from before (I can always get RCI certs for 1 year for $199). Yes, SFX has some nicer resorts than RCI, just saying that the deal was "better" before. But understanding that things change.

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

thank you Mark, sorry for the delay. Website issues and vacation. Yes, if you would issue a $50 refund on the credit card, that would be great. In regards to the availability, I was basing this on the online system that suddenly showed nothing at any of the Mayan (Mayan Palace/Grand Mayan) until maybe May? But definitely nothing from Jan -March. Perhaps there was an issue with the SFX website as I was surprised the availibility dropped to nothing all of a sudden?

Anyway, I'd prefer the the more tiered system. Like the 0-60, 60-120, etc or something like that. Plus I find the pricing a bit steep from before (I can always get RCI certs for 1 year for $199). Yes, SFX has some nicer resorts than RCI, just saying that the deal was "better" before. But understanding that things change.

Hi Kevin - If you would be kind enough to email your full name and account number at accounts@sfx-resorts.com attn: Mark, I will have the $50 refunded.

It is my understanding, we don't actually display availability online for our Mayan inventory. Typically what is viewable online are week that are around 2 - 90 days in advance we have no oustanding request for, for exchanges or Bonus Weeks. In most instances, Bonus Weeks and Exchange Weeks need to have a Request placed for them.

I understand your thoughts on pricing, however, around 82% of Members request Bonus Weeks on average from 1-6 months in advance. For them the pricing is way less. For those requesting more than 6 months in advance, it's a little more but still way below market rates. The weeks were incorrectly priced by having the same price 30 days in advance and up to one year in advance. It is now more fairly priced and for most people, they will be paying less.

Am curios.... the RCI certs for $199, can you request a Bonus Week like an exchange week for those certs? or is it leftovers 90 days or less whatever is just sitting there?

Look forward to your email, and appreciate your business.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications