Current deposit Promo-feedback

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

I will say though that the Diamond Rewards has some really good "last minute" deals (3 months out or less usually) for popular spots. My travel plans aren't usually that flexible though (resort last minute deals).

It also has some far in advance good deals as well. Needless to say, as with all travel organizations, it seems as you get closer to your travel date, the greater the pricing discount may be (based on supply vs demand).

This is just one example 5 months in advance...

Here is an instance of an NCL Cruise...

·NCL Cruise for 6/29/13 (7 night Hawaiian Islands/ 2 adults & 1 child)
·Suite – SE Category
·NCL Site = $10,214.19
·AAA = Not contracted with NCL
·Cruises.com = $10,214.19
·CruiseDeals.com = $10,214.19

·SFX Travel Store / Diamond Rewards =$9,150.81 w/o points or $7,650.81 using 10,000 rewards

In this instance the SFX Travel Store would save you $2,563.38.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

I do not like the new program and have / will not be depositing my week with this program.

I understand the desire that SFX has to diversify but it's first and foremost a timeshare exchange company. Stick with that as the key focus and keep the two separate.

This is exactly how I have started to feel. It's like SFX has become a quasi travel agency. At this point, I just want to get my exchange request matched but I've already resigned myself to knowing it isn't likely and have looked at private rentals.

However, if you are taking votes, I vote bonus weeks/cash card.

[Keep Traveling Member Find all posts View Profile Close Keep Traveling]

Mark,

With the best price guarantee are you saying

1. You can match the best price AND then get the extra savings of the reward points (ie 10k points)

Or

2. With all discounts on the cruise it should be the best price

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

First and foremost, I want matches to my ongoing requests, but I've absolutely no interest in a points scheme as a deposit incentive. Good old reliable bonus weeks at deeply discounted prices are far more tangible to me. Since you asked

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

First and foremost, I want matches to my ongoing requests, but I've absolutely no interest in a points scheme as a deposit incentive. Good old reliable bonus weeks at deeply discounted prices are far more tangible to me. Since you asked

Hi Glitter - Thank you for your post. The Reward Points are simply just an added benefit to what we already offer that several thousand members have taken adavantage of already. All the other items you mention are still our core business and are still offered. (Exchanges and deeply discounted Bonus Weeks that can be requested up to one year in advance like an exchange, and not offer by any other exchange company). We are simply adding more than the usual offer, not replacing it.

The Rewards are one of several options available to you that can save you up to $1,200 on travel other than timeshare, that you do not have to take advantage of. Our standard "old fashioned" benefits are still available.

As we add more benefits to the SFX Membership... it doesn't mean every benefit will meet the needs of every Member. You simply pick the one's that benefit you.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

I do not like the new program and have / will not be depositing my week with this program.

I understand the desire that SFX has to diversify but it's first and foremost a timeshare exchange company. Stick with that as the key focus and keep the two separate.

djyamyam - thank you for your post. Although you did not state what you didn't like about our multi faceted promotion, I am trying to understand your other comment.

Are you saying that we shouldn't offer additional services and money saving travel that is a major benefit to our Members in "Addition" to our core exchange service... just like RCI, I.I., American Express, Costco, AAA..... and hundreds of other corporations do? Or did I misunderstand what you are saying?

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Hi Glitter - Thank you for your post. The Reward Points are simply just an added benefit to what we already offer that several thousand members have taken adavantage of already. All the other items you mention are still our core business and are still offered. (Exchanges and deeply discounted Bonus Weeks that can be requested up to one year in advance like an exchange, and not offer by any other exchange company). We are simply adding more than the usual offer, not replacing it.

The Rewards are one of several options available to you that can save you up to $1,200 on travel other than timeshare, that you do not have to take advantage of. Our standard "old fashioned" benefits are still available.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I'd prefer the cash card to these points - it reduced the cost of things I may use.

Also worth noting that the bonus weeks have gone up considerably in price for the timeframes over six months out. They used to be one low price for the entire year. I know it's a discount over the "value" assigned, but in reality, having to spend the equivalent of a full maintenance fee for a bonus week doesn't seem like much of a "bonus."

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

djyamyam - Thank you for your post. You didn't say what exactly is it you don't like about the new promo?

I'm not a fan of the points, the complexity of applying them for some third party application (cruise) I have no use for and trying to tie to something I do use, ie. timeshare

Also... could you clarify what you mean about "Stick with the key focus, and keep the two separate"?

I believe my comment is pretty self explanatory as others got it. SFX is an exchange company, wanting owners to deposit their timeshare weeks to meet exchange request obligations. I, like the others here have said, like the bonus weeks, etc (which are also timeshare / accommodations related) in return. The members that frequent this timeshare website generally enjoying timesharing and use exchange companies to further that aspect of vacationing. Offering points for cruising is a disconnect to an unrelated desire for this group.

I can understand SFX wanting to target a broader audience of timeshare owners that aren't as savvy in their use of the timeshare they own or no longer see value in what they own so offering them more timeshare related stuff has no appeal. Cruising is gaining popularity with the older generation and that segment happens to currently own a lot of timeshare weeks so your promo is targeting that segment. I get it.

You wanted feedback. I don't dispute your promotion may be popular with some folks but don't try and convince me that your promo is good for me. Create two promos, one for folks interested in using timeshare for other timeshare related vacations (ie. bonus weeks) and something else for use their timeshare for some non-timeshare related promo.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

Sorry. Didn't have the quotes in the right place in my previous post.

djyamyam - thank you for your post. Although you did not state what you didn't like about our multi faceted promotion, I am trying to understand your other comment.

I'm not a fan of the points, the complexity of applying them for some third party application (cruise) I have no use for and trying to tie to something I do use, ie. timeshare

Are you saying that we shouldn't offer additional services and money saving travel that is a major benefit to our Members in "Addition" to our core exchange service... just like RCI, I.I., American Express, Costco, AAA..... and hundreds of other corporations do? Or did I misunderstand what you are saying?

I believe my comment is pretty self explanatory as others got it. SFX is an exchange company, wanting owners to deposit their timeshare weeks to meet exchange request obligations. I, like the others here have said, like the bonus weeks, etc (which are also timeshare / accommodations related) in return. The members that frequent this timeshare website generally enjoying timesharing and use exchange companies to further that aspect of vacationing. Offering points for cruising is a disconnect to an unrelated desire for this group.

I can understand SFX wanting to target a broader audience of timeshare owners that aren't as savvy in their use of the timeshare they own or no longer see value in what they own so offering them more timeshare related stuff has no appeal. Cruising is gaining popularity with the older generation and that segment happens to currently own a lot of timeshare weeks so your promo is targeting that segment. I get it.

You wanted feedback. I don't dispute your promotion may be popular with some folks but don't try and convince me that your promo is good for me. Create two promos: one for folks interested in using timeshares for other timeshare related vacations (ie. bonus weeks) and something else for those that use their timeshare for some non-timeshare related promo.

[Andy25g Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andy25g]

Mark, I think you might have spoiled us with previous deposit options.

Obviously primary exchange is the most important but what made depositing with SFX(previous deposit option) a no brainer were:

1. Lifestyle/Bonus weeks were a better value(image attached of old pricing structure)

I received 5 bonus weeks with my last deposit with SFX, it was great but for me Id rather have less bonus weeks if pricing structure
was brought back to previous model.

2. Longer expiration dates of Lifestyle/Bonus weeks

I still have a couple bonus weeks that expire Dec 15, 2013 for a deposit I gave SFX in either late 2011 or early 2012(so I have approx 2 years to use)
Just recently I emailed Elena in regards to exp date of bonus weeks if I deposited a 2014 Xmas week and was told bonus weeks expire at end of 2013
for this current depsoit promotion.
So, Im assuming bonus week expiration dates have also changed with current deposit option. (not in our favor)

3. Lastly, the vacation cash card has been great to help offset costs for both bonus and exchange weeks.... I was hoping this option would return.
Also, I still have money left on VCC from the deposit mentioned above so Its been great to not have this expire so soon also.

Thanks

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

Mark, I hope we don't sound like a bunch of ungrateful members with too many first world problems to still see that SFX offers us more than other exchange companies.
I did very much prefer the special offer a while back that included the 5 lifestyle weeks. I am a small business owner, so I understand if it was not feasible to continue, there is no reason to continue to offer it. It did motivate me to deposit more, though. Just giving more feedback.
Thanks,
Presley

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

I agree with the majority of posters here. Previous promotions are much preferable. Also I would like to see something like II's flexchange where at 59 days or less size upgrades fees are no longer applicable on the original deposit. I can use a studio with Interval to exchange into a 2 bedroom with interval for just the normal exchange fee $154 at 59 days out. With SFX a one bedroom exchanging into a 2 bedroom one week before check in would require a $399 exchange fee.

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

Offering points for cruising is a disconnect to an unrelated desire for this group.

I can understand SFX wanting to target a broader audience of timeshare owners that aren't as savvy in their use of the timeshare they own or no longer see value in what they own so offering them more timeshare related stuff has no appeal. Cruising is gaining popularity with the older generation and that segment happens to currently own a lot of timeshare weeks so your promo is targeting that segment. I get it.

Well there are a few of us who like cruising too.
Which is why I signed up.

I like having the option of trading a week for a cruise or doing last minute gigs for $49 a week.
That seems like a good value to me and supposedly with this new Diamond rewards the exchange fees are eliminated if I understand the program correctly.

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

Well there are a few of us who like cruising too.
Which is why I signed up.

I like having the option of trading a week for a cruise or doing last minute gigs for $49 a week.
That seems like a good value to me and supposedly with this new Diamond rewards the exchange fees are eliminated if I understand the program correctly.

According to the sfx membership chart Diamond exchanges would still be $149 vs $169 for platinum and $199 for gold.


Chriskre, did you call up to join Diamond Rewards or did they call you and did you feel it was a hard sell? I am looking forward to an unbiased opinion on the program from someone who understands multiple exchange systems.

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

Well there are a few of us who like cruising too.
Which is why I signed up.

I like having the option of trading a week for a cruise or doing last minute gigs for $49 a week.
That seems like a good value to me and supposedly with this new Diamond rewards the exchange fees are eliminated if I understand the program correctly.

I believe (don't quote me on this) there was a promotion a number of years ago - before Lifestyle weeks, where upon depositing your week, you picked a certain number of desired options from a list of 4 or 5 items. That could be the way to go and one of those options could be the points to be used for cruises and other options could be vacation cash or lifestyle weeks.

Now it could be that Presley is correct and some of the previously offered items are no longer financially viable or why bonus week pricing needs to go up, etc. However, I would rather to be told straight up that "we've had to increase prices" or that "x can no longer be offered" as opposed to the marketing spin on how much better it is compared to everyone else.