Giving away a bonus week?

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

Our non-profit raffle gift has worked beautifully!

HI Marc and all,
Just to let you know that we are very excited that the non-profit organization that we offered a Mexican vacation to for their fund-raiser has worked out beautifully!

They drew the winning ticket at the New Year's Eve party they held and contacted the winners last Monday. We contacted the winners to see when and where they wanted to go and they picked November at the Mayan Palace south of Cancun and we already have the confirmation in hand for them!

Thanks for the idea and the information of how to do it; it has worked out so well.
JOAN

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

HI Marc and all,
Just to let you know that we are very excited that the non-profit organization that we offered a Mexican vacation to for their fund-raiser has worked out beautifully!

They drew the winning ticket at the New Year's Eve party they held and contacted the winners last Monday. We contacted the winners to see when and where they wanted to go and they picked November at the Mayan Palace south of Cancun and we already have the confirmation in hand for them!

Thanks for the idea and the information of how to do it; it has worked out so well.
JOAN

Joan - thanks for the feedback. We are thrilled to see a Bonus Week used for a Fundraiser. It's a great way to raise money for charities, schools, churches etc. and I believe your cost for the bonus week is "tax-deductable" under these circumstances. (Please check with your tax advisor).

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

Mark, could you post the information on how to do this, maybe in a sticky? It would be helpful to me for future planning. Thanks!

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

Mark, just to be sure I have sorted through the threads and understand.
1. It is possible for one to transfer a Bonus week to another member's account, but requires extra data processing at SFX. Not desirable from SFX's viewpoint.
2. One can enter the Guest name & contact information in when we enter the request for them. We will not be contacted as the go-between in that case. I assume the guest will need to trust us with their credit card information to submit the request, or we need to trust them to reimburse us.
Anything else I need to consider before I make an offer to another to use a bonus week?
Thanks

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

Thank you for your post - When placing the request on behalf of your guest, in the comments box you can state this is for your guest and state you want the agent to contact them directly at a certain number. No different to any guest request made.

I am considering offering a bonus week to my colleagues at work.

If I place a request for a bonus week on behalf of someon, and SFX finds an exact match, what is the result if they decline that exact match? Are they or I obligated to pay the $399?

Also, is it possible to enter more than one guest name and search criteria, and whichever is matched first gets the week?

Thanks

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

I am considering offering a bonus week to my colleagues at work.

If I place a request for a bonus week on behalf of someon, and SFX finds an exact match, what is the result if they decline that exact match? Are they or I obligated to pay the $399?

Also, is it possible to enter more than one guest name and search criteria, and whichever is matched first gets the week?

Thanks

dxlc9p6 - Thank you for your post. Good questions...

In the event we find an exact match, something you specifically asked us to find for you, then yes the fee is due and payable for our work, even if the week is declined. We know circumstances can change, but we do not want Members placing requests for space unless they are serious about wanting the vacation. If circumstances change, it is important to go online and cancel the search immediately to avoid any fees.

Although you can enter unlimited alternative locations and dates for multiple searches, you can only enter one guest name. You may just want to put the search in your name with the mulitple search choices, and who's location comes up first, you can have their name placed on the booking.

Hope this helps...

[odaddy Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close odaddy]

I must say that it is fantastic of sfx to allow the transfer of bonus weeks, it almost seems wrong after being treated so differently elsewhere

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

dxlc9p6 - Thank you for your post. Good questions...

In the event we find an exact match, something you specifically asked us to find for you, then yes the fee is due and payable for our work, even if the week is declined. We know circumstances can change, but we do not want Members placing requests for space unless they are serious about wanting the vacation. If circumstances change, it is important to go online and cancel the search immediately to avoid any fees....

I knew that was the way exchange fees worked and assumed the same for the bonus week fee (which I agree is fair).

[/QUOTE]Although you can enter unlimited alternative locations and dates for multiple searches, you can only enter one guest name. You may just want to put the search in your name with the multiple search choices, and who's location comes up first, you can have their name placed on the booking.[/QUOTE]

With more than one request for more than one individual, do I have the option to "hold" the reservation for ~24 hrs. to confirm with the person, knowing the $399 fee is due regardless? If they decline, and another individual's request matches, then the fee is already paid.

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

With more than one request for more than one individual, do I have the option to "hold" the reservation for ~24 hrs. to confirm with the person, knowing the $399 fee is due regardless? If they decline, and another individual's request matches, then the fee is already paid.

zdxlc9p6 - sorry for the delay, I missed the post. Yes, you would have a 24 hour hold on the unit so you can offer to guest 1... 2 or 3 accordingly. But please be aware, if it's an exact match whether the week is taken or not, the fee is due for services rendered.

Hope this helps...

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Bill - Yes, the bonus week fee would be still be required. Also, I believe charitable donations may be a tax deductable item.

There is no allowable tax deduction for the donation of bonus week.

The general principle is that no deduction is allowed for the use of property; to obtain a deduction, ownership of property must be donated.

This applies to more than just timeshare. For example, if I donate the use of my pressure washer to clean the sidewalks and driveways at the local boy scout hall, I can't claim a deduction for doing so. But I can claim the market value of the pressure washer if I donate the unit.

For more info, check the timeshare and taxes article at TUG.