Bonus Weeks

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

ohh.. ok

I thought all bonus week would expire 12/31/07
That makes it better..

and yes, I could deposit a July week in Nov, but then my arguement wouldn't sound as convincing...lol..

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

2. Exchange weeks can be extended another year with the deposit of another week.

Does the extension occur automatically in the account or do we have to request it?

For example, if I deposit a 7/06 week it would expire in 7/08 (2 yrs past check-in). But if I also deposit a 7/07 week, will the 7/06 weeks' expiration automatically change to 7/09 if I haven't used it yet or do I have to request the extension myself?

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

Does the extension occur automatically in the account or do we have to request it?

For example, if I deposit a 7/06 week it would expire in 7/08 (2 yrs past check-in). But if I also deposit a 7/07 week, will the 7/06 weeks' expiration automatically change to 7/09 if I haven't used it yet or do I have to request the extension myself?

Temerson - if responding to a promotion, when the agent clears your deposit online and it is verified by the resort... they click a button that extends your pre-existing weeks by one year. In your example the 2006 deposit will now expire in 2009 as you state.

Hope this helps...

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

As always, thank you Mark for your fast reply.

[blr666 Member Find all posts View Profile Close blr666]

Hi GrayFal - Your bonus week will expire on 12/31/2007. You have from now and till that date to use it. If you waited till May you would have from May 06 to 12/31/07 to use it. By doing it now, you added about a 3 month window of opportunity to use it.

Whatever promotional specials we come out with around May, you will be entitled to them. Not quite sure what they will be yet. But they are always great value. Hope this helps...

Hi Mark,

Just a clarification. If I deposit my 2007 week now, will I get whatever the promotional offers that will come out in May 2006? even though I am doing it before the promotional offers? Will it be automatic or would I have to call to get the bonus week? Thanks.

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

Temerson,

The extension in normally done by SFX automatically but I would suggest members to verify the extension. I found out a month ago that the week I deposited in Sept did not extend the week I deposited back in June. Talked the SFX and they corrected it right away. Also please know the extension is only for regular deposited week but not for bonus weeks.

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

Temerson,

The extension in normally done by SFX automatically but I would suggest members to verify the extension. I found out a month ago that the week I deposited in Sept did not extend the week I deposited back in June. Talked the SFX and they corrected it right away. Also please know the extension is only for regular deposited week but not for bonus weeks.

Thanks, I'll make sure to double check that everything gets updated as it should. It's nice to know that SFX can quickly correct any problems such as this without having to go around in circles first.

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

Hi Mark,

I recently joined SFX in Nov. as a platinum member and deposited an HGVC Flamingo 4th of July week. We got a bonus week that expires 12/31/06 with the deposit. I am very confused about the following, so I am hoping you can answer some of my questions (feel free to e-mail me).

1. An SFX rep told me a few weeks ago that bonus weeks cannot pull holiday weeks at all, so she would not put in a search for the week beginning July 1 with the bonus week. Yet I am reading in this thread that holiday weeks might be available for a bonus week for an extra fee. Can I go ahead and search for a holiday week with the bonus week in an online search?

2. I am not sure at all what type of fees I will pay with this bonus week. I see references to $399 Mexican bonus weeks, etc. Will it only be the exchange fee of $129, or will there be additional costs?

3. We are trying to get into London or Paris in late October/early November with the regular week. However, I did not understand how to make changes to my first requests in Dec., so I cancelled them and now both the regular week and bonus weeks are searching for the European weeks. It looks like the search started in February so I am worried I lost my place in line. The SFX rep said I shouldn't search for Europe with both the bonus and regular weeks. However, this is my dilemma - I would like the bonus week used first since it expires this year. I want the bonus week used for whatever is pulled first. If the bonus week is used for a summer week (I am also using the bonus week to request summer weeks), then I want the searches to be still in place with the regular week, so I don't have to begin a new search with the regular week, and lose the place in line first. The rep did not seem to understand this.

4. Also, I want to have some idea if my requests for Europe are impossible or if we are likely to get it. There has been no activity on my requests. In any event, I am going to make some back-up plans with hotels in case SFX doesn't get us a European week. That's why it's all the more important that we use the bonus week first, and keep the regular week for exchanges in the future if we can't get the European weeks this fall.

I'm hoping you can clear up some of my confusion. Thanks!!

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

Mark - have you had a chance to look at this? I'm sorry it's a bit rambling. I would particularly like to get answers to 1 and 2.

Can a bonus week even search for London? I read a few Mexican bonus week posts, and someone mentioned that bonus weeks can't get London.

Thanks!!

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

Hi Mark,

I recently joined SFX in Nov. as a platinum member and deposited an HGVC Flamingo 4th of July week. We got a bonus week that expires 12/31/06 with the deposit. I am very confused about the following, so I am hoping you can answer some of my questions (feel free to e-mail me).

1. An SFX rep told me a few weeks ago that bonus weeks cannot pull holiday weeks at all, so she would not put in a search for the week beginning July 1 with the bonus week. Yet I am reading in this thread that holiday weeks might be available for a bonus week for an extra fee. Can I go ahead and search for a holiday week with the bonus week in an online search?

2. I am not sure at all what type of fees I will pay with this bonus week. I see references to $399 Mexican bonus weeks, etc. Will it only be the exchange fee of $129, or will there be additional costs?

3. We are trying to get into London or Paris in late October/early November with the regular week. However, I did not understand how to make changes to my first requests in Dec., so I cancelled them and now both the regular week and bonus weeks are searching for the European weeks. It looks like the search started in February so I am worried I lost my place in line. The SFX rep said I shouldn't search for Europe with both the bonus and regular weeks. However, this is my dilemma - I would like the bonus week used first since it expires this year. I want the bonus week used for whatever is pulled first. If the bonus week is used for a summer week (I am also using the bonus week to request summer weeks), then I want the searches to be still in place with the regular week, so I don't have to begin a new search with the regular week, and lose the place in line first. The rep did not seem to understand this.

4. Also, I want to have some idea if my requests for Europe are impossible or if we are likely to get it. There has been no activity on my requests. In any event, I am going to make some back-up plans with hotels in case SFX doesn't get us a European week. That's why it's all the more important that we use the bonus week first, and keep the regular week for exchanges in the future if we can't get the European weeks this fall.

I'm hoping you can clear up some of my confusion. Thanks!!

Sally - Thank you for your post.

Re: 1. Bonus weeks can be requested for major Holiday weeks... however, Holiday weeks are always the most demanded weeks of the year and have the least fulfillment rate for exchanges with all exchange companies as demand is greater than supply. There is also an upgrade fee.

Re: 2. The price of the Bonus Week is only the advertised price, which is for a one-bedroom suite. There are no additional exchange fees to pay in addition the stated price, unless you request an upgrade to a two-bedroom suite, or a Holiday week. ($149. per upgrade).

Re: 3. I would need to review your account to give a precise response. If you could p.m. me your name and account number please.

Re: 4. Although possible, both London and Paris are extremely difficult to get. The reason is simple.... there are only 3-4 very small properties and the whole world wants to go. The demand is drastically higher than the supply of space with all exchange companies.

In a situation like this, the best chance of fulfillment is to say, "I will take any week within a 3-6 month window". The least chances are with one specific date. Keep in mind... "Flexibility" is always the key for successful exchanging.

I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but it is the reality. We would much rather set your expecations low... and deliver, rather than set them high and fail. We strongly sugggest a back-up plan B. Reserve a hotel just in case. Make sure you verify their cancellation policy. The worst case scenario is staying at a hotel, and you will still have your weeks available to you for another vacation.