new member question

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

Hi Mark,

I read lots of good things about SFX so I'd like to give it a try. I have a prime week in a 5star resort (listed on your website).

After reading through "Ask SFX" board, I still have several questions.

1) You mentioned that as an incentive to invite new members to deposit, the price of bonus week for new members would be one slot lower than the on-going special prices. For example, in 2008, it was $399 instead of $499 and in 2009, it was $399 instead of $599. This was an incentive to allow new member to enjoy the original bonus week price when the deposition deadline for the original special price had passed. My question is if that deadline has not passed, will new member simply get a $100-$200 off the bonus price?

2) What is the cost to upgrade bonus week at holiday time and to Grand Mayan (of course, subject to availability)? I couldn't find the related pricing information in terms/condition and throughout your website.

3) I understand that SFX starts active search one year before travel date, siting that most resorts only open for deposition at one year mark. One of my resorts (belong to your directory) allows reservation/deposition 2 years in advance. Do you accept deposit 2 years in advance? Does it still hold true that bonus week expires at the end of use year? For example, currently bonus week for 2010 deposition expires on 12/31/2010. If one deposits a 2011 week in 2009, will bonus week expires on 12/31/2011? I personally thought it would be advantageous for an exchange company to lock in advance inventory, but I just want to double check to make sure the extra one year would translate to more trading power and longer bonus week usage. I know it would give me big benefits if I deposit early with other exchange companies.

4) I remember you mentioned a cancellation protection policy before, which is different from the travel insurance policy, but I couldn't find that info on your website.

5) Is there a member's manual available detailing all the rules? I got a lot of information from this site than from reading the generic procedure and .pdf on your website. But the information here a in pieces here or there. You responded to a similar inquiry a while back that sth is in the work.

6) Your new Plat reward membership includes cruising discount. I'm interested in this. Is it possible to get a quote before committing to the plat reward membership? There are so many cruising travel sites providing competitive pricing. I want to make sure that the discount from Plat reward worth the membership fees comparing to other discount outlets.

Thanks for your help and look forward to hearing from you!

TH

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

Hi Mark,

I read lots of good things about SFX so I'd like to give it a try. I have a prime week in a 5star resort (listed on your website).

After reading through "Ask SFX" board, I still have several questions. TH

Hi Travelhome - first let me apologize for the delay in my response. We have been overwhelmed with the response to our current promotion. Thank you for your patience.

1) You mentioned that as an incentive to invite new members to deposit, the price of bonus week for new members would be one slot lower than the on-going special prices. For example, in 2008, it was $399 instead of $499 and in 2009, it was $399 instead of $599. This was an incentive to allow new member to enjoy the original bonus week price when the deposition deadline for the original special price had passed. My question is if that deadline has not passed, will new member simply get a $100-$200 off the bonus price?

SFX: Our most current Deposit your Week promotion now has a completely different structure. For example... there used to be an expiration date in which to qualify for the promotion. We no longer have an expiration date. The whole idea is to promote deposits on a year round basis with an ongoing promotion, on the basis of reward those who deposit in prime-time and in advance more so than those who deposit non-prime and late. But everyone gets something.

We have also added a menu of additional Money Saving benefits that were not there earlier. The anywhere Bonus Week pricing is reduced down to only $499 ... and the Mexico Bonus Week is only $299. Incredible Value. Unlike other exchange companies that restrict you to 60-90 days in advance, and you can only book what's left over... with SFX you can request what you want, and up to a year in advance, similar to an exchange week.

2) What is the cost to upgrade bonus week at holiday time and to Grand Mayan (of course, subject to availability)? I couldn't find the related pricing information in terms/condition and throughout your website.

SFX: $199 upgrade fee for a Major Holiday week, and $299 for an upgrade to a Grand Mayan unit.

3) I understand that SFX starts active search one year before travel date, siting that most resorts only open for deposition at one year mark. One of my resorts (belong to your directory) allows reservation/deposition 2 years in advance. Do you accept deposit 2 years in advance?

Does it still hold true that bonus week expires at the end of use year? For example, currently bonus week for 2010 deposition expires on 12/31/2010. If one deposits a 2011 week in 2009, will bonus week expires on 12/31/2011?

I personally thought it would be advantageous for an exchange company to lock in advance inventory, but I just want to double check to make sure the extra one year would translate to more trading power and longer bonus week usage. I know it would give me big benefits if I deposit early with other exchange companies.

SFX: We do accept deposits 2 years in advance. With regards to your Bonus Week question (If one deposits a 2011 week in 2009, will bonus week expires on 12/31/2011?)... the answer is yes.

4) I remember you mentioned a cancellation protection policy before, which is different from the travel insurance policy, but I couldn't find that info on your website.

SFX: The only Travel Protection we have is at: http://www.sfx-resorts.com/travelprotection.pdf. The opportunity to acquire coverage appears when you are booking a unit online, or is offered when booking with an agent.

5) Is there a member's manual available detailing all the rules? I got a lot of information from this site than from reading the generic procedure and .pdf on your website. But the information here a in pieces here or there. You responded to a similar inquiry a while back that sth is in the work.

SFX: Here are links to our User Guidelines, FAQ. These should cover all questions. Of course we invite you to contact us at any time if you have further questions. In our new upcoming website, this information will be more consolodated and much better presented. There will be a number of needed major improvements in the new site.

6) Your new Plat reward membership includes cruising discount. I'm interested in this. Is it possible to get a quote before committing to the plat reward membership?

There are so many cruising travel sites providing competitive pricing. I want to make sure that the discount from Plat reward worth the membership fees comparing to other discount outlets.

SFX: Yes, we’d be more than happy to quote a cruise exchange price before committing to the SFX Platinum Rewards membership. You will find far greater savings on the mid to upper cruise lines, more so than the lesser. Please private message me your name and the best number for us to reach you at.

Many thanks for your questions... and I hope our answers help. If there are further questions, we look forward to them.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
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