Need information on PSE

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Okay, I've finally decided to buy a Pono Kai.

I know that it is part of the PSE. Can we start a dialog here about what that is and how best to use it? Or alternatively, if there is a link somewhere, that would be great as well.

My specific question for now, is what type of unit should I buy? I am thinking about buying a 2 bedroom, 52 week floating unit so that I can get a great oceanfront view like I had at New Year.

But, I could just buy a studio and use bonus time since I have lots of flexibility in travel times.

And, I want to be able to use the PSE exchange privileges, but I am not sure how it works and what is the best unit to own for that purpose.

Can anyone help?

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

One thing to consider is buying a PSE resort(s) that has cheap maintenance fees and can be had for cheap. Be sure to get at least a one or two bedroom so you don't have to pay upgrade fees in PSE (they do like for like). Then you pay your one time PSE fee and then trades are free after that. Pono Kai is actually an easy trade from what I have seen. I am not sure how unit selection works.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Another thing. PSE used to RCIM. Then Fairfield. Now Wyndham. I can't keep up with who owns who now.


This was in timesharebeat April 2001:

http://www.thetimesharebeat.com/street/apr06-01.htm

So here we are at the Cendant/Fairfield buyout. Didn't take CD long to make its moves once the deal was closed on April 2, did it? Fairshare Plus has affiliated with RCI Points (well, of course they did), and another recent announcement was the merging of RCI Management with Fairfield's management arm (told ya so). RCIM manages 19 resorts consisting of 23 resort associations and 15 service affiliations in the U.S., Mexico and Australia. Fairfield manages 34 resorts consisting of more than 110 timeshare and whole ownership resort associations in the U.S. and the Bahamas. Naturally, there are a lot of questions popping up about this. Will any of those RCIM-managed resorts carry the Fairfield brand, or become new Fairfield affiliates? Will they remain separate entities? Some of the RCIM-managed resorts are: St. George's Club in Bermuda Great Vacations Resort in Hershey, Pennsylvania Villa del Palmar resorts in Mexico The Woods Resort in Branson (see below) etc. And what about Westar's resale program at all those RCIM resorts? How will that be affected? Will (or when will) Fairfield begin converting those resorts to the FFD program and/or RCI Points? Will (or when will) Fairfield commence sales at

Havasu Dunes at Lake Havasu Arizona?
Pono Kai Resort in Kapaa, Kauai Hawaii?
Park City, Utah?
The Shores at Lake Travis in Texas?
How will San Luis Bay Inn in Avila Beach, California-- which is a Sunterra property managed by RCIM-- be affected? Will Fairfield take over unsold inventory there? How much undersold inventory is there from the old Glen Ivy resorts for Fairfield to convert resorts to points, and will they do it? So many questions...

We also hear that RCIM has lost its management contracts in the Lake Tahoe area to VRI. That's a nice coup for VRI, if true.

Meanwhile, we hear that Fairfield is going to open an offsite sales center in Costa Mesa, CA near South Coast Plaza that there have been some staff cuts at the Dolphin's Cove Resort in Anaheim (FFD is starting to take control there) and that congratulations are due to Fairfield on their appointment of the first African American D.O.S. in all of Fairfield. (More details, please.) And is it true that since management changed in Fairfield Destin's in-house, only million-dollar producers are being considered to fill sales spots left vacant from promotions?

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

John,

Are there rules for PSE exchange posted anywhere? I'd like to read the T&Cs and get a feel for the available resorts.

How is availability overall? Can you trade down?

I want to buy at Pono Kai so I can use Pono Kai bonus time. So, the high MF is only annoying, not a showstopper.

Are there bonus time rules across resorts? Or, just at the one you own?

Thanks.

Jim

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

You can use bonus time across resorts.

Preferred Time Owner privilege to use unoccupied space at any PSE Resort at discounted rates. Reservations may be confirmed 13 days in advance of travel date. Minimum two night stay required. Rates are subject to change. All reservations are subject to space availability.

For the 2005-2006 calendar year, the rates for PSE Members wishing to utilize Preferred Time at participating PSE Resorts, are as follows:

Pacific Fantasy
1 Bedroom
Regency
2 Bedroom
TOT Excise Tax Rate

$60.00
$60.00
$70.00
11.5%

Pono Kai
Studio
Mini
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
TOT SalesTax Rate

$65.00
$65.00
$75.00
$85.00
11.50%

For current Preferred Time rate information for resorts not listed above, please contact our reservations office at (800) 647-8001.

Rates are based on availability and are subject to change.

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

Okay, I've finally decided to buy a Pono Kai.

I know that it is part of the PSE. Can we start a dialog here about what that is and how best to use it? Or alternatively, if there is a link somewhere, that would be great as well.

My specific question for now, is what type of unit should I buy? I am thinking about buying a 2 bedroom, 52 week floating unit so that I can get a great oceanfront view like I had at New Year.

But, I could just buy a studio and use bonus time since I have lots of flexibility in travel times.

And, I want to be able to use the PSE exchange privileges, but I am not sure how it works and what is the best unit to own for that purpose.

Can anyone help?

BB, you've got mail

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

You may have already found this...if not, check out this link:

http://www.westarvacations.com/pse.htm

Bluegreen handles all PSE reservations for PK and PF owners. Bonus time is very easy to get as are "upgrades", so a studio might work. However, if you want it between Xmas and New Years then you should probably buy a two bedroom float.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

The following resorts have been members of Preferred Status since prior to Jan. 1994:

Laguna Surf, Laguna Beach, CA
Pono Kai, Kapaa, Kauai, HI
Pacific Fantasy, Kapaa, Kauai, HI
Plaza Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, CA
Inn at Silver Lakes, Helendale, CA
Park Regency, Park City, UT
San Luis Bay Inn, Avila Beach, CA
Havasu Dunes, Lake Havasu, AZ
Vista Mirage, Palm Springs, CA
Heidelberg Inn, June Lake, CA
Club Lakeridge, Reno, NV (limited Preferred Status privileges)

as of January 2004 these additional resorts were availabe for Network Exchange for $59/week. Preferred time is also available :

Branson Yacht Club - Branson, MO
Cedar Ridge at the Woods Resort - Branson, MO
Emerald Point Resort - Hollister, MO
Painted Mountain - Mesa, AZ
Vacation Suites at Tunica - Tunica MS
Dolphins Cove - Anaheim, CA

Please refer to Preferred Status Exchange directory for additional terms and conditions or call RCI Management, Inc. 800.647.8001


Charter Membership
in Preferred StatusSM Exchange (PSE)
Managed by RCI Management, Inc.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New buyers at a Preferred Status Exchange Charter Member Resort have the option of purchasing a Charter Membership in PSE for a one-time fee of $200 payable to RCI Management, Inc. (RCIM). Charter Memberships are only issued at the time of purchase.
There is NO annual membership fee in Preferred Status Exchange.
Charter Membership benefits in Preferred Status ExchangeEXCHANGE YOUR USE TIME
You may exchange your Use Time for any available comparable accommodations/seasons at any other Preferred Status resort with
NO EXCHANGE FEE*. You may book as early as ten (10) months in advance.

BONUS TIME & PREFERRED TIME
Bonus Time is a member's privilege to use unoccupied space at a member's home resort. This space is available when a reservation is cancelled or the time remains unbooked. Preferred Status Exchange gives you the benefit of utilizing Bonus Time at other Preferred Status resorts. This is called Preferred Time. Book your reservation as early as thirteen (13) days in advance. Preferred Time reservations must include a minimum of two nights. Preferred Time rates are set by the board of Directors at each resort and are subject to change without notice.

SPLIT YOUR TIME
You may split your week at your own resort or at other Preferred Status resorts into a minimum of two (2) nights per reservation. You will be charged $30.00 when you make your second reservation and if you make a third reservation. You may book a Split Week reservation at other Preferred Status resorts as early as nine (9) months in advance. Only one weekend may be utilized per Split Week. Only full weeks may be carried over to the following year and any unused days are forfeited (see Freedom Plus).

UPGRADE YOUR USE TIME
You may upgrade your unit type or season for only $30.00 per night for the first level of upgrade and an additional $5.00 per night for each additional level of upgrade you desire. You may book an Upgrade reservation at your home resort and most Preferred Status resorts as early as six (6) months in advance.

CARRY OVER YOUR USE TIME WITH FREEDOM PLUS
With Preferred Status you have the benefit of Freedom Plus. This program allows you to carry over your unused use week to the year immediately following at no charge if you contact reservations by March 31 to Freedom Plus your week to the following year. A $35 fee will be charged if you wait until June 30 to carry forward your week. You must call and make your reservation within the first six (6) months of the following year or the carried over week is forfeited. Weeks can only be carried over one year. You may cancel your carry over for a $15.00 fee. Only full weeks are eligible for Freedom Plus. Fractions of weeks are not eligible for carry over. Any unused are forfeited.

* Owners at 4 Seasons and The Villas pay $49.00 to Preferred Status per Use Time exchange into the other Preferred Status Exchange resorts; for Preferred Time, a $5.00 per night surcharge will be added to the Preferred Time rates. A $49.00 fee will be charged for each Villas Freedom Plus Use Time week.

I am at your disposal if you need more information.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

L2,

At the current www.pseresorts.com site it shows the following. So have we lost member resorts? I wonder if they are going to add FF or Wyndham resorts?

4A



Charter Resorts:

These are resorts whose associations were among the first to affiliate with the PSE Program. Pursuant to the terms of their Affiliation Agreements and underlying management relationships, the associations at the Charter Resorts pay a flat reservation fee entitling their owners to make exchanges into other Charter Resorts. The Charter Resorts are:

Club Lakeridge
Reno, Nevada

Havasu Dunes
Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Heidelberg Inn
June Lake, California

Inn at Silver Lakes
Helendale, California

Laguna Surf
Laguna Beach, California

Pacific Fantasy
Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii

Park Regency
Park City, Utah

Plaza Resort & Spa
Palm Springs, California

Pono Kai
Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii

San Luis Bay Inn
Avila Beach, California

Vista Mirage
Palm Springs, California



Member Resorts:

These are resorts whose associations entered into an Affiliation Agreement entitling members to participate in the PSE Program on a per transaction basis. The Member Resorts are:

Dolphin’s Cove Resort
Anaheim, California

ALL RESORTS LISTED ABOVE, WHETHER CHARTER OR MEMBER, PARTICIPATE IN THE PSE PROGRAM SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THEIR AFFILIATION AGREEMENT. ACCORDINGLY, IF THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS EXPIRE OR ARE TERMINATED BY EITHER THE ASSOCIATION OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT, SUCH RESORT SHALL NO LONGER BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PSE PROGRAM AND SHALL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO PSE MEMBERS.

ADDITIONALLY, FROM TIME TO TIME, NEW RESORTS MAY BECOME AFFILIATED WITH THE PROGRAM AS MEMBER RESORTS.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

I just found out an interesting fact from Wyndham/PSE. They used to charge a fee for registering in PSE (about $199) and then there was no exchange fee for exchange into any other PSE Charter Resort. Well starting last year they do not charge the set-up fee and anyone who buys into a PSE Charter Resort gets the PSE benefits for free unless they opt out...that includes the fee free exchanges. Wow.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I just found out an interesting fact from Wyndham/PSE. They used to charge a fee for registering in PSE (about $199) and then there was no exchange fee for exchange into any other PSE Charter Resort. Well starting last year they do not charge the set-up fee and anyone who buys into a PSE Charter Resort gets the PSE benefits for free unless they opt out...that includes the fee free exchanges. Wow.

Really?
Nice deal for someone who is interested in the resorts that fall under the PSE umbrella. Especially if you can pick one up resale/foreclosure!

I wonder if Westarvacation is still the PSE vendor of choice? That is where we got our two and very sweet prices.