DVC vs Fairfield?

[betslinc]

Does anyone own any Fairfield points? I have a small OKW package (which I love), and was thinking about a Fairfield contract to alternate years, so we would have more choice in locations and maybe do some RCI exchanges. The new Bonnet Creek location looks exciting too. I've visited the Yahoo-Fairfield user group, and the number of complaints on customer service looks pretty high. Also, there are a lot of little fees tacked on to all the exchanges, even though the maintainece fees look pretty low. I was wondering if anyone had experience with both? Thanks!

Betsy in freezing cold RI

 

[NCRedding]

We purchased a "discovery"package through Fairfield in 2000. It was supposed to be an introduction to Fairfield; one that "worked exactly the same way as the regular fairfield points." )real estate agent's quote) We found that with the package we had, we were never able to book less than 1 full week at a time. We (and a friend who also bought the discovery package) tried several times to book long weekends, weekday trips to no avail. At our last trip using Fairfield Points, we were subjected to a "courtesy visit" the real estate agent who showed up told us that we had misunderstood the package--that we weren't given priority bookings and that it would be so much easier if we purchased the actual points--by this time we just couldn't believe anything Fairfield said. With DVC, we've been members for one year, and I've never had any problem booking what I wanted--including a mid week one night stay in a GV, 5 nights at BVC, and 2 nights at HH. The flexibility can not be beat.

 

[mb168]

We looked at Fairfield in Vegas last year and actually bought but cancelled the contract when we got back. I don't rememberthe points structure and all, but the biggest concern I had was the number of points I was going to buy was around $19k. That same number on the resale market was $7-9K and I knew something wasn't right with that. We bought DVC 4 months later...

 

[betslinc]

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at a small contract resale, and I like the potential for short stays and lots of trading options, but it sounds like you really have to know the system to make it work, and that there are a lot of hassles involved. You can't beat Disney for the flexibility, and despite little glitches here and there, I think it operates pretty seamlessly.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Another resource for you might be:
www.tug2.net

 

[Disney Adventurer]

I can't speak for the Fairfield points system but we own both DVC and 1 week with Fairfield. We would consider giving our Fairfield week away if I could find someone to take it. No comparison between DVC and Fairfield weeks, but don't know about the point system.

 

[mickeys#1fan]

DW and I went to a local sales center for a "1 hour presentation." We couldn't get out! I've been a sales professional for 12 years, and I've never seen such hardball tactics. I almost felt like a hostage. We said "no" several times, but they just kept coming at us. Finally, we got up and just left. The agent held none of his irritation back. I'll never buy from anyone that treats me like that.

On the other hand, when we bought at DVC, Mary Mannix pretty much held our hand the whole time. I wanted to do it badly, but had some extreme buyer's remorse. At one time, she even suggested it might be better if we didn't do it. She was genuinely concerned with whether we were comfortable. It's been one of our best purchases ever, and certainly one of our best buying experiences.

 

[spiceycat]

go look at tug like Captain Midnight says - I am actually buying a South Africia to trade to Orlando. If I get good results I will definite post here and on tug. Much cheaper than other timeshares.

but if you can afford it - go with Marriott they have some wonderful resorts and you get their internal trading. The Marriott sales people were very nice and no pressure - they got upset (and who could blame them) when they found out that I rented from II for less than the MF. but they gave me the US/IOA tickets - no problem.

Just don't buy your Marriott in Orlando - I don't know about Florida in general - Dean is the expert.

But if you can afford another timeshare - Marriott has a great reputation.

 

[Lisa P.]

Betsy, I have owned DVC in the past and currently own Fairfield points. There don't seem to be many others with ownership experience with both companies' points programs here. There are a handful of DVC members who post to the Yahoo Fairfield_Timeshare group. I would encourage you to try posting there as well, for comparisons.

The DVC program is more flexible overall. The Fairfield program offers far more resort destinations and their newest resorts are truly Gold Crown.

Customer service is excellent with DVC, variable with FF. Having learned the FF system, I am able to get excellent customer service there as well and it is steadily improving, IMHO, thankfully. It does take a while to know what you are doing, so that you can ask the right questions and learn to secure what you want. It's not as easy as DVC.

There are definitely some restrictions on prime season travel to most FF destinations. Everyone wants to travel then and the premium on points usage is not as vast as it is with DVC, encouraging more requests for usage during primetime. Therefore, primetime at FF prime resorts books more solidly. Early planning may be more important with FF.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our points ownership with FF. We spent a couple, very pleasant midweek short stays at the FF Smoky Mountains resort in Sept & Dec. We just returned yesterday from a 5 night stay near Washington DC at FF Alexandria, an urban resort that compared quite well with The Manhattan Club (which we've traded into in the past via RCI, using our FF points).

We like the RCI trading options and the ability to secure upgrades via RCI. For me, that's part of the flexibility advantage of FF. Other FF owners (who own at II home resorts) have recently posted about their secured exchanges into DVC for Aug/Sept 2003, including unit size upgrades.

Again, understanding the system is important, to make the most of it. We now know when we can reasonably expect to secure our short stay reservations and how to get the tougher ones. We know how to handle major holidays and primetime. And we tend to travel just offseason anyway, so we always tend to get what we want.

OTOH, newbies are easily frustrated with FF, understandably. And the terrible sales practices of their sales staff make this much worse, IMHO. These things don't happen very often with DVC, so the edge goes easily to DVC, in this regard. Bottom line is, there are advantages to both. Whether it's worthwhile to you will depend upon your vacation "wants" and whether they are achievable via FF or not. For us, FF is an excellent choice! HTH.

 

[betslinc]

Thanks everybody, for taking the time to share your experiences. And Lisa, it was really great to get the "inside scoop". This information helps a lot!
Betsy