OT: Free Timeshares

[Dean]

It seems to me that Wyndham stopped inter-member transfers so that THEY could charge $10 per thousand, or whatever it is. At that time, inter-member transfers were going for $5 per thousand. And inter-member transfers of "housekeeping points" was usually free, as a courtesy to other members. So Wyndham can now make a lot more money, while claiming the members requested that the inter-member transfers be stopped.
I don't know how successful they've been with stopping mega renters, as there are still people renting out condos in Bonnet Creek at a fraction of my cost to stay there.

One should understand those risks going in and realize two things. That the MOST you're really getting is the contractual components and that even those can change. IF one buys for the perks you must understand that it's a short term benefit that's worthy the long term risk and commitment, the DVC pass options would be a good example. There are a handful of people who could benefit from buying say 25 points just to get the perks but very few where it'd truly be worth it.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I just put in a request for Tahiti Village in Vegas. Other than Disney the only place we go is Vegas so we might as well have a spot to call home. Seems like a decent deal, odd years, one bedroom villa, floating 1-52, $660 dues. We'll see what happens

 

[JimMIA]

Like I posted earlier, with my tiny amount (when I go to the sales pitch to get some money out of Wyndham, the sales weasels are always baffled by the amount) I have been to Flagstaff, Puerto Rico, Orlando, D.C., Poconos, Berkshires, and through RCI Israel. So the 49K works for me! Full disclosure is that I bought the 49K to fulfill my modest goal at the time of staying in Orlando for 5 nights off season annually. But then I got the 1 week in Orange Lake, and realized a week was better. And then I discovered DVC. Truth is, I'm much happier with my expensive 320 points in DVC than I am in my 49K with Wyndham that cost only $100.

So you're using and enjoying both for the intrinsic core value at that system's own resorts.

The other good thing with both is that there are some good perks (as long as they last...and you must understand they can go away). With DVC, even if you had a small account, you could get DVC AP's; with your small Wyndham account you have a full individual membership in RCI which gives you access to very inexpensive Last Calls (full week cash rentals very cheap). We did one of those two summers ago at Vacation Village at Parkway (Kissimmee) -- one bedroom, seven nights, $224 including VVP's $25 resort fee.

To me, the key takeaways from this thread are:

• There are legitimate free, or nearly free, timeshare deals out there for those who do their homework
• They may or may not fit your needs, so you have to research, understand what you are buying, and consider only the best use of any system. Each system functions differently, and just because I like something doesn't mean it will serve anyone else well. Each prospective buyer has to evaluate things from their own perspective.
• If you find something that meets your needs (and we've been talking mostly about Wyndham, but there are several other very good options), the low acquisition cost can give you a low-risk entry/exit strategy.

 

[carlbarry]

The other good thing with both is that there are some good perks (as long as they last...and you must understand they can go away). With DVC, even if you had a small account, you could get DVC AP's; with your small Wyndham account you have a full individual membership in RCI which gives you access to very inexpensive Last Calls (full week cash rentals very cheap). We did one of those two summers ago at Vacation Village at Parkway (Kissimmee) -- one bedroom, seven nights, $224 including VVP's $25 resort fee.

If my DVC provided for RCI's Last Calls and other sales, I would drop my Wyndham. Fact is, I was checking to go to certain locations, and a week via RCI was much cheaper than a few days via Wyndham points.
For the information of newbies: As a Wyndham member, you also get membership in RCI, which is an "exchange" Wyndham owns, giving you access to locations world wide. Downside is, they have made the exchanges and exchange fees so high, it is problematic if it is worthwhile for many locations. Upside is: they often run sales, and you can get 7 days in nice locations at very low prices. They are currently running a promotion, $219 to Mexico, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, "and more."

 

[JimMIA]

If my DVC provided for RCI's Last Calls and other sales, I would drop my Wyndham. Fact is, I was checking to go to certain locations, and a week via RCI was much cheaper than a few days via Wyndham points.

It all depends on where you go and when, and the costs depend on what you are comparing to. If you're comparing points costs today on the newish (2-3 years now) fixed grid, those are certainly more than the old half-secret ability to be able to get a 2 BR for a full week for 28K Wyndham points.

But that doesn't mean it's a bad deal now. For example, when we exchanged into OKW, our week in a 2 BR for 126K points (including the RCI exchange fee, the MFs on the points used, and the $95 DVC "because we can" fee for nothing) our stay still cost us a little more than half what it would have cost using our OKW points (+/-$860 vs $1625 or so). So that week was certainly a bargain in our eyes!

On the RCI membership, a couple of clarifications. Wyndham's parent company -- NOT Wyndham Vacation Resorts -- owns RCI, along with the Wyndham hotels, Shell Vacation Club, Worldmark, the Wyndham timeshares, and lots of other stuff. Wyndham timeshares and RCI are sister (or step-sister) companies. And the membership is not free; it is included in our annual Program Fee that makes up part of our MFs.

 

[Brian Noble]

IMO some of the best options are actually difficult to unload or one might have to given them away or pay someone to take them, namely BG and Wyndham. Thus it's imperitive one make a good choice up front.

For Wyndham, any deed with below-average MF/point ratio is easy to unload. You won't get a huge payment, but it won't be an albatross.

 

[Dean]

For Wyndham, any deed with below-average MF/point ratio is easy to unload. You won't get a huge payment, but it won't be an albatross.

That's true today Brian but with the caveat that it's low maintenance fees comparative. Actually one can get of about anything today given the right situation and knowledge. But many people don't possess the contacts and knowledge to do so. And one may have to pay the closing to transfer even then. My points are two: that if one does research and makes a good choice on the buy in it shouldn't matter and that owner should basically never buy planning to sell later.

 

[littlestar]

In addition to our DVC points we also own resale Wyndham points. I really like Wyndham's locations - specifically Gatlinburg, multiple Florida panhandle resorts, Washington DC, Wyndham Waikiki Beachwalk, and their Bonnet Creek resort in Orlando. I consider our Wyndham points to be a very good value as we do not have to exchange outside of Wyndham to travel to various locations. Of course, I did my homework and purchased reasonable maintenance fee home resorts. They weren't free, but almost!