Question for people who own timeshares somewhere else-

[anniet]

Okay curiosity has gotten the best of me, so I have to ask-

For those of you who own timeshares other than DVC, do you get any "perks" from them, like discounts to area attractions, restaurants, merchandise. Do you get a priority seating in the dining room, if it has one?

How did the price of the other timeshare compare to DVC? I don't mean to be nosy, but I'm just curious because I read a lot on these boards about how perks are being taken away, or DVC members are treated like second class citizens and I'm just wondering how this compares to other timeshare resorts. I know my Dad bought a timeshare in Bermuda about 25-30 years ago, and he got a room for 20 years and that was it (one that wasn't well kept over the years I might add).

If you own another timeshare, can you tell us how does DVC compare?

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

I own several other timeshares. Some are cheaper than DVC, some are about the same. They all give perks of some type or another but they are all different.

I own 3 Marriott weeks at HH and get a long list of discounts for restaurants, activities, rentals and the like. The list is likely 10 times the number of those I get from the DVC HH desk. They are different though so I use thes ones from both list that appeal to me. With Marriott you also get II internal trading priorities and a discounted exchange option along with bonus weeks and access to II directly though I must pay the yearly membership fee to do so. I think Marriott members get a 10% discount at some of the places that have restaurants but I'm not sure if it's universal or not.

At La Cabana in Aruba, I get discounted rentals, 10% discount on all onsite restaurants, discounts on other local restaurants, activies and businesses. There's also a 20% discount for the All inclussive for the full week and a 10% for the other meal plans. They also usually have a special with II to get 2 years for the price of one.

At Paradise Village in MX, members get 10% discount on the spa and a special All Inclussive option which is greater than 10%. They also get the option of a separate AI for food and/or one for drinks. I'm not sure if there's a discount on the restaurants individually or not. Since I haven't been there yet, going this summer, there may be other discounts I'm unaware of.

 

[RobDoc]

We own 4 other timeshares besides DVC.

All offer local discounts on tours and services. Some are items we're interested in doing, most are things we have no interest in at all.

It's tough for me to compare the DVC discounts to these other timeshares , since they are entirely different entities. Our experience is that our DVC membership offers more discounts that we are likely to make use of than our other timeshares.

In all cases, we didn't buy our timeshares for any reason than the location and accommodations themselves. Any discounts are icing on the cake.

Enjoy!

 

[spruce]

We own 2 other timeshares and the discounts are for things like: movie rentals, some local resturant discounts, membership to a local health club for the week, reduced greens fees and tours.
As far as price paid, DVC is the only developer we bought from so it was more expensive. We could have bought 4 - 6 resales (smartly) for the price our almost 300 points cost during decent times of the year and at decent resorts. Some good resorts.
We don't buy timeshares to get perks, we buy them to go to or trade for somplace to go to. We get condo accomodations much cheaper then hotels cost. Perks are a bonus, if none were offerd, we'd still go.
Some spend thousands every year to get concierge once a year, we go twice a year or once for 2 weeks and spend thousands less....spruce

 

[Desperado]

Great question, interesting responses, thanks for sharing these viewpoints.

 

[jctwizzer]

We own two other Orlando timeshares....a Gold Crown and a
Five Star....Based on the latest list on the DVC site, I have to say that neither of them offers as many extras as DVC. In fact, I can't say that I'm aware of any extras they offer. In each case, we have upscale accomodations--which is what we purchased;and use. Possible perks were not, and are not, a factor in evaluating our timeshares.

 

[Lisa P.]

Our timeshares (Fairfield points), like many above, offer good discounts on area attractions tix, tours, restaurants, sporting equipment rentals or greens fees. We've generally found them to be slightly better than the best local coupon booklets or AAA discounts in the resort area.

The concierge services have been very good (calling or writing us ahead to offer services, free hiking maps, good dinner/show ressies). Some of the resorts, located in popular entertainment areas (Nashville, Branson, Las Vegas, etc.), have an owners' gathering early in the week, where some of the area entertainers come and briefly perform, to whet your appetite for their ticketed shows. The concierges may sometimes be able to get 2-for-1 tix for these kinds of shows.

One thing that we've enjoyed at timeshares are the free or very low cost resort activities (especially for rainy or dreary days), like onsite mini-golf, scheduled game tourneys, make-your-own sundaes (25¢ scoops - certainly not seeking a profit). DVC offers many fun activities too but the fees seem to have gone up in the last couple of years (example: At DVC HHI - crabbing nets & fishing poles used to be free usage, now have fees).

Like others, we didn't choose to buy our timeshare for the discounts. It's just nice to have them and we'll enjoy them while they last. Like others here, we bought our timeshares on resale and saved a bundle on the purchase price. I think that adds to the value. But the discounts only add to the value when they are something you will actually use, so it varies for each family.

 

[Caskbill]

I'm not sure if this really qualifies as a 'perk' but it's probably worth mentioning.

While DVC trades thru II, individual DVC members do not actually get an II account.

However with our Marriott timeshare, we are members of II with an account number (and an annual dues for renewal). However, as such we can access the II internet site. One perk they have is their Getaways deals which are timeshares that have been traded out but no one has traded in so they become available for a cash rental.

For example, in January, after staying at BCV and OKW resorts, we're going off site staying at the Sheraton Vistana Resort in a 1-B/R unit (similar to DVC 1-B/R's), for 7 days. Our cost was only $271 (including tax) for the week. We consider these pretty good deals. They're not always this low, but if you're flexible.....

Going off site is fine because we also have passes to Universal and Sea World so will be going to those parks that week.

Using Getaways like this a few times a year can be a real money saver.

 

[one_cat]

We have a timeshare at the Westin Resort in Whistler BC Two bedroom during red week - ski season. 5 minute walk to the lifts. There might be some perks but I don't know about them. We are able to trade through RCI but we pay for that privilege through our dues. It would be nice to have a discount on ski tickets but no way. The cost was about the same as 250 points at DVC. The yearly dues are about 1/2 of what we pay at DVC. We do have to pay 15.00 per day for housekeeping that we would rather not have. It's a beautiful resort and they keep it up wonderfully. Hope that helps.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

If DVC trades through II, why do you not become a membr of II????? Or do they charge you for that, we pay a yearly fee for RCI for our St. Maarten timeshare and we also pay fo II with our Vistana timeshare. If you didn't have any other timeshares, why are you a member of II????

 

[RobDoc]

If DVC trades through II, why do you not become a membr of II?????

DVC members have limited access to II resorts as part of our annual fees. We pay a $75 fee for each exchange and DVC handles all of the search aspects for the exchange. There is no reason to join II as an individual merely to exchange your DVC time.

I'm not certain what the II exchange fee is outside of DVC, but I think $75 is much lower than individual II members are charged. ( I know that the RCI fee exceeds $125 per exchange.) DVC members pay no annual membership fee to II, as an individual member would.

Except for not having access to the complete list of II resorts, DVC members have a pretty good financial arrangement for II exchanges.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by want2buydvc
If DVC trades through II, why do you not become a membr of II????? Or do they charge you for that, we pay a yearly fee for RCI for our St. Maarten timeshare and we also pay fo II with our Vistana timeshare. If you didn't have any other timeshares, why are you a member of II????

DVC has a corporate membership in II and DVC members are not elligigle to join II. Even those of us that are members of II can't list our DVC with II or call them directly reguarding DVC. There are advantages and disadvantages to this arrangement and to me the disadvantages outweigh the advantages but to most members, it likely doesn't matter.

I'd disagree somewhat with Doc in that there are other disadvantages of not being a direct member but it is the cheaper way to go.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I kind of laugh regarding the two exchange companies, I find it to be a major pain trying to exchange and not really worth the hassle. We own a 3 bedroom gold crown in St. Maarten, and RCI has basically told me there are not many options out there for us!!!!So once I expire in 2009, good bye RCI, I will just rent it out if I'm not going, but considering I have only traded it twice, since 1991, that really isn't a problem. With Vistana that gave us II for the first year, plus there Starwood Vacation Club, and the Vistana Vacation Club, I'm not happy because we own a Bi-ennial week, and still have to pay the 100 a year for the starwood point system, but the places you can go are wonderful, and even though they include II, I doubt I would ever use that either. The only benefits I see with RCI and II are the negotiatiated Airfare, if available and discounted car rental, plus the occasional vacaction escape, II has more of them, but RCI has much cheaper pricing!!!!!

 

[OKWKirt]

I own a timeshare at Big Cedar Lodge (on the DVC list) and another one (Surrey Grand Crowne) in Branson. Other than the discounts everyone can get going to the Branson area I do not receive any. Like others have said I didn't expect any and love the accomodations I bought in for. I think the perks we get with DVC are fine and hope in time Big Cedar will offer some items (it's a little new and I think things will improve). Big Cedar was about the same price as DVC and the dues are high also (because of maintenance and cleaning individual cabins). Surrey was less expensive in cost and dues but gave us a location we could drive to for short trips and great entertainment. Surrey gives me free membership in II and with Big Cedar I get RCI. I am thrilled with my two premier timeshares DVC and Big Cedar (Surrey is a five star resort but not like the other two) and my II/RCI options. As a side note, I think it's funny how the points differ. With DVC I have 320 points, with Big Cedar I have 13,000 points (two bdrm cabin for one week high season), and with Surrey I have 113,000 points (two bdrm for one week low season). Oh, if only my DVC was the 113,000 points!!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by want2buydvc
I kind of laugh regarding the two exchange companies, I find it to be a major pain trying to exchange and not really worth the hassle. We own a 3 bedroom gold crown in St. Maarten, and RCI has basically told me there are not many options out there for us!!!!So once I expire in 2009, good bye RCI, I will just rent it out if I'm not going, but considering I have only traded it twice, since 1991, that really isn't a problem. With Vistana that gave us II for the first year, plus there Starwood Vacation Club, and the Vistana Vacation Club, I'm not happy because we own a Bi-ennial week, and still have to pay the 100 a year for the starwood point system, but the places you can go are wonderful, and even though they include II, I doubt I would ever use that either. The only benefits I see with RCI and II are the negotiatiated Airfare, if available and discounted car rental, plus the occasional vacaction escape, II has more of them, but RCI has much cheaper pricing!!!!!

If you're referring to getting 3 BR units with II or RCI, you will be out of luck. I've made some 10-12 trades with II over the last few years and in every case it was a trade up in resort, unit size, season or all 3.

 

[Lucky4me]

We own a week in April at Port O' Call in Shipyard Plantation, Hilton Head Island. It's a great first floor 2 bedroom, with the quiet pool right off the deck.

DH bought it in 1984 for $7,500. It includes free golf for 4 people for the week. You have your choice of two golf courses both of which are usually $100 a round. That is quite a perk and he has gotten his money back +++ over the years. The place may be twenty five years old, but they update every 5 years and replace the furniture every couple. I don't think we can go next year and will probably rent it to someone for our maintenance fee which is around $650.

I think this is part of the reason why he won't buy into DVC. He wants that same incredible deal. If we had known about DVC in the early 90's we would have probably bought just for those 7-8 years of free park hopper passes. Now that is what I call a perk.

 

[BeckyV]

My mom has two units at Port o Call over New Years. A timeshare trade through RCI. One is a three bedroom and another is a two bedroom sleeps 8. We are staying in one and she has the other one. It's not DVC HH, but it is HH and Shipyard so we are really looking forward to it. What unit do you own? Our two bedroom overlooks the pool, too.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by BeckyV
My mom has two units at Port o Call over New Years. A timeshare trade through RCI. One is a three bedroom and another is a two bedroom sleeps 8. We are staying in one and she has the other one. It's not DVC HH, but it is HH and Shipyard so we are really looking forward to it. What unit do you own? Our two bedroom overlooks the pool, too.

I had a friend and extended family that stayed at Port O Call in a 3 BR a few years ago. They had to sign a contract that they wouldn't be over the limit else there was a fine then another fine then being asked for all to leave. I think the time intervals were only an hour and I think the occupancy limit was 12 for the 3 BR.

 

[BeckyV]

We had to sign something similiar at Coral Reel also in Shipyard. It would only sleep 6. Our unit sleeps 8 at Port o Call and I also thought my mom's three bedroom only slept 8, but I could be wrong. Living less than two hours from HH, we have explored all of the ts there. Stayed in quite a few of them. My mom spends five or six weeks there during October-March in cheap trades or bonus weeks through RCI and II. One of the best she has ever stayed in including Grande Ocean, was a 3 bedroom penthouse at Harbourside at Sheltor Cove. She said it was spectacular and the master bedroom was as large as her whole beach house. She paid $149 for the week.

 

[Lucky4me]

Becky our unit is 101. I am so depressed we are not using it in April. It sleeps 8 with 2 queen pull outs in the main living area. a king in the master suite, and two twins in the 2nd br.

I'm going to try and rent it out for our maintenance fee. The golf is worth more than that alone....