Tiered Benefits

[OhioDVC]

Just a little perspective from another timeshare company. I own another timeshare that has special services for a Master Membership. In DVC terms, a Master Membership would be around 750 points.

Master Membership benefits includes:

• Exclusive service at our Members service department (private 800 number)
• Preferential access to select inventory (special high cost exchanges)
• ******** Rewards Platinum Category (at associated hotels)
• Upgrade to the following unit at *********** Resorts
• Bookings in Suites at ************* hotels
• Rescue your yearly points by booking at our Resorts in Club or Open season
(extended banking window, points can only be used at resort)
• You don’t need to worry about making your reservations personally anymore
• Access to prestigious events

None of the benefits above would adversely affect members with lower points memberships. This timeshare has both hotels and timeshares like Disney.


The *********** blanks out the name as to not cause problems on this board.

Here are some ideas that recognize the investment higher point owners have made without negatively affecting others.

With this other timeshare, there is almost no negative feedback from other owners who are not at master membership status because nothing was taken away from them, only additional benefits to higher point owners.

The master membership was added about 10 years into the start of the timeshare.

Just a different perspective, for what it is worth...

 

[Dean]

Just a little perspective from another timeshare company. I own another timeshare that has special services for a Master Membership. In DVC terms, a Master Membership would be around 750 points.

Master Membership benefits includes:

• Exclusive service at our Members service department (private 800 number)
• Preferential access to select inventory (special high cost exchanges)
• ******** Rewards Platinum Category (at associated hotels)
• Upgrade to the following unit at *********** Resorts
• Bookings in Suites at ************* hotels
• Rescue your yearly points by booking at our Resorts in Club or Open season
(extended banking window, points can only be used at resort)
• You don’t need to worry about making your reservations personally anymore
• Access to prestigious events

None of the benefits above would adversely affect members with lower points memberships. This timeshare has both hotels and timeshares like Disney.


The *********** blanks out the name as to not cause problems on this board.

Here are some ideas that recognize the investment higher point owners have made without negatively affecting others.

With this other timeshare, there is almost no negative feedback from other owners who are not at master membership status because nothing was taken away from them, only additional benefits to higher point owners.

The master membership was added about 10 years into the start of the timeshare.

Just a different perspective, for what it is worth...

I can't speak for others but Wyndham, Bluegreen, Starwood and Marriott have all had a fair amount of negative criticism from owners relatively lately.

 

[Chuck S]

Mod reminder:

Several posts have been removed from this thread for political commentary. This is not permitted on the DIS. Please return this thread to the discussion of DVC Tiered Benefits, or it will need to be closed.

Thanks.

 

[Brian Noble]

I can't speak for others but Wyndham, Bluegreen, Starwood and Marriott have all had a fair amount of negative criticism from owners relatively lately.

I think most of that negative criticism is coming from a small minority though. For example, Wyndham is the system I know most closely. Of the four dozen or most active posters at the Wyndham owners' board, maybe 3/4ths of them are pretty upset at the "devaluations" that have happened over the past few years. But, when you chat folks up around the resort pool, no one cares, or barely knows. They just use their timeshares, and enjoy them.

 

[OhioDVC]

I didn't want to throughout names not knowing if it was permissible, but my earlier post was about Fiesta Americana Vacation Club in Los Cabos, MX

 

[Dean]

I think most of that negative criticism is coming from a small minority though. For example, Wyndham is the system I know most closely. Of the four dozen or most active posters at the Wyndham owners' board, maybe 3/4ths of them are pretty upset at the "devaluations" that have happened over the past few years. But, when you chat folks up around the resort pool, no one cares, or barely knows. They just use their timeshares, and enjoy them.

I think it varies with when you ask the question and which system to a degree. I think if you talk to people over the years who are actually aware of what's going on, you see a fair cross section that are unhappy with one aspect or another. Unfortunately the average person around the pool really isn't informed so ignorance is bliss. I think if you look at the overall history, Wyndham (Fairfield) likely has had the most issues of those I mentioned, if you take recent history, Marriott and Starwood likely rise to the top.

 

[carlbarry]

Thanks for deleting the political stuff! Politics is not why I enjoy and rely on DIS!

 

[Sandisw]

I think that the only tiered benefits I would have trouble digesting is giving those that own more points a chance to book things ahead of others. For example, those that have 1000 points or more can book at home resort 12 months in advance vs. 11 months for other owners.

I will never be a big time point owner (unless I hit the Mega Millions tonight!!!) but don't begrudge anyone who has the means to buy in at those higher levels.

If someone has 1000 points, they paid for them and are paying for them yearly.

And, things like a tiered FP card, a free TIW card, etc. could be done to reward those who have invested that much in DVC.

 

[csharpwv]

Just for random fun here - what do you think Disney would consider a worthy number of points to offer tiered benefits?
My initial thought is around 480 - that's three times the minimum number for direct purchase - and I seem to remember reading something somewhere that 60% of owners own 160-260 points - but I can't remember where I remember reading that - or even if my memory is accurate!

But anyway -

What do you think the magic number would/should be if they do introduce a tiered benefits program?

 

[Chuck S]

Just for random fun here - what do you think Disney would consider a worthy number of points to offer tiered benefits?
My initial thought is around 480 - that's three times the minimum number for direct purchase - and I seem to remember reading something somewhere that 60% of owners own 160-260 points - but I can't remember where I remember reading that - or even if my memory is accurate!

But anyway -

What do you think the magic number would/should be if they do introduce a tiered benefits program?

I don't even want to guess what miniumumnumber they may set, it would also depend upon how many tiers they want to create. Remember the the original required first purchase was 230 points, so they may make 250 to 300 a first tier,

 

[Dean]

I think that the only tiered benefits I would have trouble digesting is giving those that own more points a chance to book things ahead of others. For example, those that have 1000 points or more can book at home resort 12 months in advance vs. 11 months for other owners.

Both Marriott and Bluegreen give that very option in their VIP system based on number of points and/or number of weeks.

Just for random fun here - what do you think Disney would consider a worthy number of points to offer tiered benefits?
My initial thought is around 480 - that's three times the minimum number for direct purchase - and I seem to remember reading something somewhere that 60% of owners own 160-260 points - but I can't remember where I remember reading that - or even if my memory is accurate!

But anyway -

What do you think the magic number would/should be if they do introduce a tiered benefits program?

It would be an even number in all likelihood, my best guess would be 500 IF they were to go this route, possibly 400 if they have a number of levels of say 4 or more. However, as I've said before, I don't expect a true VIP program but mainly the possibility of a reduction of benefits for future resale buyers.

 

[TisBit]

Both Marriott and Bluegreen give that very option in their VIP system based on number of points and/or number of weeks.

It would be an even number in all likelihood, my best guess would be 500 IF they were to go this route, possibly 400 if they have a number of levels of say 4 or more. However, as I've said before, I don't expect a true VIP program but mainly the possibility of a reduction of benefits for future resale buyers.

I agree that it really comes down to what the benefits are...the more substantial the benefits, the more exclusive the "club" will be. If you are looking for something really great, it will not be offered to the multitude, if it is just more discounts, etc....it will be a lower threshold to make more feel "included".

 

[Dean]

I agree that it really comes down to what the benefits are...the more substantial the benefits, the more exclusive the "club" will be. If you are looking for something really great, it will not be offered to the multitude, if it is just more discounts, etc....it will be a lower threshold to make more feel "included".

IF they do anything it will be substantial enough to separate members and potential members from money or additional money for more points, retail over resale, or just dollars depending on specifics. You will not see anything along the lines we're discussing if it's not designed to turn heads of members and/or potential members. You will not see something that everyone says "that's nice".

 

[RobPickles]

As for RobPickles's point, sure Disney would get dues money, but that profit goes to DVC not DVD, and since both are trying to be profitable I'm not sure this model would look good at the division level even if it does from a bigger picture...

Well, I figured if they offered the option...even those few points that they might offer could add up over time and be useful if you were a big referer - (not that I have even once - but would.) IMO at least, it is better than a few bucks they would offer that will most likely end up going back to them in the end anyway.

 

[sweetdana]

I think 400 or 500 is too high. I think the # will be low enough to get the average person to consider it, or .. no one will buy it.
I think it will be around 300 points. a reasonable # to use every year. A much higher than average right now, and above the previous set mins (that are now gone.) A new person never owning would be rare they would consider more than 300. As well if I own say 160, I would not considering buying 340 more points, but I would consider 140 points. I bet 95% of people owning 300+ points did so in more than there 1st purchase.

They will take the average and make it 25% - 50% higher to get more $$, but not so high it takes the middle out of thinking about it. It would change a 12 day person from a studio to a 1 bed-room, or a 7 day in a 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom. or a second trip. Might even make them APH by it. These are reasonable.. spending 3 times more points... nope not the average. and the average is where they need it to sell more points because of it. There goal is not to reward those who would do it now.. ut to make more want to do it and spend $$$$$ doing it.

 

[jcf]

Anyone hear anything on tiered benefits program?

 

[tomandrobin]

Anyone hear anything on tiered benefits program?

Still nada

 

[disneydawn6]

I was in a focus group last month for DVC. They paid me $100 to talk about what we would want in a tiered program. We had to rate the top three items we wanted on a list. They included. Dedication reservation line. Free entry to water parks, bigger discounts at parks, free cabana rental per stay, free TIWC, extra room cleaning. and a few more I can't remember right now. We were told everyone in our group would be in the top tier.. I have 600 points...

 

[Chuck S]

I have 345 points, and nothing in that list would encourage me to up that to 600. I think finding something that would entice a substantial number of folks to purchase more points is problematic, other than free theme park entry for your entire group.

And then, what would they do for offsite stays, like VB, HHI and Aulani?

 

[bwvBound]

I have "Gold Member" status, based on number of points owned, with my other points-based timeshare. One of the benefits includes a special Reservations phone line just for this level. While I don't phone often, I find this to be a big help! It is a serios time saving feature! It also seems that the reps answering this special line are more senior in their experience and skills - again adding to the value of the special phone line.