"Tiered Loyalty Program" -- any ideas?

[JimMIA]

As for extending the booking windows to 12/8 for a select group to as others have mentioned, wouldn't DVC be violating the POS for booking windows? I do not have my POS available until I return home this weekend, but I remember that there is wording giving all owners a 30 day advantage to non-owners. If,and its a big if IMHO, DVC extends the booking window for the select few wouldn't they be in breach of contract to what is in the POS for all owners?

If I'm not mistaken the 30-day advantage applies only to home-resort advantage over non-home resort owners. I believe it says that, as long as DVC permits booking non-home resorts, home-resort owners will enjoy at least a 30-day advantage (currently actually 120 days -- 11 months - 7 months).

I don't believe giving one group of owners more advantage than 11/7 would be prohibited.

I think it would be extremely detrimental, however, if DVC gave any group of home-resort owners a booking advantage. For example, if they gave "VIP's" even a one-week home resort advantage over non-VIPs at 11 months, that would have devastating effects on many members at their own home resort. I don't think they'll do that.

But I'm sure they could give VIPs a month or more advantage for non-home resorts (say 11/8 vs 11/7) without running afoul of the POS or anything else.

 

[disneynutz]

I think it would be extremely detrimental, however, if DVC gave any group of home-resort owners a booking advantage. For example, if they gave "VIP's" even a one-week home resort advantage over non-VIPs at 11 months, that would have devastating effects on many members at their own home resort. I don't think they'll do that.

But I'm sure they could give VIPs a month or more advantage for non-home resorts (say 11/8 vs 11/7) without running afoul of the POS or anything else.

If a VIP program benefits Disney, they will make one. If having a VIP program causes people to buy more points, then I expect Disney come up with a program. If other timeshares offer such a program then Disney will have one too.

Who knows, maybe the VIP's will get free valet parking, unlimited wait lists, no holding accounts, and zero banking deadlines?

Bill

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Like I've said before, I can live with anything large point owners get EXCEPT preferred home resort booking. For non home resorts, they can have whatever.

 

[JenSop]

Ugh - it all just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

No, I don't have experience with other timeshares. DVC is my first and only. We bought in because we love to visit Disney - alot. And DVC was a way for us to do that. But we are middle class folk. We both have Masters degrees, but DH is a teacher and I'm a singer/travel agent/voice teacher/retail worker. (Yes, I have four jobs.)

It seems like DVC wants to mirror the current trend in society - take away from the poor to give to the rich. (And please note that I AM making a generalization - there are always exceptions, blah, blah, blah... so don't attack me on trivialities.)

But a member standing up and asking what extra stuff she's going to get for her 1600 points?! Ick. Talk about entitlement. Hey, I'd love to have that many points, but we had to work our butts off for our 195 that we do have.

 

[vellamint]

Ugh - it all just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

No, I don't have experience with other timeshares. DVC is my first and only. We bought in because we love to visit Disney - alot. And DVC was a way for us to do that. But we are middle class folk. We both have Masters degrees, but DH is a teacher and I'm a singer/travel agent/voice teacher/retail worker. (Yes, I have four jobs.)

It seems like DVC wants to mirror the current trend in society - take away from the poor to give to the rich. (And please note that I AM making a generalization - there are always exceptions, blah, blah, blah... so don't attack me on trivialities.)

But a member standing up and asking what extra stuff she's going to get for her 1600 points?! Ick. Talk about entitlement. Hey, I'd love to have that many points, but we had to work our butts off for our 195 that we do have.

I agree

 

[tjkraz]

I have to agree that taken away or decreasing the AP discount for smaller contracts would not encourage people to buy more points. Before they had the park hoppers that expire we used to purchase the 10 day park hoppers (no expiration) and use them for 3 visits!(family of 5) We limited our park days and did "down days every other day". We would have no problem doing that again which means we would be in the parks much less, spending less money and eating in our villa more often.

Realistically, any change that they make which increases the value of a direct purchase over a resale is going to have SOME impact. Every buyer will evaluate the changes on their own.

Historically there has often been a $20-30 swing between resale and direct pricing. For many, the ease of dealing direct with Disney was enough to justify paying more.

Now Disney is adding the enticement of only using points for Disney Cruises and other non-DVC destinations if you buy direct. That will be enough to convince even more people to buy direct. No they aren't the greatest values for point usage but it's a pretty big perk to leave on the table unless you KNOW that you'll be content with largely theme park destinations for 40-50 years.

And assuming this "VIP club" (for lack of a better phrase) only counts direct purchases toward participation, that's another inducement to add to the list.

If it's a tiered program, some members will add a few extra points to get up to a new tier. In other words, if you're in the market for about 100 more points but 150 will get you to the next tier, some members will buy the extra 50 points.

None of these moves by themselves is designed to hit a home run. DVC direct sales aren't going to go up by 50% just because of minor changes to program administration. But even if sales go up by 3-4% due to changes which cost DVC nothing to implement, then it's a worthwhile venture from their standpoint.

 

[tjkraz]

It seems like DVC wants to mirror the current trend in society - take away from the poor to give to the rich.

Except that DVC hasn't done anything of the sort. Just today's edition of FUD to get everyone stirred up, I guess.

Sometimes I wonder if people are more upset about changes that DVC has actually made or all of the baseless Internet rumors about "changes my sources say they are planning."

But a member standing up and asking what extra stuff she's going to get for her 1600 points?! Ick. Talk about entitlement. Hey, I'd love to have that many points, but we had to work our butts off for our 195 that we do have.

I was a little surprised at first but think of it from a business perspective. If you had a customer who bought 6-7 TIMES as much product as the average customer, wouldn't you be inclined to treat them a little differently?

If you were writing the annual dues check for $7000+ per year, don't you think you wouldn't want a little extra recognition? (And please don't say that it wouldn't matter if you could afford $7k in dues--there are people willing to make such a purchase who aren't athletes or rock stars.)

 

[TisBit]

I was a little surprised at first but think of it from a business perspective. If you had a customer who bought 6-7 TIMES as much product as the average customer, wouldn't you be inclined to treat them a little differently?

If you were writing the annual dues check for $7000+ per year, don't you think you wouldn't want a little extra recognition? (And please don't say that it wouldn't matter if you could afford $7k in dues--there are people willing to make such a purchase who aren't athletes or rock stars.)

I think people forget about the business part a lot when they are dealing with Disney in general. Disney has become such an icon for Customer Service, guests forget they are a for profit business and must balance the two.

So many DVC owners already have a sense of entitlement by owning...how many posts say "I paid this much..." or some other itieration of that phrase. I understand the purpose of a tiered program and most likely not have a strong reaction when/if it comes out. Hopefully I won't see less benefits and maybe some extra ones, but I understand I don't own 1k plus points and I won't get all of the advanatages.

 

[DoOverDreams]

Have I missed some sort of announcement here? Or is all this still about the offhand comment Lewis made during the meeting about DVC looking into some sort of reward program for members?

Right now, this is all much ado about nothing, IMHO.

 

[DVCconvert]

Have I missed some sort of announcement here? Or is all this still about the offhand comment Lewis made during the meeting about DVC looking into some sort of reward program for members?

Right now, this is all much ado about nothing, IMHO.

>>>no annoucements have been made.

 

[JenSop]

Except that DVC hasn't done anything of the sort. Just today's edition of FUD to get everyone stirred up, I guess.

Sometimes I wonder if people are more upset about changes that DVC has actually made or all of the baseless Internet rumors about "changes my sources say they are planning."



I was a little surprised at first but think of it from a business perspective. If you had a customer who bought 6-7 TIMES as much product as the average customer, wouldn't you be inclined to treat them a little differently?

If you were writing the annual dues check for $7000+ per year, don't you think you wouldn't want a little extra recognition? (And please don't say that it wouldn't matter if you could afford $7k in dues--there are people willing to make such a purchase who aren't athletes or rock stars.)

Okay - I said I was making generalizations based on what was being discussed on this thread, which right now is admittedly rumor and hearsay. Please don't condescend - I am intelligent enough to know the difference between fact and the latter. Perhaps I didn't phrase it specifically enough.
And the woman standing up wanting to know what special treatment she's going to get for all her points creates a negative connotation in my mind - just as bad as those DVC owners who pitch a fit at check-in desks and other random locations about how they should be given special treatment because they are DVC members. These particular people need to get over themselves. What does that woman get with all her points? A hell of a lot of Disney trips and the ability to book almost any kind of accommadation she can think of.

 

[Sammie]

Have I missed some sort of announcement here? Or is all this still about the offhand comment Lewis made during the meeting about DVC looking into some sort of reward program for members?

Right now, this is all much ado about nothing, IMHO.

No announcement of what it will be, just discussion about what it might be.

It will be though, the looking into it began before the question was asked at the member meeting, the planning of what it will be is being done now.

 

[Dean]

This may be directed for Dean or some of the other timeshare "gurus" for an explanation or answer.

As for extending the booking windows to 12/8 for a select group to as others have mentioned, wouldn't DVC be violating the POS for booking windows? I do not have my POS available until I return home this weekend, but I remember that there is wording giving all owners a 30 day advantage to non-owners. If,and its a big if IMHO, DVC extends the booking window for the select few wouldn't they be in breach of contract to what is in the POS for all owners?

Personally since JL has been in charge it seems that he wants to make DVC for an exclusive class not the average family. I'm not against some form of reward for those that have tons of points and can afford multiple yearly trips, but if by rewarding the few and penalizing the average does not seem in line with Walt's ideas or even what we puchased over 15 years ago.

No one knows for sure until/unless it were vetted in the courts. First, I don't expect this to happen with the home resort priority because I do feel it would be problematic legally, among other issues. However, if you read the POS, DVCMC has COMPLETE control over the reservation system, period. Also, as I mentioned, other companies have gotten around such restrictions including 2 that are based in FL. Marriott on 2 different occassions. Maybe Brian can speak to how Wyndham has approached and change in this regard. I'd also point out that there are AlWAYS ways around issues for timeshares, take the limit of 20% on reallocation, all you have to do is spread it over 2 years.

I don't believe this will be enough to sufficiently move the the needle by itself. However, tied to more aggressive sales techniques, it might very well be enough. Don't forget that JL is also head of ARDA so he has a lot of info and resources at his fingertips as to what others are doing and how it's working or not.

 

[aggiemullins]

 

[Dizny Dad]

Okay - I said I was making generalizations based on what was being discussed on this thread, which right now is admittedly rumor and hearsay. Please don't condescend - I am intelligent enough to know the difference between fact and the latter. Perhaps I didn't phrase it specifically enough.
And the woman standing up wanting to know what special treatment she's going to get for all her points creates a negative connotation in my mind - just as bad as those DVC owners who pitch a fit at check-in desks and other random locations about how they should be given special treatment because they are DVC members. These particular people need to get over themselves. What does that woman get with all her points? A hell of a lot of Disney trips and the ability to book almost any kind of accommadation she can think of.

I think we should make that lady standing up, and anyone having more than their fare share of points, give 15% of her points each year to others that don't have as many. This will not affect 95% of those in DVC.

Just sticking with the current trend in society . . .

 

[JenSop]

I think we should make that lady standing up, and anyone having more than their fare share of points, give 15% of her points each year to others that don't have as many. This will not affect 95% of those in DVC.

Just sticking with the current trend in society . . .

Oh, good grief!



(boo hoo! All those poor rich people!)

 

[Greysword]

... Sometimes I wonder if people are more upset about changes that DVC has actually made or all of the baseless Internet rumors about "changes my sources say they are planning."

We're just having some fun, as I'm sure you are, talking about a new topic other than booking windows, which resort is better, and all the normal topics Any opinions are welcomes, since most all of it is speculation. I agree with JenSop on her reaction to the news about the 1,600 point member's statement, as I had the same reaction to your news. Thanks for sharing, it, BTW.

I was a little surprised at first but think of it from a business perspective. If you had a customer who bought 6-7 TIMES as much product as the average customer, wouldn't you be inclined to treat them a little differently?

If you were writing the annual dues check for $7000+ per year, don't you think you wouldn't want a little extra recognition? (And please don't say that it wouldn't matter if you could afford $7k in dues--there are people willing to make such a purchase who aren't athletes or rock stars.)

From a business perspective, I think it depends on which part of the Disney corporation is viewing this member. DVD is not likely to see many purchases from this members for a long time, and a members with this many points may absorb any future sales to family & friends, since they may be able to use the one member's points for any trip. However, the Parks and Resorts branch are probably pretty happy, since they will see a decent amount of (almost) guaranteed ancillary revenue from park visits, meals, and souvenirs. As such, DVD may not contribute benefits to an upper tier, but the Parks & Resorts group may, since they are the ones to reap the most future benefit from this member.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Oh, good grief!



(boo hoo! All those poor rich people!)

Glad to see you knew it was just to lighten up the conversation.

I agree with Greysword - We're just having some fun, as I'm sure you are, talking about a new topic other than booking windows, which resort is better - Yada, Yada, Yada . . .

Among other things, DVC gives us the opportunity to come together for a common cause and discuss ideas.

It is debate from which great things can come; and it is from a common love that we can all somehow begin to understand each other.

From the choices of things to love in this world, we chose MICKEY.

 

[tjkraz]

From a business perspective, I think it depends on which part of the Disney corporation is viewing this member. DVD is not likely to see many purchases from this members for a long time, and a members with this many points may absorb any future sales to family & friends, since they may be able to use the one member's points for any trip.

On the other hand, DVC does have a vested interest in keeping those 1600 points off of the resale market. It is often suggested that DVC doesn't suffer when owners sell their points but that's not entirely true. The pricing disparity which exists today between direct and resale has a lot to do with the volume of points available on the secondary market.

And while you suggest that a large point owner would repeatedly treat family members, it is also possible that they are simply introducing friends and relatives to DVC. Those associates could be good candidates for their own DVC purchase.

 

[Dean]

On the other hand, DVC does have a vested interest in keeping those 1600 points off of the resale market. It is often suggested that DVC doesn't suffer when owners sell their points but that's not entirely true. The pricing disparity which exists today between direct and resale has a lot to do with the volume of points available on the secondary market.

And while you suggest that a large point owner would repeatedly treat family members, it is also possible that they are simply introducing friends and relatives to DVC. Those associates could be good candidates for their own DVC purchase.

It doesn't really hurt DVD is someone sells. What it can do, depending on how they sell, is the aggregate sales can drive down the cost of resale thus creating a larger disparity between resale and retail, as you suggest. A given contract will not affect that issue enough to notice. It also may bring in a new member who will spend more early on.

From a DVCMC standpoint it often generates extra work for a while as the new member gets acclimated. It could also take a non performing (or potentially so) contract and turn it into a performing one. IF those sales are small contracts, which have an inherently higher management cost per point, then that's somewhat of a negative.

IMO the answer is that there is not much downside if someone sells when look look at the overall picture.