VIP/Tiered Rewards to be released soon

[Sammie]

I'm pretty sure that's what many said about the resale distinction as well. I suspect we'll see something within the next 12-15 months, whether it has enough teeth to get people's attention is another matter.

You go that edit in there while I was typing my response. Yes, I do think those with 210 points will eventually be left out of many of the options, but not all.

I would not consider 12-15 months soon, so yes in that time frame they might have this figured out. Right now it is still under discussion.

I just don't think they will offer something that is not going to be appreciated by a majority of the members and since 210 is the majority points owned number,I feel it will have to start somewhere close to that and go from there or it is going to be extremely unpopular and that they do not want.

The purpose of such a program will not be to reward exisiting memberships but to tempt current members to add on, if you completely by pass your majority group and jump all the way to 500 points and up I don't see it being successful at all.

With a majority of members having 210 points, I would think the beginning tier would be 250-275 something that does not look completely unattainable by this group.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well I have heard that these tiered programs will start well before 12-15 months. More like in the next 3-4 months. Think about it. If one goal is to generate sales via a tiered program they would want to do this before September.

 

[MD_Guy]

I do think those with 210 points will eventually be left out of many of the options, but not all.

I would expect the first tier to start at 250 points.

The only exception, would be if they started the first tier at 160 points, the minimum points required for new owners.

 

[Sammie]

Well I have heard that these tiered programs will start well before 12-15 months. More like in the next 3-4 months. Think about it. If one goal is to generate sales via a tiered program they would want to do this before September.

Why what is important about September ?

 

[Starr W.]

Why what is important about September ?

I was going to ask the samething? When does Disney's fiscal year end?

 

[MD_Guy]

Why what is important about September ?

Maybe referring to the end of the fiscal year?

 

[Dean]

I would not consider 12-15 months soon, so yes in that time frame they might have this figured out. Right now it is still under discussion.

I just don't think they will offer something that is not going to be appreciated by a majority of the members and since 210 is the majority points owned number,I feel it will have to start somewhere close to that and go from there or it is going to be extremely unpopular and that they do not want.

The purpose of such a program will not be to reward exisiting memberships but to tempt current members to add on, if you completely by pass your majority group and jump all the way to 500 points and up I don't see it being successful at all.

With a majority of members having 210 points, I would think the beginning tier would be 250-275 something that does not look completely unattanable by this group.

I would expect the first tier to start at 250 points.

The only exception, would be if they started the first tier at 160 points, the minimum points required for new owners.

These things don't happen all that quickly but they are usually kept under wraps until they are fairly close to releasing them. They also don't usually let the guides in on the deal until they're close. Ultimately it depends on what they roll out and how much emphasis they put into any new program. If it's fluff that doesn't get anyone excited, it'll likely be easily attainable. If it has teeth, it's likely to have higher requirements. However, for anything that has enough substance to get people to reach for their wallet, there are realities that must be dealt with. One of those is that a truly valuable program has costs associated and those must be covered one way or another. One way to do it is to entice enough people to buy points they wouldn't have bought otherwise, another is to have the body of the membership cover them by a few extra fees or cost cutting for the bulk of the membership. All the timeshare VIP programs I am aware of do a little (or lot) of both. The list of possibilities and variations are really endless.

 

[tjkraz]

I can certainly see the benefits in a multi tiered program. If nothing else, they could selectively carve out some of the current perks and block low-point owners from taking advantage. I doubt there would be much uproar if DVC established a minimum ownership of 100-160 points for something like the AP discount.

But with that said, there are a few reasons which lead me to believe there will only be one tier.

The first time we got wind of this was December 2008. DVC sent out a survey describing the program in broad strokes and asked for feedback on a name. Here is the text which accompanied the survey:

Today you will be answering questions about a potential new Disney Vacation Club program. This program would be available to a select group of Members who qualified by reaching a certain threshold through their own purchases and by referring friends and family. The program would give this qualified group of Members access to additional and/or highly sought after benefits. The questions you will be answering all pertain to possible names should this program be developed. Please consider each name carefully before answering the questions.

As a reminder, this program is still in the consideration stages and is not currently active. There is no guarantee that it will ever be launched as part of Disney Vacation Club. This research is purely directional. Thank you again for your participation!

Several people here indicated that they received the survey invitation. The one common thread among them was that they all own 1000+ points.

Also, in his brief comments at the condo meeting, Jim Lewis didn't give any indication that this was a reorganization of the entire member perks program. The topic was raised by a member who owned 1000+ points and his response implied that the program they were working on would benefit her specifically--not necessarily everyone in the room.

He did mention the ability to participate via new business referrals, making his comments eerily similar to the survey text quoted above.

I do see the benefits of multiple tiers. A few extra points sold here and there to members looking to climb a level could add up. (I'm not suggesting that people would spend $10K just to get some modest perks. But if you are committed to buying 100 points, it's easy to talk yourself up to 125 or 150 if it gets you to the next tier. Added perks could justify adding-on direct rather than resale.)

I just can't reconcile a multi-tiered program with the only real info we have. At the very least, Lewis could have done a better job of noting that the program would benefit more members beyond the bold owner of 1600 points who walked up to the microphone.

BTW, the names proposed in the survey were:

Commodore Club : Inspired by the Commodore House, the place where families first discovered the magic of Membership.
Club 91 : Referring to 1991, the year Disney Vacation Club was established.
Member Treasures
Legacy Club
Disney Vacation Club Rewards

 

[DizDays]

It is going to be interesting. I did find out the average number of points is 210.

FINALLY I'm above average!

 

[Sammie]

I really would not have expected JL to reveal any details on the program as to whether only 1000 points or more would benefit. Honestly at that time not sure even he knew.

If it's only going to benefit members with 1000 points or more I certainly would not call that a tier program.

I was told it would be a tiered reward program that they felt sure an overwhelming majority of members would be pleased with. With a majority of members having 210 points I don't see how limiting the program to members with 1000 or more is going to be well recieved. I also don't see where that would encourage members to add on for the benefits. They would have to offer something pretty spectacular to get a member to jump from 210 to 1000 points due to a reward program. Encouraging add ons is the reason for the program not to reward someone for something they have already purchased possibly years ago.

I might not agree with all DVC does but they have never given me false info when I have asked it for it. I also believe them when they say, honestly at this time, we don't know what it will be as it is still in the planning stages.

As to the survey the only common thread on the DIS was those members had 1000 points or more, others that had less did receive it. We have to all remember the DIS DVCers are a small fraction of the total.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

One of the main issues for me in buying into DVC was that it was not like other timeshares. The more it becomes like other timeshares, the less incentive I have to stick with it, much less add on additional points.

Although this attitude will not affect new sales, I wonder how it will affect Disney when it comes to add-ons if a lot of other people begin to feel the same way. Seems like they might reach some sort of cross-over point where the incentives to add on will be overtaken by long-loyal members just giving up.

 

[DizDays]

One of the main issues for me in buying into DVC was that it was not like other timeshares. The more it becomes like other timeshares, the less incentive I have to stick with it, much less add on additional points.

My DH feels the same way. Everytime something is changed or taken away, he gets sooo frustrated. It took a long time to get him happy with DVC again after the reallocation (AKV). There was a very clear reason we bought into DVC - they were different. Not so much any more. I hope it doesn't continue moving in the "standard" "everyone else" direction. We bought DVC because it was different (and Disney!).

 

[HookdonWDW]

I somewhat agree with the idea of having bought into the "Disney Magic". The low key sales approach that existed when we bought was a large portion of why be purchased when we did. It's also part of the reason that we added on.

If we were starting over again now, would we buy in? Perhaps not. Between the current sales methods, and the price per point, DVC is not the perceived value for us that it was when we first purchased, or when we bought our add ons.

We have never been owners who thought that DVC "owed us" for buying into the program. We always realized that we were never guaranteed more than was in the contract... and we read it thoroughly, and realized that DVC kept the power on their side, and that a lot of what we received could be taken away at a moment's notice.

This is part of why the concept of a tiered system is somewhat interesting to me. We own well above the average number of points listed here, but quite frankly, I can't think of an inducement that could be made to get me to add on at the current price points in the current economy. We've thought about adding on several times at BLT, and just can't justify it at the current pricing.

The most interesting tiering incentive I could think of would be a reduced price per point for add-ons. Short of that, as I said, I think that we'll be pretty ambivalent about any changes the tier system adds.

I'd love to be proved wrong though, lol.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

There really is no tier that is going to make me add on. I don't go enough for AP's. Fast passes aren't it. I'm just about done with the DDP. Don't need anymore souvies. As long as I can book my home resorts at 11 months, I'll roll with whatever comes after that.

I somewhat agree with the idea of having bought into the "Disney Magic". The low key sales approach that existed when we bought was a large portion of why be purchased when we did. It's also part of the reason that we added on.

If we were starting over again now, would we buy in? Perhaps not. Between the current sales methods, and the price per point, DVC is not the perceived value for us that it was when we first purchased, or when we bought our add ons.

We have never been owners who thought that DVC "owed us" for buying into the program. We always realized that we were never guaranteed more than was in the contract... and we read it thoroughly, and realized that DVC kept the power on their side, and that a lot of what we received could be taken away at a moment's notice.

This is part of why the concept of a tiered system is somewhat interesting to me. We own well above the average number of points listed here, but quite frankly, I can't think of an inducement that could be made to get me to add on at the current price points in the current economy. We've thought about adding on several times at BLT, and just can't justify it at the current pricing.

The most interesting tiering incentive I could think of would be a reduced price per point for add-ons. Short of that, as I said, I think that we'll be pretty ambivalent about any changes the tier system adds.

I'd love to be proved wrong though, lol.

 

[tjkraz]

I really would not have expected JL to reveal any details on the program as to whether only 1000 points or more would benefit. Honestly at that time not sure even he knew.

I was surprised he said anything about it. But since he did, I suspect he knows exactly what form it will take.

If it's only going to benefit members with 1000 points or more I certainly would not call that a tier program.

Nor would I. But I also don't believe that most people discussing it are being too careful with their terminology. That includes folks within DVC.

Jim Lewis did not use the word "tiered."

I was told it would be a tiered reward program that they felt sure an overwhelming majority of members would be pleased with.

Lewis echoed a similar sentiment--minus the word "tiered", of course.

But my takeaway was different than yours. When he expressed confidence that members would be excited about the program, my thoughts went to 3 things:

1. Current perks wouldn't be affected. If you aren't taking away anything from members, then there is no immediate disappointment / outrage.

2. The perks offered in the new program would be truly impressive to a wide audience. (That's why I keep thinking along the lines of FastPasses, booking the castle suite or free refillable mugs.)

3. ANYONE can participate via the referral element even if they don't have the financial resources to buy hundreds of additional points.

With a majority of members having 210 points I don't see how limiting the program to members with 1000 or more is going to be well recieved. I also don't see where that would encourage members to add on for the benefits. They would have to offer something pretty spectacular to get a member to jump from 210 to 1000 points due to a reward program. Encouraging add ons is the reason for the program not to reward someone for something they have already purchased possibly years ago.

Again, the referral angle. The potential for 4-5 decades worth of added vacation perks in exchange for singing the praises of DVC is enough to sway many owners.

I might not agree with all DVC does but they have never given me false info when I have asked it for it. I also believe them when they say, honestly at this time, we don't know what it will be as it is still in the planning stages.

I haven't been able to get any concrete details but have been lead to believe that at this point, its mostly a matter of finalizing contracts for the perks and internal administrative issues.

I admit that I'm reaching to a degree, but I cannot get past the fact that Jim Lewis specifically presented this as something which would be beneficial to the questioner (who had 1600 points, if memory serves) and that others could participate via referrals. If there was any possibility of this program extending all the way down to someone with 210 points, it was undeniably a missed opportunity to connect with an entire room full of people rather than just one individual.

 

[lugnut33]

There is pretty much no special perk or program that would make me buy direct because of how much cheaper resale is.

Maybe the 1000 pointers will have special access to the new on-line reservation system.... would that really even be considered a perk?

 

[Dean]

My DH feels the same way. Everytime something is changed or taken away, he gets sooo frustrated. It took a long time to get him happy with DVC again after the reallocation (AKV). There was a very clear reason we bought into DVC - they were different. Not so much any more. I hope it doesn't continue moving in the "standard" "everyone else" direction. We bought DVC because it was different (and Disney!).

My opinion on those that bought DVC assuming that one timeshare system was different than the other top ones is that they assumed too much.

I can't think of an inducement that could be made to get me to add on at the current price points in the current economy.

I can think of many options that I bet would make you willing to add points if you could afford it. What if you only needed 50 more points to have the option of using points for dues, tickets, DDP or you could get a system wide fast pass for your stay. We could go on and on. It's not difficult to rig a system that says to most members that they want to buy just to get the benefits (or keep benefits they'd be losing). Whether this system happens or will be such a system remains to be seen. All other timeshare tiered options I'm aware of use dollars as one of the main incentives. They could easily be structured where it was cheaper to own 500 points as an insider vs 400 not as an insider, ignoring up front costs which can also be reduced.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I was surprised he said anything about it. But since he did, I suspect he knows exactly what form it will take.



Nor would I. But I also don't believe that most people discussing it are being too careful with their terminology. That includes folks within DVC.

Jim Lewis did not use the word "tiered."



Lewis echoed a similar sentiment--minus the word "tiered", of course.

But my takeaway was different than yours. When he expressed confidence that members would be excited about the program, my thoughts went to 3 things:

1. Current perks wouldn't be affected. If you aren't taking away anything from members, then there is no immediate disappointment / outrage.

2. The perks offered in the new program would be truly impressive to a wide audience. (That's why I keep thinking along the lines of FastPasses, booking the castle suite or free refillable mugs.)

3. ANYONE can participate via the referral element even if they don't have the financial resources to buy hundreds of additional points.



Again, the referral angle. The potential for 4-5 decades worth of added vacation perks in exchange for singing the praises of DVC is enough to sway many owners.



I haven't been able to get any concrete details but have been lead to believe that at this point, its mostly a matter of finalizing contracts for the perks and internal administrative issues.

I admit that I'm reaching to a degree, but I cannot get past the fact that Jim Lewis specifically presented this as something which would be beneficial to the questioner (who had 1600 points, if memory serves) and that others could participate via referrals. If there was any possibility of this program extending all the way down to someone with 210 points, it was undeniably a missed opportunity to connect with an entire room full of people rather than just one individual.

Excellent and well put post, Tim. I think when we are doing "speculations" like these, it's usually a crap shoot trying to guess what DVC is really going to do.

As for not getting past that fact that JL specifically presented it to a higher point owner....I think he was likely vague for a reason. That says to me there is no specific lower level indentified when he was speaking, and I don't see it as being specific to 1000 point plus owners.

 

[nunzia]

There really is no tier that is going to make me add on. I don't go enough for AP's. Fast passes aren't it. I'm just about done with the DDP. Don't need anymore souvies. As long as I can book my home resorts at 11 months, I'll roll with whatever comes after that.

I agree.. I slowly bought what I discovered we needed and could afford (225..above average!Score...) and I don't see any incentive that would push me to own more..Say they started the perk level at 250..what could they give me to make it worthwhile to send them an extra $2,500 up front and $100 a year to my MF? I can't think of anything..we do DLR where the big discount on APs is $20..and that is just on the initial AP..no discount on renewals. We do get decent dining discount almost everywhere which I don't think WDW does, but really..what else can they offer that would push me over the edge...oh wait..maybe Concierge lounge privileges at VGC..actually..that might do it

 

[Starr W.]

Maybe the 1000 pointers will have special access to the new on-line reservation system.... would that really even be considered a perk?

Considering how Disney's IT system works that would be an un-perk.