What is up with Concierge Collection?

[DavidRoss]

Yesterday I called DVC to make some reservations using CC at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Guess what? They are dropping it from the CC Collection. Okay - I understand that they drop and add things periodically. However, the phone rep told me they were dropping 11 other CC hotels and no new ones were being added. They aren't in a specific area either. They are dropping Tanque Verde, Dorchester, The Biltmores, Hawaii. Is this option going away? Does anyone know?

 

[DVC Mike]

They are "refining" the Concierge Collection, whatever that means...

 

[rinkwide]

They are "refining" the Concierge Collection, whatever that means...

Means they're protecting the membership from itself.

 

[Chuck S]

Well, there will be a DVC resort in Hawaii in a few years, and I think there are changes coming to the Interval International trades that may make the Concierge Collection not nearly as popular/attractive to DVC owners.

 

[Laurabearz]

I feel your pain.. We are headed to DLR this summer and we were going to tack on a few days at the Grand Canyon then one night at the AZ Biltmore, then I read as of March it's no longer a CC hotel.

Oh well. Such is life.

 

[DVCJRG]

As a family that does occassionally use our points for the Concierge Collection, I e-mailed Member Services to express my concern. I know opinions on use of points is mixed, but for us, we liked the opportunity to stay at a variety of different top-shelf hotels in various locales. In fact, the choice of hotels was a big reasons that we decided to buy into DVC in the first place. A membership representative called me and said she would pass on my concerns, but also explained that the CC is contract-based, and every year representatives in the field are always looking for good resorts to add to the collection. She also indicated that just because a resort is not listed this year, doesn't mean it won't be added again at a different point, depending on contract negotiations. Not the most satisfying answer, but better than nothing.

 

[Chuck S]

As a family that does occassionally use our points for the Concierge Collection, I e-mailed Member Services to express my concern. I know opinions on use of points is mixed, but for us, we liked the opportunity to stay at a variety of different top-shelf hotels in various locales. In fact, the choice of hotels was a big reasons that we decided to buy into DVC in the first place. A membership representative called me and said she would pass on my concerns, but also explained that the CC is contract-based, and every year representatives in the field are always looking for good resorts to add to the collection. She also indicated that just because a resort is not listed this year, doesn't mean it won't be added again at a different point, depending on contract negotiations. Not the most satisfying answer, but better than nothing.

Remember that DVC has to actually pay for those rooms used in the Concierge Collection, so if a CC room has gotten more expensive than what DVC can reasonably expect to gain from the cash rental of a DVC room, DVC has no alternative except to drop the hotel from the collection or raise everyones dues to cover. And I don't think most members would want their dues raised to help pay for other folks CC stays.

 

[Disneyaholic]

Don't forget that DVC members have also sometimes complained of being given the "worst" rooms when staying at CC resorts. If DVC received enough complaints about a particular property, they may have decided to drop it from the collection themselves.

 

[JimMIA]

They are "refining" the Concierge Collection, whatever that means...

The meaning of "refining" is pretty straightforward -- it's MarketingSpeak for, "You're not going to like this once you think about it!"

"Refining" is closely related to "streamlining," and "simplifying."

 

[rinkwide]

..."Refining" is closely related to "streamlining," and "simplifying."...

...but with the added bonus of a smelly, petroleum connotation.

 

[CarolA]

While the economy is not doing well overall, luxury travel still seems to be doing fine.

As a result, these hotels may not be motivated to even "deal" with Disney. If they think they can get more money from other customers then Disney is out of there. I think that's probably a big issue. Sure they can probably work out a deal but do you really want to spend 500 points a night LOL! The Concerige Hotels in London for example are getting OUTRAGOUS amounts of cash per night with very few discounts available. If they are still availalbe, don't count on them lasting. I can't see how DVC can afford to deal with them much longer LOL!

So while the DIS board method is "blame Disney" it's possible that in this case the other party doesn't even want to come to the table. There is nothing Disney can do then but accept that, they have no power!

 

[ralphd]

The current U. S. dollar foreign exchange value will be a problem for international CC exchanges.