Wwyd?

[Fishy63]

Hi there! OK so DH and I were at our resort, and yes I'm making this as vague as i can on purpose, a couple of weeks ago. We brought friends of us with us and used points for our studios and theirs. Well, when we started talking about it in the beginning we said we would work out some sort of compensation on the trip. Our bad, I know, but we never really worked out anything before hand. Our thought was that if someone had done this for us we would resiprocate but paying for meals and drinks. That is just the way we are, and yes they know how much the rooms would have cost had they made reservations. OK so I know we should have worked it out and not assumed anything. One day one of them asked me about money but I was drinking at the time and did't want to discuss money while drinking

I needed to send an email anyway about other costs, about a $100 worth, incidentials that we had emailed aobut. Would it be ok to add this on? We desided 1/2 of what they would have paid was appropriate. DH said to post the question here and we would get great advice. Yep, I'm already a member but would rather remain unknown on this question.

Also in the future how have you worked this out with friends?

WWYD?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Unfortunately, you have put the cart before the horse. You can go ahead and ask, but do not be surprised if you do not recoup their expenses or share.

In the future, I would recommend getting a payment up front as a "deposit" which ensures not only will they cover their share, but they will be less likely to cancel close to travel date, which many family members seem to do.

Good luck!

 

[Sandisw]

If it were me, I would just mention to them to include whatever they feel is a fair in terms of the trip. If you are thinking 1/2 the cost and they send more, then you can always say "No...that is way too much".

If they send less than that, then chalk it up to bad planning on your part this time!!

Good luck!!!!

 

[Telcogirl]

Maybe rather than mentioning a specific amount of money that you want, you can approach the topic again with the email and open the dialogue.

You could say something like, "besides the $100 for xxx on the bill, did you have a dollar amout in mind for your share of the room bill?"

I think you have to be careful with this because the trip is over and done with. I can sense from your post that you are a little put off with them that you have to even bring this up.

It would have been best for everyone if you had the money part nailed down before you went on vacation.

Good luck.

 

[eliza61]

Unfortunately I too have learned that what seems so normal to me may not be apparent to others. I definitely would have offered some type of payment way before the trip even began.

Anyway I would send them an email with what you think is a fair deal but not get upset if they don't see it that way.

Now whenever I offer accomadations with my points I try to be as open first so there are no misunderstandings.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

If it were me, I would just mention to them to include whatever they feel is a fair in terms of the trip. If you are thinking 1/2 the cost and they send more, then you can always say "No...that is way too much".

If they send less than that, then chalk it up to bad planning on your part this time!!

Good luck!!!!

This seems like what I would do as well.

I would say the rooms would have cost x amount and we would like you to pay what you think is a fair amount. You could very well get more than you hoped. I hope the trip was great and that you enjoyed your time with them.

I hope it works out well and does not hurt your friendship at all.

 

[stlrod]

Live and learn-should have been addressed beforehand. At this point, I wouldn't email. I would call. They did try to bring the subject up once. Maybe they were thinking they would take care of it later so there was no need to pick up drinks/dinner. I would let them know you appreciated them bringing the subject up on the trip and jokingly mention that you are now in a better "frame of mind" to discuss the issue. Let them know what you and your husband were thinking and go from there (I probably wouldn't be stuck on "half" particularly if half is more than the going rate right now for renting points.) Good luck.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

$$ is a hard thing to discuss for everyone. You don't want to look like the bad guy when in all actuality, you were the GREAT guys! It was a wonderful treat you gave to them and it is only fair they should compensate for it as it was discussed that there would be some compensation. Pixie dust that this goes smoothly for you.

 

[SamSam]

You are in a tough spot since it's in the past. I really don't have a suggestion for the situation you are now in (really too bad that they didn't at least pick up the tab for some meals).
When we have friends that want to join us and we use our points to get them accommodations, we always say upfront that we will get them their room for $5.00 a point. They are thrilled because it is a fantastic rate for the accomodation. Basically it covers the cost of our annual dues, and we're happy with that.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, obviously you SHOULD have discussed that prior to the trip, or even prior to the reservation being made.

Since you didn't discuss it or settle on it beforehand, I do not think you should ask for it after the fact. That would be more than tacky. Instead, I would probably just ask your guest what they would consider fiar, and go with that. When we invite guests, we tell them up front that we are providing the accommodations, but they are responsible for their own expenses beyond that. All but one of them has reciprocated with taking us out to dinner or even more. The point is, we don't expect anything, and if they don't offer, it was still a good time with family and friends.

 

[kent285]

If they bring it up again (and only if, in my opinion) suggest they pay what you would have gotten if you had rented your points. They should still be thrilled at the savings. If they don't bring it up again, I wouldn't say anything because I'm the type that would never want to chance alienating a friendship over money. Good luck!

 

[The Red Head]

I am not sure about this time, but for the future, I am brining my brother and sil on a trip with us this year. We usually get a studio and will be getting a 1bdr since they will be with us. When we started talking about the trip I said to them, hey since you will be staying with us you won't have to pay for a room, can you cover some of our meals while we are there. My brother was like sure no problem. So getting it done beforehand, is the way to go.

 

[Chuck S]

Well, obviously you SHOULD have discussed that prior to the trip, or even prior to the reservation being made.

Since you didn't discuss it or settle on it beforehand, I do not think you should ask for it after the fact. That would be more than tacky. Instead, I would probably just ask your guest what they would consider fiar, and go with that. When we invite guests, we tell them up front that we are providing the accommodations, but they are responsible for their own expenses beyond that. All but one of them has reciprocated with taking us out to dinner or even more. The point is, we don't expect anything, and if they don't offer, it was still a good time with family and friends.

Similar to Diane, I do not "charge" friends or family. They know it is a room-only type thing, and all other associated expenses are their responsibility. they usually take us to a nice dinner...and we enjoy their company.

There have been peope that I invited that I knew even their own meal and ticket expenses would be a stretch for them. I didn't expect anything...so I appreciated it when they bought us a couple of counter service meals.

 

[heynowirv]

Obviously ,as most have posted ,it's in the past at this point.If these are close friends then a dialogue would go smoothly over the finaces,if they're not then i'd just walk away and chalk it up as an expensive learning experience.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I take a different perpsective, I invite people that I want to share time with, friends and family who add to our vacation experiences. I never ask for compensation, but with that said, most of my guests are happy with the accomodations and always generously kick in for food/drinks or special activities.

With that said, however, when you said, " Well, when we started talking about it in the beginning we said we would work out some sort of compensation on the trip." Was that a conversation between you and your husband or the both of you and your friends ?. If it was with your friends included, then you adequately laid down the foundation to ask them to finalize the reimbursement for their accomodations. I would send them an e-mail recounting the fun you all had and end with what ever dollar amount you feel would adequately compensate you. Since they weren't forthcoming with drinks/food etc, they forfeited the ability to come up with an amount that you may have lived with, and now you get to ask them for what you want.

Good luck to you!

 

[Coach81]

I am facing a similar situation for next summer. We are inviting some family members to join us in the THV. I have already let them know that they will pay upfront for the extra points that we will need for the upgrade. They have let me know that this will not be a problem. I plan on getting all of the money up front before I rent the points.

Good luck!

 

[allshookup]

We are very similar to some PPs here & we invite family & friends & never ask for compensation, but they are expected to pay for their own tickets, share meal expenses, etc. Not saying it's wrong to do so, but if I was expecting something I would make sure they knew the amount up front. Expecting people to pay for your food & drink could end up being even more than what they would've paid for the room. Especially they way DH & I like to drink!

We usually have family members offer to pick up one big meal & last trip we invited our neighbors in thanks for always taking our dog, but they instill insisted on paying for all our groceries & beer/wine, which ended up being appx. $400. More than generous I thought! Just a suggestion, and maybe not nearly enough, but maybe you could say something like, "Hey now that we're home, take us out to a really nice dinner & we'll call it even?"

 

[JasonDVC]

They need to step up and re-open the conversation. IMO it is too late for you without threatening to alienate them as freinds. I think your freindship is worth more than money. If it was me, (I would not asked for compensation in the first place, that said...) I would not invite them again if they do not open the dialogue. That would show me that they value "getting away witout paying" more than your freindship.

You're in quite the pickle. Good Luck!

 

[JasonDVC]

... Just a suggestion, and maybe not nearly enough, but maybe you could say something like, "Hey now that we're home, take us out to a really nice dinner & we'll call it even?"

LOL. Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode...You should take me to a nice place, like Mendy's!

LOL

 

[jodifla]

When we take people, we NEVER ask for payment. They are our guests. Each one has offered to buy groceries or take us out to dinner, and we always take folks up on it. But that's enough.