Change to Redweek process and all those extra fees... And not in a good way.... [MERGED]

[rickandcindy23]

Cindy - The only option available now is a full-service Ad.

It's a shame. They really went to the dark side when bought out by a big company.

 

[RENTER]

I am emotionally done with Wyndham and timeshare companies. They are not worth the hassle of changing rules to me. For those staying I will share this which may help you.

I used Airbnb. They gave me international exposure outside the timeshare world. My posting to rent was free. When the verified guest book, they collected and held back payment to be until the guest checked in. Then they charged me a 3% fee which they withheld from my payout.

They charge the guest a 15% fee plus the required local taxes which they paid. So the guest paid approx. 27% on top of what I charge.

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

First was increasing the price for ads. Next was eliminating all ads that where not either Verified or Verified & Protected. I normally use a verified ad a for resort rental with a specific date and once rented, just change the date for that resort for another week I have. Now you can only place an ad using verified and protected and the only change allowed once posted is editing the price. This is true for all ads already in the system no matter how the ad was placed.

Redweek charges 59 for ad, 99 to the owner upon successful renter. The renter pays a service fee of almost 10% of the rental price. In locations like HHI, they collect a renters tax paid by the renter. My main go to for renting my units is my rolodex but Redweek is a great go to. Now with the changes, I will try to avoid Redweek using FB groups that are for rentals along with groups that are resort focused.

 

[dioxide45]

There is a pretty lengthy thread here on the topic. The most recent changes you reference are discussed starting on post #177.

 

[rickandcindy23]

You could try go-koala.com and TUG ads as well. Neither of those charges upfront. Koala does make money after the unit rents.

We have a long thread about this, and I keep discovering nuances of RW's new policies. At first there was an option for a floating week ad, and now that option is gone. I was surprised they got rid of everything for a DIY listing.

 

[jrg7376]

Redweek did make an important change this year after I (and probably others) complained about their standard cancelation time of 60 days. My complaint was Marriott requires 61 days to cancel and use your points or week for something else. While the owner would get back to about 50% of the rental price on a cancellation, you would lose money as you had no alternative use of the week. I suggested 70 days for cancellation but they changed their policy to 65 days, which give the owner flexibility! They were very helpful and listened to my concerns.

 

[mauiwowie]

They also now won't take rentals within 21 days of check in, so it's useless for trying to rent something if you have a last minute change in plans as the reason for renting. Ironically, I have historically gotten most of my units rented within that 21 day period, because renters seem to prefer "last minute" plans.

 

[mauiwowie]

Redweek did make an important change this year after I (and probably others) complained about their standard cancelation time of 60 days. My complaint was Marriott requires 61 days to cancel and use your points or week for something else. While the owner would get back to about 50% of the rental price on a cancellation, you would lose money as you had no alternative use of the week. I suggested 70 days for cancellation but they changed their policy to 65 days, which give the owner flexibility! They were very helpful and listened to my concerns.

It's good that they listened, but kind of ridiculous that they hadn't already figured this out years ago. It's why "full service" is "half ass" in my opinion I always have done my own rentals and used my own cancellation policy depending on the restrictions of what I was renting. Mainly as generous as possible to the renter, w/o screwing myself.

Sadly, the only rental which I had a request for a cancellation was the one full service rental I did this past year. Even though Redweek collected extra money than I would have had to pay to DIY, I still wound up having to deal with a dozen plus emails from both Redweek and even the renter directly, wanting me to allow a cancellation of a "strict" cancellation booking. That sucked and was one of the most stressful transactions I've ever experienced and now it's the only option available

 

[WBP]

In my opinion Redweek.com developed a monopoly, for which they are owed credit, and now they are taking advantage of consumers, from their monopolistic position. I’m sure many people see practices like this, in a variety of businesses and industries; we try to avoid those businesses that we believe are taking advantage of consumers, as I now believe that redweek.com is doing.

Redweek.com fails my smell test for (not) having a soul.

 

[tahoe]

In my opinion Redweek.com developed a monopoly, for which they are owed credit, and now they are taking advantage of consumers, from their monopolistic position. I’m sure many people see practices like this, in a variety of businesses and industries; we try to avoid those businesses that we believe are taking advantage of consumers, as I now believe that redweek.com is doing.

Redweek.com fails my smell test for (not) having a soul.

I blame AirBnB

 

[billymach4]

Y'all are casting blame in the wrong direction.

Arrivia owns Redweek.

Arrivia acquires RedWeek, the online timeshare marketplace

Arrivia strengthens its offerings and brand portfolio with the addition of Redweek, the largest and most reputable online timeshare marketplace.

www.arrivia.com

The consortium of international institutional investors, led by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, acquired Arrivia through a completed transaction announced on January 7, 2025. This acquisition involved Oaktree Capital spearheading a deal to transition Arrivia’s ownership from its previous owners, most notably 3i Group plc and others, to the new investor consortium. The transaction was structured to position Arrivia for further expansion, continued innovation, and to strengthen its status as the world’s largest stand-alone travel loyalty company. While the exact financial terms of the acquisition were not publicly disclosed, official statements from Oaktree and Arrivia leadership confirm that the consortium's investment aims to provide ongoing strategic guidance, operational support, and resources for Arrivia’s next growth phase.
Arrivia’s management team, including CEO Mike Nelson, remains in place under the new ownership, and the company has emphasized that the capital and expertise of the consortium will support investments in technology, partnerships, and new travel loyalty offerings

Arrivia Transitions Ownership to Consortium of Investors

Arrivia has completed a transaction that transitions ownership to a consortium of international institutional investors, positioning the business for continued innovation and growth

www.arrivia.com

 

[dioxide45]

You could try go-koala.com and TUG ads as well. Neither of those charges upfront. Koala does make money after the unit rents.

We have a long thread about this, and I keep discovering nuances of RW's new policies. At first there was an option for a floating week ad, and now that option is gone. I was surprised they got rid of everything for a DIY listing.

It seems that Koala has long touted the risks involved with DIY timeshare rental transactions as a reason to list with them. I think this was based on Redweek, for so long, allowing DIY rentals. It seems that with Redweek going 100% DIY, that is a competitive advantage that Koala may be losing. Koala now only seems to have the advantage of no upfront listing fee. They will be the more expensive option for timeshare that rent for more than $2000. They both seem to now offer an identical product and Redweek even collects taxes for the owner. I'm curious, do you see Koala losing any competitive advantage over Redweek given the changes Redweek has made?

 

[billymach4]

Y'all are casting blame in the wrong direction.

Arrivia owns Redweek.

Arrivia acquires RedWeek, the online timeshare marketplace

Arrivia strengthens its offerings and brand portfolio with the addition of Redweek, the largest and most reputable online timeshare marketplace.

www.arrivia.com

The consortium of international institutional investors, led by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, acquired Arrivia through a completed transaction announced on January 7, 2025. This acquisition involved Oaktree Capital spearheading a deal to transition Arrivia’s ownership from its previous owners, most notably 3i Group plc and others, to the new investor consortium. The transaction was structured to position Arrivia for further expansion, continued innovation, and to strengthen its status as the world’s largest stand-alone travel loyalty company. While the exact financial terms of the acquisition were not publicly disclosed, official statements from Oaktree and Arrivia leadership confirm that the consortium's investment aims to provide ongoing strategic guidance, operational support, and resources for Arrivia’s next growth phase.
Arrivia’s management team, including CEO Mike Nelson, remains in place under the new ownership, and the company has emphasized that the capital and expertise of the consortium will support investments in technology, partnerships, and new travel loyalty offerings

Arrivia Transitions Ownership to Consortium of Investors

Arrivia has completed a transaction that transitions ownership to a consortium of international institutional investors, positioning the business for continued innovation and growth

www.arrivia.com

Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. are leading the consortium in the new ownership group of arrivia. David Nicoll, a managing director at Oaktree said.

Follow the Money. https://www.oaktreecapital.com/

These fee's are building wealth for investors. Blame the investors.

 

[billymach4]

It seems that Koala has long touted the risks involved with DIY timeshare rental transactions as a reason to list with them. I think this was based on Redweek, for so long, allowing DIY rentals. It seems that with Redweek going 100% DIY, that is a competitive advantage that Koala may be losing. Koala now only seems to have the advantage of no upfront listing fee. They will be the more expensive option for timeshare that rent for more than $2000. They both seem to now offer an identical product and Redweek even collects taxes for the owner. I'm curious, do you see Koala losing any competitive advantage over Redweek given the changes Redweek has made?

If Koala ever begins to gain market share and chip away at the Redweek monopoly, another big fish will acquire Koala.

 

[billymach4]

If Koala ever begins to gain market share and chip away at the Redweek monopoly, another big fish will acquire Koala.

Or.....

Oaktree capital may sell Arrivia or Redweek to MVW one day in the future. Ya never know.

 

[SkyBornDancer]

For what it's worth, I often put my part of my Maui Ocean club lock-off for rent through MauiResortRentals.com They charge a hefty percentage of 25% but handle everything the marketing, guest info, payment, tax filings etc. They only thing I need to do is make a reservation and change the guest name once they have a renter interested.

 

[rickandcindy23]

This is a new ad for the same person who has been renting quite a few DVC/ II exchange weeks. How are they able to keep a float ad going, especially with exchange rentals? This is Disney's Old Key West. Point cost is 205 and up for a full week. This person used to advertise with the $190 fee. The username is SS.

 

[dioxide45]

This is a new ad for the same person who has been renting quite a few DVC/ II exchange weeks. How are they able to keep a float ad going, especially with exchange rentals? This is Disney's Old Key West. Point cost is 205 and up for a full week. This person used to advertise with the $190 fee. The username is SS.

View attachment 113912

Aren't those the same dates as before? Does Redweek automatically adjust the starting date (August 3) as time goes on?

 

[andre10056]

This is a new ad for the same person who has been renting quite a few DVC/ II exchange weeks. How are they able to keep a float ad going, especially with exchange rentals? This is Disney's Old Key West. Point cost is 205 and up for a full week. This person used to advertise with the $190 fee. The username is SS.

View attachment 113912

I just checked and Redweek has JUST changed things up again. Last week, one could place a floating ad. But now, when you say you haven't yet made a reservation, it shows a banner which says:

You need a reservation to rent with our online booking system. Make a reservation, then return here to finish your rental.​

Last week, you could say you hadn't yet made a reservation and it would then take you to the next page where you could fill in the available floating days. Apparently, no more.

So, whoever SS is, it looks like Redweek will no longer be an option for him/her to rent out exchanges (assuming Redweek will continue to not accept exchanges for its rental ads...but who knows about that with Redweek no longer being Redweek). He got that ad in right before the change.

 

[andre10056]

They also now won't take rentals within 21 days of check in, so it's useless for trying to rent something if you have a last minute change in plans as the reason for renting. Ironically, I have historically gotten most of my units rented within that 21 day period, because renters seem to prefer "last minute" plans.

Redweek has gone wild with new banners that arise depending on what information you provide when you want to post an ad. You're 100% right with the "within 21 days" prohibition as I encountered the following brand new banner:

Sorry, we can't take rentals within 21 days of check-in

I'm not sure I understand the reason behind that one. Perhaps a tacit admission that their online booking process takes forever?

 

[dioxide45]

Redweek has gone wild with new banners that arise depending on what information you provide when you want to post an ad. You're 100% right with the "within 21 days" prohibition as I encountered the following brand new banner:

Sorry, we can't take rentals within 21 days of check-in

I'm not sure I understand the reason behind that one. Perhaps a tacit admission that their online booking process takes forever?

Or perhaps the verification process takes a while? Since everything is now V&P, they have that banner now for everything. Did that banner show previously on V&P when trying to list inside 21 days?

 

[andre10056]

Or perhaps the verification process takes a while? Since everything is now V&P, they have that banner now for everything. Did that banner show previously on V&P when trying to list inside 21 days?

Yes. The whole Redweek "online booking process" which necessarily includes the verification process as well as the online booking procedure must take so much time that they need at least 21 days.

I have in the past had a last minute change that necessitated my attempt to rent the week out via Redweek. And I saw no such banner. But, in that case, I didn't do the V&P route.

And in the past when I did the V&P route, I saw no such banner because my ad was placed many months before the check-in date.

So I personally don't know if that banner always arose in the past if someone were to have tried both (1) the V&P route and (2) check-in date within 21 days, but mauiwowie's post above seems to suggest that is a change. But maybe he/she was always a DIY renter in the past.

 

[WBP]

I did not know that Redweek.com went the route of Venture Capital. Thank you for that information.

Now, it all makes sense.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Aren't those the same dates as before? Does Redweek automatically adjust the starting date (August 3) as time goes on?

This ad is marked as NEW, in red, meaning it was started in the last 30 days. You get that tag on your listing for 30 days after placing the ad.

This means that you could place an ad sometime in the last 30 days as a float week. That's the point I was making. Same person that has had dozens of II exchanges for rent. Now I am wondering if this is a Redweek employee or someone who is getting privileges for listing that I am not getting.

 

[tschwa2]

This ad is marked as NEW, in red, meaning it was started in the last 30 days. You get that tag on your listing for 30 days after placing the ad.

This means that you could place an ad sometime in the last 30 days as a float week. That's the point I was making. Same person that has had dozens of II exchanges for rent. Now I am wondering if this is a Redweek employee or someone who is getting privileges for listing that I am not getting.

They only removed the ability to post float weeks around 2 weeks ago. It could be new but going forward unless they change that won't be an option.