Helping a friend - they own original Monarch Grand ownership

[klpca]

I have friends who are pretty unhappy with their timeshare. Here is what I know (although it feels incomplete, but this is what I have to work with).

1. They are original (+20 years) in Monarch Grand Vacations
2. According to them, their ownership locations include Dana Point, Ramona, Palm Desert (they aren't 100% sure about this), plus one more location, possibly Cabo.
3. They have attended multiple owners updates, but have consistently refused to upgrade

I would love to help them but I am confused about what they currently own and what they can do with their weeks because of the whole Monarch/Diamond/HGV situation. Were they grandfathered into anything since they are original retail owners? Can they exchange through Interval International or RCI? Is there any kind of deedback program? They want out because they don't see any value currently, but I think if they could figure out how to use it properly, they might be able to enjoy it.

If I need to ask some more questions before my questions can be answered, please let me know what I need to ask them.

Thanks!

 

[Eric B]

FAQ of the Diamond Resorts - Read these first!

Admin Edit: Check out our Current Diamond Resorts Owner FAQ and Information page and How to exit or get rid of an unwanted DRI Timeshare The following was written 8 years ago. Since that time there have been many changes to DRI. DRI was purchased 6 other TS systems (or more) and added...

tugbbs.com

The list of Monarch Grand resorts is at the link above. They probably have access to the DRI/HVC resorts, too. They definitely have access to DEX. I own some Monarch Grand resale points; only bought them for Cabo Azul access.

 

[klpca]

FAQ of the Diamond Resorts - Read these first!

Admin Edit: Check out our Current Diamond Resorts Owner FAQ and Information page and How to exit or get rid of an unwanted DRI Timeshare The following was written 8 years ago. Since that time there have been many changes to DRI. DRI was purchased 6 other TS systems (or more) and added...

tugbbs.com

The list of Monarch Grand resorts is at the link above. They probably have access to the DRI/HVC resorts, too. They definitely have access to DEX. I own some Monarch Grand resale points; only bought them for Cabo Azul access.

Thanks. That gives me a good starting point. It sounds like I need to sit down with them and have them log in to see what they can do with their ownership.

 

[GT75]

As @Eric B stated, they definitely have access to the Monarch resorts which includes Cabo Azul. I haven't been to Cabo Azul yet (been to Cabo many times) but I have heard it is fabulous. If they have access to DeX then IMO that is much better than RCI. Good Luck.

 

[klpca]

Perfect. I am going to have them over and have the log into their account and see if I can steer them to the correct place on the website. I feel like their frustration is the biggest obstacle to their enjoyment. So hopefully we can figure things out and get them traveling.

 

[jp10558]

Though if they can also get an RCI account, which I'm not really sure they can easily, the cash deals are a huge multiplier IMO. I don't have access to DeX so can't comment on that, but I am a bit interested in it.

 

[WorldT]

You definitely need to sit down like you said, have them log in and see what access they have. May have to call customer service too if you are not too sure after the online access. As already mentioned, it seems they have access to Cabo Azul which is a very nice resort. I was there earlier this year courtesy of @Eric B. They may also be able to exchange into other resorts.
I can understand how they feel, but that is usually the problem. Many people don't understand what they own and how to maximize the time.

 

[rpennisi]

If they have access to Cabo Azul without the extra fees that are charged to RCI exchangers, then that contract, to me, is a winner.

 

[klpca]

You definitely need to sit down like you said, have them log in and see what access they have. May have to call customer service too if you are not too sure after the online access. As already mentioned, it seems they have access to Cabo Azul which is a very nice resort. I was there earlier this year courtesy of @Eric B. They may also be able to exchange into other resorts.
I can understand how they feel, but that is usually the problem. Many people don't understand what they own and how to maximize the time.

That is exactly how I feel. We'll be chatting about travel and I am happily talking about the exchanges that I am getting. They are dejected, saying that they can't do anything with their timeshare, even give it back. I keep thinking with a retail purchase, there has to be some value with what they own.

 

[GT75]

They are dejected, saying that they can't do anything with their timeshare, even give it back. I keep thinking with a retail purchase, there has to be some value with what they own.

Unfortunately, I believe this is how a lot of TS owners feel (unlike most here on TUG).

 

[jp10558]

Unfortunately, I believe this is how a lot of TS owners feel (unlike most here on TUG).

It's also I think kind of the dirty secret of any "min/maxing / travel hacking" whatever you want to call it, and especially timeshares - a lot of retail purchasers lose all the time so we can win great discounted resale purchases and good to amazing exchanges or cash deals. In some ways, if everyone was getting close to their optimum value out of timeshares, I think we'd be spending a lot more money than we do now basically grabbing weeks that actually do have some value (not as real-estate, but as short term rentals or transient lodging or hotel replacements) for pennies from HOAs that need to get something for otherwise defaulted weeks or just to have some use of the property unit for that time frame.