Bonus Time coming to Club Wyndham???

[Floridaman76]

The trade-off here versus WorldMark is that WorldMark has a $100/night minimum charge and a 4-night limit per Bonus Time and only one Bonus Time reservation at a time, which leads to complications trying to string together consecutive BT reservations for longer stays.

In other words, Club Wyndham Bonus Time is a much better deal for stays longer than a few days versus WorldMark with complimentary housekeeping on BT reservations.

When I first looked at this, I had assumed that it had the same length limitations as Worldmark and the few tests I had done were all weekend/short term stays. I had not even thought of long term stays being a possibility.

That said, I can see value in the Wyndham version of Bonus time, even with having to use HK. I just wonder if hybrid VIP's who still have unlimited HK can make reservations in Bonus Time if they are out of retail points for the year. I wonder if the website is that smart. Probably not.

But yeah, after doing some tests, I can see how there's definitely some deals out there. Can't complain I guess.

 

[RENTER]

When I first looked at this, I had assumed that it had the same length limitations as Worldmark and the few tests I had done were all weekend/short term stays. I had not even thought of long term stays being a possibility.

That said, I can see value in the Wyndham version of Bonus time, even with having to use HK. I just wonder if hybrid VIP's who still have unlimited HK can make reservations in Bonus Time if they are out of retail points for the year. I wonder if the website is that smart. Probably not.

But yeah, after doing some tests, I can see how there's definitely some deals out there. Can't complain I guess.

The answer to your question is yes which is why I expect Wyndham to change it because they will get a lot of complaints on how unfair that is.

 

[CO skier]

That said, I can see value in the Wyndham version of Bonus time, even with having to use HK. I just wonder if hybrid VIP's who still have unlimited HK can make reservations in Bonus Time if they are out of retail points for the year. I wonder if the website is that smart. Probably not.

Resale members in Club Wyndham can make Bonus Time reservations, so why would it matter "if hybrid VIP's who still have unlimited HK can make reservations in Bonus Time if they are out of retail points for the year."?

Maybe your question is, "Would hybrid VIP's who still have unlimited HK can make reservations in Bonus Time if they are out of retail points for the year" (or run of the mill VIP's who are out of points for the year) and still have unlimited HK for Bonus Time? No one knows until it has been tried, but why not? The Bonus Time reservations are obviously made by the Developer using Developer points. No problem there.

It just depends on if the sales department is willing to pick up the tab for the Platinum VIP housekeeping on BT reservations (or maybe the Developer uses the HKs associated with the points it owns). In WorldMark, Bonus Time is a Developer program, so I would put my money betting on the latter, but someone will be paying for those housekeepings.

Why not ask the bigger question, "Would hybrid VIP's if they are out of retail points for the year" (or run of the mill VIP's who are out of points for the year) still have their VIP discount for Bonus Time reservations? Again, why not. These Bonus Time reservations are using Developer points, not points from the owner's "bucket(s)" of points? Why would the website care? And again, no one knows until it has been tried.

 

[CO skier]

The answer to your question is yes which is why I expect Wyndham to change it because they will get a lot of complaints on how unfair that is.

When you get stuck on a weird assumption, you really get stuck.

 

[CO skier]

Not weird. You are correct that people should not complain. But go back in time and see some resell owners complaining about benefits VIP owners had they did not have.

I’d be interested to see those complaints. Have a link?

RENTER, we are still waiting for those DeLorean back in time links.

or did memory fail you, again.

 

[CO skier]

Sometimes it is easy to forget how old one is. In case any youngsters out there are missing the DeLorean time machine references (from a 1985 movie):

Google Search

As an aside, in 1985, 2015 seemed sooooo far in the future ...

 

[CO skier]

in this day and age they could mail you a 20 dollar bill and someone would still complain.

In the TUG Club Wyndham forum, there are some perpetual negative Neds and Nellies who can only complain about Wyndham (largely due as a result of how Wyndham negatively affected their rental businesses) and would never give any credit when Wyndham does something to benefit owners, like this Bonus Time benefit.

 

[Sandi Bo]

When I first looked at this, I had assumed that it had the same length limitations as Worldmark and the few tests I had done were all weekend/short term stays. I had not even thought of long term stays being a possibility.

That said, I can see value in the Wyndham version of Bonus time, even with having to use HK. I just wonder if hybrid VIP's who still have unlimited HK can make reservations in Bonus Time if they are out of retail points for the year. I wonder if the website is that smart. Probably not.

But yeah, after doing some tests, I can see how there's definitely some deals out there. Can't complain I guess.

I don't think it matters if you are out of points or not. (I don't know how WM works, just playing on the Wyndham site based on comments seen here).

I have a hybrid account. When checking out, bonus time is offered - and the option to purchase points for $5/1000. That's less than my maintenance fees, and you can get the VIP discounts and upgrades - you'd be hard-pressed not to use your VIP discount and pay $5/1000 for points (whether you were out of points or not and regardless of how many HK credits you have for your resale). Only reason not to use resale (if you have HK credits) would be if you have an over abundance of them that you want to use?

If I were resale only and it's not costing me HK - again - it'd be hard to pass up paying $5/1000 for a quick vacation.

 

[RENTER]

The nitpickers are back in full force with the Delorean jokes. You know the type. They think they are smarter than all of us.

The $5 per 1000 is no big deal to me since fees are around $5.50 per 1000. The big advantage to me is that I can book rooms even if I am out of developer points and still have resale points.

Now these people who think they are smarter than the rest of us, think they will be no complaints from the whiners who complained VIP owners were able to get discounts on resale points. Yeah right.

In the meantime, I will take advantage before they change the system.

Don't forget they think my refusing to accept their definition of commercial, buying VIP, refusing to a 401K and the way I invest is also a joke. So good luck listening to them. One reason I am successful renting and investing is whatever they do, I generally do the opposite.

 

[TUGBrian]

In the TUG Club Wyndham forum, there are some perpetual negative Neds and Nellies who can only complain about Wyndham (largely due as a result of how Wyndham negatively affected their rental businesses) and would never give any credit when Wyndham does something to benefit owners, like this Bonus Time benefit.

there are plenty of folks across all forums (and life) who seek to find something to get upset about....its just life as we know it these days as the internet has given everyone the ability to post exactly what they are thinking at any time.

 

[RENTER]

For those relatively new to this forum and missed the debates I had with the Elite Delorean Jokers, there was another group of complainers I forgot to mention. I am pretty sure they will be upset that I can use my discount on bonus time despite the fact I used up all my developer points.

These were the people who were upset at VIP owners who took advantage of what Wyndham allowed. The complainers were whining that those VIP owners were stealing their vacations despite the fact they had more then 60 days to 10 to 13 months out to book a resort.

VIP owners received a discount if they book within 60 days. So many would be up at midnight when the regular window open to book a reservation. Then do the same when it was within 60 days of the reservation. If rooms were available they would cancel the original reservation and then rebook it with the discount using less points.

If there were no rooms available, there was a weakness in Wyndham's system if they wanted to gamble. If no rooms were available, they could gamble and cancel it and it may pop up right away as being available so they could rebook it with the discount using less points.

To some like me America is the land of equal opportunity, and I look at them as those who used their brains and made the effort by staying up at midnight to get ahead. To others America should be the land of equal results, and they looked them as cheaters, cheating them out of their vacations despite the fact they could have booked any time before those 60 days.

Their outrage was loud. We called every name in the book including tax cheats, cheaters, greedy sob's and other names I can't quite remember. I guess Wyndham heard because they made adjustments to the system that made the complainers happy because they thought it ended the practice. But to their dismay it did not stop it. Just made it a little harder. I still do it.

So, the Elite Delorean Jokers think I am a joke expecting people to complain. Yeah right, these people will not complain.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Their outrage was loud. We called every name in the book including tax cheats, cheaters, greedy sob's and other names I can't quite remember.

Still interested in seeing a link to these posts calling you every name in the book including tax cheats, cheaters and greedy sob’s. Can you provide?

Thanks!

 

[RENTER]

Still interested in seeing a link to these posts calling you every name in the book including tax cheats, cheaters and greedy sob’s. Can you provide?

Thanks!

How sad you your memory is slipping. I do not have time to go back to all the prior debates to proof it. I am sure those with no life have the time to go back and look at all the prior arguments. Maybe a job for Sherlock Holmes since she likes to troll people and seems to have the time for it.

I do hope your memory loss is not a long-term condition, and your memory will go back to normal.

 

[dioxide45]

How sad you your memory is slipping. I do not have time to go back to all the prior debates to proof it. I am sure those with no life have the time to go back and look at all the prior arguments. Maybe a job for Sherlock Holmes since she likes to troll people and seems to have the time for it.

I do hope your memory loss is not a long-term condition, and your memory will go back to normal.

You know what they say about people who can't back up their claims?

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

How sad you your memory is slipping. I do not have time to go back to all the prior debates to proof it. I am sure those with no life have the time to go back and look at all the prior arguments. Maybe a job for Sherlock Holmes since she likes to troll people and seems to have the time for it.

I do hope your memory loss is not a long-term condition, and your memory will go back to normal.

My join date for this forum is September of 2022. I believe the debates you are speaking of predate my membership. So no links?

 

[CO skier]

How sad you your memory is slipping. I do not have time to go back to all the prior debates to proof it. I am sure those with no life have the time to go back and look at all the prior arguments. Maybe a job for Sherlock Holmes since she likes to troll people and seems to have the time for it.

I do hope your memory loss is not a long-term condition, and your memory will go back to normal.

Since you are too lazy, and misremember soooo much, here is something from the Spearman lawsuit that predates any complaints on TUG:

"A March 2006 presentation recommended altering many of the VIP Program benefits, such as limiting the number of free guest confirmations available to VIPs, changing the VIP cancellation policy, and limiting the ability of VIPs to upgrade their rooms, in order to deal with the problems created by Megarenters.

Sometime in 2010,Wyndham began work on a new computer software system known as “Voyager.” The program, which has not yet been implemented, is apparently intended to more strictly enforce the existing rules and close what Wyndham views as loopholes, such as the ability to cancel and then immediately rebook a reservation. (Doc. 123-53, at 4-5.) Wyndham added a provision to the 2011-2012 member directory which stated that “The Program is for a Member’s own personal use and enjoyment and not for any commercial purposes.” (Doc. 123-75 at 3.)"

Wyndham was well aware of those cheating the system in 2006, it just took until 2016 for Wyndham to introduce "automatic upgrades" and eliminate the abusive practices (for the most part).

 

[CO skier]

Still interested in seeing a link to these posts calling you every name in the book including tax cheats, cheaters and greedy sob’s. Can you provide?

Unlikely, considering everything he mentions in the following quote would have occurred prior to 2016 -- 5 years before RENTER joined TUG.

VIP owners received a discount if they book within 60 days. So many would be up at midnight when the regular window open to book a reservation. Then do the same when it was within 60 days of the reservation. If rooms were available they would cancel the original reservation and then rebook it with the discount using less points.

If there were no rooms available, there was a weakness in Wyndham's system if they wanted to gamble. If no rooms were available, they could gamble and cancel it and it may pop up right away as being available so they could rebook it with the discount using less points.

To some like me America is the land of equal opportunity, and I look at them as those who used their brains and made the effort by staying up at midnight to get ahead. To others America should be the land of equal results, and they looked them as cheaters, cheating them out of their vacations despite the fact they could have booked any time before those 60 days.

Their outrage was loud. We called every name in the book including tax cheats, cheaters, greedy sob's and other names I can't quite remember. I guess Wyndham heard because they made adjustments to the system that made the complainers happy because they thought it ended the practice.

 

[CO skier]

So, the Elite Delorean Jokers think I am a joke

Yes, we do. And we are not the only ones who think your posts (in whatever TUG forums) are good for a laugh, at best, and that is about it.

 

[RENTER]

Unlikely, considering everything he mentions in the following quote would have occurred prior to 2016 -- 5 years before RENTER joined TUG.

I guess you have the same memory problems. I wish you a quick recovery.

 

[Jan M.]

Does Bonus Time require a housekeeping credit for everyone but grandfathered VIP owners who have unlimited housekeeping credits?

How many nights in one reservation can you book with Bonus Time?

Is there a cut off time that Bonus Time is available, like 1 or 2 days before the check in date?

Other than these points I think I have a good grasp of how Bonus Time works. Am I missing anything else?

Available inventory within 14 days of the check in date.
$5 per thousand points.
VIP owners get their discount and upgrade.
No guest confirmations allowed.

Over the 22 years we've owned there's been a number of times we've stayed at resorts with very low occupancy. However they claim to be fully booked and there's nothing available online. What this means is they only released whatever percentage of the inventory they can service at certain times of year. They base their staffing on the historical occupancy for those times of year. Making Bonus Time available means fewer units sitting empty and the resorts can maintain a more consistent level of staffing.

Another positive is that it's an incentive for owners to try resorts they typically don't consider.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Does Bonus Time require a housekeeping credit for everyone but grandfathered VIP owners who have unlimited housekeeping credits?

From what I can tell, it's a reservation just like any other reservation - just paid for with dollars instead of points - so it requires a HKC by design - whether VIP or not:

How many nights in one reservation can you book with Bonus Time?

Since bonus time is only available "last minute" within the 15 day window - I'd surmise the maximum duration is the same as it is everywhere else - up to 14 days per reservation. Here's an example just now for a 14 day reservation within the 15 day window at Skyline Tower:

Is there a cut off time that Bonus Time is available, like 1 or 2 days before the check in date?

Any reservation made within the 15 day window is eligible from what we've learned.

Other than these points I think I have a good grasp of how Bonus Time works. Am I missing anything else?

Available inventory within 14 days of the check in date.
$5 per thousand points.
VIP owners get their discount and upgrade.
No guest confirmations allowed.

Over the 22 years we've owned there's been a number of times we've stayed at resorts with very low occupancy. However they claim to be fully booked and there's nothing available online. What this means is they only released whatever percentage of the inventory they can service at certain times of year. They base their staffing on the historical occupancy for those times of year. Making Bonus Time available means fewer units sitting empty and the resorts can maintain a more consistent level of staffing.

Another positive is that it's an incentive for owners to try resorts they typically don't consider.

 

[RENTER]

Yes, we do. And we are not the only ones who think your posts (in whatever TUG forums) are good for a laugh, at best, and that is about it.

Oh I just thought of something. If my post was a figment of my imagination and those complaints never occurred, I do not have to worry about other owners whining that I am able to get an upgrade, discount and $5 per 1000 without having any developer points left.

You can bet I am going to take advantage while you are laughing at me.

 

[Jan M.]

Added Bonus Time details I saw tonight in someone's post on Facebook.

Limit of 4 nights. Another limit of one bonus time reservation per quarter, so 4 per year.

I've tried every way I can think of, to no avail, to find the Bonus Time details on the website.

 

[kaljor]

Well thank you for answering the specific question I just logged in to ask!!
Apparently there is no official info about how this new program works, meaning the details and the rules and the exceptions.

For the record, as I understand the program it's a terrific new benefit. Even for resale only owners like me. But the devil is in the details, so knowing the details is important.

Would love to see a Wyndham page with all the rules and regs. of this new benefit.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Limit of 4 nights.

I wonder where that restriction pops up? I can get all the way through a mock booking up to the credit card payment screen on a stay longer than 4 nights.