One method of being VIP inexpensively was utilizing Fairfield's PIC program. I say Fairfield because by the time Wyndham came along, the program started to be limited. Many many years ago, you could have unlimited PIC weeks as long as you made a coresponding corporate purchase. The more weeks you PICed, the less additional points you had to buy. I don't know the exact numbers, but it was something like 77K for the first pic week, then and additional 49K for the 2nd PIC week, and then 26K for the 3rd, and again 26K for the 4th, etc. With a PIC week you get credit for so many Fairfield points based on season and size, so obviously if you are going to PIC a week, go for the 3 bedroom red season (also, didn't have to be prime red, shoulder red would do). A 3 bedroom red week PIC's for 254,000 Fairfield points. So by making the minimum purchase and picing 3 3 bedroom red weeks, boom, VIP plat. I remember hearing of one person PICing 14 3 bedroom red units. This person is a very nice person who lives in Wyndham year round and is probably what is considered a "mega-renter".
I think the rules now are that you can PIC a max of 2 weeks. SO, if you are going to go this route, make sure you get the best bang for your buck.
I also know at one time they were considering not allowing PIC weeks to count toward VIP levels. For all I know, that might even be the case now.
Lisa
