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Club Wyndham Suspension

Rolltydr

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Where are these rules written?

Just to be clear, per your stated rules, I can do as many GC's as I want so long as I do not advertise to rent under my own name. Don't think that this is a rule, but, believe what you choose.
Read your contracts. The pertinent statements have been posted here many times. Those of us who abide by them never seem to get our accounts suspended. But, hey, believe what you want.
 

CYRUS2400

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Read your contracts. The pertinent statements have been posted here many times. Those of us who abide by them never seem to get our accounts suspended. But, hey, believe what you want.
The contract is real clear. So clear that you can't share the actual words. But, thanks for the advice. Now, mute this conversation is you have nothing to add.
 

Rolltydr

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The contract is real clear. So clear that you can't share the actual words. But, thanks for the advice. Now, mute this conversation is you have nothing to add.
I’m not looking them up for you. I’m not the one who has a problem. As long as you post your opinions, I’ll post mine.
 

CO skier

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When you have a friend who wants to go to Wyndham Shearwater in October, slow season, for example, and you are AFRAID of renting to that friend for fear their reservation will get cancelled and you will have your account shut down for two months, then you will understand what I am talking about.
Well, there's the thing ... you cannot get past the "renting" frame of mind. I will never be AFRAID of having a guests reservation cancelled, because the one time in over 10 years that I paid for (this was back in the day when resale owners received no free guest certificates, so 2 free guest certificates per year is another benefit, now, for "regular [even resale] owners" like me) and used a guest certificate, was when my family members were on a ski vacation with me.

It endlessly amazes me (and maybe it should not) that megarenters have no concept that Club Wyndham is a Vacation Club, not a business opportunity.
 

CO skier

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I am a small Wyndham (resale) owner who has attended many 'update' meetings over the years. EVERY presentation included mention of renting out point reservations to cover maintenance fees.

My blood boils for those owners like rickandcindy who are now being persecuted for believing what they heard.

Please tell me that they no longer promote this concept in update meetings.
What you do not understand is that Wyndham is not a monolith. There is a constant tension, even battle, between the objectives of the sales department and resort operations.

Maybe this will clarify (and it is just my opinion):

The sales department is responsible for selling memberships, literally at any costs (think AMEX card bribes and "say whatever it takes" to make the sale).

Resort operations, a completely different department within Wyndham, and is responsible for enacting and enforcing the rules of the Club.

When Franz Hanning retired and was replaced by Michael Brown, and Andy Bott retired, things seemed to change drastically from a sales-driven Club to an owner-driven Club, and by "owner" I mean someone who bought into Club Wyndham to take their family on vacation. That was the beginning of the end for megarenters like rickandcindy and more prime time availability for "regular" owners.
 

CO skier

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It's pathetic what Wyndham is doing. Especially since they won't even define 'commercial'. I don't mind the priority GC limit nor did I care about the reduced number of GC's they granted with the last round of rule changes. But, to not define 'commercial' is unjustified.
Rather than repeat myself, I will just link this:

 

CYRUS2400

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I’m not looking them up for you. I’m not the one who has a problem. As long as you post your opinions, I’ll post mine.
Sorry, but, I was posting a fact. There are no decisive words in the contract defining commercial renting. Fact, not Opinion.
 

CO skier

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Oh good. Another Wyndham thread that has become just like the others.
You have been around long enough to know that megarenters have a more than 10-year history of taking over TUG Club Wyndham forum threads within the first page. One ex-megarenter posted in #3 of this thread, and other(s) joined. They are like the undead.
 

CYRUS2400

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Rather than repeat myself, I will just link this:

I recall seeing that non-definition. Amassing millions (where is the threshold?). Renting for a profit (anything over cost?). My point is, and remains the same, there is no firm definition. And, unless you can provide hard facts, please just unwatch this thread, we'd all be better off.

I'm not a megarenter, not even close, but I would like to know where the line is drawn between a person just trying to help friends and family, at cost (or below), while using points that are owned but can't be used (for any reason). Wyndham owes the owner of points some real definition.
 

CO skier

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I recall seeing that non-definition. Amassing millions (where is the threshold?). Renting for a profit (anything over cost?). My point is, and remains the same, there is no firm definition.
As a "regular" (non-renting) owner, it just does not matter to me and hundreds of thousands of owners who use Club Wyndham just to take their families on vacation. And to all appearances, that is how resort operations is managing the Club - it just does not matter what the definition is.
 

CYRUS2400

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As a "regular" (non-renting) owner, it just does not matter to me and hundreds of thousands of owners who use Club Wyndham just to take their families on vacation. And to all appearances, that is how resort operations is managing the Club - it just does not matter what the definition is.
Good points. It would be best for the club if they eliminated GC's altogether. Only exception would be in the cases where the owner is at the resort at the same time. I'd be all over that rule. At least it would be clear and this issue would be finally put to rest.
 

CO skier

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Good points. It would be best for the club if they eliminated GC's altogether. Only exception would be in the cases where the owner is at the resort at the same time. I'd be all over that rule. At least it would be clear and this issue would be finally put to rest.
That IS the rule for Owner Priority Dates. Extrapolate if you need certainty.
 

Linden

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Good points. It would be best for the club if they eliminated GC's altogether. Only exception would be in the cases where the owner is at the resort at the same time. I'd be all over that rule. At least it would be clear and this issue would be finally put to rest.
I do Not like this thought. I was unable to travel once and Wyndham made me use a GC so my wife could check in, and she is on the accounts. We sometimes get a room for our children to travel with us and that requires a GC.
 

CYRUS2400

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That IS the rule for Owner Priority Dates.
That's not true. You are allowed 2 GC's over priority dates when you are not present. My suggestion was NO GC's unless the owner is present. Simple, Period. Either eliminate GC's or state the rules in clear terms so that we can end discussion on this topic, once and for all.
 

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Tell that to the sales people who sold the timeshares. Tell that to the resorts, bonnet creek, ocean walk and royal vista who allowed me check into resorts and add the guest names to the reservation avoiding paying the guest fee. I would drive to Daytona from Orlando to do that. Once did Orlando - Daytona- royal vista on December 30th, Orange bowl, December 31 back to Daytona and then in time to watch the nye fireworks from tower 6.

Then to save time I would check in to resorts up to a week earlier and add the guest names. Eventually bonnet creek only allowed each owner to check in to 2 units at a time. But using that for short stay guests and then the day I was leaving Orlando check two guests in for multi week stays.

Why did Wyndham limit owners to 10 nightly units at each resort? As I had 3 platinum account a y anything above 30 I would book in other peoples accounts. Did they really think that was cracking down?

I believe their intention was always to allow rentals until it was just too juicy and they had to stop it. Covid also contributed and there are too many y points chasing too few reservations.

Also force owners out and Wyndham will take back their points and sell them at retail prices. Pretty good business model.
Well, there's the thing ... you cannot get past the "renting" frame of mind. I will never be AFRAID of having a guests reservation cancelled, because the one time in over 10 years that I paid for (this was back in the day when resale owners received no free guest certificates, so 2 free guest certificates per year is another benefit, now, for "regular [even resale] owners" like me) and used a guest certificate, was when my family members were on a ski vacation with me.

It endlessly amazes me (and maybe it should not) that megarenters have no concept that Club Wyndham is a Vacation Club, not a business opportunity.
 

paxsarah

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this was back in the day when resale owners received no free guest certificates
This must be long before my time, because when I purchased in 2010 there was one free guest certificate (so they did double them when they changed to two).
 

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I recall seeing that non-definition. Amassing millions (where is the threshold?). Renting for a profit (anything over cost?). My point is, and remains the same, there is no firm definition. And, unless you can provide hard facts, please just unwatch this thread, we'd all be better off.

I'm not a megarenter, not even close, but I would like to know where the line is drawn between a person just trying to help friends and family, at cost (or below), while using points that are owned but can't be used (for any reason). Wyndham owes the owner of points some real definition.
Wyndham doesn't owe owners any such real definition, as has been debated ad nausem on this forum many times. In point of fact, until and unless Wyndham is forcibly required to do so, meaning a lawsuit requires such action to be taken, Wyndham will never provide a clear definition, as that would allow any/all owners attempting to rent for profit a direct method to "fly under the radar" so to speak, which is precisely why Wyndham will never do so. The rules are intentionally vague by design. Undoubtedly there are methods used, and those methods will never be published. Lastly, there have been threads in the past that provided the contractual verbiages in scope. In the final analysis, every contract in force also refers to the Member Directory as a rules base - meaning that when you sign any Wyndham contract - it clearly refers to the Member Directory - as well as many other founding trust documents - for legal reference. This also applies to resale contract owners - that's why it's in the Member Directory - with supporting verbiage in the actual founding trust documents. In the current Member Directory - to which every current owner is legally bound to - on page 340 under Program Disclosures section:

1692627597704.png
 

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That's not true. You are allowed 2 GC's over priority dates when you are not present. My suggestion was NO GC's unless the owner is present. Simple, Period. Either eliminate GC's or state the rules in clear terms so that we can end discussion on this topic, once and for all.
Be careful what you wish for - if Wyndham cannot get to their goals via the current methods already in place - more stringent rules like this will come to fruition.
 

klpca

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I have been following this thread because a friend of mine is in the exact same position, but after all of the back and forth I am more confused than ever.

Her parents are in ill health now (cancer, dementia, mobility issues). They won't be using their timeshares any more. All that she knows is that all of their contracts are developer purchases, and at least two were purchased for the same reason as the OP - to share with family and friends. I am unsure of how many points they own, and if any of their children are on the deeds. Is there an faq of how she and her siblings move forward from here? Is there value to them since they were developer purchases? Should they have her parents add their names to the deeds to keep any status and to avoid the account being frozen if the kids started using the points? Obviously if there are still outstanding loans they won't assume any debt (I don't think so - my friend thinks that they used a small inheritance to purchase more points). My friend and her siblings are open to using the timeshares so I am trying to give her good advice for moving forward.
 

CYRUS2400

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Be careful what you wish for - if Wyndham cannot get to their goals via the current methods already in place - more stringent rules like this will come to fruition.
I'm ready to support the GC use only when the owner is present. Would finally put a stop to all this nonsense on 'renting'/using the membership
for 'undefined' commercial purposes. Many Tuggers would support it, as evidenced by the many who do not use GC's except when family is present. Define the rule or do away with GC's. Give owners 2 years to get ready for the change and then make it. 1/1/26, no more GC's!!!!
 

paxsarah

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I have been following this thread because a friend of mine is in the exact same position, but after all of the back and forth I am more confused than ever.

Her parents are in ill health now (cancer, dementia, mobility issues). They won't be using their timeshares any more. All that she knows is that all of their contracts are developer purchases, and at least two were purchased for the same reason as the OP - to share with family and friends. I am unsure of how many points they own, and if any of their children are on the deeds. Is there an faq of how she and her siblings move forward from here? Is there value to them since they were developer purchases? Should they have her parents add their names to the deeds to keep any status and to avoid the account being frozen if the kids started using the points? Obviously if there are still outstanding loans they won't assume any debt (I don't think so - my friend thinks that they used a small inheritance to purchase more points). My friend and her siblings are open to using the timeshares so I am trying to give her good advice for moving forward.
In terms of Club Wyndham, the value of a developer purchase is in any VIP level that might exist, and that's retained when the ownership is kept in the immediate family. It would be a smart move to add the adult children to the contract, to minimize the use of guest certificates and preserve the chain of family ownership - if the kids are willing to take on the financial responsibility of that ownership and mainly use it themselves.
 

Rolltydr

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Sorry, but, I was posting a fact. There are no decisive words in the contract defining commercial renting. Fact, not Opinion.
Again, I’m not looking it up for you. There is language in the contracts, as well as, the website rules of use which speak to the issue. The FACT that you can’t find it, don’t want to look for it yourself, or don’t like what it says, is irrelevant. I’m going to assume that Wyndham is on solid legal ground since they haven’t been sued successfully over the issue.
 

rickandcindy23

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I have been following this thread because a friend of mine is in the exact same position, but after all of the back and forth I am more confused than ever.

Her parents are in ill health now (cancer, dementia, mobility issues). They won't be using their timeshares any more. All that she knows is that all of their contracts are developer purchases, and at least two were purchased for the same reason as the OP - to share with family and friends. I am unsure of how many points they own, and if any of their children are on the deeds. Is there an faq of how she and her siblings move forward from here? Is there value to them since they were developer purchases? Should they have her parents add their names to the deeds to keep any status and to avoid the account being frozen if the kids started using the points? Obviously if there are still outstanding loans they won't assume any debt (I don't think so - my friend thinks that they used a small inheritance to purchase more points). My friend and her siblings are open to using the timeshares so I am trying to give her good advice for moving forward.
I would call Wyndham and have them add the kids' names to the contracts that they own, if they want to use them. I think Wyndham will do that for free. Add each kid's name to the account. Important to do that so heirs don't have to pay for guest certificates, and the heirs are not accused by Wyndham of renting. All of our kids are on our account, and it's been a blessing.

The value is in the status. If they have platinum or platinum founder status, these points can be very valuable to the kids. Within 60 days, founder status gets 60% discounts on all stays, platinum status gets 50% discount. For example, Wyndham Shearwater, where you visited with us last summer, the units are 500,000 for top floor for 7 nights. If you can book that at 60% less points, that's only 200,000 points X (my cost) $6.00 per 1,000, that's only $1,200 per week. Inventory is constantly changing. If you don't see it online now, it could be there tomorrow or next week. A lot of cancellations occur at 15 days before (must cancel by then or lose points).

I have booked a few days at Wyndham Branson Meadows for about $30 per night for our driving trips to /from Orlando. I even had an upgrade to a 2 bedroom that we didn't need, but they did it automatically. The resort is not as nice as Marriott's Willow Ridge or Welk's Timber Lodge, but it's still pretty nice. We get choice of unit assignment and chose high floor.

I asked on an earlier thread what the $$ value would be for a platinum founder status account, and I came to the conclusion that the value of each one (we have two) is about $20,000. What would it cost to get that status from the developer? Probably well over $100,000, but who does that, really? Most people built up to that status slowly. But we did it cheaply by converting old PAHIO weeks to Wyndham points, and it was all quite by accident. I think we paid about $16,000 each. So we feel that both are worth keeping. Our kids are in their 40's and one mostly likes to travel to Europe, so she doesn't use many points, just an occasional trip to NYC for work, and our sons are getting some use from the points. Mostly, we are using the points.
 

rickandcindy23

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Again, I’m not looking it up for you. There is language in the contracts, as well as, the website rules of use which speak to the issue. The FACT that you can’t find it, don’t want to look for it yourself, or don’t like what it says, is irrelevant. I’m going to assume that Wyndham is on solid legal ground since they haven’t been sued successfully over the issue.
I think the language about Wyndham being able to change the program at any time is what really applies here. It's in the contracts, I believe. They run it, they can change it, and that is why I feel that Wyndham did what they had to do because owners should be able to use the points and not renters.

I think Bonnet Creek is way better off with this new rule change. Having been there many times over the years, since Bonnet Creek was built, I have seen a change to the noise levels and certainly less trash in the hallways. The resort seems less crowded and reduced bad behavior at the pools. The furniture, walls, etc., look way better with owners staying. Maybe our last few trips have just been after updates, but the furniture was beautiful and not dinged up.
 

paxsarah

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I think the language about Wyndham being able to change the program at any time is what really applies here. It's in the contracts, I believe. They run it, they can change it, and that is why I feel that Wyndham did what they had to do because owners should be able to use the points and not renters.
There's also language in the directory (which extends from the contracts by reference) about restricting accounts for behaviors that "negatively impact" the program or other owners. That's pretty broad language and could also entail the steps they've taken to try to curtail renting. Between that and the personal/commercial use language that's also in the directory, Wyndham is pretty well covered.
 
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