Crackdown on Amex card gifts...

[Huskerpaul]

30k rewards points to $1k?

Are you using them to cover MF or do you have another sneaky secret conversion?

If it was using Wyndham Rewards for Vacassa stays, that conversion option is ending soon.

 

[Phoebe24]

Before you start, I don't really need to hear all the "don't go to sales meetings." I am very aware of that opinion, and often share it... unless they can make it worth my while. Speaking of which. I have had close to a 100% success rate at holding out for a $200 amex card as a "gift." I have been at two resorts this summer (Phoenix and St. George - WorldMark) and both places claimed corporate had maxed out what they were allowed to offer at $125. Both places let me walk away from the meeting without offering the $200 I was asking for. That is REALLY weird behavior for them. I am just curious if T&L has actually put limits on what they can offer. I am fine reworking what I ask for if they really can't give over $125 cash. I don't want to if this was just an odd fluke, but in the 5 years I have been asking for $200, I have never had anyone let me walk. That was just odd and even more so because it happened twice. Anyway... looking for corroborating evidence or known facts, or contradicting experiences. Thanks!

We just got a $250 Amex gift card for going to a one hour Worldmark presentation today.

 

[VAlegacy]

We just got a $250 Amex gift card for going to a one hour Worldmark presentation today.

Got a $200 Amex + $299 RCI exchange credit this weekend at OB.
Was pretty happy

 

[Floridaman76]

So I have an interesting situation. I got a $125 amex and some WR points this weekend from Ocean Walk.

I went to use it today and it was zero balance. That's a first. I'm calling them tomorrow.

 

[b2bailey]

So I have an interesting situation. I got a $125 amex and some WR points this weekend from Ocean Walk.

I went to use it today and it was zero balance. That's a first. I'm calling them tomorrow.

This happened recently to me with Capital Vacations. It was a clerical error when activating the card.

 

[Floridaman76]

My issue was fixed

 

[kaljor]

Lately I've been told that they can only go up to $125 on an Amex Gift Card. I tested this recently at a resort, and no matter how much I insisted on $150, they said no, so I didn't go to their meeting. That never happened to me before, but truthfully I'm happy whichever way it works out in the future.

 

[jpsmit]

Got $200 today at Bonnet Creek. They first said it had to be $125 plus either a week or $75 in resort credit. (We are leaving tomorrow). Fortunately the guy who booked it (who flat out lied and said he hadn’t agreed to $200 had written it down.) They did make it right but had to do two cards - one for $125 and thenother for $75. They said they could only put $125 on any one card and to make it work they had to have my wife do another ‘pretend’ presentation.

 

[Arimaas]

I got $150 in New Orleans last week. It was 55 minutes because I pushed out of there. The sales guy was terrible, feel bad for him, I don't think with his personality he's ever gonna close. The manager was asking me to sign something saying she went over my account before i leave. I told her there is absolutely no way I am signing my name on any document you put in front of me. You just took my license, you think I am going to sign something for you? You can write refuse. They were just happy to get me out of there. BTW, in NOLA, they gifted at the end, but when I went in Atlantic City (may it RIP), over the summer, they gifted up front.

Either way, this whole thing is just stupid. What a really stupid stupid game.

 

[Floridaman76]

I think they are all supposed to gift up front, but it seems to be hit or miss per location if they actually do.

In the last 6 months I have done updates at Old Town Alexandria, Ocean Walk (twice), Bonnet Creek, Ocean Blvd and Patriots Place (done at Governors Green) and all of then except Governors Green gifted at the conclusion.

 

[Arimaas]

I think they are all supposed to gift up front, but it seems to be hit or miss per location if they actually do.

In the last 6 months I have done updates at Old Town Alexandria, Ocean Walk (twice), Bonnet Creek, Ocean Blvd and Patriots Place (done at Governors Green) and all of then except Governors Green gifted at the conclusion.

Is there a rule with how often you can do an "owners update"? I am doing a quick two nights in Newport last week of March, first week of April. Wondering of they'll ask me for an update. It seems to cover gas and tolls (and then some) when I do them, so I wouldn't mind doing another one, but just did one last week in NOLA. I am assuming I can't bank on anything.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Is there a rule with how often you can do an "owners update"? I am doing a quick two nights in Newport last week of March, first week of April. Wondering of they'll ask me for an update. It seems to cover gas and tolls (and then some) when I do them, so I wouldn't mind doing another one, but just did one last week in NOLA. I am assuming I can't bank on anything.

Nope - no rules/limits - some will say there are limits at times - but there aren’t - it’s all about whether the marketing reps at the concierge desk have or have not made their quota.


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[Arimaas]

Nope - no rules/limits - some will say there are limits at times - but there aren’t - it’s all about whether the marketing reps at the concierge desk have or have not made their quota.


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Will be interesting to see Newport sales then if I have a chance…..and also $150.

 

[kaljor]

I've stayed at the Newport resorts each of the last four years, and they've never had a sales operation there. Has something changed?

 

[Arimaas]

I've stayed at the Newport resorts each of the last four years, and they've never had a sales operation there. Has something changed?

Yeah - the opened sales at Long wharf and maybe the others late last year.

I actually enjoyed no sales there - made it more pleasant. But since it’s there, might as well try to get gas and tolls paid for.

 

[Panzerman45]

Today at Bonnet Creek. $125 AMEX and 30,000 WR. This was acceptable to us.

 

[Floridaman76]

Today at Bonnet Creek. $125 AMEX and 30,000 WR. This was acceptable to us.

That's exactly what i have been aiming for lately and it's always worked. Sometimes they hold at 15k WR + $125 amex, but they will usually do 30k. I still try to hold out for $200 Amex or equivalent

 

[FL Guy]

Nope - no rules/limits - some will say there are limits at times - but there aren’t - it’s all about whether the marketing reps at the concierge desk have or have not made their quota.


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We went to an update on 12/2/25 at Clearwater. Then had a Wyndham Destinations promo trip to Gaylord Palms "ICE" and dinner at Charley's Steakhouse while on a stay at Bonnet Creek. We were scheduled to go to the update on 12/16/25 (the morning after the Gaylord Palms/dinner). When we arrived, they told us we would have to come back on 12/17/25 because Wyndham corporate required a minimum of 15 days between updates.

 

[MLClan]

What’s the best way to ask for either the WR or Tango card?
Also, what’s your favorite line to end the “update”?
Apparently they have trouble understanding No.

 

[Arimaas]

What’s the best way to ask for either the WR or Tango card?
Also, what’s your favorite line to end the “update”?
Apparently they have trouble understanding No.

I told them in NOLA, I am not buying anything, I own all resale, very little of what you are telling me is factual, I am not signing anything, I am here just for the gift card, I've been here an hour, I was only supposed to be here for 45 minutes, lets get this wrapped up. They got me out of there.

 

[Snazzylass]

What I've learned from this post is that there are a lot of people doing "owners' updates" and sales presentations.

 

[Arimaas]

What I've learned from this post is that there are a lot of people doing "owners' updates" and sales presentations.

If I have the time and I’m by myself and they are giving me $150+ I for sure will do it.