Fairfield newbie needs (more) help

[GregT]

First of all -- thank you to those of you who've responded to my earlier pleas for help -- I am much more knowledgeable.

Here's where I am -- I have a Marriott and Worldmark that serves our family well for the vast majority of our vacation needs. They are convenient for our annual family vacations and the occasional weekend trips.

The "void" in my vacation plans are that my wife and I fell in love with St. Thomas on our recent anniversary, and I've been looking for ways to secure access back there. I think Wyndham is the answer for this island, because Worldmark doesn't have anything and Marriott Frenchman's Cove is not tradeable at this time, unless I sacrifice my Marriott (which is our core vacation spot).

So here's the question -- I saw on Ebay a 126,000 Bi-Annual membership at Wyndham Grand Desert, with a $275 annual MF. This seems reasonable from a MF fee perspective, and we won't make it to St. Thomas more frequently anway. So my questions:

1) Is $275 annual MF ($550 total) reasonable for this level of points
2) If I rent the first year's points (2008) since I can't go until 2010 at the earliest, are they diminished in value due to the late date?
3) If I were to bank the 2010 points, are they rentable in the future, or only in the year of issuance?
4) Am I missing something that I can use the points freely to St. Thomas, understanding I don't have the home resort advantage for scheduling?
5) Any general views on this strategy?

Thanks in advice for the thoughts!

 

[lprstn]

1) Is $275 annual MF ($550 total) reasonable for this level of points

Well in my opinion its kinda high. Also, you can purchase points anywhere in the Wyndam system and get to this resort. I see lots of availability there.

2) If I rent the first year's points (2008) since I can't go until 2010 at the earliest, are they diminished in value due to the late date?

No they do not drop in value

3) If I were to bank the 2010 points, are they rentable in the future, or only in the year of issuance?

You need to rent them there use year.

4) Am I missing something that I can use the points freely to St. Thomas, understanding I don't have the home resort advantage for scheduling?

The ONLY reason to purchase at a specific resort within Wyndam is if you are purchasing at a highly desired location that never has availability (highly unlikely), you want to visit that place at a desired time of year (like Daytona beach during Daytona 500), or you want to acquire a large unit everytime you visit (like a 3/4 bedroom presidential).

There is a lot of availability at this particular resort. But if you want to go every year...go ahead and purchase here.

5) Any general views on this strategy?

Nothing wrong with the strategy. However, you could pursue another Wyndam property that has lower MFs.

 

[Jya-Ning]

1) Is $275 annual MF ($550 total) reasonable for this level of points
550/126 = $4.3 1K. Consider you have some overhead in the clubmebership with less than 154k points, I would say it is a good range. May not be great, but you should beat at least 60% of owners

2) If I rent the first year's points (2008) since I can't go until 2010 at the earliest, are they diminished in value due to the late date?
Since you pay the 2008 MF, it depends on how much rent income you got back, and if you instaed deposit it to RCI, how you try to value these. I will guess you add the adjustment(s) to your bid price and closing cost and transfer fee, no idea if it will decrease or increase the value.

3) If I were to bank the 2010 points, are they rentable in the future, or only in the year of issuance?
Only regualr points can be rented. So no.

4) Am I missing something that I can use the points freely to St. Thomas, understanding I don't have the home resort advantage for scheduling?
Someone knows there may be able to tell you if you can get in the unit at the time you want to be in at 10 month. Today, most of the inventories are coming from the owner converted. They do planning to build more there as UDI, when that happen, you will have better uniform idea about inventories. You should try to look at their on-line for 10 month to determine if you want to continue your pass or not. But if you are not looking at sought after season, I will think you should have enough chance to get there, otherwise, you need to buy the deed on there

Thanks in advice for the thoughts!

Enjoy the ownership. I think you will find it offers more for family reunion.

Jya-Ning