Four Season Aviara Question

[Pomme]

I am interested to buy a resale of Four Season Aviara, and have a few question. Should I ask it here or in the Four Season Aviara thread? Advise pls.

1. How does the Four season Accommodation Credit work, how can I find out which hotel need how many credit?

2. Is FSAC the same as Four Seasons Unforgettable Experience awards or the same as the credit bought as a gift card? What's the different?

3. How much is the maintenance cost per year, approximately. What else do I have to pay yearly?

4. If I buy this resale, and decide to sell it. Will the price drop even further? Or it will be pretty much the same as the resale price.

5. As a resale, what benefit that I lost, comparing to buying a new one (I assume is not available anymore?)

6. Does a 2 bedroom, offer a sofa bed in the living room? Or it is not allow to stay more than 6?

7. The member last for how long?

8. Which are the other Four Season club that I can exchange with?

9. I'm Thai, can I buy this? Is there a financing programme with this purchase? Can I just use my credit card?

10. Is it a good idea to buy from Luxury Residence Club resale? I don't know if I will keep going there for years, so the option of using the hotel point sound great. I have to find out how to use it first.

Advise please

 

[alwysonvac]

I am interested to buy a resale of Four Season Aviara, and have a few question. Should I ask it here or in the Four Season Aviara thread? Advise pls.

1. How does the Four season Accommodation Credit work, how can I find out which hotel need how many credit?

This option allows you to trade in your week for Four Seasons Accomodation Credit (FSAC). Think of Accommodations Credits as a fixed dollar amount that can only be used at Four Seasons Hotel and Resort. It is good for hotel reservations only (normally room and tax).

Two-bedroom Platinum week = $2,450
Two-bedroom Gold weeks = $1,750
One-bedroom Platinum week = $1,750
One-bedroom Gold weeks = $1,575.

You may place your request for FSAC as early as January 2nd for redemption the following year. FSRC will accept requests on a first-come, first-served basis until the maximum number of requests is reached for the year (I think it's either 20% or 25%).
The FSACs are sent out usually in January of the following year. It is good for two years.

2. Is FSAC the same as Four Seasons Unforgettable Experience awards or the same as the credit bought as a gift card? What's the different?

Four Season Unforgettable Experience award is a completely different animal - http://www.1.fourseasons.com/incentivecard/frequently_asked_questions/

No they are not like Gift cards.
Gift cards cover much more than just your accomodations and Gift cards never expire - http://www.fourseasons.com/giftcard/faqs/

3. How much is the maintenance cost per year, approximately. What else do I have to pay yearly?

Annual maintenance fees, regardless of the season of ownership, are currently $2,359.00 per interval week owned for the two-bedroom lock-off, and $1,958.00 for the one-bedroom stand-alone villa.

Real Estate Taxes are paid separately. My 2013 RE Tax bill dropped to $79.18 (last year was $213.40) for our two bedroom Gold week

4. If I buy this resale, and decide to sell it. Will the price drop even further? Or it will be pretty much the same as the resale price.

Yes, I would go into it thinking worst case scenario that the price will continue to drop.

5. As a resale, what benefit that I lost, comparing to buying a new one (I assume is not available anymore?)

Ownerships purchased from private individuals or through other brokers are not eligible for Four Seasons Exchange Program (Club Exchange) or Four Seasons Accommodations Credits (FSAC) unless purchased from an authorized resale broker for Four Seasons Residence Clubs like Luxury Residence Club Resales (LRCR).
http://www.1.fourseasons.com/interlude/2013_M05/article_19131.html

6. Does a 2 bedroom, offer a sofa bed in the living room? Or it is not allow to stay more than 6?

There are two sofa beds. One in the living room and the other in the 2nd bedroom (studio part).
http://www.fourseasons.com/northsandiego/villarentals/villas/two_bedroom_resort_residences/

7. The member last for how long?

Forever. This is a deeded week (not a Right to Use).

8. Which are the other Four Season club that I can exchange with?

The only other Four Seasons Residence Club you can exchange into is the Four Seasons Residence Club in Scottsdale.

In the past couple of years they have offered an “Exchange Drawing” to determine the Aviara and Scottsdale Club Members who will be able to submit priority Exchange Requests to Four Seasons Residence Clubs Punta Mita and Costa Rica for 2013 travel dates - http://exchangedrawing.fourseasons.com/

There's also a handful of other non-FSRC resort that you can possibly request an exchange through Owner Services such as the Phillips Club in NYC.

http://www.1.fourseasons.com/interlude/2011_M02/article_18059/index.html

9. I'm Thai, can I buy this? Is there a financing programme with this purchase? Can I just use my credit card?

Sorry, I don't know.

10. Is it a good idea to buy from Luxury Residence Club resale? I don't know if I will keep going there for years, so the option of using the hotel point sound great. I have to find out how to use it first.
Advise please

Only buy Aviara if you're planning to stay at the Four Seasons Residence Club in Aviara most of the time.
Your maintenance fees will be higher than the accomodation credits so it doesn't make sense to do this on a regular basis.
Don't buy it for trading because 99% of the exchanges will be a downgrade. There is nothing comparable to FSRC in Interval International.

 

[Pomme]

Thank you very very much. I have to go back and think hard about this, as you said it doesn't worth it if am not planning to go there every year since the maintenance fee is so expensive.

 

[Rent_Share]

There' a snowbird (Canadian that travels south to avoid the Winter) that has 12-16 weeks there, @ $2,450 /week $10,166 /month a little rich for my taste

 

[phillyflyer]

This option allows you to trade in your week for Four Seasons Accomodation Credit (FSAC). Think of Accommodations Credits as a fixed dollar amount that can only be used at Four Seasons Hotel and Resort. It is good for hotel reservations only (normally room and tax).

Two-bedroom Platinum week = $2,450
Two-bedroom Gold weeks = $1,750
One-bedroom Platinum week = $1,750
One-bedroom Gold weeks = $1,575.

You may place your request for FSAC as early as January 2nd for redemption the following year. FSRC will accept requests on a first-come, first-served basis until the maximum number of requests is reached for the year (I think it's either 20% or 25%).
The FSACs are sent out usually in January of the following year. It is good for two years.


Four Season Unforgettable Experience award is a completely different animal - http://www.1.fourseasons.com/incentivecard/frequently_asked_questions/

No they are not like Gift cards.
Gift cards cover much more than just your accomodations and Gift cards never expire - http://www.fourseasons.com/giftcard/faqs/


Annual maintenance fees, regardless of the season of ownership, are currently $2,359.00 per interval week owned for the two-bedroom lock-off, and $1,958.00 for the one-bedroom stand-alone villa.

Real Estate Taxes are paid separately. My 2013 RE Tax bill dropped to $79.18 (last year was $213.40) for our two bedroom Gold week


Yes, I would go into it thinking worst case scenario that the price will continue to drop.


Ownerships purchased from private individuals or through other brokers are not eligible for Four Seasons Exchange Program (Club Exchange) or Four Seasons Accommodations Credits (FSAC) unless purchased from an authorized resale broker for Four Seasons Residence Clubs like Luxury Residence Club Resales (LRCR).
http://www.1.fourseasons.com/interlude/2013_M05/article_19131.html


There are two sofa beds. One in the living room and the other in the 2nd bedroom (studio part).
http://www.fourseasons.com/northsandiego/villarentals/villas/two_bedroom_resort_residences/


Forever. This is a deeded week (not a Right to Use).


The only other Four Seasons Residence Club you can exchange into is the Four Seasons Residence Club in Scottsdale.

In the past couple of years they have offered an “Exchange Drawing” to determine the Aviara and Scottsdale Club Members who will be able to submit priority Exchange Requests to Four Seasons Residence Clubs Punta Mita and Costa Rica for 2013 travel dates - http://exchangedrawing.fourseasons.com/

There's also a handful of other non-FSRC resort that you can possibly request an exchange through Owner Services such as the Phillips Club in NYC.

http://www.1.fourseasons.com/interlude/2011_M02/article_18059/index.html


Sorry, I don't know.


Only buy Aviara if you're planning to stay at the Four Seasons Residence Club in Aviara most of the time.
Your maintenance fees will be higher than the accomodation credits so it doesn't make sense to do this on a regular basis.
Don't buy it for trading because 99% of the exchanges will be a downgrade. There is nothing comparable to FSRC in Interval International.

Disagree on your trading comment, as Aviara is probably one of the lower cost properties in Elite Alliance and has good value there. I have been to the Reefs, Whiteface Lodge(twice) that are considerably more than MF. If you hit the Aviara lottery even better.

Note, didn't realize how old this post was and Elite Alliance being a newer option since the post.

 

[zentraveler]

This option allows you to trade in your week for Four Seasons Accomodation Credit (FSAC). Think of Accommodations Credits as a fixed dollar amount that can only be used at Four Seasons Hotel and Resort. It is good for hotel reservations only (normally room and tax).

Two-bedroom Platinum week = $2,450
Two-bedroom Gold weeks = $1,750
One-bedroom Platinum week = $1,750
One-bedroom Gold weeks = $1,575.

You may place your request for FSAC as early as January 2nd for redemption the following year. FSRC will accept requests on a first-come, first-served basis until the maximum number of requests is reached for the year (I think it's either 20% or 25%).
The FSACs are sent out usually in January of the following year. It is good for two years.


Four Season Unforgettable Experience award is a completely different animal - http://www.1.fourseasons.com/incentivecard/frequently_asked_questions/

No they are not like Gift cards.
Gift cards cover much more than just your accomodations and Gift cards never expire - http://www.fourseasons.com/giftcard/faqs/


Annual maintenance fees, regardless of the season of ownership, are currently $2,359.00 per interval week owned for the two-bedroom lock-off, and $1,958.00 for the one-bedroom stand-alone villa.

Real Estate Taxes are paid separately. My 2013 RE Tax bill dropped to $79.18 (last year was $213.40) for our two bedroom Gold week


Yes, I would go into it thinking worst case scenario that the price will continue to drop.


Ownerships purchased from private individuals or through other brokers are not eligible for Four Seasons Exchange Program (Club Exchange) or Four Seasons Accommodations Credits (FSAC) unless purchased from an authorized resale broker for Four Seasons Residence Clubs like Luxury Residence Club Resales (LRCR).
http://www.1.fourseasons.com/interlude/2013_M05/article_19131.html


There are two sofa beds. One in the living room and the other in the 2nd bedroom (studio part).
http://www.fourseasons.com/northsandiego/villarentals/villas/two_bedroom_resort_residences/


Forever. This is a deeded week (not a Right to Use).


The only other Four Seasons Residence Club you can exchange into is the Four Seasons Residence Club in Scottsdale.

In the past couple of years they have offered an “Exchange Drawing” to determine the Aviara and Scottsdale Club Members who will be able to submit priority Exchange Requests to Four Seasons Residence Clubs Punta Mita and Costa Rica for 2013 travel dates - http://exchangedrawing.fourseasons.com/

There's also a handful of other non-FSRC resort that you can possibly request an exchange through Owner Services such as the Phillips Club in NYC.

http://www.1.fourseasons.com/interlude/2011_M02/article_18059/index.html


Sorry, I don't know.


Only buy Aviara if you're planning to stay at the Four Seasons Residence Club in Aviara most of the time.
Your maintenance fees will be higher than the accomodation credits so it doesn't make sense to do this on a regular basis.
Don't buy it for trading because 99% of the exchanges will be a downgrade. There is nothing comparable to FSRC in Interval International.

Wonderful summary as always, @alwysonvac. Only two comments from me (26 year owner of a gold 2 bdrm lock off):

1) We exchanged into the Phillips Club twice and loved it (this was maybe 8 and 10 years ago) but the last time I talked to Owner's Service that program no longer existed. It was always cumbersome because their year is July -July and FSA is January -January. And the exchanges had to be matched as opposed to just depositing into II. All of the direct trades are too large/pricey for us and mostly in ski areas except ones that happen through the

2) Although it is true that every II trade is a step down, we have used II a lot, and have done most of our trading all of these years in Hawaii where the Marriott and Westin TS are comparable enough for us. And as the MF's continue to rise in Hawaii, our MF now seem comparable or less than some of the Hawaii properties from what I can tell. FSA has always traded well, we like the option of being able to go there and have overall been happy with it.

But since you are thinking of buying in now I think what @alwysonvac is saying is absolutely true; best value, by far, is using it, not trading it.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

I bought a resale FSA recently and very excited for our first stay and to use the Surf Concierge...anyone have experience with the SC?

 

[Lakeshore]

What is the surf concierge?

 

[The Colorado Kid]

What is the surf concierge?

I am hoping it is a surfing teaching situation that can teach me to surf!
From the Redweek description - Take an afternoon to yourself at the Driftwood Spa or learn how to ride the waves with the Surf Concierge.

 

[4TimeAway]

Surf Concierge.

That's just marketing.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

That's just marketing.

Are you saying the Surf Concierge is not a real thing?

 

[4TimeAway]

I was inclined to say YES.

However, a web search said something about Wave Doctor and Surf Conscierge working toghter. No doubt someone decided they have super powers and have stolen these coveted names!

https://wavepoolmag.com/endless-surfs-swell-studio-surf-concierge-features/


I wish I was that creative, but I'm not certain what use those names would be for me... Maybe Wave Destroyer, or better yet the Villian, WipeOut.

 

[alwysonvac]

Disagree on your trading comment, as Aviara is probably one of the lower cost properties in Elite Alliance and has good value there. I have been to the Reefs, Whiteface Lodge(twice) that are considerably more than MF. If you hit the Aviara lottery even better.

Note, didn't realize how old this post was and Elite Alliance being a newer option since the post.

Yes, you dug up a 10 year old thread.
I actually sold my week years ago but I still trade into Aviara.

Take a look at Third Home. Some Tug members seem to like that as well.

Where to deposit Four Seasons Aviara?

We have a week for the end of this year (non holiday week) that we are looking to exchange. I'm not really sure where we want to go...since there are usually 4 of us going, we generally want 2 bedroom units. And yes-we usually travel high or holiday season. We prefer the west coast, so we...

tugbbs.com

Regarding Elite Alliance, perhaps you should start a new thread regarding the benefits including details about your various exchanges (resort name, location, mm/yr, unit size) and your total out of pocket cost. Older TUG posts warned about various high fees (membership fee, exchange fees, and housekeeping fees) and lack of inventory. See below.