From Zero to Gold

[Richelle]

I agree but wanted to add something about the reserve card. You do get a $300 travel credit so the fee is really $150 for the year instead of $450. Also it has higher rewards so in the end the reserve card usually ends up being the better card.

It’s a definite bonus for someone who flies a lot because in addition to the credit, I think you get lounge access as well. I just didn’t want him to think I was talking about the $450 card, and him blow it off because it was too much. I figured he might be curious enough to see what you get for $450 and if it was something he wanted, he’d get it. Otherwise, the $95 a year card will work for most people.


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[bendadin]

It’s a definite bonus for someone who flies a lot because in addition to the credit, I think you get lounge access as well. I just didn’t want him to think I was talking about the $450 card, and him blow it off because it was too much. I figured he might be curious enough to see what you get for $450 and if it was something he wanted, he’d get it. Otherwise, the $95 a year card will work for most people.


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My husband and I each have our own accounts with this card. So yes, $450 x 2. You receive $300 statement credit on your first $300 travel charges. So that brings the net price down to $150. Each account comes with global entry that we do use. So basically that is another $20/year perk. We get 3% on travel charges and my MF are considered a travel charge. Other than that we get 1%. We also get the lounge access. Each member is allowed to have two guests. Hubby doesn't use it unless I'm there and I push him to go. I use that perk though and I actually paid $75 to add my son to my account so that he could also have access to the lounges (with guests.) I typically travel with my three youngest so I had to have two cards for the lounge.

We did get the bonus points on both accounts. We just ended up taking statement credits on both. They do give a 25% bonus when using your points on flights and stays. Since I don't buy airline tickets and we use our timeshares, we couldn't effectively reach the 25% bonus.

 

[Ecelso]

HitchHiker71 here. This is what I did last year to get to temp VIPP, permanent VIPG, for about 27k all in. We list in the mid-Atlantic area, so our two 3+ bedroom PICs are within driving distance for us so if the they ever become non-PIC eligible or if Wyndham sunsets the PIC program for any reason, we can still use the two weeks easily. We have one 3 bedroom PIC in OBX at OBBC I (Outer Banks Beach Club I) oceanfront view - week 42 - and our second 4 bedroom PIC is in Colonies at Williamsburg week 37. MFs are $753/$859 for 2019. I agree the MFs are much lower than almost any other Wyndham property in comparison. It will take us about 8-10 years to break even when comparing against resale - but our usage patterns aren't "the norm" when compared to most other timesharing folks - so just because what we did works for us doesn't mean it works for everyone else.

We own 210k CWA points and 508k PIC points. We also received 590k bonus points when we made our developer purchase via telesales. We paid about $134/1000 points when we purchased in July 2018. We recently purchased 689k resale deeded points at National Harbor - partially for rental income to help offset MFs over time, but also to give us more flexibility in booking vacations for other family members and for family vacations. Still waiting on this contract to actually transfer though.

Thank you so much for sharing what worked for you. Seems like you know how to make great use of your points and VIP status to balance cost. This was very informative. Many thanks!

 

[capital city]

My husband and I each have our own accounts with this card. So yes, $450 x 2. You receive $300 statement credit on your first $300 travel charges. So that brings the net price down to $150. Each account comes with global entry that we do use. So basically that is another $20/year perk. We get 3% on travel charges and my MF are considered a travel charge. Other than that we get 1%. We also get the lounge access. Each member is allowed to have two guests. Hubby doesn't use it unless I'm there and I push him to go. I use that perk though and I actually paid $75 to add my son to my account so that he could also have access to the lounges (with guests.) I typically travel with my three youngest so I had to have two cards for the lounge.

We did get the bonus points on both accounts. We just ended up taking statement credits on both. They do give a 25% bonus when using your points on flights and stays. Since I don't buy airline tickets and we use our timeshares, we couldn't effectively reach the 25% bonus.

I think its 3% on dining as well. Not positive, I also believe the reserve is 1.5% when used for travel. The one Richelle referenced is 1.25 that's why i believe the reserve comes out ahead in the long run.

 

[Richelle]

My husband and I each have our own accounts with this card. So yes, $450 x 2. You receive $300 statement credit on your first $300 travel charges. So that brings the net price down to $150. Each account comes with global entry that we do use. So basically that is another $20/year perk. We get 3% on travel charges and my MF are considered a travel charge. Other than that we get 1%. We also get the lounge access. Each member is allowed to have two guests. Hubby doesn't use it unless I'm there and I push him to go. I use that perk though and I actually paid $75 to add my son to my account so that he could also have access to the lounges (with guests.) I typically travel with my three youngest so I had to have two cards for the lounge.

We did get the bonus points on both accounts. We just ended up taking statement credits on both. They do give a 25% bonus when using your points on flights and stays. Since I don't buy airline tickets and we use our timeshares, we couldn't effectively reach the 25% bonus.

I think its 3% on dining as well. Not positive, I also believe the reserve is 1.5% when used for travel. The one Richelle referenced is 1.25 that's why I believe the reserve comes out ahead in the long run.

You two convinced me. I have a Chase Freedom card I wasn't using, so they allowed me to switch that card to the Sapphire Reserve. I don't get the sign-up bonus, but I also don't get a hit on my credit for opening a new card. I'll see how the reserve works out for me this year. If I don't get enough benefit out of it, I will just downgrade to the preferred. I already paid for my Global entry application, but I can probably use it to renew my TSA pre-check while I wait for the global entry to get conditionally approved. They are saying up to a year now, it has only been five months.



@capital city You are correct that it is 3% on dining, as well and you get 50% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You are also correct that the other one is 1.25%

 

[HitchHiker71]

It's Edisto, Fairfield Glade, Flagstaff and Pagosa I believe that offer the deals.

Correct, these are the four piggyback contract locations that I'm aware of as well. I've been dealing with someone from Edisto via email/phone periodically in an attempt to find a decent piggyback deal to get up to permanent VIPP - but a solution remains elusive to date.

 

[Silverdollar]

Makes sense and is good advise for me from a financial point of view. But seems like many VIP members are really happy with their status and abilities so been wondering what is the least expensive route. Thanks for the reply.

I have been a member of Wyndham (formerly Fairfield) for 36 years. I became VIP Gold in 2005 using the PIC Plus program, and in more recent years became VIP Platinum using piggyback contracts. The PIC Plus program is still the least expensive route to VIP Gold, but changes to the piggyback program have made it more expensive to go VIP Platinum.

When I went VIPP, I was able to make a 64k points developer purchase and combine it with a piggyback contract of 413k points, plus another 77k point contract, all with low maintenance fees. At that time, my piggybacks were $40/1000. Since that time some changes have been made to the program. Now, they say you have to purchase developer points equal to the piggyback contract points. However, in an earlier post, it was said they may be willing to bend on this.

 

[Ecelso]

I have been a member of Wyndham (formerly Fairfield) for 36 years. I became VIP Gold in 2005 using the PIC Plus program, and in more recent years became VIP Platinum using piggyback contracts. The PIC Plus program is still the least expensive route to VIP Gold, but changes to the piggyback program have made it more expensive to go VIP Platinum.

When I went VIPP, I was able to make a 64k points developer purchase and combine it with a piggyback contract of 413k points, plus another 77k point contract, all with low maintenance fees. At that time, my piggybacks were $40/1000. Since that time some changes have been made to the program. Now, they say you have to purchase developer points equal to the piggyback contract points. However, in an earlier post, it was said they may be willing to bend on this.

Thanks for the reply. I like the idea of VIP but at the moment I think getting the feel of TS is first in order.... I keep learning many things from tuggers and I realize I need at least one or two years under my belt with the TS to see if is worth the investment for me. Thanks again for the input.