ambrosij
TUG Member
1) TPU Calculator - I am a points pure RCI member, but I own Orlando
and because of that I do not have access to DVC in Orlando. I have been actively looking for some good weeks properties to pick up (TPU/MF) and I thought I had found one, I had read it would receive about 50TPU, which would have been a good deal,but I took the extra effort to call RCI. Glad I did because both of the weeks I was looking at were going to receive much less than 50 TPU...so of course I didnt buy. I really wish that the calculator was made available to all, it would encourage (at least encourage me) to investigate and purchase more time shares and save me the hassle of calling RCI. Develop a phone app TPU calculator anyone?
2) It seems that there are much less time shares showing up on Ebay, and while Ebay is not the sole provider of resale timeshares, it is a good cross cut. I an finding that many of the good resorts (low m/f, high points ect.) have been pretty picked over. There is a gem from time to time, but lots of stinkers popping up. I have also noticed a difference in developer presentation tactics. I have gone to a couple presentations over the past month (one from diamond, and one from Wyndham) both seem to be very aware of the resale market and while Diamond just kept spouting the whole "developer benefit" line over and over again...without really ever spouting what those benefits would be (btw if those benefits are that important you can always buy into THE CLUB for about 3K), Wyndham was pretty straight forward with what they viewed as their benefits over resale. They did have some pretty good features like giving x amount of points for two of your previously owned units which would propel you to the next level of wyndham membership. She also was straight forward in stating that if you are a resale owner your booking is flagged when you check in and they give you the bottom of the barrel room (of course when most of my stuff is via RCI trades none of that really matters), but she also tossed in a gem that if you buy a cheap developer unit then buy resale the computer can not tell the difference. Bottom line is that Wyndham was not pushy, and provided a 45 minute take it or leave it presentation. Owning 5 resorts, and very happy, I left it of course.
3) Pretty satisfied with what my 2011 points provided me with. In 2011 I traveled to:
o Ochos Rios Jamaica - Sandals Resort
o Williamsburg, VA - The Historic Powhatan Resort
o San Diego, CA - Wyndham Harbour Lights
o Solana Beach, CA- Winner's Circle
o The Manhatten Club - NY, NY
o Received a $400 Gift Card exchanged for points
o Received rountrip airfare for two from VA to CA exchanged for points
o Received two night hotel accommodations exchanged for points
I started with a 2011 balance of 220,000 points and currently have 67,000 points that remain. Based on my maintenance fees I average .0078 per point (looks like rising MF in 2012 will bring that to .008 per point). I believe that the RCI fees for all those places and unconventional exchanges adds up to about $850. The points cost me an estimated $1224 for 2011; so, for 2011 I spent $2074 minus the $400 Visa Card equaling $1674 on travel and lodging. The air fare was $368 per ticket per person on priceline so subtracting that leaves $938 spent on lodging... so to summarize
$938 paid for 32 nights of lodging at no less than a one bedroom unit (with the exception of the hotel lodging). That amounts to about $29 per night. I have 67,000 points to spare...so if anyone needs some points let me know lol.
4) I am always on the look out for resorts that will lower my overall cost per point (although I think I have done pretty well) and as I said before looking for a good weeks only resort. Just FYI I currently own...
Tree Tops - Gaitlinburg - July week
Sheraton Vistana - Orlando - April Week
Barefootn At The Keys - Orlando - April Week
Parkway at Vacation Village - Orlando - April Week
Grandview - LasVegas - Not sure actually
5) I would be interested in taking a look at a Summer unit on the Atlantic
Hope everyone is having a great start to the new year.
and because of that I do not have access to DVC in Orlando. I have been actively looking for some good weeks properties to pick up (TPU/MF) and I thought I had found one, I had read it would receive about 50TPU, which would have been a good deal,but I took the extra effort to call RCI. Glad I did because both of the weeks I was looking at were going to receive much less than 50 TPU...so of course I didnt buy. I really wish that the calculator was made available to all, it would encourage (at least encourage me) to investigate and purchase more time shares and save me the hassle of calling RCI. Develop a phone app TPU calculator anyone?
2) It seems that there are much less time shares showing up on Ebay, and while Ebay is not the sole provider of resale timeshares, it is a good cross cut. I an finding that many of the good resorts (low m/f, high points ect.) have been pretty picked over. There is a gem from time to time, but lots of stinkers popping up. I have also noticed a difference in developer presentation tactics. I have gone to a couple presentations over the past month (one from diamond, and one from Wyndham) both seem to be very aware of the resale market and while Diamond just kept spouting the whole "developer benefit" line over and over again...without really ever spouting what those benefits would be (btw if those benefits are that important you can always buy into THE CLUB for about 3K), Wyndham was pretty straight forward with what they viewed as their benefits over resale. They did have some pretty good features like giving x amount of points for two of your previously owned units which would propel you to the next level of wyndham membership. She also was straight forward in stating that if you are a resale owner your booking is flagged when you check in and they give you the bottom of the barrel room (of course when most of my stuff is via RCI trades none of that really matters), but she also tossed in a gem that if you buy a cheap developer unit then buy resale the computer can not tell the difference. Bottom line is that Wyndham was not pushy, and provided a 45 minute take it or leave it presentation. Owning 5 resorts, and very happy, I left it of course.
3) Pretty satisfied with what my 2011 points provided me with. In 2011 I traveled to:
o Ochos Rios Jamaica - Sandals Resort
o Williamsburg, VA - The Historic Powhatan Resort
o San Diego, CA - Wyndham Harbour Lights
o Solana Beach, CA- Winner's Circle
o The Manhatten Club - NY, NY
o Received a $400 Gift Card exchanged for points
o Received rountrip airfare for two from VA to CA exchanged for points
o Received two night hotel accommodations exchanged for points
I started with a 2011 balance of 220,000 points and currently have 67,000 points that remain. Based on my maintenance fees I average .0078 per point (looks like rising MF in 2012 will bring that to .008 per point). I believe that the RCI fees for all those places and unconventional exchanges adds up to about $850. The points cost me an estimated $1224 for 2011; so, for 2011 I spent $2074 minus the $400 Visa Card equaling $1674 on travel and lodging. The air fare was $368 per ticket per person on priceline so subtracting that leaves $938 spent on lodging... so to summarize
$938 paid for 32 nights of lodging at no less than a one bedroom unit (with the exception of the hotel lodging). That amounts to about $29 per night. I have 67,000 points to spare...so if anyone needs some points let me know lol.
4) I am always on the look out for resorts that will lower my overall cost per point (although I think I have done pretty well) and as I said before looking for a good weeks only resort. Just FYI I currently own...
Tree Tops - Gaitlinburg - July week
Sheraton Vistana - Orlando - April Week
Barefootn At The Keys - Orlando - April Week
Parkway at Vacation Village - Orlando - April Week
Grandview - LasVegas - Not sure actually
5) I would be interested in taking a look at a Summer unit on the Atlantic
Hope everyone is having a great start to the new year.