Hints needed to search for resorts in a particular region WITHOUT having firm dates? BONUS if you can do this without a GAZILLION clicks.

[schoolmarm]

Well, I've just spent a frustrating hour trying to book one of the Wisconsin Dells resorts. The search feature is pretty useless unless you know the exact name of each of the resorts. Here's what I found. And I quit in frustration.

There has to be a better way...this is the only thing that I could use that approached what I needed. And I failed!
Clickity click....
1. Zoom in on the map to limit the resorts.
2. Click on each resort and look at the Monthly Availability calendar--make sure you have "Accessible units" checked.
3. Click on a date you might want...see if units are available....
4. Back arrow a couple of times or just redo the map search for the next resort.
5. Rinse and repeat for all the resorts.
Clickity click...

Quit in frustration that you were just looking at an area with THREE resorts and just a five day window.

God help me if I'm just wanting a beach in Florida "sometime" this summer. Clickity clickity clickity click.

Oh and just for giggles, I tried searching for resorts sorted by distance. Who knew that Oklahoma and Taos, New Mexico were the closest resorts to Toledo, Ohio.

I give up. Help, please.

 

[PhilD41]

I would love to help, but you have pretty much described my experience as well. That said, I usually start with just a resort search. It usually goes something like this:

• Click resorts and wait for the page to load
• Realize I have been logged out again and need to re-log in (admittedly, this may be due to my use of Brave browser and limited cookies)
• Click on the resort list again
• Type in a location - usually a city, states kind of work but I am pretty sure it misses inventory. You can do a search for Florida and I don't think Pompano beach is ever included. I regularly get "no results" but if you narrow the search to Pompano then Palm-Aire will show up.
• Type in the dates I would like - shortest path to success if there is something
• If there isn't, change the dates to two nights in the middle of the time frame I am wanting. This will at least show me which resorts even have a chance.
• If anything shows up, dive in to individual resorts to see details and see if there is availability on one side of my dates or the other.
• If nothing shows up even for the two nights I usually pick a resort in the area and check it's calendar just to give me some confidence that the search could be correct.

This doesn't really count as not having firm date as you do have to pick something to start. I can run though a few weeks in the general search by checking for Tue - Thur and see which weeks may have options and which don't. I am also not confident that the search is reliable - spot checking helps, but it is what we have. I have a harder time knowing a date and wanting to look across a wide area. Searching USA for 5/29 - 6/2, for example, will never be helpful; at least currently.

Anyway, that is my approach.

 

[Sandi Bo]

I look at each individual resort. I've seen too many times where looking by a location shows nothing, but going to an individual resort there will be inventory. You need to know the resort names, so if not an area you typically search for, that can be challenging, @schoolmarm's first 2 steps should give you those.

@PhilD41, I think looking for 2 days within your date range used to work, but I have no confidence anymore in that.

You really need to get to the monthly availability calendar for a specific resort to have your best chance at seeing correct availability options. I've found I might need to search for a date I know is available, to see the resort page and have the monthly availability calendar available.

Or call a VC?

 

[dgalati]

I look at each individual resort. I've seen too many times where looking by a location shows nothing, but going to an individual resort there will be inventory. You need to know the resort names, so if not an area you typically search for, that can be challenging, @schoolmarm's first 2 steps should give you those.

@PhilD41, I think looking for 2 days within your date range used to work, but I have no confidence anymore in that.

You really need to get to the monthly availability calendar for a specific resort to have your best chance at seeing correct availability options. I've found I might need to search for a date I know is available, to see the resort page and have the monthly availability calendar available.

Or call a VC?

Can all these bugs be designed to cause mega renters to throw in the towel? Now add in the blackout dates for holidays at the busiest resorts. I couldn't Imagine how frustrating it is if you need to book vacations more then a few times a year. I'm sure more then a few have tapped out.

 

[PhilD41]

I don't think it has any impact on mega renters at all. We have a few on TUG, maybe they would chime in. They are probably the ones that have time to figure it out. More likely, from what I have seen, they aren't the ones looking for Memorial Day anywhere on an east coast beach for Suzy at the start of May. They booked key reservations months ago they know will rent on Redweek or Ebay for 125 - 150% their cost and count on volume to make their profit. They are systematic and have reservations they make year after year with plan A, B and C for points that don't rent as the year progresses. These issues just hurt users and people like me that are wanting to rent out half a dozen stays to offset fees and need to rely on VIP benefits to make it worth it.

If the website issues are purposeful, they are foolish. To me it is just poor design (why on earth do you have a full bar menu drop down that covers the search boxed that I HAVE to mouse over after clicking on the resort tab?) and poor execution (They are issuing bug fixes regularly [Little Sweden shows up on the map... sometimes], they just tend to introduce more bugs than they fix), regardless of how "good" their intentions are. I am not sure what the solution is. For now, I pray, wait patiently and offer constructive feedback.

Unfortunately the website isn't their product, the resorts I enjoy visiting are. I am no where near the point of walking way form their product (which I, and my family, greatly enjoy) because of their tool. Others very well may be... and I guess it could get so bad that I can't use the product because of the tool. The optimist in me says they are capable from allowing it to get there. As others have mentioned, I can always call. The real people (out side of sales) have always been VERY helpful. That just isn't my preferred method.

 

[Sandi Bo]

Can all these bugs be designed to cause mega renters to throw in the towel? Now add in the blackout dates for holidays at the busiest resorts. I couldn't Imagine how frustrating it is if you need to book vacations more then a few times a year. I'm sure more then a few have tapped out.

I think too much blame is put on the mega renters. #1 no one can define what a mega renter is. And I believe Wyndham cleaned house and got rid of the true mega renters/anyone they wanted gone is gone, IMO. Surely they would not design a system / to limit the usage of a few at the expense/pain of the many.

I say the ones who only book a few times, look, likely see no availability (when there very possibly is), complain / maybe call in and a VC helps? And we see things like black out dates over the holidays that give the illusion Wyndham is doing something.

The bottom line is whatever system you use, this mess we have now, the voyager release we had prior, or the online one before that - the more you use it, and learn to use it, the better reservations you are going to find. Doesn't matter what kind of account you have or how many reservations you book, it matters how often you use the system. What matters is how much time have you spent on it and learned it's idiosyncrasies. And most likely that will end up being people that book more reservations. Why would anyone spend anymore time on any system than is necessary?

Your common user wants to login, look for a reservation, book it and be done. It also seems a common request to know the next available reservation, or anything available in a given area. That should be Wyndham's goal. I for one am at a loss for what they are (miserably) trying to accomplish with the search at this time. I keep thinking they need a lesson on KISS (keep it simple stupid). Take a step back and ask what they are trying to accomplish, lord knows what kind of complex code they have wrapped into the search at this point.

 

[VacayKat]

So I consider myself a pretty savvy internet search person- can always find exactly what I need in as few refinements as possible. Often friends will come to me when they can’t find what they are looking for. And I do a lot of research paper work- so finding the nugget to help my paper in their paper is a super skill.
That said the wyndham search frustrates the heck out of me. If I’m looking for something for someone who wants to rent (yay me- we had ~500k points to use this use year AFTER one vacation a month from Nov-June), I narrow in on the map to see what resorts are available then look at monthly abailability for the size of unit they want(sometimes bigger). If I find a unit, I search the window to see everything available for potential upgrades. If nothing, I repeat at the other resorts. In general will take me about ~5-8 minutes per resort if there are a lot of single night stays or the person wants a certain # of nights in a range of days.

For personal rentals it’s WAY worse because there are lots of options I could go to. I don’t know calling a CS agent helps as they want to know when and where I want to go, seem to have trouble with the idea of ‘anywhere available’. My approach has been to isolate time periods I could travel, determine if airfare/driving makes sense and is cost justifiable, then start looking at resorts. You get to have a few favourites. So for Hawaii, I know the resorts I want to stay at, and if no availability I know the order I would look in - but again it is resort by resort. East Coast/South of US? No freaking clue where to go.
As an aside the search page function seems to be unreliable- nothing shoes but can find on the individual pages. Also, the flexible dates in ipad won't expand- so I gave up 2 website updates ago using it.
If you know exactly where you want to go- it’s easy, if not- plan on at least an hour per search. And plan on multiple days.

 

[bnoble]

#1 no one can define what a mega renter is.

It's the same way I define an aggressive or passive driver on the highway. Someone going faster than me is too aggressive. Someone going slower than me is too passive.

 

[jules54]

Nothing stops so called Mega Renters(not me) it’s their living they don’t give up on the job.

 

[dgalati]

I for one am at a loss for what they are (miserably) trying to accomplish with the search at this time. I keep thinking they need a lesson on KISS (keep it simple stupid). Take a step back and ask what they are trying to accomplish, lord knows what kind of complex code they have wrapped into the search at this point.

Its a adventure every login. You just don't know what could go wrong next.

 

[bnoble]

Nothing stops so called Mega Renters(not me) it’s their living they don’t give up on the job.

To be fair, the changes to booking mechanisms and the credit pool that happened a few years ago did push a few out of the business and presumably on to other things.

 

[troy12n]

Some of the issues recently have changed from "a poorly designed system, which a savvy person can work around" to "entire resorts are not showing up".

One is an issue of poor design, and even worse testing / validation regimen
One is an issue of "this just isn't working"

I am increasingly getting the "oops, something just happened" error when trying to browse availability with the monthly calendar at entire resorts, which i've not encountered before, which is fun

 

[Sandi Bo]

To be fair, the changes to booking mechanisms and the credit pool that happened a few years ago did push a few out of the business and presumably on to other things.

Or did Wyndham buy them out, included with non-disclosures? I know for sure of some bought out that cannot speak. I also can think of a few that we just don't hear from (and only assume because of their non-disclosures). Anyone that openly said, see ya, I'm moving on?

 

[southwestmagnolia]

I agree the new site is definitely not user friendly. Very frustrating.

 

[schoolmarm]

So, in more adventures today...CHICAGO showed up on the map as a site. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Sounds like I'm using the best work-around right now--map then click on individual resorts.
Now, I can't back arrow to my list of 3-4 resorts, I have to go to the map again.

And it still thinks that Oklahoma and Angel (Fire/Falls?) New Mexico are closest to Toledo, Ohio. I've always wanted to go to NM. It is one of only 5 US states I have not been to. I have taught and presented research on all continents except South America and Antarctica. Maybe Wyndham thinks that I'm close to them, too? I'll really be knocking places off my bucket list!


Unfortunately my brother wants Wisconsin Dells the first weekend in June to attend a wedding, but couldn't give me the dates way back before this website rolled out and way back when there was actual easy availability. I'm still looking for a cancellation for him. I told him that it would be a miracle if I could get him a couple of days midweek. I did find June 2-4 momentarily but he won't get there until the 3rd. DUDE, this isn't a hotel and it's super popular/prime season.

Anyone for some levity in starting a new thread with "Sort by distance--What resort does Wyndham think is closest to you?"

 

[Jan M.]

Anyone for some levity in starting a new thread with "Sort by distance--What resort does Wyndham think is closest to you?"

The four resorts in Pompano Beach are about 20-25 minutes from our house. Apparently our wonderful Wyndham website thinks I'm close to the resorts in the following order:
Grand Lake, Oklahoma
Angel Fire, New Mexico
Avon, Colorado

That's just the first three resorts. The list goes on and eventually get down to Nashville which is about a 13 hour drive. We left home on March 16th and are on the last 6 nights of this trip. Did they move Florida while we were gone?

 

[bbodb1]

Its a adventure every login. You just don't know what could go wrong next.

/WinsTheInternet!

 

[r4rab]

The four resorts in Pompano Beach are about 20-25 minutes from our house. Apparently our wonderful Wyndham website thinks I'm close to the resorts in the following order:
Grand Lake, Oklahoma
Angel Fire, New Mexico
Avon, Colorado

That's just the first three resorts. The list goes on and eventually get down to Nashville which is about a 13 hour drive. We left home on March 16th and are on the last 6 nights of this trip. Did they move Florida while we were gone?

Yes, Florida was moved as per another edict by your governor

 

[schoolmarm]

The four resorts in Pompano Beach are about 20-25 minutes from our house. Apparently our wonderful Wyndham website thinks I'm close to the resorts in the following order:
Grand Lake, Oklahoma
Angel Fire, New Mexico
Avon, Colorado

That's just the first three resorts. The list goes on and eventually get down to Nashville which is about a 13 hour drive. We left home on March 16th and are on the last 6 nights of this trip. Did they move Florida while we were gone?

SO funny...those are the exact same three that are closest to Toledo! So we must be neighbors. LOL!

 

[Jan M.]

SO funny...those are the exact same three that are closest to Toledo! So we must be neighbors. LOL!

Hey neighbor! Our son and and DIL are also on our account and they live in Olmsted Falls which is just west of Cleveland. So it does make sense just in a really messed up sort of way.

 

[dgalati]

Well, I've just spent a frustrating hour trying to book one of the Wisconsin Dells resorts. The search feature is pretty useless unless you know the exact name of each of the resorts. Here's what I found. And I quit in frustration.

There has to be a better way...this is the only thing that I could use that approached what I needed. And I failed!
Clickity click....
1. Zoom in on the map to limit the resorts.
2. Click on each resort and look at the Monthly Availability calendar--make sure you have "Accessible units" checked.
3. Click on a date you might want...see if units are available....
4. Back arrow a couple of times or just redo the map search for the next resort.
5. Rinse and repeat for all the resorts.
Clickity click...

Quit in frustration that you were just looking at an area with THREE resorts and just a five day window.

God help me if I'm just wanting a beach in Florida "sometime" this summer. Clickity clickity clickity click.

Oh and just for giggles, I tried searching for resorts sorted by distance. Who knew that Oklahoma and Taos, New Mexico were the closest resorts to Toledo, Ohio.

I give up. Help, please.

New Owner Quick Start

Learn how to make the most of your Club Wyndham vacation ownership experience with our New Owners Guide to Club Wyndham timeshare listings.

clubwyndham.wyndhamdestinations.com

Help is just a phone call away. Wyndham has a team of dedicated experts ready to assist you with booking your vacations.

 

[schoolmarm]

Ah, Dgalati, you don't need to call...they have updated the site (again)! Use the little hamburger menu in the top left corner to get to resorts...then you can call them up by states. BUT the monthly availability "book now" button is at the bottom of each resort page.

ALSO the myclubwyndham URL is redirecting to clubwyndham/wyndhamdestinations. In order to log into your owner account you have to use the little hamburger menu in the upper left. They really ARE using the non-owner site for owners.

The new "How to use the website" page on the new owner's guide is actually fairly clear....but OLD owners are unlikely to click on resources for new owners.

 

[55plus]

We’ve been VIP Platinum owners for going on 30 years. The original Fairfield website did everything one would want. Then Wyndham took over and it changed. Every time they design and launch a “New and Improved” version it gets worse. Every time an update to it is made, it gets worse. Sometimes I think it is by design - make it harder to use with an end result of giving up so Wyndham Extra Holidays has more to offer to the rental market.

 

[dgalati]

We’ve been VIP Platinum owners for going on 30 years. The original Fairfield website did everything one would want. Then Wyndham took over and it changed. Every time they design and launch a “New and Improved” version it gets worse. Every time an update to it is made, it gets worse. Sometimes I think it is by design - make it harder to use with an end result of giving up so Wyndham Extra Holidays has more to offer to the rental market.

I agree its by design and it will also help their bottom line$$$$

 

[tschwa2]

Hanlon's razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
--- or in this case greed. They want to help their bottom line but they have showed over and over just bad programming choices over and over again.