Just got off a Koala sales call - Thoughts on their Gold & Platinum VIP tiers!

[SirhcATW]

Just wrapped up a sales call with Koala, eager to learn more about their timeshare rental service, particularly their paid memberships: Gold VIP and Platinum VIP.

The salesperson heavily promoted these tiers. Gold VIP (starting at $349/year) centers around "Hub Access" – live booking requests promising guaranteed bookings for qualifying brands, pitched as ideal for the "tech-savvy" owner. Stepping up, Platinum VIP (starting at $499/year) includes the Hub, plus boosted visibility with up to 5 "Featured" listings annually, a "Verified Green Check," and access to "Suggested Listings." For those considering Platinum, they're currently waiving the $100 one-time fee until the end of April.

Interestingly, the salesperson was quick to point out that their free "Silver" listings have a booking probability "close to 0%," immediately steering the conversation toward the paid options.

Given the prevalence of upfront fee scams in the timeshare rental world, I raised this concern. The salesperson promptly directed me to their Trustpilot reviews, a point to consider as both Gold and Platinum tiers involve an upfront annual investment.

While researching alternatives, I noted that the market for directly comparable services with similar pricing and feature sets seems relatively limited. However, as a long-time customer of DVC Rental Store, I found the description of Koala's "Hub Access" strikingly similar to DVC Rental Store's rental request system. Despite the salesperson's assertion that "Hub Access" was a unique offering, my experience suggests otherwise, even if the specifics differ.

Before posting, I did a quick search through the TUG forums for past discussions or experiences with Koala and was surprised to find very little information available. This lack of existing discussion makes it even more important to gather some firsthand insights.

So, I'm turning to the collective wisdom of TUG:

• For those who've used Koala's Gold VIP or Platinum VIP, have the touted benefits, especially "Hub Access" and "Featured Listings," truly justified the annual cost?
• If your timeshare brand qualifies for "Hub Access," has it delivered on the promise of more consistent bookings, and how does it stack up against similar "guaranteed booking" models you might have encountered?
• What are your thoughts on the pricing structure of Koala's Gold and Platinum tiers, considering their features, the limited number of seemingly direct competitors, and the fact that some key features might not be as unique as presented?
• Has anyone else noticed a lack of significant discussion about Koala on the TUG forums?

I'm keen to hear from those with firsthand experience or insights into this service, especially concerning the real value behind their paid memberships and the accuracy of their "unique" claims, particularly given the limited existing discussion here on TUG.

 

[chapjim]

"Interestingly, the salesperson was quick to point out that their free "Silver" listings have a booking probability "close to 0%," . . . "

I think that summarizes the experience of most of who have tried Koala. I had four booked rentals in late 2020 through July 2021. Not a representative sample maybe, because of Covid.

I've done a few listings since to no avail.

 

[dioxide45]

How many rentals do you do a year? Are you only renting DVC?

 

[Eric B]

I was able to rent out one of five weeks I had advertised on Koala last year. Towards the end of the year they were apparently running out of Wyndham owners with the ability to book in the Owner Priority Window and provided a few additional booking opportunities, similar to how the hub worked when it wasn't restricted to the VIP gold and up members. I wouldn't peg the non-paying access probability of success with them as 0%; my experience has been closer to 20%. I'm not all that convinced the VIP membership would be worth the money to me - basically I just advertise weeks I'm planning on using and have contingency plans for if someone else wants to use them for the right price.

 

[SirhcATW]

I have no issue renting my DVC points to friends and family at a win/win price. I recently came into 13000+ MVC points and it does not seem nearly as easy to rent those out.

 

[SirhcATW]

The feedback on TrustPilot is very good. They are also very responsive to the low ratings.

 

[emeryjre]

I have used them during their first two years with success
Since they moved to the new paid plans, I had no success
I never became a paying member because I do not have enough units to make it worth while

 

[SirhcATW]

I was able to rent out one of five weeks I had advertised on Koala last year. Towards the end of the year they were apparently running out of Wyndham owners with the ability to book in the Owner Priority Window and provided a few additional booking opportunities, similar to how the hub worked when it wasn't restricted to the VIP gold and up members. I wouldn't peg the non-paying access probability of success with them as 0%; my experience has been closer to 20%. I'm not all that convinced the VIP membership would be worth the money to me - basically I just advertise weeks I'm planning on using and have contingency plans for if someone else wants to use them for the right price.

Do you use the paid plans or just the free listing?

 

[Eric B]

Do you use the paid plans or just the free listing?

Just the free listing as I'm not all that serious about renting. As I said, I will if someone wants to use a week that I would be just as happy using myself; I'm avoiding the whole commercial use thing (though some would disagree).

 

[TheHolleys87]

We almost never rent any of our weeks, so to pay $349 or $499 for the “privilege” of listing with Koala would be ridiculous. I think someone would need to be renting quite a few weeks to make either of those memberships worthwhile.

 

[billymach4]

Just wrapped up a sales call with Koala, eager to learn more about their timeshare rental service, particularly their paid memberships: Gold VIP and Platinum VIP.

The salesperson heavily promoted these tiers. Gold VIP (starting at $349/year) centers around "Hub Access" – live booking requests promising guaranteed bookings for qualifying brands, pitched as ideal for the "tech-savvy" owner. Stepping up, Platinum VIP (starting at $499/year) includes the Hub, plus boosted visibility with up to 5 "Featured" listings annually, a "Verified Green Check," and access to "Suggested Listings." For those considering Platinum, they're currently waiving the $100 one-time fee until the end of April.

Interestingly, the salesperson was quick to point out that their free "Silver" listings have a booking probability "close to 0%," immediately steering the conversation toward the paid options.

Given the prevalence of upfront fee scams in the timeshare rental world, I raised this concern. The salesperson promptly directed me to their Trustpilot reviews, a point to consider as both Gold and Platinum tiers involve an upfront annual investment.

While researching alternatives, I noted that the market for directly comparable services with similar pricing and feature sets seems relatively limited. However, as a long-time customer of DVC Rental Store, I found the description of Koala's "Hub Access" strikingly similar to DVC Rental Store's rental request system. Despite the salesperson's assertion that "Hub Access" was a unique offering, my experience suggests otherwise, even if the specifics differ.

Before posting, I did a quick search through the TUG forums for past discussions or experiences with Koala and was surprised to find very little information available. This lack of existing discussion makes it even more important to gather some firsthand insights.

So, I'm turning to the collective wisdom of TUG:

• For those who've used Koala's Gold VIP or Platinum VIP, have the touted benefits, especially "Hub Access" and "Featured Listings," truly justified the annual cost?
• If your timeshare brand qualifies for "Hub Access," has it delivered on the promise of more consistent bookings, and how does it stack up against similar "guaranteed booking" models you might have encountered?
• What are your thoughts on the pricing structure of Koala's Gold and Platinum tiers, considering their features, the limited number of seemingly direct competitors, and the fact that some key features might not be as unique as presented?
• Has anyone else noticed a lack of significant discussion about Koala on the TUG forums?

I'm keen to hear from those with firsthand experience or insights into this service, especially concerning the real value behind their paid memberships and the accuracy of their "unique" claims, particularly given the limited existing discussion here on TUG.

Sorry. Don't waste money or time. I have not had any success when renting with KOALA using the Free service. I did want to rent from another owner via Koala as well. Not Koala's fault but that transaction failed due to owner neglect.

You would be better off renting here on TUG2.NET or Redweek where I get most rentals completed.

I also have better time with private repeat customers.

 

[GrayFal]

@rickandcindy23 has some experience with them. Perhaps she will comment.

I listed three Marriott units with them while at the same time listing on RedWeek. For 2023. There was no paid option at that time.
All three rented on RedWeek, not one inquiry from Koala

 

[SirhcATW]

I have signed up for the Platinum package and will try it out for a year. I have had classifieds here on Tug and gotten no interest in my DVC points.

 

[dioxide45]

I have signed up for the Platinum package and will try it out for a year. I have had classifieds here on Tug and gotten no interest in my DVC points.

Is there a reason you aren't using the multitude of DVC point brokers that are out there? They are usually very efficient in matching up owners and renters for bookings.

 

[SirhcATW]

Is there a reason you aren't using the multitude of DVC point brokers that are out there? They are usually very efficient in matching up owners and renters for bookings.

I use those as well. If I bypass them on TUG, I can make a bit more.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I admittedly couldn't rent my DVC through Redweek. If you look at Redweek, what you see is a bunch of listings sitting there with nothing rented. I use DVC Rental Store for my DVC and have had great success in booking studios, 5-7 nights, especially Riviera, Beach Club and even OKW. OKW for December rents extremely well. Anything Riviera has been easy to rent, and I know why. It's a fantastic resort with the sky ride going directly to it. It's a fun location. I book great reservations and list them as booked reservations, and I always ask for $20 per point net to me. That is a fantastic amount of money, but my fees went up this year and no increase in pay for my points, which seems wrong that they don't care that your fees are going up and your payments are not.

Koala's premier listing services are to make the renter feel more comfortable with the process, and so I think it's not a bad idea to try it out and see how it works for you. I am sure Koala will offer some pricing guidelines to make it successful.

I see people negative on renting with Koala. What I know is that it's 1) FREE to list, 2) Koala is growing by leaps and bounds and you never know when it will become as big as Redweek, 3) There is no risk to listing with Koala.

You should always delete listings right away, when you rent or cancel your reservations. Koala shouldn't have to worry about what you are doing on your end. Keep track of where you are listing and don't make it so they have to make excuses for you because you cancelled a week that you had listed and someone wants.

I have had success with Koala. I rented more through Koala's regular listings of DVC by far than Redweek, since I didn't get a single one for the last 3 years on Redweek. RW is not a venue Disney seekers are finding through searches, apparently.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I have had success with Koala.

Do you subscribe to one of their VIP tiers?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Do you subscribe to one of their VIP tiers?

Not yet. I am renting DVC through DVC Rental Store. My listings seem to rent within a few days on that site. I don't rent much else, other than my Westin weeks, which I haven't listed on Koala yet. Our SBR weeks, many dates, are listed on Koala.

 

[SirhcATW]

I am really working to rent my MVC with more ease. I have used DVC Rental Store and DVC-Rental (to do a NCL swap) and those rent in an instant.

 

[VacationForever]

I am really working to rent my MVC with more ease. I have used DVC Rental Store and DVC-Rental (to do a NCL swap) and those rent in an instant.

Are you trying to rent out the 13K MVC points or are you reserving stays and trying to rent them out? If you simply want to recover the MF of the MVC points, you can use vacationpointexchange.com. MVC does not allow rentals booked with points.

 

[dioxide45]

MVC does not allow rentals booked with points.

But many people do rent them out.

 

[billymach4]

I am really working to rent my MVC with more ease. I have used DVC Rental Store and DVC-Rental (to do a NCL swap) and those rent in an instant.

Have not read this entire thread? Do you own any weeks? Are you strictly a points owner?

 

[rickandcindy23]

I had success with my Peacock Suites rentals with Koala and no success on Redweek, same price asked, but I didn't do verify/ protect with RW because I didn't want to pay that much more.

I don't really understand why no one wants Peacock Suites, as it's a great resort!

 

[billymach4]

I had success with my Peacock Suites rentals with Koala and no success on Redweek, same price asked, but I didn't do verify/ protect with RW because I didn't want to pay that much more.

I don't really understand why no one wants Peacock Suites, as it's a great resort!

@rickandcindy23 Happy you have had better luck with Koala.
As for me I only rent at Beachfront locations Ocean Point, Aruba Surf Club.
I have listed with Koala on the free platform and have not had any luck.

Recently I actually wanted to purchase a rental at Aruba Surf Club where the listing was for an Ocean Front Master unit for a week.
The person actually at first was going to accept my purchase. However she did not coordinate with her husband who had actually made Airfare arrangements for them to occupy. So she never accepted my payment and I did get my CC refund 24hrs later.

With respect to Redweek I am not happy either. However ultimately in the end I have had everything I list on Redweek rented for the past 15 years. Here on TUG I have also had better success than Koala.

 

[Tank]

I use Koala for the free listing
Last couple years have been not to good

They seem to be growing, I see advertising, but it promotes very cheap discounted timeshare
weeks = Koala
$49 a night stays are few and far between
Since I’ve been seeing this I have been getting no traffic

This spring has been tough with all that’s going on in the world

But noticeable last couple years