Latest BS in My Jan. 1 Update

[Lita]

I just did an update at Wyndham Oceanwalk. Sales person told me that there is something new that will allow us to use RCI and other exchange companies without fees as long as we upgrade and get something called Blue Connection or Blue Thread. Of course, I thought it was BS and refused to consider buying anything. I am currently a Platinum Owner but am in the process of using Pathways to get out of one of my contracts. I will be VIP Gold after the Pathway process is completed.

Is there really something new called Blue Connection or Blue Thread that reduces exchange costs? Also they talked about increasing Wyndham Rewards benefits with this new thing.

 

[tschwa2]

Blue thread is simply using hotel reward points for a variety of platforms. The conversion from vacation points to reward points is terrible. The conversion from hotel points to using them for other things is also terrible. It isn't currently a benefit but I could see them allowing you to use hotel points for rci fees but if they probably would charge 100,000 vacation points to pay for $239 in rci fees so not a good deal unless you typically have several thousand vacation points that you let expire.

As most updates maybe a little kernel of truth but not something that is a real benefit to most members.

 

[Lita]

You've confirmed what I suspected.

 

[HitchHiker71]

I just did an update at Wyndham Oceanwalk. Sales person told me that there is something new that will allow us to use RCI and other exchange companies without fees as long as we upgrade and get something called Blue Connection or Blue Thread. Of course, I thought it was BS and refused to consider buying anything. I am currently a Platinum Owner but am in the process of using Pathways to get out of one of my contracts. I will be VIP Gold after the Pathway process is completed.

Is there really something new called Blue Connection or Blue Thread that reduces exchange costs? Also they talked about increasing Wyndham Rewards benefits with this new thing.

As previously mentioned, Blue Thread is simply refers to the "blue" color used by Wyndham Rewards and it's relation to existing Wyndham timeshare owners. If you didn't already know, as one of the initial added benefits of the forthcoming Privileges program, all VIPG/VIPP owners are automatically entitled to WR Diamond status now. It's actually a nice add if you ever find yourself staying in Wyndham hotels as it entitles you to free suite upgrades and other auxiliary benefits. Here's a link to the info and to upgrade your WR account to Diamond status:

Wyndham Rewards | Reach DIAMOND Level

www.wyndhamhotels.com

AFAIK, there's no current WR benefit that directly reduces RCI exchange costs.

 

[paxsarah]

I'm going to guess that the "blue thread" of truth in the salesperson's spiel is that through Wyndham Rewards, some Wyndham Vacation Rentals properties (that are also available in RCI) are available for booking using Wyndham Rewards points or cash. In that case, you can certainly book them without RCI's exchange fee, but you're paying for them in some other way.

 

[Synergy]

Also, I've been Wyndham Diamond (through hotel bookings) on and off for a decade, and the perks are minimal at best. Out of hundreds of room nights, I'd estimate fewer than twenty upgrades - and literally never on stays longer than a night. The matching Caesar's status is the most valuable perk, imo.

 

[cbyrne1174]

They tried to push that into me today too. I'm 100% resale. They were trying to push a small point package on me. The new sheet said retail was $253 per thousand now. Sounded like BS.

 

[HitchHiker71]

They tried to push that into me today too. I'm 100% resale. They were trying to push a small point package on me. The new sheet said retail was $253 per thousand now. Sounded like BS.

MSRP has been $253/1000 for all of 2019. It will probably ratchet up a bit in 2020 best guess.

 

[cbyrne1174]

MSRP has been $253/1000 for all of 2019. It will probably ratchet up a bit in 2020 best guess.

They also said $134 per thousand telesales pricing was for members only, but I remember you PIC'ing to gold for around that much.

 

[HitchHiker71]

They also said $134 per thousand telesales pricing was for members only, but I remember you PIC'ing to gold for around that much.

Members only is BS. I wasn't a member at that time when I bought in via telesales in July 2018. My paid contract price was $140/1000 - but that didn't include the dual rebates available at the time, so my net price was $134/1000 rebate inclusive.

 

[dgalati]

They tried to push that into me today too. I'm 100% resale. They were trying to push a small point package on me. The new sheet said retail was $253 per thousand now. Sounded like BS.

Was this at Star Island? I had a guy there tell me my resale account was worthless. He said with a resale account I could only get into places like Star Island and would never be able to stay in the nicer places like Bonnet Creek. I believe his name was Steve. He said I needed to buy a small amount of developer points to make it a real Wyndham account

 

[buckor]

Was this at Star Island? I had a guy there tell me my resale account was worthless. He said with a resale account I could only get into places like Star Island and would never be able to stay in the nicer places like Bonnet Creek. I believe his name was Steve. He said I needed to buy a small amount of developer points to make it a real Wyndham account

I know you know better...when I first became a Wyn owner I was resale and never had a problem booking at BC, or any resort that I wanted for that matter. As a resale owner I stayed at BC, PCB, Emerald Grande in Destin, Great Smokies Lodge, and Smoky Mountains.

Yeah, I always see the "sales person mouth moving" thing here...it definitely sounds like it applies in your case and the OPs.

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[dgalati]

I know you know better...when I first became a Wyn owner I was resale and never had a problem booking at BC, or any resort that I wanted for that matter. As a resale owner I stayed at BC, PCB, Emerald Grande in Destin, Great Smokies Lodge, and Smoky Mountains.

Yeah, I always see the "sales person mouth moving" thing here...it definitely sounds like it applies in your case and the OPs.

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I know it was BS and called him out on it. I Tried to tell him I could book anywhere in the system that was available but he insisted I was wrong .;/

 

[buckor]

I know it was BS and called him out on it. I Tried to tell him I could book anywhere in the system that was available but he insisted I was wrong .;/

That's just a sad experience.

When I go in I let them know what I know...most of the sales people say, "You know more than most people that come in here." I give TUG a big shoutout at that point and am usually done within short notice.

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[HitchHiker71]

I know it was BS and called him out on it. I Tried to tell him I could book anywhere in the system that was available but he insisted I was wrong .;/

This type of false advertising is alive and well today - it's called "priority ownership" now - this was presented during both the group presentation and the one on one sales push when we attended an update in the Poconos a couple months back now. I recall the presenter saying "make sure to ask your sales rep about priority ownership" along with verbiage indicating that depending on what you owned - you would not be able to "see" inventory at certain resorts within Wyndham.

 

[cbyrne1174]

Even though I stayed as a guest at Star Island, they still looked up my ownership and pestered me in my room to attend. They must have been desperate lol. They printed out all of my contracts and all of my recent stays.

Star Island was pretty shitty. My husband said it reminded him of section 8 housing on the outside the way they had it painted. The railings were green. The buildings would look so much nicer if they replaced the railings with black ones with designs and had nicer patio furniture. I'm glad I only stayed one night to try it out. Cypress Palms is the better cheap option.

I really hope Wyndham buys some of the two bedrooms at Reunion because that's the nicest Orlando resort in my opinion. I have to be really stingy with my housekeeping credits so I can stay there a few days a year. For those who come in a car to Orlando, I don't see why anyone would prefer Bonnet Creek over Reunion. The atmosphere is worth the additional 10 minute drive. The number 1 reason I want WorldMark is so I can stay there without having to worry about running out of housekeeping credits, that's how much I love that resort.

 

[kaljor]

He said with a resale account I could only get into places like Star Island and would never be able to stay in the nicer places like Bonnet Creek. I believe his name was Steve. He said I needed to buy a small amount of developer points to make it a real Wyndham account

I had a salesman tell me that about Bonnet Creek too, but at that very moment, I had two 2 bedroom units already booked for Thanksgiving week! I couldn't bring myself to tell him that, I think I just said something non responsive and let it go.

 

[ecwinch]

At Clearwater they also pitched that no RCI exchange fees also... plus these spicy gems.... each of new Privileges levels will have certain resorts assign to it for ARP, with higher levels having ARP at more resorts, you will be able redeem your Wyndham points directly into Wyndham Rewards, new website coming at the end of Jan, and they will have the ability to check-in from your phone and use your smart phone as your key.

 

[JJVGHNC]

If you didn't have to go in for a key, where would the parking pass come from???? Hand delivered, In Unit Visit?

 

[ecwinch]

I am imagining that the phone will let you check-in, but not you let you open your room door until you confirm 15 times that you do not want attend a presentation and then will call your phone every 20 minutes until you change your mind.

 

[chapjim]

There was a string a couple of years ago about sales telling people they had to "Wyndham-ize" their accounts -- adding some retail points to an otherwise resale account.

It's like bad pennies!

 

[Sandi Bo]

Even though I stayed as a guest at Star Island, they still looked up my ownership and pestered me in my room to attend. They must have been desperate lol. They printed out all of my contracts and all of my recent stays.

Star Island was pretty shitty. My husband said it reminded him of section 8 housing on the outside the way they had it painted. The railings were green. The buildings would look so much nicer if they replaced the railings with black ones with designs and had nicer patio furniture. I'm glad I only stayed one night to try it out. Cypress Palms is the better cheap option.

I really hope Wyndham buys some of the two bedrooms at Reunion because that's the nicest Orlando resort in my opinion. I have to be really stingy with my housekeeping credits so I can stay there a few days a year. For those who come in a car to Orlando, I don't see why anyone would prefer Bonnet Creek over Reunion. The atmosphere is worth the additional 10 minute drive. The number 1 reason I want WorldMark is so I can stay there without having to worry about running out of housekeeping credits, that's how much I love that resort.

I had a guest stay at Star Island, in town for a funeral. And they harrassed her to come to a presentation. It is also where my husband and were left at the table several years ago. The sales weasle knew we weren't buying, left and said he'd be back and he never came back We asked someone else about our gift, went and got it and walked back to our room (they had picked us up in a golf cart) We passed our sales weasle on the way back, driving a golf cart with his next mark. And he did not acknowledge he knew who we were (he conveniently turned to talked to his marks as he went past us). That's one way to end a presentation.

More humorously, my mother (Mrs. Bo) went to a presentation also at Star Island. My parents are divorced and it's my Dad that purchased everything, she was just staying as his guest. Imagine their disappointment when they discovered they had the wrong Bo, lol.

 

[kaljor]

At Ocean Walk a few weeks ago, as I was checking in at the front desk I saw the clerk preparing my parking pass. I smiled and said how good it was to get the pass at check in and she smiled and told me that I had to go the the "concierge" desk to get my room key. I cracked up.

On a related note, the room key was a tiny little thing that you put into a wristband to wear during your stay. I haven't seen that before.

 

[bestpal38]

I am imagining that the phone will let you check-in, but not you let you open your room door until you confirm 15 times that you do not want attend a presentation and then will call your phone every 20 minutes until you change your mind.

I think I must finally be on the Do NOt sell list. Spent the weekend in Vegas, and they never even asked us to attend!! Yay me!!

 

[jercal10]

I also went to Jan 1 @ Ocean walk. Fortunately Allie was in a hurry to get rid of us and "go home & snuggle". So only took 20 minutes.

One of the new benefits was "RCI Travel"--can no longer use points to book cruises(so who cares??)

VIP cruise(Hawaii in sept)--free except for taxes and port charges. Big fat lie--called RCI -over $3k per person for balcony

Fortunately allie promised to put us back on the "do not bug" list.