Manhattan Club FEES

[CaliDave]

Madge,

I just read a thread about Manhattan Club now charging $25/day for exchangers into a 1bd.

I have a confirmation that says nothing about it, but when I go online to the confirmation the fee is now listed. Will I be required to pay this fee , even though I was confirmed before it was implimented?

I think it highly unfair to institute a $175 charge on exchangers that already have confirmations.
If I was to cancel now, I would lose my exchange fee and trading power of my week. Which is not even an option since I already have airfare.

Since most of your members never go online to see the updated confirmations, I'd have to guess this is going to be a huge surprise to them at checkin.

I got a letter from RCI stating that I could cancel and book another exchange. Will my trading power be reinstated?

Dave

 

[TravelSFO]

WOW! This fee was not implemented when we booked our week!

From RCI's site listing for the Manhattan Club:

THE RESORT CHARGES A MANDATORY HOSPITALITY FEE FOR GUESTS. THE FEES ARE: US$15/NIGHT FOR STUDIO UNITS AND US$25/NIGHT FOR 1 BEDROOM UNITS. THE FEE WILL BE COLLECTED BY CREDIT CARD AT CHECK-IN. A US$300 SECURITY DEPOSIT WILL BE COLLECTED AT CHECK-IN. PARKING IS EXTREMELY LIMITED, NOT GUARANTEED AND EXPENSIVE. THE RESORT IS UNABLE TO CHANGE CHECK-IN DAYS. THE DATES CONFIRMED ARE THE DATES THAT WILL BE HONORED. RESORT OFFERS 2 UNIT TYPES: STUDIO AND 1 BEDROOM. THE RESORT WILL PLACE GUESTS INTO THE UNIT TYPE CONFIRMED. THE RESORT WILL NOT UPGRADE GUESTS TO LARGER UNITS.

What is RCI going to do in regard to all the exchangers who were not made aware of this fee at the time of exchange confirmation?

 

[wauhob3]

Madge I just looked and RCI changed my online confirmation too. I don't mind paying the fee if I agree to it at the time of exchange but for it to be added after the fact is not acceptable. I already received a letter saying I didn't really have a one bedroom but a studio and I could cancel yet nothing was mentioned then about there also being additional fees. Its too late to cancel now that I have airfare. Is this charge really going to apply for those who have been confirmed for a long time after its to late to change? If so is RCI offering any compensation?

 

[Sandy VDH]

I have 2 units booked, exchanging in less than a month. I will be less than happy to now pay an additional $50 per day for the two units. That is NOT the terms I agreed to when I booked the unit. I Have NO intention of paying, that is ridiculous, they should grandfather in those who have already made there reservations before the rule was changed. Madge, Please advise ASAP.

 

[Cayuga]

Madge,
I too just checked my online confirmation and saw the reference (added recently) about the new fees. It seems to me that this must be some kind of breach of contract issue. It's a sleazy way of increasing revenue in the name of "hospitality" fees.

This expense was added after the fact and was not part of the original transaction! My reservation was made months ago! There was no due and timely notice for this assessment. It should have only been imposed on new reservations and not existing ones such as has been mentioned by the above posters.

RCI needs to step in on behalf of its client/members and advocate for a change in policy for those affected!

 

[Madge]

Calidave,

Manhattan Club provides an upscale vacation. I was there myself a couple of years ago and was honestly surprised at the level of service provided without any additional fees. I can appreciate that this news delivered unexpectedly, especially if on short notice, would not be welcome in the least. However, resorts are at liberty to change policies with regard to services and fees. RCI then notifies its members of the changes.

Manhattan Club is a valued client and they provide a wonderful vacation option for our members. Whenever possible, we will try to support their operational needs. We recognize that without our members, we could not exist -- but $175 for services at this particular resort in Manhattan for a week does not seem out of line. Regardless, it is still the resort's decision.

I'm sorry to hear of the consternation this has caused many of you. I just hope that you'll find your experience at the resort to be worth every penny.

 

[CaliDave]

I got a letter from RCI stating that I could cancel and book another exchange. Will my trading power be reinstated?

Dave

Madge,

Thank you for the response. Could you answer the second part of my post? I'd appreciate it.

Dave

 

[SBK]

Calidave,

Manhattan Club provides an upscale vacation. I was there myself a couple of years ago and was honestly surprised at the level of service provided without any additional fees. I can appreciate that this news delivered unexpectedly, especially if on short notice, would not be welcome in the least. However, resorts are at liberty to change policies with regard to services and fees. RCI then notifies its members of the changes.

Manhattan Club is a valued client and they provide a wonderful vacation option for our members. Whenever possible, we will try to support their operational needs. We recognize that without our members, we could not exist -- but $175 for services at this particular resort in Manhattan for a week does not seem out of line. Regardless, it is still the resort's decision.

I'm sorry to hear of the consternation this has caused many of you. I just hope that you'll find your experience at the resort to be worth every penny.

This still does not address the question of whether it is appropiate or fair to charge this fee to people who had confirmed their reservations before this charge was announced.

 

[Madge]

Calidave,

Trading Power is maintained for those members who wish to cancel their Manhattan Club exchanges, provided they confirmed prior to the time the new hospitality fee was applied.

 

[Madge]

This still does not address the question of whether it is appropiate or fair to charge this fee to people who had confirmed their reservations before this charge was announced.

SBK,

Resorts are at liberty by contract to apply policies and fees to RCI exchange vacations as they deem necessary. Sometimes they may feel they can grandfather guests who were confirmed prior to a policy change, and sometimes they may not. We cannot issue mandates to resorts about their operational practices.

In extreme situations, we might be prompted to reconsider our relationship with a resort - say, a resort decides that running water is no longer necessary, etc. However, the situation with Manhattan Club is not so extreme. This resort provides a terrific vacation experience, and we fully expect that we will continue to experience high demand for Manhattan Club going forward.

Because the rules were changing mid-stream, we felt an obligation to notify our members right away and offer no-penalty cancellations. The latter is not our standard practice. We believe our response to this change has demonstrated our commitment to the satisfaction of both our affiliated resort and our visiting members.

 

[Neil Bock]

I really don't see that we will make use of many of the services which are to be covered by the $175 taxation on exchangers. I won't have a car to park,I won't use the "business" center, the concierge has already turned me off when I called about tickets to a dance presentation at NYU. She simply told me, "We don't do those, with no suggestion of help." Is a mini-kitchen a service? At my resort, it's considered part of the fixture and equipment.

I wouldn't be so opposed to paying if it were assessed on all occupants, owners and exchangers alike. If I rented the week from an owner, would I have to pay?

What percentage of occupancy is exchange guests and what part is owner usage?

 

[Kevin]

Because the rules were changing mid-stream, we felt an obligation to notify our members right away and offer no-penalty cancellations. The latter is not our standard practice. We believe our response to this change has demonstrated our commitment to the satisfaction of both our affiliated resort and our visiting members.

Madge,

I don't think RCI has demonstrated any sort of "commitment to satisfy" me, as a member... at all.

Giving me the option to cancel a reservation that we have had planned since last year is not a very good option, IMHO. Granted, MC is the party who apparently "changed the rules"... but, lets not get carried away.

There is nothing I can do if we want to go to MC. Let's just agree to disagree.

Kevin

 

[Madge]

Kevin,

Giving up our exchange fees in the event of cancellation may not seem like a significant gesture; however, I assure you that it is.

Since we, 1) cannot control the rules and policies of affiliated resorts, 2) in this case would certainly not wish to consider ending our relationship with our resort client, and 3) have no other affiliated resorts in the area to offer as alternatives, our allowing confirmed members to "change their minds" without any penalty from RCI is noteworthy.

We simply did not have the option here to make Manhattan Club grandfather previously confirmed members. However, I can appreciate the frustration this change would cause.

 

[Madge]

I really don't see that we will make use of many of the services which are to be covered by the $175 taxation on exchangers...

What percentage of occupancy is exchange guests and what part is owner usage?

Neil,

The $175 also covers daily maid service. It's very thorough and units are kept just immaculate. I recently talked to someone who had elected to pay $40 per day for daily maid service at a resort in North Carolina. Even excluding all other services, Manhattan Club is getting $25 for the same service.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

Most city resorts include daily maid service, because they are more like hotels, even with small kitchens, than big resorts. I would hate to see this become a trend. If we pay $600 per year Mf and $150 to exchange we are already paying $750 for the week without adding an additional $175, thus making the week $925. Maybe reasonable for New York, but wasn't timesharing supposed to save us some money? Or is that just the line used to sell the timeshares?
Liz

 

[Madge]

Most city resorts include daily maid service, because they are more like hotels,

Liz,

This has not been my experience. I stayed at Wilshire Club (8245) in Manhattan a couple of years ago and loved it. There was no housekeeping provided. I believe there was a towel exchange, but that's all.

It is our goal to offer more and more variety in vacation options through RCI. This makes it certain that individual members will prefer some experiences over others. However, it is still valuable overall for RCI to provide the options for those who want them.

 

[candid]

Most city resorts include daily maid service, because they are more like hotels, even with small kitchens, than big resorts. I would hate to see this become a trend. If we pay $600 per year Mf and $150 to exchange we are already paying $750 for the week without adding an additional $175, thus making the week $925. Maybe reasonable for New York, but wasn't timesharing supposed to save us some money? Or is that just the line used to sell the timeshares?
Liz

If you don't want to exchange your week you can certainly rent a unit in a hotel...a hotel right by Carnagie Hall and Manhatten CLub would cost about $2000 a week...FYI owning a timeshare at Manhatten Club would cost about $50,000 for a studio. It is one of the highest rated resolts in the RCI system in terms of both trading power and VEP. Many people try to get that exchange for years with no luck.

 

[HuskyJim]

The $175 also covers daily maid service. It's very thorough and units are kept just immaculate.

If this is for maid service, can we opt not to have the service daily?

I see no additional benefit for the $175, except as profit to the MC.

I agree with other posters - the service provided at the MC is not "above and beyond" other resorts. The value of trading in to the MC is "location, location, location"! The owners are just trying to increase revenue at the expense of us traders.

Jim

 

[JEFF H]

Since we, 1) cannot control the rules and policies of affiliated resorts.

Surely RCI has a set of basic rules and regulations included in all resort affiliation contracts that govern how RCI exchange guests are to be serviced
by member resorts.
One of thoes basic rules should Be exchange guests are not EXPLOITED
by the member resorts.
Basic accomadation services should be included in Maintenance fee's and paid by owners.
Extra charges for service like daily house keeping,parking,health ETC are ok if they are voluntary for thoes guests wishing to use said services.

The Fact that RCI does not include such rules in the affiliation contracts has the effect of allowing the resorts to EXPLOIT exchange guests in this way.
RCI needs to accept responsibility for their part of the blame for this.

If I know the fees upfront befor making the exchange its then my choice to accept the exchange and pay the fees or find a different exchange.
I can accept that.
RCI should at a minmum have a affiliation rule that protects members if new fees are Introduced. they should only apply to exchanges made after the rule change for the reason I and others have already expressed.

 

[Kevin]

Surely RCI has a set of basic rules and regulations included in all resort affiliation contracts that govern how RCI exchange guests are to be serviced
by member resorts.
One of thoes basic rules should Be exchange guests are not EXPLOITED
by the member resorts.
Basic accomadation services should be included in Maintenance fee's and paid by owners.
Extra charges for service like daily house keeping,parking,health ETC are ok if they are voluntary for thoes guests wishing to use said services.

The Fact that RCI does not include such rules in the affiliation contracts has the effect of allowing the resorts to EXPLOIT exchange guests in this way.
RCI needs to accept responsibility for their part of the blame for this.

If I know the fees upfront befor making the exchange its then my choice to accept the exchange and pay the fees or find a different exchange.
I can accept that.
RCI should at a minmum have a affiliation rule that protects members if new fees are Introduced. they should only apply to exchanges made after the rule change for the reason I and others have already expressed.

Ditto!

 

[Sydney]

[Withdrew my comments as didn't realise that this is the Ask RCI forum.]

 

[TravelSFO]

If this is for maid service, can we opt not to have the service daily?

Jim, we asked for MC to waive the hospitality fee if we waived daily housekeeping. The answer was, No. I agree with your thoughts that the fee is a moneymaker for the MC.

 

[maiwah]

Calidave,

Trading Power is maintained for those members who wish to cancel their Manhattan Club exchanges, provided they confirmed prior to the time the new hospitality fee was applied.

I believe Madge answered your second question.

I was at Manhattan Club earlier. It was my first time. To be honest, I was surprised by the quality daily services. Godiva Coffee, popcorn are included daily. I think the daily service fee is well worth for Manhattan accomodation.

Mai-Wah

 

[Dave M]

Because this thread has evolved into a discussion, I am closing it.

This forum is only for questions of Madge. Those wishing to discuss issues raised here should do so on the Exchanging forum or another appropriate forum.