need advice on buying

[jlredmon]

guys, i need your expert advice.

i am about to pull the trigger on 350,000 point package for star island orlando and was wondering if the points would trade with rci, II, or both. they are wyndham fsp points. i would have about 3,000 total with closing plus MF of 135 month.

also, is this as great of a deal as i think it is? i am looking for points to trade, not necessarily to stay at this resort. any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

jeff

 

[karentrimmer]

They will trade with II since Star Island only trades with II and not RCI - at least that is how I understand it.

 

[donnaval]

It will depend on what Wyndham decides to do with you--they might give you an II membership, or they might force you into RCI. Things to consider:

Do you currently own with Wyndham? If so, they will automatically put these points into your current account.

If you don't currently own with Wyndham - They will say that the current owner's exchange company determines who you get--in other words, if the current owner has an RCI account through Wyndham, then you will get an RCI account even if you want II (I am currently in a battle with Wyndham over this issue). On the other hand, if you do want RCI but the current owner has an II account, then your account will be set up with II no matter what.

So, be sure to check with the current owner to see who he/she exchanges with. If it's II and you want RCI, then it might be a good idea for you to pick up a super-cheap Wyndham points account that exchanges through RCI and have that established before you add this package to your holdings. It can take months for Wyndham to set up your account, unfortunately.

Good luck. Wyndham has become so owner-UNfriendly lately.

 

[Bill4728]

The people best able to give you advice about buying Wyndham, are mostly on the Wyndham board. So I'm moving this thread there.

 

[jlredmon]

i do not currently own wyndham, but i think they have a great selection in the south, which is where i normally vacation. i have relatives that used to work for them and they seem to like wyndham, but then again, they could have been "brainwhashed".lol

donnaval, thanks so much for your info. i am currently trying to find which account the owner has II or RCI.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Is this a converted week ownership? Some are at Star Island. Don't own a Wyndham unit there and this property is NOT Wyndham managed...

I do like the resort ... they managing company has started to redecorate the units. My unit has been done ... real pretty.

FYI,

 

[jlredmon]

i dont know if its converted or not, i will ask and see. i called the resort to ask them a few questions, but they didnt know much about wyndham, i understand why now. i visit orlando about once a year, i do not necessarily have to buy there. i could buy somewhere else with points and use them there i suppose. i have heard good things about star island and thought this was a good deal, but if i am going to have problems trading points, then that another story, thanks for the info, jeff

 

[vacationhopeful]

There are many people here on the boards who like II for trading hands down over RCI - different mini-systems (like Marriott) and more resorts in a different location (Key West for example).

Plus as Wyndham does NOT manage Star Island the MF for my 3bdr/2bath lockout are only $815 a year including RE taxes. You will have to pay $.53 per thousand as a FSP fee which brings that up to $974. I could have pulled 10 days ago, a 2/2 Marriott in Phuket, Thailand for Mar 1 with my SI deposited small studio - yes, a flex-exchange.

So, the real questions are:
What are the MF at other Wyndhams with that point level?
Do you want II or RCI as you exchange company?
If converted fixed week, do you want that particular time as you ARP? If not a converted fixed week, is this where you want your ARP? Do you have another resort area where you would rather have ARP?

 

[jlredmon]

vacationhopeful,

thanks so much for your reply, i am so glad that i have found this website, i have learned so much from reading these threads, but, i have a question.

if it is a converted week, then what are the restrictions? i do not have to buy now, i am just looking for a good deal. if i bought in the destin, fl. area or smoky mountains, i would probably use as a home resort more.

i am new to this, but have been looking for years but have managed to bypass the sales pitch!

what i would like is to have enough points that i could stay a week or possibly sun. through thurs. and maybe rent a week out. so, thats what i am looking at but i dont know anything about II and little about RCI, just that RCI has more resorts. any info that you have would be appreciated. i have became a member here, just havent recieved my reply email yet.

i do not have to buy now, but could. thanks, jeff

 

[Timeshare Von]

Depending on when you want to go to Orlando, it is an easy (and inexpensive) exchange to get to via RCI or their bonus vacation programs. The exception would be Christmas and probably Thanksgiving in terms of ease to obtain.

Personally I wouldn't buy in Florida given the high fees.