Never Thought I Would See The Day

[CO skier]

For the first time ever, I bought a 4-night Club Wyndham vacation outside of my ownership. It was advertised on eBay for less than $60/night in a 2 bedroom loft -- tax, everything included (waaaaay below what can be found in the TUG Timeshare Rentals Offered forum . The email confirmation indicated a Presidential Reserve reservation – not sure if that means anything.

It is not something I would have reserved using my points, but at <$60/night, it was too good to pass up no matter what the ski conditions may be in a month.

Covid-19 probably has something to do with the supply/demand balance and the price point.

If the stars (and 60-day availability) align, it may be true that Club Wyndham vacations may be reserved for less than maintenance fees. On the other hand, there is No Way I could reserve my week 52 ski vacation for less than maintenance fees.

 

[dgalati]

For the first time ever, I bought a 4-night Club Wyndham vacation outside of my ownership. It was advertised on eBay for less than $60/night in a 2 bedroom loft -- tax, everything included (waaaaay below what can be found in the TUG Timeshare Rentals Offered forum . The email confirmation indicated a Presidential Reserve reservation – not sure if that means anything.

It is not something I would have reserved using my points, but at <$60/night, it was too good to pass up no matter what the ski conditions may be in a month.

Covid-19 probably has something to do with the supply/demand balance and the price point.

If the stars (and 60-day availability) align, it may be true that Club Wyndham vacations may be reserved for less than maintenance fees. On the other hand, there is No Way I could reserve my week 52 ski vacation for less than maintenance fees.

This is what I have been talking about why use your own points to book if you can rent for less? Bargains galore when you are flexible with your travel plans. Its not only true but these deals are available every day to non VIP owners. Travel like a VIP without the upfront costs of purchasing VIP and more importantly without the burden of paying maintenance fees.

 

[chapjim]

Congrats on scoring a very good bargain. Sounds to me like the seller was desperate for whatever reason.

I don't get the "it may be true" part. You've been complaining for years about the "loop holes" that allow some owners to book with discounts and upgrades. Now you acknowledge that someday it might actually happen. Not only that, you've become a beneficiary, a partaker of the fruits of said "loop holes."

Come on in! The water's fine!

Edit: As for prices on the Rentals Offered forum, I would not expect to find real bargains there, certainly not deeply discounted bargains. My listings on TUG2.com are not priced the same as those on LMR.

 

[Ninjaneer80]

What's LMR ?

 

[Lisa P]

Last Minute (Timeshare) Rentals - it's a section on these forums.

 

[dgalati]

What's LMR ?

Last minute rentals. Great way to enjoy the resorts for less then paying maintenance fees!

Wyndham Emerald Grande (Destin, FL), 3BR Deluxe Pool View, February 26-March 11

Thirteen nights, $1,495 PM me, please!

tugbbs.com

 

[CO skier]

I don't get the "it may be true" part. You've been complaining for years about the "loop holes" that allow some owners to book with discounts and upgrades. Now you acknowledge that someday it might actually happen. Not only that, you've become a beneficiary, a partaker of the fruits of said "loop holes."

You and maybe others may have missed the full context of my opposition to the cancel/rebook and cancel-cancel/rebook/upgrade scam that is no more, as summarized in this post from 2016.

[2016] Account review email [Accts. suspended]

As other poster's have touched on, the answer is that comes from Wyndham's right at 60 days to secure reservations from available inventory. They are just assigning that right to VIP owners on a transactional basis. They technically could grant VIP owners the right to reserve inventory free of...

tugbbs.com

VIP discounts within 60 days are a nice benefit. I think the idea is fine when it is used to reserve genuinely unloved units within 60 days.

Where things go wrong is when that benefit is used to convert premium units reserved at 13 months and 10 months (that would obviously never just sit in availability until 60 days), into discounted units reserved within 60 days.

 

[CO skier]

Sounds to me like the seller was desperate for whatever reason.

There are about a dozen similar eBay auctions for the same resort, different dates in ski season, still available. It must just be where the market is (many of the auctions expire without any interest). Definitely not a one-off situation.

 

[dioxide45]

Not a wyndham owner here, but I must admit that I have been on the lookout for some potential bargain rentals at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I need to see for myself what the hype is about. Seems like a cheaper alternative to buying Wyndham myself.

 

[CO skier]

Edit: As for prices on the Rentals Offered forum, I would not expect to find real bargains there, certainly not deeply discounted bargains.

Rentals Offered is a sub-forum of the Last Minute Timeshare Rentals forum, and that is where the "bargains" are.

 

[CO skier]

Not a wyndham owner here, but I must admit that I have been on the lookout for some potential bargain rentals at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I need to see for myself what the hype is about. Seems like a cheaper alternative to buying Wyndham myself.

2 Bedroom Deluxe at Bonnet Creek for less than $90/night

WYNDHAM BONNET CREEK (2) BEDROOM DELUXE CONDO; 2/8 - 4 NIGHTS | eBay

The Renter agrees not to exceed the maximum occupancy for the condo assigned. Renter agrees that no pets shall be allowed in condo. Continue straight on to RT536. Pass through the Walt Disney World gateway sign.

www.ebay.com

ORLANDO FL--WYNDHAM BONNET CREEK--2BR DELUXE--4 NIGHTS--MAR 1- 5 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ORLANDO FL--WYNDHAM BONNET CREEK--2BR DELUXE--4 NIGHTS--MAR 1- 5 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Extreme discounts are probably due to the current Covid-19 travel reluctance, so don't wait for next year.

 

[dioxide45]

Question I have, how does a deluxe compare to presidential at Bonnet Creek?

 

[Lisa P]

Same basic room amenities (floorplans, in-room jacuzzi, in-room washer/dryer, flat screen TVs, etc.) and the Deluxe units are very nice. The Pres. units have special ceiling features in the LR/DR, granite countertops, stainless appliances, more plush furniture in the LR and DR (ex., regular sofa in the 2BR/3BR/4BR Pres. LR, not a sleeper). While the balcony of a Deluxe unit will have 2 chairs and a small drink table, the balcony of a Pres. unit will have a dinette table with 4 chairs. We stretch our points by reserving Deluxe units because we find them nicely appointed and well-stocked, but the Pres. units are really very upscale and attractive.

The 4BR Pres. has 2 king MBR suites, each with an en suite jacuzzi & separate shower, 2 double-double BRs & 2 hallway bathrooms, and the balcony has 4 additional chairs, 2 lounge chairs and 3 additional drink tables. Also, while there are a handful of 4BR Pres. scattered around the resort, Tower 6 has most of them along with all of the 1BR/2BR/3BR Pres. units... as well as its own check-in lobby and more convenient access to the Wyndham Grand Orlando hotel & its amenities (restaurants, bars, fitness center, pirate ship pool complex) in the next building adjacent to Tower 6.

 

[CO skier]

Question I have, how does a deluxe compare to presidential at Bonnet Creek?

About $50/night less versus a Presidential, if this auction is any indication.

Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Orlando FL 2 Bedroom Presidential 6 nights March 10-16 | eBay

You buy 6 nights at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek, Orlando, Florida in a 2 Bedroom Presidential (NONSMOKING). Checking in March10 at 4 pm check out March 16 at 10 am. There is magic in allowing yourself to get lost in your vacation.

www.ebay.com

 

[chapjim]

Rentals Offered is a sub-forum of the Last Minute Timeshare Rentals forum, and that is where the "bargains" are.

Sorry!! I meant the Timeshares for Rent over on the Marketplace - TUG2.com.

 

[dgalati]

Not a wyndham owner here, but I must admit that I have been on the lookout for some potential bargain rentals at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I need to see for myself what the hype is about. Seems like a cheaper alternative to buying Wyndham myself.

You are 100% correct in saying "a cheaper alternative to buying Wyndham". Renting Wyndham from a VIP in the 60 day discount window can be less then 1/2 of paying maintenance fees on a non VIP ownership. LMR always has a few bargains. The key is to be flexible with your travel plans and find a VIP owner that passes along their 50% discount and free room upgrades. Examples below of 1 week stays 2 bedroom deluxe and a 2 bedroom presidential.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek, 2 BR Deluxe, Feb 27-March 6. $550

PM me, please!

tugbbs.com

Wyndham Bonnet Creek, 2BR Presidential, January 30-February 6. $750

PM me, please!

tugbbs.com

 

[Family_travel]

For the first time ever, I bought a 4-night Club Wyndham vacation outside of my ownership. It was advertised on eBay for less than $60/night in a 2 bedroom loft -- tax, everything included (waaaaay below what can be found in the TUG Timeshare Rentals Offered forum . The email confirmation indicated a Presidential Reserve reservation – not sure if that means anything.

It is not something I would have reserved using my points, but at <$60/night, it was too good to pass up no matter what the ski conditions may be in a month.

Covid-19 probably has something to do with the supply/demand balance and the price point.

If the stars (and 60-day availability) align, it may be true that Club Wyndham vacations may be reserved for less than maintenance fees. On the other hand, there is No Way I could reserve my week 52 ski vacation for less than maintenance fees.

Before we had a child in school, we would always travel off season and/or get last minute deals. 60 days in advance is a long time to those with flexible work vacation policies and not tied to a school calendar. Now I have to set a calendar appointment to make sure I can get something for spring break or the one week in summer when all the cousins are free.

 

[montygz]

It's a renter's market right now. Supply and demand 101.

Getting $60 a night is better than getting $0. People have expiring points to dump or just need the cash.

"I'm not going to rent my unit because the prices are too cheap," is a fine strategy -- if you don't need the money.

I discovered timeshare renting about 14 years ago when the economy was down and got some tremendous bargains. I once got a week at Bonnet Creek for $200 on Ebay.

Eventually, the economy got better, rental rates climbed, so I bought an inexpensive contract. Owning isn't all bad even with a depressed market. You can find lots of great exchanges.

Some of these people picking up cheap rentals may end up like me -- eventually buying and helping keep the timeshare business afloat.

 

[dgalati]

It's a renter's market right now. Supply and demand 101.

Getting $60 a night is better than getting $0. People have expiring points to dump or just need the cash.

"I'm not going to rent my unit because the prices are too cheap," is a fine strategy -- if you don't need the money.

I discovered timeshare renting about 14 years ago when the economy was down and got some tremendous bargains. I once got a week at Bonnet Creek for $200 on Ebay.

Eventually, the economy got better, rental rates climbed, so I bought an inexpensive contract. Owning isn't all bad even with a depressed market. You can find lots of great exchanges.

Some of these people picking up cheap rentals may end up like me -- eventually buying and helping keep the timeshare business afloat.

Its a all you can eat seafood buffet at a 50% discounted price. IMHO

 

[jules54]

As Montygz wrote 2020 and now 2021 are year that are not the norm in timeshare rentals. So few people traveling. I agree owners are renting to recoup or less maintenance fees. I banked some points with RCI which I rarely do, but they have a good selection of resorts in Mexico where we love to spend the winter. I rolled at least half of my Gold VIP points over to 2022 cause I figured 2021 would be sparse for at least 6 months. I agree the market will come back(I hope). I have a different company program in Mexico and after the US mandatory testing to return to US went into effect and Canada cancelled all outgoing flights WOW talk about a hit. My Canadians couldn’t come some renting 3 weeks, several of my US renters are afraid to come, which I can’t blame them everyone has to make their own choices. We are already here came in 1/9 not going home till 3/6. Then on top of everything else my resort top renter for me closed on 2/6 because of lack of occupancy. Resort group Moved existing reservations to a sister resort which is gorgeous. Even gave everyone a choice of 2 resorts. So when your resort actually closes what can you do? I feel lucky the company just didn’t say GO HOME NOW, on the other hand Mexico is desperate for our dollars. I gave full refunds to most of my people unless there were a different circumstance involved.
Sorry I got a bit off topic. 2021 fall and 2022 look bright so hold on. Hope for the best plan for the worse.

 

[jules54]

For the first time ever, I bought a 4-night Club Wyndham vacation outside of my ownership. It was advertised on eBay for less than $60/night in a 2 bedroom loft -- tax, everything included (waaaaay below what can be found in the TUG Timeshare Rentals Offered forum . The email confirmation indicated a Presidential Reserve reservation – not sure if that means anything.

It is not something I would have reserved using my points, but at <$60/night, it was too good to pass up no matter what the ski conditions may be in a month.

Covid-19 probably has something to do with the supply/demand balance and the price point.

If the stars (and 60-day availability) align, it may be true that Club Wyndham vacations may be reserved for less than maintenance fees. On the other hand, there is No Way I could reserve my week 52 ski vacation for less than maintenance fees.

Sent you a PM

 

[CO skier]

Late Update. The ski conditions were excellent and a week after the trip, my son left for Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego. (It was kind of a Marine Corps Recruit Mardi Gras kind of trip; there was some excellent food, too, to go along with the superior skiing).

This is a picture of him about to "drop-in" off the cornice ... on telemark skis. He might have enjoyed the 10th Mountain Division instead of the Marines, but that was well before his time.