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New to timeshare and TUG: Discovery program question

willk39

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Hello All,

Apologies if I am in the wrong forum or should have attached to an existing thread. I didn't find anything that directly addressed my question.

From searching I see that there are varying views on the discovery program. I am wondering if purchase of your discovery points from a particular resort will lock them in as your home resort or do you only get a home resort after "real" points are purchased.

We just purchased 400k discovery points for use over 2 years from a presentation at the property at Smugglers Notch, VT. The cost was $3375. Part of our reasoning to purchase was that our vacation of 5 nights there (booked through the property itself) cost us about $3300 before the $350 Wyndham presentation discount.

We were also presented with a CWA proposal for 154k points that we can buy at the end for $23k which from what I am reading here would not be the best deal. Also the MF seems high as I calculated it as $6.99/1000.

I am looking for some overall advice on how to proceed as I have until tomorrow to rescind.
 

uscav8r

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As a former Discovery owner turned Club Wyndham VIP, I can tell you that you should absolutely rescind now.

#1, that price for a Discovery package is outrageous. The underlying MF on 400k points is around $2640 (or even less if you buy a low MF resort), so you are already $700 behind. They charged you that amount because you booked the resort like a hotel and that amount seemed “equitable”. I can tell you that I can book a week at Smuggs for winter getaways for less than $1000 if I do it right. If you go to Smuggs regularly, PM me.

The rest of the details for Discovery are moot since you should rescind anyway. But, no, where you bought the package has no bearing on your future “home” resort. I bought my DP at Grand Desert but later bought a deed at Bonnet Creek.

All Discovery does is get you a chance to experience the system along with the “opportunity” to overpay for retail points later. You can get the same experience by renting from existing owners.


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tschwa2

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I am on the other end. Discovery allows you actually use the system. Yes it is more expensive than the underlying MF but if you can afford it you are spending about $800 to learn how the system works, you do get VIP silver so you don't have to worry about housekeeping credits but should keep that additional expense should you choose to continue. If you find you don't like the system poof it's gone at the end. If you do like the system then you can look into resale or retail if you have loads of disposable income and want VIP.
 

uscav8r

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I am on the other end. Discovery allows you actually use the system. Yes it is more expensive than the underlying MF but if you can afford it you are spending about $800 to learn how the system works, you do get VIP silver so you don't have to worry about housekeeping credits but should keep that additional expense should you choose to continue. If you find you don't like the system poof it's gone at the end. If you do like the system then you can look into resale or retail if you have loads of disposable income and want VIP.

Except you don’t really learn how the system works. IIRC, you don’t get access to a website to book yourself. Everything has to be done through the Call Center. Any info you do get (resort points charts, etc.) are available from current owners. The Discovery Package was convenient and helpful before the Internet Age. Now it has become redundant.

Oh, and one can get into Discovery for a good $800-1000 less than what the OP quoted, so it is STILL a bad deal.


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tschwa2

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Except you don’t really learn how the system works. IIRC, you don’t get access to a website to book yourself. Everything has to be done through the Call Center. Any info you do get (resort points charts, etc.) are available from current owners. The Discovery Package was convenient and helpful before the Internet Age. Now it has become redundant.

Oh, and one can get into Discovery for a good $800-1000 less than what the OP quoted, so it is STILL a bad deal.


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I thought discovery members got web access nowadays (at least for the last 2 years)
 

uscav8r

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I thought discovery members got web access nowadays (at least for the last 2 years)

That certainly might be the case.


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Last edited:

willk39

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Thanks for all the quick responses folks. Just to provide the specs of our stays at Smuggs:

- 5 nights
- 2 bed premium
- week after 4th July

I am supposed to have web access, haven't set it up yet. Ultimately, if the going rate for 400,000 points in the Discovery program is available for a lot cheaper, I would rather not overpay!!!
 

CPNY

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Thanks for all the quick responses folks. Just to provide the specs of our stays at Smuggs:

- 5 nights
- 2 bed premium
- week after 4th July

I am supposed to have web access, haven't set it up yet. Ultimately, if the going rate for 400,000 points in the Discovery program is available for a lot cheaper, I would rather not overpay!!!
Rescind now. Stop writing on Here and write your letter lol
 
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