Point systems compared...

[ace2000]

I've got a good one for those of you who have ownership in at least two different point systems...

I'm wondering if you can tell me which of your multiple point systems that you own that you like the best. If you'd like, the reply can be as simple as this...

For example, I personally prefer my RCI points vs. Wyndham points because I can pick from the RCI online inventory.



P.S. I'm especially curious to know where Bluegreen points stand on your list and also the Diamond point system, but don't want to restrict it to just those.

TIA! and sorry if this has been asked before.

 

[rhonda]

Oh, how fun! I prefer my Worldmark points vs. DVC points because ...

• Worldmark allows me to book reservations online.
• Worldmark applies my oldest points to earliest upcoming reservation (First In, First Out; Thank you, FLYNZ4!).
• Worldmark's method of banking/borrowing points is far more generous than DVC's.
• Worldmark isn't tied to "home resort" -- all resorts are available to each owner at 13 months.
• Worldmark is dual-affiliated with RCI/II and allows owners to maintain individual membership with the exchange company.
• Worldmark allows me to increase/decrease my point ownership easily. (DVC requires buying/selling full contracts.)
• Worldmark allows owners to transfer points across accounts. (DVC does also - but only one transfer per year.)
• Worldmark's Exchange Plus program allows other timeshare to become "one time use" WM points. (A variation of "Reverse Exchange.")
• Worldmark's MF increase is capped at 5% annually; DVC's at 15%.
• Worldmark allows discounted exchanges in the "last minute" windows for both RCI/II: 4000 WM credits, equivalent to a blue studio, books anything available in II at 59-days and RCI at 45-days.

And the obvious, Worldmark has more locations than DVC ... especially within easy reach from home.

 

[ace2000]

I own points in both RCI and Wyndham. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably go for less Wyndham points, and more RCI points. I like being able to search the RCI weeks inventory and I believe I get more for the money and more value with my RCI investment.

Unfortunately, I own a lot more Wyndham than I do RCI points right now! I'd still like having some Wyndham (mostly for trading purposes in RCI weeks), just not as much as I currently own.

 

[lprstn]

I prefer the Wyndham points, because they have a large number of internal resorts and locations that I love going to, and its nice to be able to go through Plus Partners for RCI points (option I got when I bought some developer points), as well as being able to get decent trades through RCI weeks.

 

[ace2000]

I prefer the Wyndham points, because they have a large number of internal resorts and locations that I love going to, and its nice to be able to go through Plus Partners for RCI points (option I got when I bought some developer points), as well as being able to get decent trades through RCI weeks.

For me, I'm starting to enjoy the non-Wyndham resorts better... As long as I research the resort on TUG first (important!). I probably haven't been to as many Wyndhams as you have though.

IMO, there seems to be a lot more deviation between good and bad with the non-Wyndhams, so the research really pays off. The Wyndhams are a lot more consistent.

Overall, I'm satisfied with my Wyndham purchases, in spite of the recent changes... all purchased off of eBay.

 

[ace2000]

After thinking about it, maybe it's the combination of the two systems that I enjoy (RCI points with Wyndham points).

Again, mostly because I can search the Weeks inventory - with the RCI points account... and then book the exchange with my Weeks account - with the deposits from my Wyndham points.

I still feel that I have too many points with Wyndham though, and am thinking of selling some.

Still wondering about other systems... Without being involved with any of them directly, it's hard to know if you're in the best one!

I'm hopeful that this discussion may draw some of those opinions about the other companies out...

 

[janej]

Again, mostly because I can search the Weeks inventory - with the RCI points account... and then book the exchange with my Weeks account - with the deposits from my Wyndham points.

How do you do that? I can see a lot more with my RCI points. When I call RCI Wyndham number, I almost always got the "that week is not available" line. It seems like Wyndham deposit does not have much trading power at all with RCI.

 

[ace2000]

How do you do that? I can see a lot more with my RCI points. When I call RCI Wyndham number, I almost always got the "that week is not available" line. It seems like Wyndham deposit does not have much trading power at all with RCI.

If 'it's not available' then you don't have enough trading power banked to book it.

I've got enough points that if I hear that line, I can ask what I would need to deposit to see it, and they will tell me. I would guess anyone could.

 

[ausman]

It seems like Wyndham deposit does not have much trading power at all with RCI.

Describing them as average is generous.

However, the way to use them to advantage is to book other Wyndham resorts. The internal preference WYN to WYN exists.

 

[lprstn]

I think all in all its a personal preference. I too go to a lot of non-wyndham resorts. I love my Sheraton and I also do a person to person trade with my Marriott friend, and other friends that own at various locations. However, for me and the way we travel (which we go somewhere every month - within driving distance) I usually go through RCI to book my week long vacations, sometimes using my Sheraton to pull different locations and booking them with my Wyndham (although when I travel and where I travel, my Wyndham does fine without me using my Sheraton as bait). Then I use my left over Wyndham points to go to AC, VA, PA, MA, TN for long weekends. There is not a holiday I spend at home, and considering that I purchased most all of my points resale, and upgraded to be able to turn my Sheraton 1 week into Wyndham possible 3 weeks. I am content with what I have for my family's style of travel. Now I know I can't get Manhattan Club, but I don't care, as I have friends that live in NY, and I visit them often enough by driving 3 hours to New Jersey and catching the train in to NY for a day at a show or shopping. So, consider the type of program that would work best for you and you will be most happy.

 

[Pit]

Describing them as average is generous.

However, the way to use them to advantage is to book other Wyndham resorts. The internal preference WYN to WYN exists.

Curious. Are you talking about Wyn-2-Wyn via RCI, or internal exchange within Wyn?

 

[geekette]

I only own Bluegreen points, which was one of your curiosities, but I can't compare as I do not own another points system. Since there are no BG responses yet, figured I'd chip in.

There are no reservation fees, no 'guest certificate fees', great reservationists (helpful, friendly, knowledgeable...). It's a flexible system, allowing you to choose for deposit a week you select (if it's available, and if the exchange company accepts that unit\week). This allows you to generally attain the level of trading power you need, spending the number of points you wish to spend for your desired exchange.

Bonus Time and Traveller's Plus are decent benefits available to all owners (important note: not generally available to resale purchasers). BT allows you to save your points and spend modest amounts of cash for your stays. Full and partial weeks are available with points and BT, so you don't have to book a full week when all you really want is 4 nights.

They don't nickel and dime, and seem to genuinely care about their owners. They do a good job of balancing the needs of the business with the cost\benefit to\for owners. They care about ALL owners and do not attempt to screw the lower-points-ownerships to cater to the higher-points-ownerships. Altho, of course, there are more benefits in being a high point owner. I think it's a well-run company.

The quality is generally consistent, altho some of the older resorts they have inventory in may appeal more to the Location advocates than the Quality folks. resorts owned/managed by BG are well-staffed. I don't know how they keep their employees happy, but I've not yet come across a "bad" employee - they are generally very warm, friendly and helpful (please note, I do not include sales people in this assessment as they are a completely different breed with some good, some bad - always a crapshoot).

I have no reason to own another system.

 

[ace2000]

I only own Bluegreen points, which was one of your curiosities, but I can't compare as I do not own another points system. Since there are no BG responses yet, figured I'd chip in.

There are no reservation fees, no 'guest certificate fees', great reservationists (helpful, friendly, knowledgeable...). It's a flexible system, allowing you to choose for deposit a week you select (if it's available, and if the exchange company accepts that unit\week). This allows you to generally attain the level of trading power you need, spending the number of points you wish to spend for your desired exchange.

Bonus Time and Traveller's Plus are decent benefits available to all owners (important note: not generally available to resale purchasers). BT allows you to save your points and spend modest amounts of cash for your stays. Full and partial weeks are available with points and BT, so you don't have to book a full week when all you really want is 4 nights.

They don't nickel and dime, and seem to genuinely care about their owners. They do a good job of balancing the needs of the business with the cost\benefit to\for owners. They care about ALL owners and do not attempt to screw the lower-points-ownerships to cater to the higher-points-ownerships. Altho, of course, there are more benefits in being a high point owner. I think it's a well-run company.

The quality is generally consistent, altho some of the older resorts they have inventory in may appeal more to the Location advocates than the Quality folks. resorts owned/managed by BG are well-staffed. I don't know how they keep their employees happy, but I've not yet come across a "bad" employee - they are generally very warm, friendly and helpful (please note, I do not include sales people in this assessment as they are a completely different breed with some good, some bad - always a crapshoot).

I have no reason to own another system.

Great post! Thank you. And thanks for your information Rhonda, on the Worldmark system!

 

[TheWizz]

I own RCI Weeks/Points and DRI THE Club Points. I personally prefer the online system for RCI, but prefer the actual Points system for Diamond. It gives me access to Interval (II Gold membership included) via Points exchange, not weeks, so I can book 3 days or 1 week within II. I can also book 2 days to 2 months on Diamond and have done so with no problem. I also can get cash credit back for my points for options like air miles or cruises. I think DRI THE Club is very flexible and offers a lot of options.

 

[Dean]

Late I know. I own DVC points, BG points, RCI points and an individual resort that works on points. I use them in different ways and each has it's benefits. Overall BG is likely the most flexible and value, esp if you own at least enough points to be Gold or Platinum. BG can trade in II and RCI on the weeks side and BG with RCI weeks seems to complement RCI points (and points for deposit) very well. BG does control certain unit types that are deposited but do not control the week or resort deposited as Wyndham does. I only use DVC for WDW or rent it out otherwise.

 

[Aussiedog]

Since OPs have provided great detail, I will simply chime in to say that my personal ranking of the points systems I own is:

Worldmark
Bluegreen
Wyndham

Further, if Bluegreen had a better on-line portal for owner reservations they would go to the top of my list for all the reasons listed by Geekette.

Ann