Resort Fees on II exchange? What next?

[Saaz124]

Just got the welcome email for my II exchange and they are charging me $15.95 per day for the use of the pools, grills, play areas etc. I already paid II several hundred dollars just for the trade. Is this normal? I've only done one other exchange and there were no fees on that one. This is getting ridiculous.

 

[tschwa2]

Just got the welcome email for my II exchange and they are charging me $15.95 per day for the use of the pools, grills, play areas etc. I already paid II several hundred dollars just for the trade. Is this normal? I've only done one other exchange and there were no fees on that one. This is getting ridiculous.

which resort. Diamond has been charging them for awhile. RCI seems to encourage resorts to charge extra fees. So yes it is becoming normalized.

 

[Saaz124]

Sedona Summit. They said they have done it from the beginning.

 

[dioxide45]

If you are still within 24 hours of exchange booking, you can cancel. These fees should also be disclosed during the exchange process online.

 

[PamMo]

Diamond started charging resort fees awhile ago, but Interval exchanges were somehow exempt, even though RCI exchangers had to pay it. I stayed at Sedona Ridge (another Diamond Resort in Sedona) for six consecutive weeks in the same room last winter and had to pay the fee on my RCI exchanges, but not the Interval ones. [Edited] I just went over an upcoming Interval exchange into Sedona Ridge reservation, and DON'T see the resort fee on it. I thought I saw it somewhere earlier, but it's nowhere on my paperwork. @Saaz124 Where did you see that you have to pay it?

 

[tschwa2]

Sedona Summit. They said they have done it from the beginning.

That's a diamond resort. They have been doing it for several years now. My experience was in Williamsburg. At one point they charged a bunch of a la carte fees to exchangers- for internet for mini golf, etc. Then they changed to a mandatory resort fee at most of their resorts. Owners booking using home week, or Diamond points or through Diamonds exchange don't pay. Everyone else does.

 

[DeniseM]

You ain't seen nuthin' - Hilton Kings' Land charges about $200 per week.

 

[tschwa2]

I've always felt if it included some unique extra special amenities or at a location with way more demand than supply maybe it was ok especially if it was reasonably priced. For places like Williamsburg and Orlando it is just ridiculous. By reasonable I mean $25-$50 per week per 2 BR and maybe a little higher for 3-4 bedrooms.

 

[PamMo]

I hate paying resort fees for basic amenities at a resort. The amenities are paid for through MF's, but the resort fees go directly to management. And especially during Covid, most amenities are limited or restricted altogether.

Hmmm??? Now here's a thought...if Harborside started charging resort fees equal to the cost of daily tickets to Aquaventure, maybe we could get a break on OUR maintenance fees? Ridiculous!

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

We had a fee at Peak 8 in Breckinridge but I thought Sedona Summit charged for RCI exchanges but not interval. I could be wrong but that's what I recall

 

[Eric B]

You should look at the ones Vidanta charges for exchanges. Seems more common to have high ones when the exchanges are mostly bulk deposits (like Vidanta) as opposed to owner deposits.

 

[PamMo]

You should look at the ones Vidanta charges for exchanges...

Sadly, that's why we don't exchange in there anymore.

 

[Eric B]

Sadly, that's why we don't exchange in there anymore.

I'm pretty sure the SFX resort fee is still pretty low ($75?), but you can't get the higher level units.

 

[pedro47]

I feel II, is a little upset with DRI right now because they are leaving II, after December 31, 2020. IMHO.

 

[PamMo]

I feel II, is a little upset with DRI right now because they are leaving II, after December 31, 2020. IMHO.

Really? I regularly exchange into Diamond resorts in Sedona, and still see some availability through the end of 2021. Without Diamond inventory, Sedona pickings will be slim!

 

[tschwa2]

I feel II, is a little upset with DRI right now because they are leaving II, after December 31, 2020. IMHO.

or is it Diamond washing there hands of II and now charging. They are the ones that collect the fees and they may have dictated that the fees will be charged or don't accept the deposits. Diamond would rather keep the exchange fees and membership fees themselves so they don't care if II was trying to restrict the fees.

 

[rickandcindy23]

or is it Diamond washing there hands of II and now charging. They are the ones that collect the fees and they may have dictated that the fees will be charged or don't accept the deposits. Diamond would rather keep the exchange fees and membership fees themselves so they don't care if II was trying to restrict the fees.

Very true. It's not II collecting the fees. Why is the OP blaming II.

 

[dioxide45]

Very true. It's not II collecting the fees. Why is the OP blaming II.

Because II is allowing it to happen. II could simply say they can't charge the fees if they want to be in the network.

 

[tschwa2]

Because II is allowing it to happen. II could simply say they can't charge the fees if they want to be in the network.

II doesn't have a problem with Vidanata charging a $400+ resort fee. Since RCI has no problem with anyone charging a resort fee, and II selectively allows charging and in this case Diamond doesn't particularly want members to be a part of the network, it seems like II doesn't have a strong leg to stand on if resorts want the fee charged.

 

[NiteMaire]

Really? I regularly exchange into Diamond resorts in Sedona, and still see some availability through the end of 2021. Without Diamond inventory, Sedona pickings will be slim!

I just purchased a Sedona Summit unit so I've been following this for only a short time. DRI is stopping the corporate II accounts. They have their own internal program they will use as the primary exchange. From the announcement: "For more than a decade, Diamond Resorts has partnered with Interval International® to provide you with additional vacation options. We are excited to announce that beginning in 2021, you will have a new exchange option with Destination Xchange. The best part? Destination Xchange is included in your membership with The Club...Destination Xchange will be The Club’s primary exchange provider."
DRI owners can still use II, but they'll have to use a personal account. It remains to be seen how this will affect DRI deposits. I presume it means fewer units in II, but I would imagine they would keep some in II so they could keep a stream of potential (new) customers.

 

[Saaz124]

I am not blaming II specifically, rather the whole system. This is a DRI thing. Hotels started doing this many years ago after they saw how well baggage fees worked for the airline. Just getting tired of it. This is just another way to nickle and dime us. Here is the part of the email I received:

Hotel Guests and Exchange Reservation: A photo identification, credit card for $200 security deposit and a $15.95 per night plus tax resort fee will be required (cash is not an acceptable form of deposit). Resort Fee includes recreational facilities including: four pools and six hot tubs, garden activities, 24 hour fitness center, garden gas grills, seasonal activities, 24 hour lobby coffee/tea, 24 hour business center computer/internet and boarding pass printing.
- Owner Weeks and Member Points Booking: Photo Identification and credit card for security deposit will need to be provided at check-in. Resort fees* will be waived when staying on your owner week or member point reservations. A resort fee of $15.95 plus tax per night will be added to the reservation if the owner or member of THE Club® is checking in on a rental reservation.

According to the person I spoke with on site at Sedona Summit, they have collected this fee from day one. I can't verify this so it is what it is.

 

[PamMo]

Saaz124, Thanks for posting your email from the resort (I assume it was from them). I'm very disappointed that the fees aren't spelled out anywhere in the booking process with Interval, other than a very generic sentence under Imortant Information: You are responsible for imposed utility/energy surcharges, occupancy or similar taxes, service charges, telephone connection fees, long distance phone charges, personal charges, and applicable amenities usage, housekeeping or resort fees. That disclaimer leaves extra charges wide open to abuse, IMO.

I've always tried to use Interval vs RCI for Sedona Ridge, just to avoid paying the resort fees that are posted on the RCI website. First, I watch rising maintenance fees, then it's higher exchange fees, then it's upgrade unit size fees, now it's resort fees. Isn't timesharing fun????

 

[Dave*H]

My opinion: Resort fees are a scam in most instances. In the instance of a hotel, they are a way to increase revenue from the unsuspecting. In the case of a timeshare, they are a way to transfer costs from owners to exchangers. Resort fees are only justified if the resort has an especially attractive amenity like a large water park. The fee should be optional and only charged to those that use the amenity. That said, I have knowingly exchanged into resorts that had a fee, but I was aware of the fee and it was relatively low. I still didn't like it. If I were to arrive at check-in and only then find out about a resort fee, I would first object, and if I couldn't get it removed, there would be some negative reviews coming. Exchange companies and resorts should go to extremes to make sure you are aware of the resort fee. It shouldn't be fine print at the bottom of the description.

 

[pedro47]

I just purchased a Sedona Summit unit so I've been following this for only a short time. DRI is stopping the corporate II accounts. They have their own internal program they will use as the primary exchange. From the announcement: "For more than a decade, Diamond Resorts has partnered with Interval International® to provide you with additional vacation options. We are excited to announce that beginning in 2021, you will have a new exchange option with Destination Xchange. The best part? Destination Xchange is included in your membership with The Club...Destination Xchange will be The Club’s primary exchange provider."
DRI owners can still use II, but they'll have to use a personal account. It remains to be seen how this will affect DRI deposits. I presume it means fewer units in II, but I would imagine they would keep some in II so they could keep a stream of potential (new) customers.

Will II left DRI owners exchange into their resort online, using points after 01/01/2021 ????

 

[dioxide45]

In the instance of a hotel, they are a way to increase revenue from the unsuspecting.

They are also a way to lower the amount of commissions they have to pay to third party booking sites.