Resort Fees? [SFX]

[CalicoJoe]

I am a novice timeshare owner, we deposited weeks into SFX and are looking to exchange our week for a vacation. When we deposited the weeks we were charged a fee $199, and will pay the other 1/2 of the fee when we book our week. The I look to book an instant exchange online the resorts are listing Fees ranging $300 to $600. What are these fees for, they are not all inclusive resorts.

 

[alwysonvac]

SFX has an exchange upgrade fee perhaps that's what you're seeing.

The following is from the SFX website - http://www.sfxresorts.com/membership-programs/

For SFX Gold Membership Level: "Unit upgrades for exchanges (based on availability) from $199 – $599 USD"

 

[falmouth3]

I'm not sure what you paid for upfront. Did you buy a multiyear Diamond membership? Even if that were the case, I don't see any level listed for $199. I've never paid anything to deposit my weeks with them, but I have paid a membership fee for the Diamond level. Gold level is free.

When they find an exchange for you, then there is an exchange fee. That fee is based on your membership level. There are also fees if you choose to use a bonus week, if you received those with your deposit. And, they have excess inventory called Escapes. The prices of those vary, depending in several factors including your membership level.

I looked at instant exchanges and the rate I see is my exchange fee. I think you are looking at the Resort Escapes page. If you want one of those, you can choose to exchange your week and pay only your exchange fee. But these are extra weeks that are available for rent and if you chose to rent one of those for the fee posted for your membership level, your deposited week is still available for exchange.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Is this a "bonus week deposit from Vida/G.Vidanta/ Mayan - purchase ??

I am a novice timeshare owner, we deposited weeks into SFX and are looking to exchange our week for a vacation. When we deposited the weeks we were charged a fee $199, and will pay the other 1/2 of the fee when we book our week. The I look to book an instant exchange online the resorts are listing Fees ranging $300 to $600. What are these fees for, they are not all inclusive resorts.

I have seen information on a $ 200 deposit fee to SFX on "bonus" week included with purchases with recent Vida / Grupo Vidanta / Mayan TS purchases.

Callico Joe -I think you need to call SFX for details on how usage works.
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For long time TUG readers -IF this is a Mayan promo -( I think) since Vida/ G.Vidanta/ Mayan is RTU and growing this is in essence (similar to) a "developer" week deposit into RCI or II .
BUT - instead the developer is including these weeks as "Bonus" in a TS sale and the "extra/bonus" week is only depositable (into SFX /with this fee) by the TS buyer(and NOT Mayan resort system usable by the TS buyer). This gives SFX inventory (and SFX is a "preferred" exchange company with G . Vidanta) and gives the TS purchaser a week to exchange AND a week to visit the Mayan World resort system .

Net net - more visits by existing owners and more visits by new exchanger's who the developer hopes to get to a presentation.
IMHO

 

[CalicoJoe]

Figuring it out

Figured out more how SFX works- their site has several areas of vacations:
Resort Escapes which are pay for vacations that you can buy from them at various prices depending on your membership with SFX
Then there are Instant Exchanges which you can book with a deposited week,
The fees I were seeing were for the resort escape vacations. There is a small fee to book the instant exchange but it is much less than buying the resort escape.
You can also have a exchange request in for a vacation as well.