[SFX] preferred resorts

[ROCKYinRI]

Any good or bad experiences using sfx preferred resort? They seem to show quality resorts, but you cannot get an exchange there.

Thanks

Sorry that was SFX-resorts.com

 

[DeniseM]

I've never heard of them - please spell out FSX for us.

 

[DaveNV]

Should that be SFX?

Dave

 

[DeniseM]

I don't know - he wrote FSX twice, so I'm assuming not.

 

[ROCKYinRI]

yes it was SFX
SFX-resorts.com

 

[DeniseM]

So what do you mean by: "but you cannot get an exchange there." ?

A few questions:

Exactly what timeshare/date/unit are you/did you deposit with them?

Exactly what are you trying to exchange for?

Did you put in an on-going request?

 

[ROCKYinRI]

ut

They list high end timeshare resorts but exchanges are never available.

Has anyboby used them for an exchange?
thanks

 

[DeniseM]

That list is only the resorts they are affiliated with - there is never a guarantee that they will have any specific deposits in inventory - this is the same for all exchange companies.

Please see my 3 questions above.

 

[buzglyd]

I have gotten Villa L'Auberge in Del Mar and Grand Luxxe in Nuevo Vallarta with them.

 

[DaveNV]

SFX rarely has high-end exchanges listed in the open on their website. The available exchanges there are the leftovers. You need to talk with their people, and request what it is you're after. I've found them to be very accommodating, and I've gotten every exchange I'd asked them for. It just takes some planning ahead of time.

Dave

 

[falmouth3]

They list high end timeshare resorts but exchanges are never available.

Has anyboby used them for an exchange?
thanks

Yes, I've used them exclusively for years and I've gotten exchanges that have made me happy. But you have to keep in mind that they aren't a large organization like RCI or II so they have fewer units for exchange.

 

[easyrider]

SFX made the play for me this year. The extra vacation certificates always seem harder for me to use but I can say the same for II.

Bill

 

[oceanvps]

i also don't like the fact that you can't search and see anything however i think you have to just put your request in and wait.

we requested oahu for last year, specific week and specific resorts (which they don't recommend but we're picky ) they came up with a penthouse (awesome room) at the grand waikikian that we did have to pay a top up fee 599 for i think - but really by the time i calculated what the fees would of been if a regular exchange happened - what i would of paid for exchange fee plus bigger unit fee the 599 didn't sound too bad.

we had deposited a 1 br whistler summer week - clock tower.

the 599 included the "exchange" fee

we had expiring vi points last year so i've done the same - deposited another whistler week - so we can exchange til 10/2017.

 

[presley]

I have had good experiences with SFX. You do need to put in a specific request rather than just browsing the online inventory because hardly anything makes it to online inventory.

 

[JuliGee]

i also don't like the fact that you can't search and see anything however i think you have to just put your request in and wait.

we requested oahu for last year, specific week and specific resorts (which they don't recommend but we're picky ) they came up with a penthouse (awesome room) at the grand waikikian that we did have to pay a top up fee 599 for i think - but really by the time i calculated what the fees would of been if a regular exchange happened - what i would of paid for exchange fee plus bigger unit fee the 599 didn't sound too bad.

we had deposited a 1 br whistler summer week - clock tower.

the 599 included the "exchange" fee

we had expiring vi points last year so i've done the same - deposited another whistler week - so we can exchange til 10/2017.

It's simply not true that you cannot login and search for any units. You can if you are a platinum member. But just like RCI and II, you will only see the leftover units online. For the best units and weeks you have to place a request for an ongoing search, which is the typical norm with all exchange companies.

We have had many successful exchanges with SFX over the years, and mostly into premium quality resorts.

Juli

 

[vacationtime1]

I have had good experiences with SFX. You do need to put in a specific request rather than just browsing the online inventory because hardly anything makes it to online inventory.

+1

I write this from the Sloane Garden Club in London. We are there (for the second time) on an SFX exchange. Yes, you have to tell them what you want.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

SFX rarely has high-end exchanges listed in the open on their website. The available exchanges there are the leftovers. You need to talk with their people, and request what it is you're after. I've found them to be very accommodating, and I've gotten every exchange I'd asked them for. It just takes some planning ahead of time.

Dave

Dave I was going to join II but could not get a new member offer, so I'm now considering depositing my 2015 unit SFX.

Should I call in and do everything via phone and then at that point place my requests. Is it possible to deposit my lock-off 2 bedroom and get 2 vacations with them?

Thanks so much

 

[DeniseM]

Dave I was going to join II but could not get a new member offer, so I'm now considering depositing my 2015 unit SFX.

Should I call in and do everything via phone and then at that point place my requests. Is it possible to deposit my lock-off 2 bedroom and get 2 vacations with them?

Thanks so much

The procedure with SFX is completely different. You would make two reservations with Starwood, as if they are for you own use - don't state that you are going to deposit them. (Starwood will not do direct deposits to SFX.) Then you send those actual confirmations to SFX.

Before you do that, call SFX and find out if they will accept your deposit, if they will accept two 1-bdms., and what dates they will accept. Usually they will only accept high season deposits from SDO.

However, I would not use SFX - your SDO weeks have the Starwood to Starwood preference in II - they will not have nearly the same trading value in SFX.

Plus, if you are trying to lower your fees, SFX is not the way to do it - they have high fees.

 

[falmouth3]

+1

I write this from the Sloane Garden Club in London. We are there (for the second time) on an SFX exchange. Yes, you have to tell them what you want.

There are 2 Sloane Garden weeks in the SFX sell-off list right now. They are for weeks checking in Jan 31 and Feb. 7. Looks like someone had to cancel their vacation last minute. Wish I could use one of those weeks.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

The procedure with SFX is completely different. You would make two reservations with Starwood, as if they are for you own use - don't state that you are going to deposit them. (Starwood will not do direct deposits to SFX.) Then you send those actual confirmations to SFX.

Before you do that, call SFX and find out if they will accept your deposit, if they will accept two 1-bdms., and what dates they will accept. Usually they will only accept high season deposits from SDO.

However, I would not use SFX - your SDO weeks have the Starwood to Starwood preference in II - they will not have nearly the same trading value in SFX.

Plus, if you are trying to lower your fees, SFX is not the way to do it - they have high fees.

Thanks Denise

 

[tschwa2]

They will accept the full kitchen side for most dates. For the partial kitchen side they are more likely to be more choosy and only accept true peak weeks. One thing with SFX is unless you pay for their premium membership you can't upgrade inside without paying an upgrade fee of $199 per unit if you want to go from a one bedroom to a two bedroom. That would be on top of the $199 exchange fee.

 

[DeniseM]

Thanks Denise

The real question is where to you hope to exchange into?

 

[JuliGee]

There are 2 Sloane Garden weeks in the SFX sell-off list right now. They are for weeks checking in Jan 31 and Feb. 7. Looks like someone had to cancel their vacation last minute. Wish I could use one of those weeks.

I am jealous that its available, and I can't get away for those dates! Its a very nice property in a great area, and very difficult to get. I think there are only about 10 units in the whole building?? We stayed there a while ago, and would love to go back

Juli

 

[JuliGee]

They will accept the full kitchen side for most dates. For the partial kitchen side they are more likely to be more choosy and only accept true peak weeks. One thing with SFX is unless you pay for their premium membership you can't upgrade inside without paying an upgrade fee of $199 per unit if you want to go from a one bedroom to a two bedroom. That would be on top of the $199 exchange fee.

So, to bring another couple with you would only cost them about $29 per night to stay at a great resort? That's about half the price of a Motel 6. That must be their gold membership. We have platinum, and get size upgrades included in the price.

Juli

 

[tschwa2]

No, I would need a 3 br or bigger to bring another couple. We like to spread out. There is 5 of us and we have 4 bedrooms at home so fitting into a 2 br is sometimes squeezing in. I don't own a TS and pay MF so I can trade like for like and then have to pay another $200-$400 in fees for that privileged. If I am paying $150-$200 in exchange fees I already expect an upgrade from what I own by at least that much.

To me "like for like" should involve a nominal fee of $100 or less.