SFX renting DVC, Harborside, etc

[jackio]

I received an email from SFX touting low prices for getaways. I have an old free membership but have not deposited anything in years.
On their website, SFXmembers.com , under last minute deals, were several DVC units from 2-7 days, and Harborside at Atlantis units also, among others. I was surprised to see this. I will remember to check there next time I’m looking for a getaway.

 

[iftravel]

I received an email from SFX touting low prices for getaways. I have an old free membership but have not deposited anything in years.
On their website, SFXmembers.com , under last minute deals, were several DVC units from 2-7 days, and Harborside at Atlantis units also, among others. I was surprised to see this. I will remember to check there next time I’m looking for a getaway.

Do they still offer free membership? Now the only option is Diamond?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Do they still offer free membership? Now the only option is Diamond?

Yep. I just registered under a different email address and couldn't get past the window to pay for a membership. I am not doing that again. I thought I could look at the specials. Nope. I can definitely live without SFX and their poor exchanges and special treatment to a few members who tout them on TUG.

 

[4TimeAway]

I had a free account and they offered a Bonus Week. Went to use and the deal was descent, so I upgraded to Diamond.

The last minute deals look fine to me, but I have GPX, RCI and AFVClub that I'm comparing to.

 

[escanoe]

I have had a free account for a few years. I don’t understand why they would remove that option. Their pricing is such that once you book. Last minute deal it is worth upgrading to Diamond to get the discount.

If I lived on the West Coast or was retired and had more time to timeshare, I would upgrade to Diamond.

I had a free account and they offered a Bonus Week. Went to use and the deal was descent, so I upgraded to Diamond.

The last minute deals look fine to me, but I have GPX, RCI and AFVClub that I'm comparing to.

 

[iftravel]

I had a free account and they offered a Bonus Week. Went to use and the deal was descent, so I upgraded to Diamond.

The last minute deals look fine to me, but I have GPX, RCI and AFVClub that I'm comparing to.

Did you sign up the 10-year plan?

I have had a free account for a few years. I don’t understand why they would remove that option. Their pricing is such that once you book. Last minute deal it is worth upgrading to Diamond to get the discount.

If I lived on the West Coast or was retired and had more time to timeshare, I would upgrade to Diamond.

Did you sign up the 10-year plan?

 

[4TimeAway]

I did 5. The slight savings for the 10 vs the initial cost. Seemed like where I wanted to be.

 

[iftravel]

I did 5. The slight savings for the 10 vs the initial cost. Seemed like where I wanted to be.

Aha. I wonder if anyone falls for the $29 renewal price.

 

[escanoe]

Did you sign up the 10-year plan?

Did you sign up the 10-year plan?

Nope. I remain a "Gold Member." I don't remember ever paying anything for it, and I don't see any expiration date on the membership.

 

[iftravel]

Nope. I remain a "Gold Member." I don't remember ever paying anything for it, and I don't see any expiration date on the membership.

Yeah I wonder if they still offer free gold. Was it on and off in the past? When did you sign up?

 

[fishwithwater]

How much would the resort fee be if renting from SFX for 1 night or 2？

 

[hurnik]

Aha. I wonder if anyone falls for the $29 renewal price.

I've been Diamond and paying the $29/year for about 20 years now. Considerably cheaper than Interval with Platinum, IMO. Plus, unlimited free guest certs (vs. II where it's 5/year). Has come in handy when doing large family gatherings. But we like to vacation in Mexico, where SFX (IMO) is their strongest. Although I did finally (after 4 years) able to use my 2 Interval exchanges for Vista Encantada which we really liked.

 

[iftravel]

I've been Diamond and paying the $29/year for about 20 years now. Considerably cheaper than Interval with Platinum, IMO. Plus, unlimited free guest certs (vs. II where it's 5/year). Has come in handy when doing large family gatherings. But we like to vacation in Mexico, where SFX (IMO) is their strongest. Although I did finally (after 4 years) able to use my 2 Interval exchanges for Vista Encantada which we really liked.

I asked if they offer a trial account to at least take a peek and they said no. For $29 it’s definitely worth it but have to pay $800 upfront to lock in the renewal price, which is too steep. They seem too desperate for cash. I think they should at least run some promotion for a coupe of years free membership if you deposit.

 

[rickandcindy23]

So who got the bonus weeks they were renting at Disney? Were they real, or was it a bait and switch? "Oh, yeah, those weeks were taken a few days ago, but we can offer you...."

 

[jp10558]

I got suckered into SFX - doesn't really seem that useful to me. Won't renew cause it doesn't seem to fit my use cases.

 

[escanoe]

If I were retired (had more vacation time) or visited Mexico or Hawaii a lot, I would take a bite at paying for SFX. I would also be more interested in joining if it was more of an online exchange with fully digitized inventory.

It appears they now put more last-minute inventory on the site than they used to. I hope that is part of a thought out transition an not something related to the cyclical nature of inventory.

 

[iftravel]

So who got the bonus weeks they were renting at Disney? Were they real, or was it a bait and switch? "Oh, yeah, those weeks were taken a few days ago, but we can offer you...."

Their CS said no Disney resort inventory so I am curious if anyone actually saw it and sucessfully booked one.

 

[hurnik]

Their CS said no Disney resort inventory so I am curious if anyone actually saw it and sucessfully booked one.

I don't know if this is always the case, but I had deposited several weeks (like 3 consecutive weeks) a long time ago, when Hilton still allowed deposits with exchanges. One of the units didn't get snagged, so I believe at 60 days prior to check-in, it showed up on their "bonus week" section. So I surmised that these were valid deposits (perhaps also some developer inventory since they sometimes show Mexican resorts).

I highly doubt SFX would deliberately post units they did not have confirmed deposits for.