SFX "upgrade" fees for luxury resorts now $299, even for Diamond members, and this is on top of the $149 exchange fee

[rickandcindy23]

Yes, you did say you were stupid but you compared it to my exact Behaviour. Think about it.

I can berate myself and not bring other people into that category with me.

 

[GrayFal]

If the week has expired, you can pay to activate it again.

I usually use the SFX for Vidanta or for other urban locations. Only the LUXXE has a surcharge for Vidanta, it was only last year the NYC got a surcharge added to it.

Back in the day they allowed multiple exchanges into TMC and the Hilton's.
Then one day (without notice) they didn't.
Again, I am going back 10 years. I just don't like how they did business. YMMV but I am not willing to give them another chance.
I am sorry that Cindy is going to be stuck with all those deposits.

 

[bizaro86]

It seems to me that if the consensus is the only things it is now worth depositing to SFX is low ends weeks then their inventory will eventually mostly consist of low end weeks, plus whatever corporate partnerships they have.

 

[rickandcindy23]

It seems to me that if the consensus is the only things it is now worth depositing to SFX is low ends weeks then their inventory will eventually mostly consist of low end weeks, plus whatever corporate partnerships they have.

I definitely think that is true.

I apologize to Grayfal and anyone else offended by my flippant remark. Totally my fault for using the wrong word.

 

[GrayFal]

I definitely think that is true.

I apologize to Grayfal and anyone else offended by my flippant remark. Totally my fault for using the wrong word.

Thank you.

And isn't hindsight (regarding SFX) wonderful.

 

[Eric B]

At the time I was depositing SBP the maint fee was under $500 for a one bedroom. Marriott probably under $750. But yes, if you can game their system now that is a big plus for you.

Potayto, Potahto. Gaming the system or being an informed consumer. I'm okay with folks having their own interpretations and motivations.

Actually, $500 and <$750 aren't too bad, at least now. Not sure how they compared then.

 

[GrayFal]

Potayto, Potahto. Gaming the system or being an informed consumer. I'm okay with folks having their own interpretations and motivations.

Actually, $500 and <$750 aren't too bad, at least now. Not sure how they compared then.

Informed consumer has a better ring. At the time for what I was getting for the one deposit it was a very good deal. The stand alone 1BR at SBP was probably $411MF.

 

[hurnik]

To upgrade an exchange using SFX base upon the OP post will cost you roughly $523.00 dollars. Wow!!!.

$149 Exchange Fee (if Diamond Member) + $299 = $448
If you're going to add the Vidanta Resort fee (SFX doesn't charge this, Vidanta does) then you need to also compare to RCI/Interval where the Vidanta Resort fee is a hell of a lot higher than $75 or even $150.

Although you won't have the $299 upgrade fee, but for me anyway, the RCI exchange fee is $239 and my Interval fee is I believe $189.

 

[tschwa2]

Interval is $209 exchange fee.

 

[echino]

TL;DR: so SFX is only good if you want to exchange into Vidanta, and not good for much else, correct?

I remember responding to SFX ads advertising special offers for deposits, and I was ready to give them a prime Marriott, Vistana, or Hyatt week and pay for their Diamond membership, if they could give me a Grand Luxxe week either during Christmas / New Year's or during a two-week March spring break. They did not have that, so I did not go forward with them. I did not want to deposit a week and then wait and hope that it maybe matches sometime in the future.

 

[bizaro86]

TL;DR: so SFX is only good if you want to exchange into Vidanta, and not good for much else, correct?

I remember responding to SFX ads advertising special offers for deposits, and I was ready to give them a prime Marriott, Vistana, or Hyatt week and pay for their Diamond membership, if they could give me a Grand Luxxe week either during Christmas / New Year's or during a two-week March spring break. They did not have that, so I did not go forward with them. I did not want to deposit a week and then wait and hope that it maybe matches sometime in the future.

I doubt they would have gotten week 51/52.

I've gotten a March break 2br at Grand Luxxe through II in the past (although it was March 2020 so we ended up not going).

 

[Eric B]

I got a week 51 Grand Luxxe NV 2 BR through SFX in 2018, I believe it was. They do get them occasionally.

 

[bizaro86]

I got a week 51 Grand Luxxe NV 2 BR through SFX in 2018, I believe it was. They do get them occasionally.

Nice! That surprises me - I would have thought you would need to own Vidanta to get that.

 

[Ken555]

TL;DR: so SFX is only good if you want to exchange into Vidanta, and not good for much else, correct?

I remember responding to SFX ads advertising special offers for deposits, and I was ready to give them a prime Marriott, Vistana, or Hyatt week and pay for their Diamond membership, if they could give me a Grand Luxxe week either during Christmas / New Year's or during a two-week March spring break. They did not have that, so I did not go forward with them. I did not want to deposit a week and then wait and hope that it maybe matches sometime in the future.

You touch on an important issue with all trading companies - in general, we need to feel confident we will be able to obtain the resort and time, within reason, we prefer.

SFX’s online portal is a joke. In the five years I was a Diamond member it had almost nothing beyond a few months from the date of search, and those it did have were always in the same area (Mexico, etc). Whenever I called I was told the same story…so learned to just call now and then and ask about specific areas…and learned they did in fact have inventory AND KNOWINGLY DID NOT INCLUDE IT ONLINE. This was upsetting, since it directly and purposefully controlled whom they gave inventory to and forced me to call.

I’m sure there are SFX customers who are happy and can find value. As with most things timeshare, your direct results are frequently dependent on how much time you put into it. I learned SFX isn’t for me, and that’s after enjoying the two trades I had with them. Think about that for a second…I bought a FIVE YEAR membership and due to the lack of trade capability I only ever deposited two 1-bed weeks.


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[GrayFal]

. Whenever I called I was told the same story…so learned to just call now and then and ask about specific areas…and learned they did in fact have inventory AND KNOWINGLY DID NOT INCLUDE IT ONLINE. This was upsetting, since it directly and purposefully controlled whom they gave inventory to and forced me to call.

]
Exactly my experience. They "chose" who got the best stuff.

I learned SFX isn’t for me, and that’s after enjoying the two trades I had with them. Think about that for a second…I bought a FIVE YEAR membership and due to the lack of trade capability I only ever deposited two 1-bed weeks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I probably deposited 5-6 weeks and lost the last two deposits because I refused to give them any more money. They had units where I wanted to go but suddenly decided to restrict those units to one per year.
just not for me.

 

[b2bailey]

I called me stupid, not you. That is odd that you would take it that way. I sure didn't mean to put you in the same category as me. I didn't even use the bonus weeks, except the one for our daughter to go to Mexico.

Was trying to decide if Grayfal had 'tongue in cheek' with the comment.
I certainly understood the point you were making.

 

[pchung6]

I just checked one of my the only SFX request this morning. I just saw there is a $79 exact matching fee on top of the regular $149 exchange fee? I do not think I've seen this $79 fee before, is it something new and wth is this fee? I just added 3 years Diamond membership for $299 and want to know if it is a good company to deal with? I've requested for 2022 for all resorts in all the Hawaii islands for Hilton, Marriott, Westin and Disney Aulani. So far after 6 months signing up, nothing and they are about to start testing my patience.

 

[pharmacistking]

I just checked one of my the only SFX request this morning. I just saw there is a $79 exact matching fee on top of the regular $149 exchange fee? I do not think I've seen this $79 fee before, is it something new and wth is this fee? I just added 3 years Diamond membership for $299 and want to know if it is a good company to deal with? I've requested for 2022 for all resorts in all the Hawaii islands for Hilton, Marriott, Westin and Disney Aulani. So far after 6 months signing up, nothing and they are about to start testing my patience.

I have had a match for Kohala suites in big island in September. It was perfect. YMMV I suggest calling and asking.

 

[pchung6]

I have had a match for Kohala suites in big island in September. It was perfect. YMMV I suggest calling and asking.

Did you match the Kohala for 2022?

 

[tschwa2]

I have had a match for Kohala suites in big island in September. It was perfect. YMMV I suggest calling and asking.

and did they require a $299 or $79 fee on top of the exchange fee?

 

[easyrider]

I like SFX for now. My problem is trying to use bonus weeks.

Bill

 

[pharmacistking]

and did they require a $299 or $79 fee on top of the exchange fee?

No. This was booked in november 2020. Booked a Grand Bliss unit in may 2021 for feb 2022 and I had a 75$ fee to be paid to Vidanta. That's it.

 

[pharmacistking]

Did you match the Kohala for 2022?

2021. Booked in novembrer 2020.

 

[hurnik]

I just checked one of my the only SFX request this morning. I just saw there is a $79 exact matching fee on top of the regular $149 exchange fee? I do not think I've seen this $79 fee before, is it something new and wth is this fee? I just added 3 years Diamond membership for $299 and want to know if it is a good company to deal with? I've requested for 2022 for all resorts in all the Hawaii islands for Hilton, Marriott, Westin and Disney Aulani. So far after 6 months signing up, nothing and they are about to start testing my patience.

I highly doubt you'll get Aulani (regardless as I don't think anyone from disney would actually deposit their Aulani week anywhere).

You're more likely to get the Hilton ones (vs. Westin and Marriott as most Marriott folks will "exchange" via II or however Marriott does their "internal" exchanges). However, you have to remember that there's been like 2 years of pent up demand. Even with my HGV account, (depending on when) Hawaii and even Florida are difficult to get because a lot of folks have 2 years of points banked and need to use/book them.

However, if you're flexible, Waikaloa is probably the easier to get into (the various Hilton's).

Don't know about the $79 exact match. Perhaps it's new and they no longer have the fee if they find a match? I'll have to check.

With any exchange company, YMMV. It depends on when/where you want to go, how far in advance, inventory, etc. For example, I've yet to get a match on anything I've had with Interval for the last 3 years. I'm going to lose a deposit with them (they'll only give you an AC as an "extension" which is very limited compared to a simple extension with SFX, IMO).

 

[rickandcindy23]

Hiltons on the islands are great and a definite upgrade, maybe even worth the $448 exchange fee ($299+ $149), but I wouldn't pay an upgrade fee for HIlton anywhere else. Unless a trade into Orlando Hilton resorts isn't the add-on price of $299. If it is, that is overpriced compared to RCI>

They're still limiting how many Hiltons you can get, and of course you don't know you are being limited, you are just told nothing is available.