Thoughts on Shell Vacation Club?

[ginminnesota]

Do you have any idea when that will happen?

 

[Ty1on]

Oh...geez......I should have elaborated more.

I have 4500 points per year, own it out right, and just pay the MF ($103.00 per month...or some amount close to that)

.I have not utilized my points as much as I should.

For the past several years I just bank them. After 2 years, I believe, you have to use or lose the banked points from the use year before.
(don't quote me on that.....it is something along those lines, but super easy to deal with)

We used the points the first year that we bought (ten years ago) to go to Disney. RCI must have been the exchange company at the time, because I recall Disney properties being an option (although not available). Other years, I used the points for airfare for the kids and I to visit my family.

We vacation the first weekend of August for the past 3 years at Wisconsin Dells with another family. Although not the biggest bang for the buck for the use of my points, I turn the use them or lose them points into hotel gift cards and pay for the Dells with the cards. 4500 points will buy you a little over $600 in gift cards. Considering I pay $1200 in MF.....that seems silly, but it's where I want to vacation and I don't have that option through II.

My family took a vacation to Mexico this past winter, however, I did not wind up using my points, due to it winding up being more money to do so. I wanted an all inclusive resort. Booking with points meant I had to pay the fee to the resort separate and airfare separate. Using expedia....saved thousands. Had I wanted a non all inclusive resort......I would have used my points and would have had a 2 or 3 bedroom condo.

I have found SV customer service to be lovely. They are super helpful and workable.

I hope this helps .

One more question - the Wyndham rep trying to sell to us also said that through RCI....would could book a trip and instead of use points, we could pay a maximum of $341 for a week at an all inclusive resort......that included the all inclusive fee. Is that correct?

You figured out it is better to rent AI in MX than use points. You are already ahead of the game in that respect. $600 value out of $1,200 MF is sickening, too.

 

[Ty1on]

Do you have any idea when that will happen?

A recent rumor is that the II contract ends in 2017 and then it's RCI.

 

[ginminnesota]

Thanks to you both for replying.

It's sickening yes, but truly......I could be using the points for longer vacations. It's not that there aren't vacations available. I just don't make the time for them.

I have the time to use the points (I'm a teacher and usually have the same days off that my children do)

I grew up out east and there really aren't a lot of options in the II inventory to choose from in Jersey. I saw that there were several places in Ocean City, NJ to choose from (not sure how available they are in the summer months)

Were either of you aware if the $341 price that including the all inclusive fee was true as a vacation option through RCI?

SVC offers tons of get aways, extra vacations etc. I think I had an extra vaca offered to me last year that I didn't take advantage of because I let life get in the way.

 

[Ty1on]

Thanks to you both for replying.

It's sickening yes, but truly......I could be using the points for longer vacations. It's not that there aren't vacations available. I just don't make the time for them.

I have the time to use the points (I'm a teacher and usually have the same days off that my children do)

I grew up out east and there really aren't a lot of options in the II inventory to choose from in Jersey. I saw that there were several places in Ocean City, NJ to choose from (not sure how available they are in the summer months)

Were either of you aware if the $341 price that including the all inclusive fee was true as a vacation option through RCI?

SVC offers tons of get aways, extra vacations etc. I think I had an extra vaca offered to me last year that I didn't take advantage of because I let life get in the way.

I could not imagine an RCI resort cert including all inclusive. That doesn't make logical sense, as the resort would be providing food and drink for nothing if that were the case. I have found AI resorts to not be in the business of charity

 

[Ty1on]

Thanks to you both for replying.

It's sickening yes, but truly......I could be using the points for longer vacations. It's not that there aren't vacations available. I just don't make the time for them.

I have the time to use the points (I'm a teacher and usually have the same days off that my children do)

I grew up out east and there really aren't a lot of options in the II inventory to choose from in Jersey. I saw that there were several places in Ocean City, NJ to choose from (not sure how available they are in the summer months)

Were either of you aware if the $341 price that including the all inclusive fee was true as a vacation option through RCI?

SVC offers tons of get aways, extra vacations etc. I think I had an extra vaca offered to me last year that I didn't take advantage of because I let life get in the way.

Here's my advice. Forget the extra vacays. You aren't even using the vacays you are already paying PERFECTLY GOOD MONEY for. Commit yourself to vacationing, and USE or exchange the Shell points for that vacation, whatever it takes, or give away your timeshare. Shell points apparently have excellent value in II. Use it while it lasts.

Oh, and thank you for teaching.

 

[ginminnesota]

THANK YOU! I know that seemed like a crazy naive question to post....but I had to have that in writing from another owner who has the RCI option that has not ever seen or heard of that.

I guess it is just that I am having such a hard time wrapping my mind around the blatant lies that were told to my husband and I this weekend. I don't operate that way and can not imagine doing that for a living.

 

[ginminnesota]

Here's my advice. Forget the extra vacays. You aren't even using the vacays you are already paying PERFECTLY GOOD MONEY for. Commit yourself to vacationing, and USE or exchange the Shell points for that vacation, whatever it takes, or give away your timeshare. Shell points apparently have excellent value in II. Use it while it lasts.

Oh, and thank you for teaching.

Ohhhhhh.........that is very nice. You are very welcome. I love what I do.

I am going to utilize my vacations. I believe that I have finally got my husband to understand that he has to take some time to relax.....well......come on vacation with us. It has to be a place that he can go play: paddle ball, tennis, fun kind of kid surf pool etc......he is not a sit on the beach kind of guy.

 

[Ty1on]

Ohhhhhh.........that is very nice. You are very welcome. I love what I do.

I am going to utilize my vacations. I believe that I have finally got my husband to understand that he has to take some time to relax.....well......come on vacation with us. It has to be a place that he can go play: paddle ball, tennis, fun kind of kid surf pool etc......he is not a sit on the beach kind of guy.

The world is your oyster, just learn how to open it without slicing your finger.

 

[vacationhopeful]

ginminnesota,

You might want to find the TUG section which allows you to post for PRIVATE exchanges. Your Shell points are strong where Wyndham points are WEAK in booking vacation stays; an vice versa --- Wyndham is strong where YOU want to vacation.

Many Wyndham owners here like Bonnet Creek for Florida vacations instead of Disney for family time; not the "Disney" WDW characters every where but inside the Disney Gate (no EMH or other Disney bennies like package delivery or free bus service to the parks).

You CAN NOT disclose too much info in the threads (no ads in this section) ... but other TUG members have "traded" or "exchanged" Hawaii TS usage for a motor home usage in Alaska as an example.

As for Ocean City ... Wyndham's buildings are in Ocean City, MD and are not full resorts - they are affiliates (meaning very, very few units in a building NOT managed by Wyndham). The only Wyndham is in Atlantic City, NJ ... near the beach (short block) - basic across the street from the side doors of Resorts Casino.

As for running thru the surf .. Wyndham has nice resorts in Pompano Beach, Daytona Beach and Panama City, FL plus the Myrtle Beach beachfront resorts. There are oceanview resorts in New England (I consider those too be more rocky or harbor view places in colder water verses running thru the surf).

 

[alexadeparis]

Ginminnesota,

for this year, if you want 4 bedroom Presidential at Glacier Canyon you will need to rent, if you can even get any rental inventory on such short notice - most people rent 3-6 months in advance.

If I were you, in the future, I would either: reserve the deluxe 2 bedrooms for a 3 day reservation in the high season at Little Sweden, and then rent it or offer it for trade for the Glacier Canyon unit you want. But keep in mind that if you are only offering a 3 day ressie in a 2 bedroom you will not get a week long 4 bedroom presidential in return. You would be likely to get the exact same: a 3 day, 2 bedroom ressie.

I have 7550 Shell points, which I use religiously as a 3 day weekend ressie at Little Sweden (4050 points) and a 3500 point II exchange. Then I don't feel so bad about the MF. IF Shell switches over to RCI, I will get rid of the 3500 point contract, I don't need any other RCI units. I say IF because Worldmark is also owned by Wyndham, and I believe they still use II. So, it may not happen, or if it does, it may not be until later. (Ok, ok, I am still in denial that they would ever think about going back to RCI)

 

[alexadeparis]

From the original Club Pass FAQ:

What is WYNDHAM Club Pass℠?
WYNDHAM Club Pass is Wyndham Vacation Ownership’s new internal exchange program giving our WorldMark, The Club owners and CLUB WYNDHAM® owners the freedom to move outside of their individual home Clubs, expanding their access to unique destinations found across the country.

[snip]

6. Will Shell Vacations Club members be able to use WYNDHAM Club Pass as well?
No, at this time WYNDHAM Club Pass will only be available to CLUB WYNDHAM and WorldMark owners.

So, as of a year ago, Shell does not participate, but that doesn't mean it couldn't at some point in the future.

 

[ginminnesota]

Ginminnesota,

for this year, if you want 4 bedroom Presidential at Glacier Canyon you will need to rent, if you can even get any rental inventory on such short notice - most people rent 3-6 months in advance.

If I were you, in the future, I would either: reserve the deluxe 2 bedrooms for a 3 day reservation in the high season at Little Sweden, and then rent it or offer it for trade for the Glacier Canyon unit you want. But keep in mind that if you are only offering a 3 day ressie in a 2 bedroom you will not get a week long 4 bedroom presidential in return. You would be likely to get the exact same: a 3 day, 2 bedroom ressie.

I have 7550 Shell points, which I use religiously as a 3 day weekend ressie at Little Sweden (4050 points) and a 3500 point II exchange. Then I don't feel so bad about the MF. IF Shell switches over to RCI, I will get rid of the 3500 point contract, I don't need any other RCI units. I say IF because Worldmark is also owned by Wyndham, and I believe they still use II. So, it may not happen, or if it does, it may not be until later. (Ok, ok, I am still in denial that they would ever think about going back to RCI)

NVMD.....reread twice and now understand. Thank you so much for your input. I do appreciate it.

 

[ginminnesota]

ginminnesota,

You might want to find the TUG section which allows you to post for PRIVATE exchanges. Your Shell points are strong where Wyndham points are WEAK in booking vacation stays; an vice versa --- Wyndham is strong where YOU want to vacation.

Many Wyndham owners here like Bonnet Creek for Florida vacations instead of Disney for family time; not the "Disney" WDW characters every where but inside the Disney Gate (no EMH or other Disney bennies like package delivery or free bus service to the parks).

You CAN NOT disclose too much info in the threads (no ads in this section) ... but other TUG members have "traded" or "exchanged" Hawaii TS usage for a motor home usage in Alaska as an example.



As for Ocean City ... Wyndham's buildings are in Ocean City, MD and are not full resorts - they are affiliates (meaning very, very few units in a building NOT managed by Wyndham). The only Wyndham is in Atlantic City, NJ ... near the beach (short block) - basic across the street from the side doors of Resorts Casino.

As for running thru the surf .. Wyndham has nice resorts in Pompano Beach, Daytona Beach and Panama City, FL plus the Myrtle Beach beachfront resorts. There are oceanview resorts in New England (I consider those too be more rocky or harbor view places in colder water verses running thru the surf).

Thank you.....very new to the website and appreciate the info.