VIP Early Check-in

[chapjim]

VIPs are supposed to be able to check in at 2 PM instead of the normal 4 PM check-in time. We've done it on occasion but have also run into the situation where the receptionist said in effect, "We don't do that here." Basically, that resort opted out of a Wyndham policy.

What is your experience?

 

[rrlongwell]

VIPs are supposed to be able to check in at 2 PM instead of the normal 4 PM check-in time. We've done it on occasion but have also run into the situation where the receptionist said in effect, "We don't do that here." Basically, that resort opted out of a Wyndham policy.

What is your experience?

Have run into various VIP Benifits that were not provided at a number of resorts. Wyndham Corporate advised me awhile ago that it is optional whether or not Wyndham Managed resorts honor VIP Benifits. This pertained primarily to newspapers. The competing interests, as it was explained to me by other Wynhdam Staff is that the papers that were supposed to be given to VIP Members at one resort were given to the sales staff as a benny and at one or two other ones they are just sold to guests. I have also noticed at a couple of resorts that VIP Check-In and Out were eliminated. Most recent was at Wyndham Skyline Tower. The area it used to be at was being manned but the VIP signs were gone and they were taking who ever was next in line. Also, although not limited to VIP Guests, a couple of times I have been advised that the paid valet service at Skyline Tower, does not include putting the luggage in the trunk (I do tip both for the unload and the loading of the trunk (if the service is provided).

 

[ronparise]

sounds like another of the VIP benefits is slipping away

Not that its worth the money for a developer purchase, but more than once Ive been envious of my VIP friend. Shes all moved in and enjoying a drink by the pool and Im just checking in...I know she will be upset if she has to wait the extra time before checking in, like the rest of us

 

[timeos2]

sounds like another of the VIP benefits is slipping away

Not that its worth the money for a developer purchase, but more than once Ive been envious of my VIP friend. Shes all moved in and enjoying a drink by the pool and Im just checking in...I know she will be upset if she has to wait the extra time before checking in, like the rest of us

We were never VIP designated and never waited any longer than they did if a unit was available. In fact we got priority in at least one case when the "VIP" raised a real ruckus about "her rights" to a unit while we stood by. They asked us to come back in 30 minutes - we did - and got assigned the penthouse! Later (at 4PM) we saw her again at the desk complaining that she wasn't getting the unit she wanted. I can only hope we were the ones already in it....

VIP is not guaranteed, isn't worth 5 cents and is basically little more than a sales pitch. We who refuse to get involved are the winners in the game IMO. Those who had it from the early years when resales were qualified can & should use it to the maximum possible - but no one should ever pay an extra $10 for it as you'll likely never get it back.

In fact we just checked in at Nashville this week (on a rental of course) and got in the VIP line early & were assigned a unit without a question. It is truly a meaningless designation and another big waste of money. (And time here on TUG with all the unneeded questions about it. Unless you seriously overpay today you cannot get it so it is a non-factor and should be treated like any other sales pitch - ignore it)

 

[am1]

We were never VIP designated and never waited any longer than they did if a unit was available. In fact we got priority in at least one case when the "VIP" raised a real ruckus about "her rights" to a unit while we stood by. They asked us to come back in 30 minutes - we did - and got assigned the penthouse! Later (at 4PM) we saw her again at the desk complaining that she wasn't getting the unit she wanted. I can only hope we were the ones already in it....

VIP is not guaranteed, isn't worth 5 cents and is basically little more than a sales pitch. We who refuse to get involved are the winners in the game IMO. Those who had it from the early years when resales were qualified can & should use it to the maximum possible - but no one should ever pay an extra $10 for it as you'll likely never get it back.

In fact we just checked in at Nashville this week (on a rental of course) and got in the VIP line early & were assigned a unit without a question. It is truly a meaningless designation and another big waste of money. (And time here on TUG with all the unneeded questions about it. Unless you seriously overpay today you cannot get it so it is a non-factor and should be treated like any other sales pitch - ignore it)

You always make a few good points but have no idea.

 

[chapjim]

Whether VIP status was worth the cost is moot, at least for us. We bought just enough points to get VIP Platinum, then went to the resale market for the next 2 million points. My point is, we have VIP status. We're not talking about achieving VIP status.

There are some "benefits" that accrue to VIP owners and individual resorts shouldn't be able to opt out with a mere, "We don't do that here." (I know, call ahead.)

Most of the bennies at resorts are trivial. The VIP check-in is a crock, as has been pointed out, and I'm not a big USA Today fan. However, when you arrive at a resort expecting to check in at 2 PM, it is annoying to be told they don't do that.

This is not to say that there are no useful benefits to being VIP. Being able to book at 60 days with a 50% discount is a tremendous benefit. Plus, I basically don't worry about guest confirmations or housekeeping credits. I only run out if I mismanage.

 

[rrlongwell]

A number of people appear to be VIP owners that participate in Tugs. I do not see any particular problem with the VIP folks participating.

For the last poster: Does the VIP discounts apply towards your resale units since the account is already VIP?

 

[chapjim]

For the last poster: Does the VIP discounts apply towards your resale units since the account is already VIP?

Yes, absolutely. I have seen no difference in the utility of my resale points and those purchased from Wyndham.

There are some who say they achieved VIP status by purchasing only resale contracts. I don't doubt it has happened, maybe because it was a while ago or because someone made a mistake. It is not supposed to happen now.

 

[rrlongwell]

For the last poster: Does the VIP discounts apply towards your resale units since the account is already VIP?

Yes, absolutely. I have seen no difference in the utility of my resale points and those purchased from Wyndham.

There are some who say they achieved VIP status by purchasing only resale contracts. I don't doubt it has happened, maybe because it was a while ago or because someone made a mistake. It is not supposed to happen now.

Thanks. I have heard the same thing from a couple of places on some re-sale contracts getting VIP eligable points. That may depend on various thing like if they are the really old contracts, loctions etc. The two that I have heard of from Wyndham Staff are sometimes that will take re-sale contracts back from a Wynhdam Owner if they buy additional points and the equilvant of the re-sale points and a different program, I think they call it OTP. This is a program where a owner has a morgage and it has defaulted. Wyndham may faciliate a sale where the new owner pays all back due monies etc. Wyndham does not actually take title to the timeshare then sells it to you, they just arrange the sale and these points are then VIP eligable.

 

[timeos2]

You always make a few good points but have no idea.

No idea about what? That TODAY spending to get VIP borders on the insane? Or that those that have it, whenever they got it including those lucky enough to have it from the day when resale qualified, should use it? That it isn't transferrable therefore carries zero resale value? That paying thousands or tens of thousands for a "free" newspaper, possible early check in that anyone can get, for a potential points savings on leftover time or a cheap gust certificate will cover those thousands in up front expense? In what lifetime?

Trust me, I get the "idea". It is pure sales BS now meant to appeal to the "I need to feel special" crowd and nothing more TODAY. As often repeated if you have it use it. But realize that NOW trying to obtain it , due to cost, is a losers play.

 

[thommer]

I'm VIP Gold Only bought 168,000 Bi Annual points from Wyndham. they only count 84,000 points toward Gold.

Have 254,000 PIC points from a resale purchase prior to Wyndham at purchase of above resort in Hawaii they included and count toward VIP.

Have purchased 2 resales. 1 is affiliated resorts they counted toward Gold. It put me over 500,000 points.

One is a High End Hawaii Royal Sea Cliff resort very expensive annuals but they would not count them towards VIP because they were resale.

Apparently Wyndham can not tell if affiliated resorts are purchased retail or resale.

In the grand scheme of things this makes no sense to me. The resort I pay the most annual fees for does not count toward VIP but all of my other resorts do.

In a timeshare update ( I hate timeshare updates and rarely go, I send guests I bring along) we tried to trade in our resale unit, but the sales manager told our salesperson that under no circumstances do they trade in resale units.

Not necessarily an answer to any of above questions just my experience.

 

[rrlongwell]

I'm VIP Gold Only bought 168,000 Bi Annual points from Wyndham. they only count 84,000 points toward Gold.

Have 254,000 PIC points from a resale purchase prior to Wyndham at purchase of above resort in Hawaii they included and count toward VIP.

Have purchased 2 resales. 1 is affiliated resorts they counted toward Gold. It put me over 500,000 points.

One is a High End Hawaii Royal Sea Cliff resort very expensive annuals but they would not count them towards VIP because they were resale.

Apparently Wyndham can not tell if affiliated resorts are purchased retail or resale.

In the grand scheme of things this makes no sense to me. The resort I pay the most annual fees for does not count toward VIP but all of my other resorts do.

In a timeshare update ( I hate timeshare updates and rarely go, I send guests I bring along) we tried to trade in our resale unit, but the sales manager told our salesperson that under no circumstances do they trade in resale units.

Not necessarily an answer to any of above questions just my experience.

Thanks for the update.

 

[rrlongwell]

Anyone know what is happening at the Shawnee Mountain Resorts in Pa.? I have two upcoming reservations at the resort. They indicated that there was some sort of parting of the ways with them and Wynhdam. Called Wyndham. They gave the names of the four Wynhdam resorts (all right by each other) that they would not get involved with their decisions. The resort indicated they are no longer taking requests for specific rooms for Wynhdam VIP Members.

 

[timeos2]

Anyone know what is happening at the Shawnee Mountain Resorts in Pa.? I have two upcoming reservations at the resort. They indicated that there was some sort of parting of the ways with them and Wynhdam. Called Wyndham. They gave the names of the four Wynhdam resorts (all right by each other) that they would not get involved with their decisions. The resort indicated they are no longer taking requests for specific rooms for Wynhdam VIP Members.

VIP is a meaningless sales perk. Do you need more proof than the fact that a resort can pick & chose if they even honor it?

 

[chapjim]

VIP is a meaningless sales perk. Do you need more proof than the fact that a resort can pick & chose if they even honor it?

VIP may not be worth much to you but that is a subjective valuation. Forget the newspaper and early check-in -- those are trivial annoyances but nothing more.

I don't have to count housekeeping points or transactions or pay for guest confirmations, hardly meaningless perks but not the best part.

I rented or used thirty-one Wyndham reservations in 2011. All but one got a 50% discount. That means my 3 million points was worth almost 6 million. That's not meaningless!

 

[rrlongwell]

...I rented or used thirty-one Wyndham reservations in 2011. All but one got a 50% discount. That means my 3 million points was worth almost 6 million. That's not meaningless!

I went over 1 year all on the VIP discount. Am still going strong. This fall got a little tricky for what I wanted but I did get them. Granted I am under one of the exections referenced in the subject post. Is it worth new purchases? I do not know. I guess it depends on the market and inflation does over the years. P.S. do not forget the newspaper, it is a classy touch.

 

[ronparise]

VIP may not be worth much to you but that is a subjective valuation. Forget the newspaper and early check-in -- those are trivial annoyances but nothing more.

I don't have to count housekeeping points or transactions or pay for guest confirmations, hardly meaningless perks but not the best part.

I rented or used thirty-one Wyndham reservations in 2011. All but one got a 50% discount. That means my 3 million points was worth almost 6 million. That's not meaningless!

If we assume you bought all your 3 million points retail than you paid something in the neighborhood of $400000 and your mf is about $15000 a year and you get the use of 6000000 points

If I buy 6000000 points on the resale market. Ill probably be able to do it under $50000 or a $350000 savings

Of course my mf will be double yours or about $30000 a year Ill take the $350000 I saved and invest it at 4.3% and earn enough each year to pay the difference

I know that you can get to platinum without buying all your points retail. for example, you could buy 500000 points retail and PIC 2 three bedroom red units (500000 points) and buy the next 2 million on the secondary market to match your 3000000 points,

My point is that as valuable as a platinum VIP ownership is; its not worth paying retail prices to get it

 

[vacationhopeful]

Several years ago, you could PIC 4 weeks. Several years before that, you could PIC even more weeks.

 

[rrlongwell]

If we assume you bought all your 3 million points retail than you paid something in the neighborhood of $400000 and your mf is about $15000 a year and you get the use of 6000000 points

If I buy 6000000 points on the resale market. Ill probably be able to do it under $50000 or a $350000 savings

Of course my mf will be double yours or about $30000 a year Ill take the $350000 I saved and invest it at 4.3% and earn enough each year to pay the difference

I know that you can get to platinum without buying all your points retail. for example, you could buy 500000 points retail and PIC 2 three bedroom red units (500000 points) and buy the next 2 million on the secondary market to match your 3000000 points,

My point is that as valuable as a platinum VIP ownership is; its not worth paying retail prices to get it

At the 3 million point level, you could have a wife and child each have a Platium account. That would then be three Platinium Accounts and 6 PIC Weeks.

 

[ronparise]

So Linda Do I get your point;

A wyndham owner at the 3 million point level is probably renting his points as a business. And as a business the return on the investment of time and money sucks


The only way to make it work as a business is at all is with a Platinum ownership and even then its probably not worth the capital investment

And if we were to answer the question: Does it make sense to become a Platinum VIP today (even if you do it by PICing weeks)..the answer is probably not

 

[chapjim]

If we assume you bought all your 3 million points retail than you paid something in the neighborhood of $400000 and your mf is about $15000 a year and you get the use of 6000000 points

If I buy 6000000 points on the resale market. Ill probably be able to do it under $50000 or a $350000 savings

Of course my mf will be double yours or about $30000 a year Ill take the $350000 I saved and invest it at 4.3% and earn enough each year to pay the difference

I know that you can get to platinum without buying all your points retail. for example, you could buy 500000 points retail and PIC 2 three bedroom red units (500000 points) and buy the next 2 million on the secondary market to match your 3000000 points,

My point is that as valuable as a platinum VIP ownership is; its not worth paying retail prices to get it

I bought 1,011,000 from Wyndham, bare minimum to get to VIP Platinum.

 

[chapjim]

At the 3 million point level, you could have a wife and child each have a Platium account. That would then be three Platinium Accounts and 6 PIC Weeks.

If I had bought 3 million points from Wyndham, I guess you'd be right.

 

[vacationhopeful]

So Linda Do I get your point;

A wyndham owner at the 3 million point level is probably renting his points as a business. And as a business the return on the investment of time and money sucks


The only way to make it work as a business is at all is with a Platinum ownership and even then its probably not worth the capital investment

And if we were to answer the question: Does it make sense to become a Platinum VIP today (even if you do it by PICing weeks)..the answer is probably not

You got it. Wyndham won the war on Megarenters being an internet business by changing the rules. They cut off the value of 4 (started as unlimited) cheap MF weeks being PIC'ed by limiting them to 2 and each must have a developer purchase, limiting free guest certificates, no more 8AM listing for yesterday's cancelled weeks, and inside the 14 day cancelled reservations become NO POINTs saved.

There were several years ago, several MegaRenters on TUG were pulling in $60-100,000+ yearly rental Wyndham vacations.

But to be fair, was it all the Wyndham changes made or the economy?

 

[chapjim]

So Linda Do I get your point;

A wyndham owner at the 3 million point level is probably renting his points as a business. And as a business the return on the investment of time and money sucks.

But think how much more it would suck if I couldn't make reservations at 50%!

 

[chapjim]

no more 8AM listing for yesterday's cancelled weeks

But to be fair, was it all the Wyndham changes made or the economy?

I don't see your point about cancellations going back into inventory at 8AM the next day. This change was the biggest boon imaginable to renters like me.

I think it is as much the economy as anything. Lots of people aren't going as far or as often as they used to. Lots of other people aren't going at all.

SORRY!! I kicked this one -- should have been a multi-quote.