[ 2011 ] Questions about Summer Bay/The Desert Club Las Vegas

[hajjah]

Finally got an answer from RCI and HIVC. Apparently, I should not have received the offer for the buy two, get one free weeks membership with RCI since I also have a points account. My RCI points membership pays for the weeks. This had nothing to do with HIVC and the previous RCI Guide should not have advised me to contact HIVC. I am documented as not wanting to join the HIVC. I will continue to pay my RCI membership fees to RCI Points, not via weeks. So, the offers for discount membership fees do not apply to points members, only weeks, which I still think is unfair. But then again, I am not paying two membership fees to RCI. I guess I cannot complain. My points account is fine to continue my searches.

 

[M&JJ]

I had to wait about 4 weeks before I could access the RCI site through the HIVC website. It did eventually come through.

 

[roadtriper]

OK so I think I got an acceptable answer from a senior HICV person I met at the Annual meeting in June. evidently it does take RCI up to 6-8 weeks to get the accounts set up on their end. and he said they are working to expidite that process. some of the confusion with some of the service reps was that there was also other problems with the RCI link going on so the reps saw that the system was having an issue and just assumed that was my problem.
So, it looks like the Rep that Sandy spoke with was 100% spot on, confirmed by what other folks have reported and the confirmation from HICV Senior Mgmt,
NOW, I'm assuming it's RCI dragging their feet? as it doesnt seem like it's much more than some data input? So I'll wait patiently! RT

 

[Sandy]

8 weeks now?Still no RCI access

OK so I think I got an acceptable answer from a senior HICV person I met at the Annual meeting in June. evidently it does take RCI up to 6-8 weeks to get the accounts set up on their end. and he said they are working to expidite that process. some of the confusion with some of the service reps was that there was also other problems with the RCI link going on so the reps saw that the system was having an issue and just assumed that was my problem.
So, it looks like the Rep that Sandy spoke with was 100% spot on, confirmed by what other folks have reported and the confirmation from HICV Senior Mgmt,
NOW, I'm assuming it's RCI dragging their feet? as it doesnt seem like it's much more than some data input? So I'll wait patiently! RT

I joined HICV on the last day, June 30. Today is Aug 31. I just tried to get onto RCI through my HIVC access point, no luck.

I still have an RCI account, so I can access RCI directly, but I just wanted to update anyone interested that it is still a "work in progress" to access through the HICV access.

sandy

 

[roadtriper]

Mine is now working as of a couple weeks ago? not sure if it has anything to do with all my calls/emails or it just happened? RT

 

[gkbiiii]

Holiday Inn, Feel the Love!!

Ok - so most of you have by now either not joined the HIVC or joined and exploring. I joined and I am exploring the options. I figured that it was a cheap way to get into the HICV club, considering that other "conversion" schemes cost thousands of $$. When I saw the low cost, I thought long and hard, but then joined.

One of the things I was interested in was the option to use the Priority Club points for airfare. I know, I know, this is not the best use of points usually. Probably correct. But this is the same conclusion with using RCI points for airfare, so maybe I am no better off. With RCI, I was limited to the a certain percentage of my allotted points for the year.

Anyway, I finally found out how to play around with using points for airfare after speaking with a rep today. Here it is:

Go to www.priorityclub.com (use your priority club member number)
- Rewards
- Travel
- Flights anywhere
- - flights anywhere (again, on the left side)
- Search for flights

Then you can play around with flight options. Looks like it is live, as with expedia or travelocity type websites.

Since I don't have any points in the account yet, it says something like "You don't have sufficient points, but view the possibilites..."

This gives me an idea of points values for airfares. Of course, these change just as real-time money costs for airfares, but I thought others might like to know how to find this info.

Looks like this HIVC might work out, especially for hotel stays at places we want to visit that do not have timeshare options. Such as Charleston, SC; New York; and especially European vacatons; also for those international travellers, the resorts and hotels across the globe through IGH group look scrumptuous!

sandy

The miles transfer option Can be a great use of points for high value First/Business International/Hawaii/Alaska travel. The best thing about the Hotel membership, is being able to use your timeshare points to stay in actual cities!!

I like staying in NYC and would love to spend more time in both London & Paris. The costs of rooms in these cities is sky high. It is possible to bank hotel points forever, thus a "Once in a Lifetime Trip" can be in your reach. Luxury air, hotel, rental car, and even hotel credit.

Also, I like that the Hotel Program has a Gift Catalog, you can use your points with, as well as many Gift Card Options. I should note, that you can use points for Amtrak & Cruise Vacations directly with HICV.

I am thrilled my recent purchase, Snowdance, Ascutney Mountain was taken over by HICV!!!!

 

[csxjohn]

............

 

[silentg]

I have used my HICV at Orange Lake for IHG hotels. Also to trade for short stays at South Beach resort at Myrtle Beach and Cape Canaveral in Florida. We own a timeshare in Ireland and used IHG points to spend six days in Rome before our Ireland stay. Dublin has direct flights to many major cities in Europe so we plan to do this again on future trips. I had not heard about plane fares? Have you used points thru HIcV for airlines? We are going to Hawaii and if we could use points towards flights, I want to know how. Any of you who have done this, point me in the right direction?
Silentg

 

[gkbiiii]

You can use their points to book airlines or (Better) to send to airlines millage programs to book on your own.

 

[Sandy]

I am thrilled my recent purchase, Snowdance, Ascutney Mountain was taken over by HICV!!!!

I am interested in the details of your purchase. Did you already own Snowdance when it was taken over?

When was the take over?

Did you get the good deal to join HICV HIVC for around $200 or so?

Was your purchase a resale?

Is this offer still available to buy resale at Snowdance?

thanks!

 

[gkbiiii]

I had just bought the property with ebay (Snowdance), this year, for under $20 and with all fees paid by the seller. Also, there was a $200 Visa gift card incentive, for the purchase.

I was not charged a fee to change over to points, I just just sent a letter allowing me to do so, for a limited time. Now I have 96,000 points annually: though some get as high as 390,000 for three bedroom fixed weeks.

 

[Sandy]

Thanks for your reply.

Were you previously a member of HIVC HIVC? or were you a new member?

This is a promising purchase because others may be able to get one of these weeks and add points to an existing account.

 

[gkbiiii]

I am a new member, never even thought of owning with Holiday Inn.

 

[tschwa2]

The Vermont location is one of the few locations that do not revert back the deeded week once converted. The week was probably already in points but the seller did not know this. When you buy at one of the resorts that do transfer as points, the points do not count toward elite status for the new owner but in general the points aren't restricted in their usage either.

 

[gkbiiii]

I should note, that I was given Gold Status with a new Holiday Inn number, for their hotel program. I think I bought the property, right before the transfer to Holiday Inn.

 

[tschwa2]

Orange Lake took over management at Ascutney Mountain in 2009. It seems for awhile they were maintaining 2 separate associations for points and weeks members. By 2011 it was all Holiday Inn. Not sure what if anything changed in the last year.

 

[skimble]

I'm a little shocked at how high the maintenance fees are.
When Summer Bay was bought out, I thought the units were all newly refurbished, and the resort was seeded with some money that would help keep maintenance fees down.
Does anyone know why the fees are so high?

 

[UWSurfer]

I'm a little shocked at how high the maintenance fees are.
When Summer Bay was bought out, I thought the units were all newly refurbished, and the resort was seeded with some money that would help keep maintenance fees down.
Does anyone know why the fees are so high?

I've not received this year's bill yet. How high is high?

 

[skimble]

I've not received this year's bill yet. How high is high?

I don't have it in front of me, but it was over $1100 for 2 bd.

 

[UWSurfer]

I don't have it in front of me, but it was over $1100 for 2 bd.

Wow. Last year I paid $588 for a 2 bdrm, I sincerely hope they didn't actually double the MF fee's. Between Summer Bay and Orange Lake My MF's have been in the mid-500's and I have our week in RCI Points.

It's been a real good deal for us, as I type this looking out over the ocean from Capistrano Surfside Inn, which we exchanged into with the RCI points from this Desert Club week.

You are referencing HI Desert Club, yes?

 

[skimble]

Wow. Last year I paid $588 for a 2 bdrm, I sincerely hope they didn't actually double the MF fee's. Between Summer Bay and Orange Lake My MF's have been in the mid-500's and I have our week in RCI Points.

It's been a real good deal for us, as I type this looking out over the ocean from Capistrano Surfside Inn, which we exchanged into with the RCI points from this Desert Club week.

You are referencing HI Desert Club, yes?

Yes, I am.
The statement says,
The total operating cost for a Standard (Phase I) unit in 2016 is projected to be $519 per unit week, with the total provisions for reserves projected to be $79. The combined assessment for 2016 is $598 inclusive of real estate taxes.
But then it says, the total operating assessment for the Signature Collection runs from $848 for a studio suite, $918 for a 1-bedroom , $1,109 for a 2-bedroom.

 

[hajjah]

I got my letter from Holiday Group/Desert Club a few days ago and read the same thing. I may need to get rid of my two bedroom unit if the fees keep climbing. How do you know if your unit is the Signature Collection? Many of us bought our units when they first converted from weeks to points some years ago.

 

[tschwa2]

If you are enrolled in either RCI points or HICV you should be able to tell by the number of points you get. Signature Collection is their version of Wyndham's Presidential Reserves.
Non Signature points chart

WINTER SEASON(SILVER) Weeks 1-5, 45-52 PRIME SEASON (GOLD) Weeks 6-18 SUMMER SEASON (PLATINUM) Weeks 19-31 PEAK SEASON (DIAMOND) Weeks 32-44
1-Bedroom Standard 79,000 94,000 98,000 107,000
1-Bedroom Deluxe 83,000 99,000 103,000 113,000
2-Bedroom 124,000 148,000 154,000 169,000
2-Bedroom Lock-Off 166,000 198,000 206,000 226,000

vs the Signature collection chart

It begins before you even arrive with a call from our concierge team to arrange for your groceries, show tickets, reservations and any other vacation needs. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy VIP check-in before being led to your
deluxe villa. You’re greeted by upscale luxury, superior comfort and designer décor. Enjoy bold artwork and furnishings, surround-sound entertainment and gaming system, and a stainless steel kitchen with granite countertops. Plus, personalized concierge service is just a call away to add to your Reserve experience. Bedrooms feature custom linens and plush furnishings that invite relaxation, as do the oversized spa tub, signature bath products and custom made bathrobes provided for your comfort. And when it’s time to hit the casinos, top restaurants and spectacular shows, our complimentary shuttle will deliver you right to the heart of it all!
Luxury in the Heart of Entertainment.

WINTER SEASON(SILVER)Weeks 1-5, 45-52 PRIME SEASON(GOLD)Weeks 6-18 SUMMER SEASON(PLATINUM)Weeks 19-31 PEAK SEASON(DIAMOND)Weeks 32-44
Signature Collection – Suite 105,000 120,000 125,000 135,000
Signature Collection – 1-Bedroom 130,000 145,000 155,000 170,000
Signature Collection – 2-Bedroom 195,000 220,000 230,000 250,000

 

[UWSurfer]

Wow. Last year I paid $588 for a 2 bdrm, I sincerely hope they didn't actually double the MF fee's. Between Summer Bay and Orange Lake My MF's have been in the mid-500's and I have our week in RCI Points.

It's been a real good deal for us, as I type this looking out over the ocean from Capistrano Surfside Inn, which we exchanged into with the RCI points from this Desert Club week.

You are referencing HI Desert Club, yes?

Our unit lines up in Phase 1 based on our MF fees last year, so MF still under $600. RCI points generated from it are 62,200 spring season, straight RCI account, not HIVC. So far it's been a good deal for us.

 

[hajjah]

I received the bill today from Orange Lake Capital Management. I'm paying $601 for my two bedroom unit. I must have the same spring season. I always space bank my points with RCI. I cannot really complain since we've gotten about 3-4 vacations from this one timeshare using the specials around 10,000 points. Our schedule is pretty flexible.