A few additional A&K related news items:
Flexjet becomes A&K partner:
http://www.abercrombiekent.com/news...nt-Announce-Exclusive-Alliance.cfm?&bcid=1575
A&K Villas added Mustique
http://www.cntraveller.com/news/2011/march/abercrombie--kent-mustique
Official press release on lowering dues and new travel benefits:
"Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Expands Travel Benefits and Lowers Annual Dues
DOWNERS GROVE, IL – March 22, 2011 … The Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club, the largest equity-based destination club in the industry, announced expanded A&K travel benefits exclusively for Club members, along with a 20% reduction in annual dues.
“Our members realize the benefit of joining a destination club managed by a worldwide luxury travel leader which gives them access to inspiring experiences around the world,” says Abercrombie & Kent Founder and Executive Chairman Geoffrey Kent. In 2010, 15% of the membership traded nights for A&K travel to a wide range of destinations, including safaris in East and Southern Africa, Israel & Egypt, Indochina, Argentina, Peru, Australia, Turkey, Canada and countries throughout Europe.
“While we joined A&K Residence Club to travel to beautiful destinations and stay in beautiful homes, we have been blown away at the way A&K has helped make our vacations memorable,” says member Drew Quartapella. “By taking advantage of A&K’s resources, our family has had some amazing experiences, including a gladiator school and a private Vatican tour in Rome; swimming with dolphins and horse-backing on the beach in the Dominican Republic; deep sea fishing in Cabo San Lucas; bike tours around the walled city of Lucca; and unbelievable gourmet meals provided by personal chefs in the comfort of our private home away-from-home. We continue to be impressed by the efforts of A&K to make our trips great! “
In response to member demand, the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club has also recently added a new “Universal Plus” 60-night membership for larger families and business use. Membership pricing also changed, with an increase in member capital contributions which reflects the upswing in the real estate market, and a 20% reduction in annual dues made possible by the fact that the Club has no debt service, unlike clubs built on a real estate model.
MEMBERSHIP PLAN HEMISPHERE GLOBAL UNIVERSAL UNIVERSAL PLUS
Nights Included 15 30 45 60
Nightly Dues $865 $800 $755 $715
Access to Abercrombie & Kent Travel, Villas Yes Yes Yes Yes
Capital Contribution $175,000 $300,000 $375,000 $475,000
Perhaps most compelling to prospective members is the Club’s equity membership model. Members own the Club and the Club owns the properties, debt-free. “Most destination clubs are built on a real estate model,” says Kent. “The Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club was founded on a fundamentally different, more conservative ‘equity’ model where capital contributions are secured by the Club’s assets. This provides a measure of security and peace of mind.”
The Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club offers members exclusive use of private residences in beach, mountain and golf destinations, in addition to hundreds of A&K travel experiences. A Global Experience Manager coordinates the travel arrangements with an on-site Destination Host to insure a memorable and stress-free vacation. Members may visit a new destination every time they travel, enjoying all the comforts of home, without the maintenance responsibilities of ownership.
The Club also arranges special access to events such as the Sundance Film Festival in Deer Valley, the U.S. Open in New York City and the PGA U.S. Open on Kiawah Island.
In addition to stays at Club-owned properties, Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club equity members may trade Club nights for access to ten different Ritz-Carlton® Club locations:
Abaco, Bahamas
Aspen Highlands, Colorado
Bachelor Gulch, Colorado
Vail, Colorado
Kapalua Bay, Maui
Kauai Lagoons, Hawaii
North Lake Tahoe, California
San Francisco, California
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Jupiter, Florida
More information on the benefits of membership in the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club can be found at: www.akresidenceclub.com"