A few points...
1. PE platinum get unlimited use of all of UR's properties in the same price range.
2. they can also use UR's higher priced properties, for at least 1 week per year.
> their usage decreases availability for UR members.
> the only thing UR members gain is some PE properties in same price range. which again isnt that great, because theyre sharing with PE members who have unlimited usage.
= UR members get absolutely screwed even though there are twice as many as PE.
A few points...
1) I think that people are putting too much emphasis on the grandfathering of PE 'unlimited usage'; even though usage is 'unlimited', the vast majority of PE members use the properties 25 - 35 nights per year, which is less than the amount allotted to UR Platinum members... so even though they theoretically have the ability to use the properties 365 nights per year, it just isn't happening, and there is no reason to expect that would suddenly change after a merger... a small number may use the properties 60 - 70 nights per year, but that is a very small minority, and as I understand it, the average varies between 25 - 35.
2) Availability, as measured in occupancy rates, are very similar for both clubs, so merging them, without changing anyones 'deal' should have no effect of overall availability. If a = PE members, and b = UR members, and x = occupancy rate, ax + bx = (a+b)x
3) Even though UR has twice as many members as PE, the majority of UR members in both UR and UR Elite are bronze members, with only 14 nights usage per year... when you use 'member equivalents' (the way HCC does), PE and UR are very close in 'full member equivalents'.
4) Since the majority of UR members are bronze members, allowed 14 nights per year, the addition of PE members will have no more effect on their availability than the UR Silver, Gold & Platinum members do currently...
5) From what I am hearing, from both UR and PE, no UR members will be 'screwed'; each member of both clubs will continue to get exactly the deal they signed up for; UR Bronze will still get 14 nights for $XXXX per year, etc. So how are they being screwed if they are getting the same deal they signed up for, at the same price, with the same availability/occupancy rates, but with more selection options? I'm sure that UR will be happy to sell an upgrade to any UR bronze members that want to upgrade before (or after) the merger...
6) It has always been acknowledged that the merger was not a 'done deal', but rather a proposed/intended merger entering a due diligence period, so yes, it still makes sense for anyone considering either or both clubs to consider the possibility that the merger won't happen... doesn't mean that there is any hostility, just that it isn't a certainty until the ink is dry...
The easy part of the merger/acquisition should be determining member programs and benefits (which they can't even do). The hard part, and the part which will DOOM this M/A is the business issues. It appears they haven't even agreed on valuations at this point.
I'm not sure what you are basing this on... from what I have heard, they DID agree on the business issues (management, governance, ownership, etc.) and certainly the valuations... but left the 'easy' part (determining future member benefits & programs) for the due diligence period... On what are you basing your conclusion that the business issues and valuation have not been determined??? Remember, these are both private companies, not public entities, and they have no obligation to disclose to the general public aspects of their business model that they wish to keep confidential. In addition, there very well may be additional information being shared with interested parties (i.e. PE & UR members) that the members cannot share in a public forum. And lastly, there is no reason to believe that the companies are refusing to put promises in writing... Where are you getting the information that is leading you to these conclusions???