Faye,
IMO BIS-Duck has as strong, or maybe even a stronger argument, for a summer peak season amenity fee for renters and traders as Beachwoods does. Beachwoods has updated units, and a very nice outdoor and indoor pool (kiddie water park), but still has projects not completely finished, especially the beach access portion of the project, and the individual units still don't have WiFi. BIS-Duck has dated interiors (soon to be addressed), but nice indoor and outdoor pools, (now) strong WiFi in each unit, a fully staffed, functioning, and successful Snack Shack, and excellent direct beachfront access.
I am not strongly for or against amenity fees. We recently stayed in some JW Marriott's at different locations and they charged us daily amenity fees of about $18-$22. It didn't bother me though because we got daily housekeeping, parking, great WiFi, great pool complexes, and discounts to onsite dining. So it isn't the fee so much as what you are getting for the fee.
IMO Diamond didn't do themselves any favors when they rapidly implemented daily amenity fees at the former Gold Key resorts, but couldn't even provide renters and traders decent WiFi in their unit. With non-functioning WiFi and so many uncompleted projects it made people feel like they were getting ripped off to pay a daily amenity fee for amenities that either didn't actually exist (i.e. WiFi) or weren't yet ready for prime time.
I am usually not one to advocate for amenity fees, but if BIS-Duck could raise additional revenue by implementing a summer peak season amenity fee, I think it should be considered. One thing for sure that will help give BIS-Duck a fighting chance of making a complete comeback is continuing to provide and maintain great amenities. If a daily fee for non-owner rentals and traders during summer can help provide additional revenue in that regard it should be considered. JMO.
Barrier Island Station Duck and Barrier Island's Ocean Pines have implemented a $125 housekeeping/linen fee for those exchanging into the resort. It's not a daily fee.
According to RCI notice:
The staff at BARRIER ISLAND'S OCEAN PINES BEACH has notified us that effectively immediately, all weeks and points stays will be charged $125 fee, which covers housekeeping and linens to all RCI Inbound guests. The length of stay does not matter.
The talk of implementing a summer peak season amenity fee is now an "any season" housekeeping and linen fee.
As I stated previously, it seems Ocean Pines and Barrier Island Station (sister resorts) are "grasping at straws" in their efforts to raise additional revenue.
I'm sure there will be those that will think or say that this is the reason to be an owner where you want to go. I owned at BIS for 30+ years. I currently own at Ocean Pines. However, this outlandish new fee for exchange guests sends up red flags for me about the stability of the resorts (among other things). Like at BIS, Ocean Pines maintenance fees have been kept unreasonably low over the years to the detriment of the resorts' maintenance and improvements. I guess the Board members and resort management believe it's better to try to wring out additional revenue from exchange guests than to increase maintenance fees. While owners may like the fact that their maintenance fees are low and the increases are minimal, there is a price to pay for this. I guess for many, location, location, location is enough. Cost-wise, I love the fact that my maintenance fee for 2018 will only be $550 for oceanfront units in the Summer at Duck. However, I know, that such low fees cannot adequately maintain and upgrade this resort when needed.
I had to make the hard decision to sell off my last BIS weeks due to my perceived direction that the resort is going. I'm sorry to say that this newest decision to enact a "junk" fee on exchangers to increase revenues will also weigh on my future decision on whether to keep my Ocean Pines weeks. I could be wrong, but I think this crazy fee will negatively impact the resorts in the long run.