posted 11-03-2002 17:36            

Could you explain why some Marriotts are no longer offered at "getaway savers" rates even if it is just a few days until check-in? For example, the Orlando Marriotts such as Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour, etc,... were offered earlier this year but this practice seems to have stopped and I am just trying to figure out why.

Thanks,

posted 11-04-2002 04:02            

quote:

---

Originally posted by rwilson:
Craig,

Could you explain why some Marriotts are no longer offered at "getaway savers" rates even if it is just a few days until check-in? For example, the Orlando Marriotts such as Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour, etc,... were offered earlier this year but this practice seems to have stopped and I am just trying to figure out why.

Thanks,

RW

---

posted 11-04-2002 05:38            

Could you expand on the criteria used to offer a week at getaway saver prices? I am confused as to whether they are a developer or an individual members' weeks or both. You mentioned that the Marriott's were offered by mistake, however, Horizon's by Marriotts is still offered at the getaway saver price so is it the quality of the resort or selling phase of the resort that determines the price? Do developers have any say as to the timing of when a week is offered at the getaway saver price as I notice that some weeks have been offered at this rate for January 2003.

I am also not clear on II's getaway policy as stated in the resort directory. It states that "II reserves the right to limit the number of getaway confirmations issued to a particular member and to limit the number of units confirmed to a member for any given travel date." Could you give me some sense of the number of weeks that I would be restricted to in practice?

The policy also states that I may not be confirmed into my home resort, however, I have done this on occasion. Is this something that is allowed in practice or was this a mistake?

Thank you very much for your informative and timely answers.

RW

quote:

---

Originally posted by CraigU:
Marriott's were mistakenly offered at the getaways saver prices. We feel the value offered, at our standard prices, represents a terrific value for these high quality properties.

---

posted 11-04-2002 09:02            

quote:

---

Originally posted by MZ:
Oh, by the way,I am a member of TUG, although the post says I'm not, trying to get that fixed.

---

posted 11-04-2002 14:33            

We limit the number of getaways based on an analysis of the transactions. If it appears someone is attempting to build a business, using our getaway product, we will place a block on their membership. The getaway program is a great benefit for friends and family of the member to be exposed to the timeshare concept. However, we do not want it to be the gateway for non owners to have access to our members only pricing.

The geographical restriction applies primarily to exchange transactions. In limited cases, the restriction is not imposed on getaway weeks.

quote:

---

Originally posted by rwilson:
Craig,

Could you expand on the criteria used to offer a week at getaway saver prices? I am confused as to whether they are a developer or an individual members' weeks or both. You mentioned that the Marriott's were offered by mistake, however, Horizon's by Marriotts is still offered at the getaway saver price so is it the quality of the resort or selling phase of the resort that determines the price? Do developers have any say as to the timing of when a week is offered at the getaway saver price as I notice that some weeks have been offered at this rate for January 2003.

I am also not clear on II's getaway policy as stated in the resort directory. It states that "II reserves the right to limit the number of getaway confirmations issued to a particular member and to limit the number of units confirmed to a member for any given travel date." Could you give me some sense of the number of weeks that I would be restricted to in practice?

The policy also states that I may not be confirmed into my home resort, however, I have done this on occasion. Is this something that is allowed in practice or was this a mistake?

Thank you very much for your informative and timely answers.

RW

---

posted 11-05-2002 08:26            

If my home resort goes under (YIKES!), or if II decided it were to no longer be affiliated with the resort, would I lose all ability to use my II membership? Would I even be eligible for Getaways, or would my pre-paid membership be null and void?

Problem is that my home resort, which is showing to be a very weak trader, is in a "stalled" status, apparently. It was under construction when I bought, but after 3 bldgs. went up, there was the Cendant buyout of Equivest/Fairfield (?). Fairfield took some of those properties, but it is questionnable whether my resort is going to be completed -- or if it just waiting for Fairfield and the developer to finish a resort down the road (which is what the resort manager tells me). I can't seem to find out anything.

Craig, any chance you can shed light on this for me? I would be glad, of course, to provide more info via private email. If you know of someone I could talk with, or could point me in a particular direction to get answers, that would be very helpful.

Many thanks!

posted 11-05-2002 08:46            

Beachbarbie & I are planning a South Florida TUG Lunch in February. We would like to have you join us if you can, not as a Rep for II but as another TUGGER. We are looking at Sunday, Feb. 9, 03 around 1:00 PM, place has not been decided on yet. We will post on Florida board exact time and place in mid January. If you can join us we will post to all TUGGERS attending that you are there as another TUGGER not as a Rep for II and you should be treated accordingly. We are doing a Lunch instead of Dinner as there are some folks in Orlando and on the West Coast who would like to join us. Last year we had 18 people and had a great time. Hope you can join us, also any other TUGGERS reading this come and join us for a great TUG Bash. Lets double last years turnout.
Suzanne

posted 11-05-2002 10:57            

I wanted to let you know about 2 odd website problems.

I was placing a search request. I entered the size of my party 2 adults, 3 children and entered my 10 resort codes.

On the following page, only 6 of the resorts were listed. It wasn't just the 1st 6 either. So I re-entered the missing 4.

On the following page, 9 of them showed up. So again, I clicked Add Resorts and added the last one.

Everything was rolling along until I reached the credit card payment page. As directed, I double-checked the information first. WHAT? One of my children had disappeared! It read 2 Adults, 2 Children.

I backed up to the page where you enter the size of your party and there were 3 Children there. I continued on to that final page again, but only 2 Children showed up.

I closed the window in frustration. I'll have to call in.

I know my youngest child can be frustrating at times, but she's really quite sweet. Don't leave her home.

posted 11-05-2002 12:04            

quote:

---

Originally posted by MJPVA:
I have a question that concerns my II membership - paid for the next 3 years - but I don't know if the ? belongs here. I'll try here, though..... especially since Craig is so gracious to answer members' questions.

If my home resort goes under (YIKES!), or if II decided it were to no longer be affiliated with the resort, would I lose all ability to use my II membership? Would I even be eligible for Getaways, or would my pre-paid membership be null and void?

Problem is that my home resort, which is showing to be a very weak trader, is in a "stalled" status, apparently. It was under construction when I bought, but after 3 bldgs. went up, there was the Cendant buyout of Equivest/Fairfield (?). Fairfield took some of those properties, but it is questionnable whether my resort is going to be completed -- or if it just waiting for Fairfield and the developer to finish a resort down the road (which is what the resort manager tells me). I can't seem to find out anything.

Craig, any chance you can shed light on this for me? I would be glad, of course, to provide more info via private email. If you know of someone I could talk with, or could point me in a particular direction to get answers, that would be very helpful.

Many thanks!

nervous Mindy in VA

---

posted 11-05-2002 16:03            

quote:

---

Originally posted by suzanne:
Craig, thank you for fixing the 5* symbol on the HLE Resort. I know that it seems like a small thing but to us who own there it was important.

Beachbarbie & I are planning a South Florida TUG Lunch in February. We would like to have you join us if you can, not as a Rep for II but as another TUGGER. We are looking at Sunday, Feb. 9, 03 around 1:00 PM, place has not been decided on yet. We will post on Florida board exact time and place in mid January. If you can join us we will post to all TUGGERS attending that you are there as another TUGGER not as a Rep for II and you should be treated accordingly. We are doing a Lunch instead of Dinner as there are some folks in Orlando and on the West Coast who would like to join us. Last year we had 18 people and had a great time. Hope you can join us, also any other TUGGERS reading this come and join us for a great TUG Bash. Lets double last years turnout.
Suzanne

---

posted 11-05-2002 16:05            

quote:

---

Originally posted by MarTN:
Dear Craig,

I wanted to let you know about 2 odd website problems.

I was placing a search request. I entered the size of my party 2 adults, 3 children and entered my 10 resort codes.

On the following page, only 6 of the resorts were listed. It wasn't just the 1st 6 either. So I re-entered the missing 4.

On the following page, 9 of them showed up. So again, I clicked Add Resorts and added the last one.

Everything was rolling along until I reached the credit card payment page. As directed, I double-checked the information first. WHAT? One of my children had disappeared! It read 2 Adults, 2 Children.

I backed up to the page where you enter the size of your party and there were 3 Children there. I continued on to that final page again, but only 2 Children showed up.

I closed the window in frustration. I'll have to call in.

I know my youngest child can be frustrating at times, but she's really quite sweet. Don't leave her home.

---

posted 11-05-2002 16:08            

As it relates to the airfare discount associated with the Gold membership, you are entitled to an additional set of American Airlines savings certificates. We would apply the discount, based on the fare booked, at the time of the reservation.

quote:

---

Originally posted by pannie:
Hi Craig:
I'm a fairly new II member. At a recent Grand Pacific Monarch presentation, the sales manager said that ONLY GPM owners could get 2 or 3 day "escapes" at any resort in II directory that had an "R" (rental rates available). For e.g., Club Donatello would be available at $45 a night. I checked with the Worldmark II rep if WM owners could get that too, and the rep said he had no idea. Could you let me know if this is correct, that ONLY Grand Pacific Monarch members can get this? He also said that II Gold members get $200 each year for airfare -- I joined II Gold in May, but hadn't heard of (or received!) any $200. Please let me know if the sales manager was correct or just "sales hype!"
Thanks
Pannie

---

posted 11-07-2002 09:54            

When doing an online search there is only a single date that is input. Can you tell me what the date range that this triggers for the search?

If I ask for Mar 10 and I get something for Mar 10 and 17 I am left wondering whether I need to search again for Mar 24 or if there is nothing available.

posted 11-07-2002 12:12            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Northern Willy:
Hi Craig,

When doing an online search there is only a single date that is input. Can you tell me what the date range that this triggers for the search?

If I ask for Mar 10 and I get something for Mar 10 and 17 I am left wondering whether I need to search again for Mar 24 or if there is nothing available.

Thanks in advance.

---

posted 11-07-2002 12:45            

quote:

---

Originally posted by CraigU:
I believe it will provide results for the date entered plus 30 days.

---

I hate to tell you this, Craig, but that's not true! The default setting is 21 days--one week backward, two weeks forward. There's a 30-day option, but it takes some digging to find it.

I've done quite a bit of experimentation with II's search tools. In general, the search capabilities go back one week and forward exactly two weeks (a total search period of 21 days). In some cases, the search engine goes backward to the previous Thursday to look for availability, but it apparently never looks more than two weeks ahead on the initial search.

After you view search results for a particular region, a See Other Options link appears. When you click that link and then click the Expand My Search button, you have the option to specify a new date and choose whether you want the search to extend 21 days or 30 days.

Btw, a pet peeve: When you "expand your search," the search engine keeps the date you entered but erases the regions you had selected. This is TOTALLY annoying when I'm trying to check availability in several regions over an extended period of time. I should just be able to change the date and search again, but instead I have to re-enter the region.

Even more annoying, if I click the Back button, the date and Region remain selected, but I have to re-enter the Destination.

posted 11-07-2002 13:05            

If you choose to "expand" your search to 30 days, your search goes 2 weeks back and 2 weeks forward.

posted 11-07-2002 13:52            

quote:

---

Originally posted by EdB:
I hate to tell you this, Craig, but that's not true! The default setting is 21 days--one week backward, two weeks forward. There's a 30-day option, but it takes some digging to find it.

I've done quite a bit of experimentation with II's search tools. In general, the search capabilities go back one week and forward exactly two weeks (a total search period of 21 days). In some cases, the search engine goes backward to the previous Thursday to look for availability, but it apparently never looks more than two weeks ahead on the initial search.

After you view search results for a particular region, a See Other Options link appears. When you click that link and then click the Expand My Search button, you have the option to specify a new date and choose whether you want the search to extend 21 days or 30 days.

Btw, a pet peeve: When you "expand your search," the search engine keeps the date you entered but erases the regions you had selected. This is TOTALLY annoying when I'm trying to check availability in several regions over an extended period of time. I should just be able to change the date and search again, but instead I have to re-enter the region.

Even more annoying, if I click the Back button, the date and Region remain selected, but I have to re-enter the Destination.

Ed

---

posted 11-07-2002 14:21         

It was doing fine before, and I could shop with the old system with no problems. Don't know what happened.

GinGin

posted 11-07-2002 14:58            

We were able to use your 2004 week when we went into your account. Could you please tell me the name of your internet service provider, browser & version and the exact steps you are taking. We will use the information to determine if the issue is on our side.

quote:

---

Originally posted by GinGin:
Hi Craig, I still cannot shop with my FoxRun 2004 week. They have that the week is float, and no other info. I cannot shop with it at all online. It is week 12, unit 76. I called II customer service several weeks ago, and he was to verify all the correct info with the resort, but I guess he failed to do so.

It was doing fine before, and I could shop with the old system with no problems. Don't know what happened.

GinGin

---

posted 11-07-2002 16:50            

Despite earlier statements, I HAVE joined I.I. My recent acquisition of a Worldmark ownership allowed me 2 years for 1 fee. I felt that was cheap enough to give it a try. Also, I have so many Worldmark points that I won't be able to use them all, so wanted to compare RCI and II to see which would get me what I want. If I find one is better than the other, that's the one I'll renew. If I find that they both get different exchanges that benefit me, maybe I'll keep both. But if you have a lot of Worldmark points (like over 70,000 per year) it is almost mandatory to use II or RCI.

So here I am. I called your Worldmark desk V.C. today, I'm sorry I didn't get her name. She was extremely nice, knowledgeable and professional. Do you think that II puts more senior VC's on the WM desk?

posted 11-07-2002 17:50         

My internet service provider is wmconnect.com, my browser is IE 5.0. I am taking the exact steps I've always taken to shop my weeks with II, logging on with my password and going to the exchange page. All my other weeks are fine for shopping except Foxrun. This problem with Foxrun arose just recently when II changed something.

When I see my Foxrun week it has FOXRUN (FXR) - (unit status)open, (unit details) unknown unit size/unknown kitchen type),(unit) float, (check-in) 2004

When I then click SHOP it shows (reservation no.) N/A, (unit #) float, (bedrooms) - , it's just a dash

When I fill in unit number as 76 and bedrooms as 2 then hit select the following message comes up "The following error was detected, web0039 - The unit info submitted is not found in our records. Please contact your home resort". (It was evidently in your records in the old system).

I don't see how you can see something completely different than what I see. Somehow the information on my unit has not been put into II's computer since the transition, or it was lost during that time. I own unit 76, week 12 at FoxRun. I DO NOT own a float week. I don't know why this can't be fixed as the customer service person told me it would be. It's getting very frustrating, but thanks for your help Craig. Maybe you can get it fixed.

P.S. I hate to burden you with this on the Tug BBS, but I don't know what else I can do to get this information across to II. I have emailed customer service and talked verbally to a customer service rep.

------------------
www.picturetrail.com password:gingin (see many timeshares we've visited, please lighten screen before viewing)

I was just going to report the same problems that EdB reported. Not only are these a nuisance, but they are literally a real pain for those of us with carpal tunnel syndrome who must do so many extra mouse clicks. From my very limited experience, I realize that designing a web site is not an easy task, but please urge your programmers to design the most functionality with the least amount of mouse action.

Any chance of bringing the 21 and 30 day options to the first exchange screen? Or better yet, how about letting us enter a range of dates?

And by the way, until EdB posted, I never realized that the search does not extend 30 days forward from the date I enter.

Evelyn

quote:

---

Originally posted by EdB:
I hate to tell you this, Craig, but that's not true! The default setting is 21 days--one week backward, two weeks forward. There's a 30-day option, but it takes some digging to find it.

I've done quite a bit of experimentation with II's search tools. In general, the search capabilities go back one week and forward exactly two weeks (a total search period of 21 days). In some cases, the search engine goes backward to the previous Thursday to look for availability, but it apparently never looks more than two weeks ahead on the initial search.

After you view search results for a particular region, a See Other Options link appears. When you click that link and then click the Expand My Search button, you have the option to specify a new date and choose whether you want the search to extend 21 days or 30 days.

Btw, a pet peeve: When you "expand your search," the search engine keeps the date you entered but erases the regions you had selected. This is TOTALLY annoying when I'm trying to check availability in several regions over an extended period of time. I should just be able to change the date and search again, but instead I have to re-enter the region.

Even more annoying, if I click the Back button, the date and Region remain selected, but I have to re-enter the Destination.

Ed

---

posted 11-07-2002 19:50            

quote:

---

Originally posted by GinGin:
Craig,

My internet service provider is wmconnect.com, my browser is IE 5.0. I am taking the exact steps I've always taken to shop my weeks with II, logging on with my password and going to the exchange page. All my other weeks are fine for shopping except Foxrun. This problem with Foxrun arose just recently when II changed something.

When I see my Foxrun week it has FOXRUN (FXR) - (unit status)open, (unit details) unknown unit size/unknown kitchen type),(unit) float, (check-in) 2004

When I then click SHOP it shows (reservation no.) N/A, (unit #) float, (bedrooms) - , it's just a dash

When I fill in unit number as 76 and bedrooms as 2 then hit select the following message comes up "The following error was detected, web0039 - The unit info submitted is not found in our records. Please contact your home resort". (It was evidently in your records in the old system).

I don't see how you can see something completely different than what I see. Somehow the information on my unit has not been put into II's computer since the transition, or it was lost during that time. I own unit 76, week 12 at FoxRun. I DO NOT own a float week. I don't know why this can't be fixed as the customer service person told me it would be. It's getting very frustrating, but thanks for your help Craig. Maybe you can get it fixed.

P.S. I hate to burden you with this on the Tug BBS, but I don't know what else I can do to get this information across to II. I have emailed customer service and talked verbally to a customer service rep.

---