posted 02-07-2005 18:45               

Every once and awhile I come across a small group of resorts that have their own point system. I just thought if anyone belongs to such a system that it would be nice to hear about it.

For example, I bought a week at "Sunrise Ridge Resort" in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For $68 a year I get a membership in their Amber Vac-Club. This lets me use my deeded week or convert it to points that can be used at any of their five resorts. I can use the points for a full week or to get a room on a nightly bases. They even have a website for checking availability. www.vac-club.com

What really picked my interest was finding out that a group of resorts called "Island One Resorts/Club Navigo" have their own point system. I don't know how it works but I would be interested in hearing about the details.

So if you belong to such a points system I would like to hear about it.

posted 02-08-2005 13:35               

has these "gems" which are convertible and incomprehensible untill you assigna numerical value.

below is my own simple system and how they convert into rci points. the sequence is gem/ vic's points/ rci points

bronze/ 1/ 16,000
silver/ 2/24,000
gold/3/ 40,000
platinum/5/ 64,000
saphhire/ 8/ 104,000
emerald/ 10/ 128,000
ruby/ 15/192,000

etc

posted 02-08-2005 19:35               

This is the first I have heard of RVC & Raintree. Thanks for bringing them to my attention. I don't get the RCI point relationship. Are you saying that you can some how change your week into RCI points? Or that you are using RCI points as a reference for the trading power of a reserved week?

I did a quick search for RVC & Raintree and found there web page. It says,

"RVC allows you to exchange your Whiski Jack Resorts week(s) for accommodations at other RVC affiliated resorts. Exchanges at other RVC resorts are referred to as “internal exchanges”."

What other resorts are affiliated with RVC? I didn't see any other resorts listed.

I also found this tidbit from the web page interesting.

"To exchange through RCI, simply contact your RVC reservations consultant and request availability at the RCI affiliated resort that you wish to visit. Unlike conventional exchange systems, RVC members have “Search-first” privileges that save time and eliminate the complications normally associated with large exchange systems. “Search first” privileges allow RVC members to determine the availability of accommodations at a desired resort before being obligated to commit any of their Whiski Jack Resorts usage rights to an exchange."

So if I understand this correctly.....you can search RCI, see if there is an exchange that you want, and then deposit your week. That is a great benefit over the way most of us exchange through RCI.

posted 02-08-2005 20:28               

quote:

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Originally posted by vicneo:
the system of preffered rci weeks exchanges is very good but you always have to do it via their reps who are sometimes less than erudite. also i do not have the ability to do online serches etc.

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"erudite".....talking about obscure. Good choice of words though. How could you mis-spell "preferred" after using a word like "erudite"

Having to deal with reps and not being able to do online searches would diminish the advantage of searching before depositing.

posted 02-13-2005 14:44               

I have heard of Monarch but know nothing about it. Is Monarch solely a points based system? I checked out their website and was wondering how good the owners section is. For instance, can you search for availability at their reorts?

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posted 02-18-2005 13:32               

I read your comments about the Club Navigo that is run by the Island One Resorts. I'm sure it is similar to the one you have with Amber. There is a yearly fee of about $130 per year to access the club. Then the points are determined by what you own. The point values are on line at http://www.clubnavigo.com. Go under the "our resorts" link on the left side then chose a resort and the point values are at the bottom of the page in a chart. Owners are actually assigned a praticular unit and week and have a time frame where they have the first rights to that unit and week, but after that window, any member can request any open unit. The banking with II is done thru Club Navigo, where they deposit a week for you, once you request one to be banked.

posted 02-18-2005 19:14               

Thanks...... I found the points charts. Are there any other fees involved (besides the $130) to use their points system? Also, can you use your points by the night or do you have to use a full week?

One of the features I like about Amber is the ability to use my points on a nightly bases. Only down side is after your first stay you must pay a cleaning fee.