Fairfield Info Gleaned from Fairfield Egroup List
Archives
Article submitted by:
Ron Donze
rdonze@earthlink.net
Revised 9/8/00
TUG Disclaimer
With permission from the list moderator, the following
data was extracted from some of the archives from the email list. It is
not considered comprehensive by any means. Anyone wishing to add to the
data herein is encouraged to submit their data to TUG for inclusion. To
request membership in the list go to: http://www.egroups.com/group/Fairfield_timeshare
. The correctness of the data provided herein is not certain and TUG does
not provide any warranty to its use. The reader should verify for himself
that the content is appropriate for their own use. Any mention of brokers
or individual sales persons within this document is not to be construed as an endorsement by TUG.
Buying Points Resale / Developer
I'm a Fairshare Plus points owner who did buy points at two FF developments...they
are both of the newer resorts, and the markdown, from what I've seen at
VCI's classified listings, isn't that much in most cases. I certainly can
understand the value of buying points resale, it just didn't happen in
our case (the first time, we had never heard of resale before buying, and
the second time, I guess we were just vulnerable and wanted to buy more
deeded points.
In any case, if you are buying points, whether resale or from
Fairfield, it would be much wiser to buy deeded (fee-simple) points, rather
than the new Right-to-use or leased points; the latter only have a 20-year
life span. Of course, some people might like that idea. However, we would
have NEVER bought points from Fairfield if they only sold leased points
- that's what kept us from buying at Disney's DVC club (besides their high
price!).
This year, I am following the advice of one Fairfield salesman,
who told me that one can bank as little as 28,000 points converted to a
studio, quiet week with RCI. The trick is to wait until 45 days or less,
and then call RCI to request your exchange. The salesman says that one
can get "bigger units" and "better resorts" by doing so. Time will tell
if he is correct (in my case). If this ploy works, then it will be yet
another advantage to owning Fairfield points, since this would allow one
to stretch those points into several t/s weeks.
Points- Advantages over Non-Point Timeshare Ownership
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The real advantage of points is the flexibility they offer. Also, purchasing
at least 300,000 points would make you a VIP owner and allow you a 25%
point discount if the reservation is within 60 days.
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Bought some Fairfield points earlier this year and with it came the deal
that Fairfield would pay my RCI dues. I requested a refund for the remainder
of my dues that I had already paid and sure enough, today a check arrived.
Now I believe it
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Do you receive a 'full membership' with RCI through your FairShare Plus
membership? By 'full membership', I mean you receive the directory, Endless
Vacation Magazines, able to upgrade to RCI Plus, ability to participate
in the 'getaways' and ability to trade your other timeshares through RCI.
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I've been investigating Club Sunterra and found that the RCI membership
given is of a 'limited' type.
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I've owned FF points for over 3 years, and have been able to use all the
RCI benefits you mentioned, except for actually using getaways (have had
a few studio weeks banked and would rather use them since the exchange
fee is usually cheaper). I did call last week and they offered me some
getaways; haven't decided if I want to book them yet. Finally, we don't
own any other timeshare weeks or points, so I can't speak from experience,
but I believe that you can use your RCI membership (through FF) for all
exchanges.
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I own both Fairfield and other resorts, and all my timeshares are available
for exchange thru the same RCI account. However, I can no longer make online
deposits since everything is geared to a phoned-in Fairfield deposit. The
deposit buttons online are disabled.
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Yes I have all that and bought resale
Converting FF Fixed Weeks to Points
The PIC (Personal Interval Conversion) plan allows timeshare owners
to convert their current non-Fairfield timeshare ownership into Fairfield's
FairShare Plus points-based program. There is a brief explanation of the
program on my web site listed below.
Here's how it works. Become a FairShare Plus member by purchasing a
new ownership interest with the number of vacation points that best suits
your needs. The minimum level is the greater of 105,000 points or the points
equal to the value allocated to your non-Fairfield interval (see chart
on PIC Program allocations on my web site).
Complete the PIC enrollment form and receive a point allocation based
on your specific week.
You then have the option each year to exchange your week for points
in FairShare Plus. Or you can use the week yourself or deposit it for exchange
through RCI.
To qualify, you must own at an RCI-affiliated resort, be a United States
resident and your timeshare ownership can be fixed or floating.
I am not sure what the current PIC conversion cost is. You will probably
need to contact Fairfield to find out.
Keith A. Halfpop
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/2273/index.html
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When Converting fixed weeks to points, - is that the way it is - you either
(1) purchase points and
Fairfield will convert your existing fixed weeks to points for free or
(2) pay the fee to make the conversion? .
-
Yes, that is usually the way it works. For the 1st scenario, you normally
have to purchase at least 154,000 points. For the 2nd scenario, you normally
have to be the original owner. Also, FF has the option of deciding which
weeks they will convert. Some weeks, usually blue and white weeks, they
will not convert at all. Unlike with most FF policies, the individual resorts
do have some flexibility in what weeks and how much.
Just to clarify, the directive we received here on Edisto Island regarding
"conversions" the owner, for a single week "free" conversion, must purchase
a new package of points of at least 77,000. A second week, converted in
the same transaction can be converted without charge for an additional
purchase of 49,000 points. Each week, beyond the first requires a 49,000
point purchase for FF to waive the conversion fee.
Very few, if ANY sites do the $1995.00 first week, 995.00 second and
so on anymore. I "believe" only corporate has that latitude. A word about
our "PIC" program if I may, at first blush, I really didn't think it was
such a good deal, that is, until I found out what a fantastic way to get
to VIP level! I didn't realize that the owner of the non-Fairfield week
doesn't "give up" anything! They KEEP their week, intact, with all the
advantages (and disadvantages) intact. Each year, the OWNER chooses which
way they would like to use it, either use it the exact same way they always
had, OR, take the value of that week in points via the Fairfield system.
Still doesn't beat the cost of acquiring points via the re-sale method,
just gives me a little better look at what the PIC program is all about.
Also on this points conversion issue, I purchased FF Harbour which was
a fixed week but in the closing of the sale, the fixed week was converted
to 154,000 points at no cost to me or the buyer. I was told that this is
something that some of the FF resorts are now doing now of converting to
points during the sale at no cost.
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I bought a resale from Angel Bittle at RPMI. The price wasn't inflated
to cover the cost of the conversion as I paid less than 2 1/2 cents a point.
As I understood, this was a deal that many of the resorts are now offering
with the closing through Century 21.
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Anytime you purchase a deeded week through a Broker and they tell you that
they will convert it to points for free, then you know it is going to be
a co-broke with Century 21/Fairfield Realty. They are the only office that
can get the weeks converted for free. Of course there are weeks available
for sale that have already been converted. The only thing the buyer has
to do to protect himself is to make sure everything is in writing! If they
agent puts on the contract that the week will be converted at closing with
no cost, then that is what you will get. If not the deal would then be
null and void. Also, for anyone who is working with any broker from Florida
or if the property is located in Florida, they have to give you a 10 Day
right of recission per Florida State Law!
How Many Points Should Be Bought
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I would also recommend buying a minimum of 77,000 points for a family of
4 or less, and at least 150,000 for more than 5 people in one family. We
were fine with the 77,000 points until our third child was born; now, we
really like having a 2-bedroom or bigger unit. The nice part is that we
can still use 77 to 84 k points to trade into the RCI system for a 2-bedroom
unit at FF or elsewhere, but we can also book into a FF resort, using the
FF points system with @152,000 points (or more) if we need to.
Ins and Outs of Points Usage
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The number of points is determined by resort and size of unit. All weeks
FF has designated as "Prime" weeks (not neccesarily exactly the same as
what RCI designates as "red" weeks) in the same resort will be worth the
same number of points as long as the unit size is also equal.
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You must also consider that Fairfield will not rent you points if you still
have some in your account. Suppose you were saving points for a trip next
year and you wanted a quick weekend trip next month. Sorry, but you have
to use the points you have first before you rent any points.
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My wife and I are still researching the best place to buy our points in
the Fairfield system, and the same response keeps coming up that points
are points. Our main concern is what happens when you want to trade your
points with RCI. If you have 154,000 points at a ocean resort or Orlando,
does it give you better trading power then if you banked 154,000 points
at Fairfield Glade (just an example)? What is the exact process that RCI
goes through when you want to bank 154,000 Fairfield points. If anyone
could clarify this, we would greatly appreciate it.
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Some people think buying points in a certain Fairfield resort affects trade
power with RCI. While it is true that a generic Myrtle Beach resort in
summer will trade better other locations and times, you need to be aware
that FF decides where your week to deposit comes from, not you. That week
may come from anywhere in FF's system, not necessarily (in fact, probably)
NOT the resort where you own. FF manages the amount of trade power necessary
for you to achieve your requested trade and deposits what is required.
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If you buy a fixed week that has been converted to points, you do have
some control over what is deposited to RCI. In this circumstance only,
you may reserve your own week during the 10-13 mo. Advance Reservation
Period (ARP) and then deposit it. Most of us do not have this option. For
most of us, it makes no difference whatsoever where in the FF system we
own our points from the standpoint of depositing with RCI. Regardless of
where we own, FF determines which week will be deposited, not us. If you
buy at Myrtle Beach it is likely a week you deposit will come from some
other resort in the FF system. The only way around this is to buy a fixed,
converted week, make sure you get it reserved during the ARP, and then
deposit it. There are no guarantees this exception will continue, but it
is an option for the time being.
You can only use ARP at the resort that you own at. Not the Associate
resorts, unless you are a VIP. Then you can use the ARP at the Associate
Resorts.
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I have gotten a variation on a theme on this one. I own points at Nashville
and was advised by Fairfield that I could use ARP to book a week (I chose
the millinium week) to deposit to RCI. They have confirmed again since
I did this, that points owners can use ARP for a week and deposit that
one direct to RCI. That way you know what you are getting.
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If you want to reserve a three day stay at Fairfield Flagstaff beginning
October 3, 1999, you would need to wait until 60 days prior Express Reservation).
That is true of all Prime and High weeks at Flagstaff. During Value and
Quiet seasons you can reserve for less than a full week 10 months in advance
(Standard Reservations), unless it's your home resort which allows reservations
up to 13 months in advance (Advance Reservation Priority).
This is true of all Fairfield resorts during Prime weeks and most
also include High weeks. The same time limits apply to full week reservations
(except for the 60 day limitation).
Additionally, some resorts such as Ventura Harbortown, Orlando High
Point and 2 HOAs at Sapphire Valley will not let you reserve split weeks.
The members guide spells it all out. I could see where you could be pretty
confused without a members guide but it gets easier with time.
Just some info for all.... (good news) Express Reservations are now
90 (NINETY) days instead of 60! To my knowledge, the change was made by
corporate as of 3/1/99!
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Could someone please explain about pooled points "drying up". I have not
had any problem using my pooled points and don't remember anything about
needing someone to deposit the same use year.
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If you do not think you will be using your points within the use year,
then you can request that FF place your points into a pool with other points.
The cost is $20 and it must be done at a minimum of 10 months before the
start of your use year. So if your use year begins on January 1, you would
have to pool your 2001 points by March 1 of 2000. You then have 3 years
from the date you pool them to use the points. You can place all of your
points in this "pool" or you can place a portion of them in the pool.
You can begin using pooled points immediately. In the above example,
you could start drawing from your pooled points in March of 2000, even
before the use year. The only con to this is that the pool sometimes dries
up. This is very rare and it is only temporary. But, if many members draw
from the pool at the same time, before new points are replenished (such
as at the beginning of the year), the pool may end up dry. You would have
to wait until the pool was replenished to use your points. Also, pooled
points cannot be used for ARP reservations.
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Fairfield keeps track of your points that are in the pool by the year.
Currently I have 2K points in the pool from 1999 and 128 points in the
pool that are year 2000 points.
Next time I make a reservation, can I insist that the agent use the
1999 points first and then use the year 2000 points? Otherwise, I would
loose those last little points from 1999.
How I ended up in this situation was my 28,000 point week deposit. I
tried to get the agent to start with my 1999 points to make the deposit.
She told me that for RCI deposits, all 28,000 had to come from a single
use year of points. She also told me that those 2K points would pobably
be lost.
Not a big deal, but it could be more when important when I start having
larger sums of points left over at the end of the year? Any insight?
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Some of us, like myself, are just in the habit of calling every year in
Jan or Feb (assuming your use year begins Jan 1) and pooling our next year's
points. It costs $15, but that way we don't have to make any early decisions
about where and when to go. If you do it automatically every year, you
always have three years to save or use your points.
There are some considerations. If you own at a very high demand resort,
such as Myrtle Beach, you may not want to give up your Advance Reservation
Priority at your home resort. Or you may not want to risk the pool being
dry when you want to make your reservation. Since I never have any problem
getting a reservation at my home resort less than 10 mos. before check-in,
the ARP is not a big deal to me. I have experienced the points pool being
dry, but I have still been able to get my reservation within a matter or
days, so neither of these issues, to me, outweighs the benefits of having
3 years to save or use my points. Without this feature, we would not have
been able to save and borrow enough points for our family reunion last
summer.
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When you pool your points to extend their life they are placed into a pool
with points from other owners that have your same use year (e.g. 1 Jan).
At the beginning and ending of the use year, the pool can go dry if a lot
of people request points out. It happened to me. I had to wait about two
weeks for other FF members to put points in our 1 Jan use year pool. I've
decided that dry pools are something I can live with in return for extending
the life of my points.
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I know that in the first year of membership, your points cannot be banked
in the pool. Question is, if a person purchases more points resale, does
the "no banking" rule apply to that points package in the first year of
ownership of it, or is the rule just for an individual's first year of
membership in Fairshare Plus? Maybe an example- I buy my first 77k, new
FField member. I know I can't bank those points first year. Then in year
2, I buy 77k more. Can they be banked that year, or does the first year
rule apply?
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I put my points in the pool a few weeks after buying resale. So this must
apply just to new Fairshare owners who buy direct from Fairfield. Another
great reason to buy resale.
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We were told we could put our week in RCI bypassing FF. I thought we had
to call FF and ask for a week to put in RCI.
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If you buy a fixed converted week, and reserve your own week during the
10-13 mo. ARP, you can deposit it directly with RCI.
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Just put some points into RCI for the first time (I've pooled my points
for the past two years, since I have several "fixed week" timeshares).
However, my RCI on-line account just says "You have additional weeks that
can't be accessed. Call RCI...". Thought we get a week somewhere to search
with/etc? What do I need to do to get an actual FF week deposited (studio,
prime)?
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I deposited a 28k week about a month ago. I had very good input from the
RCI email help desk. FFD advised me that I would not be able to see the
week online to use the search function on the net. RCI wrote me to ask
for a conversion to a standard week instead of a pooled week. BINGO FFD
converted all three of my weeks and I can now search RCI online. The 28k
is pulling up some really nice stuff--mostly off season (Oct - May). If
FFD won't convert your week so you can see it contact RCI by email. They
mail the response to FFD. It worked.
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I don't know if I got a bad rep or not. When I tried to do a 2000 transaction,
they informed me that I would have to pay the extra transaction fees because
I had used up all my '99 transactions already and the right to use my 2000
transactions allocation didn't kick in until my use year started after
12/31. I argued the point with about 3 different individuals and was told
the same by each. I made a big issue of the fact that this rule effectively
penalized a person for taking advantage of the 10 month advanced reservation
right for early year reservations, and the response was "well, that's the
way they have it set up. Sorry".
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Tom, I believe you get one free reservation transaction per calendar year
for each 77,000 points you have -- regardless of what use year the reservation
is for. Example: I have 154,000 points, which equals 2 free transactions
per year. If I used two different calls in 1999 to make reservations with
1999 points, and then called a third time (during 1999) to make a reservation
with year 2000 points, I would have to pay the extra $20 for the third
transaction. But if I made both my 1999 reservations in a single phone
call, and then called back to make a reservation using year 2000 points,
I would not have to pay extra.
Another way to look at it: If you paid extra to make your year 2000
reservations in 1999, then next year you will not need your year 2000 transactions
for year 2000 trips (which are already booked) so you can use your free
transactions to make your reservations for year 2001. So with any luck
(and planning), you would not encounter the extra fees again in future
years.
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It is my understanding that if you are a VIP gold member you get unlimited
transactions. Anyone heard anything different?
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According to the VIP book "As a VIP Gold or VIP Platinum member, you are
entitled to unlimited Reservation Transactions at no additional cost to
you."
Fact vs Fiction
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As I recall the conversation during the sales pitch, the "counselor" ranked
the FField resorts in order of demand. He then gave an example of myself
trying to use FF Bay points to get a certain high demand FF resort and
getting turned down, and then someone owning pts at a higher demand resort
requesting and getting approved for the same transaction because their
resort was more popular. As you say, it does take away the advantage over
RCI, and really would put the kibosh to "points are points"!
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Points are points are points no matter where they are purchased!!! If someone
in Fairfield told anyone any different they are just trying to make a sale
by "puffing" a resort. It doesn't matter one iota where the points are
from or from which resort! That's the very reason we went to a "points"
based system, most of the "original" Fairfield resorts had NO demand in
the RCI system at all! Most people in the world have NEVER even heard of
Crossville, Lake Lure, Villa Rica, Greer's Ferry, or several other of our
locations. In my opinion, it's baloney to see one resorts points have preference
over another. (From Dick who works at Fairfield)
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I have had very good results with RCI. At first I was disappointed that
I couldn't bank my Myrtle Beach, but I broke my points up and got about
3 weeks out of it. The first time they gave me a 90,000 week and I lost
15,000 pts. The second yr. I learnt my lesson and broke my points into
lower point weeks. I have a HGVC booked for Feb on a 28,000pt wk.
Historical Points of Interest
When FF first got into the timeshare business, weeks were sold as fixed
weeks rather than points. Later, they introduced the point system and fixed
week owners were offered the option of converting. The owners who did so
retained the deed to their particular week, and have a window of between
10-13 months before check-in date to reserve their own week. After 10 mos.
prior to check-in it is open to anyone in the FF system. What this means
to you is that IF you buy a week that was originally a fixed week, you
could reserve your own week, during the 10-13 mos., and deposit it with
RCI. This is the ONLY way you can be sure of which week and resort you
will have to exchange through RCI. This is the way it works at the present
time, although it is not guaranteed to remain this way.
I would suggest verifying which type of week you are buying before you
sign anything. In addition to fixed converted weeks, I believe there may
have also been floating weeks at some resorts, and there are resale weeks
that were points at time of original sale. Neither of those would give
you the right to reserve a specific week and deposit with RCI.
Fairfield Owners web sites
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Coast/5214/
Iowa
Hawk's Timeshare Page A most exstensive Fairfield Owner Site
http://www.geocities.com/iowahawk.geo/05.html
Housekeeping points explanation
http://www.geocities.com/iowahawk.geo/12.html
Complete explanation of VIP benefits
Pertinent Points Ownership Data
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Undivided interest refers to the point system. It means you receive a deed
to a percentage of that phase of the resort. In other words, instead of
being divided up by weekly units, it is all owned in common by the points
owners, based on the percentage of points you own.
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Generally points are points! There are some considerations, however. First
of all there are points called UDI or undivided interest. These were purchased
as points. Then there are points that were converted from a formerly fixed
week. These points do have an extra FairShare Plus fee tacked on to the
yearly maintenance charge. There is some advantage to trading this type
of week according to a recent post on this list. The most important factor
of all is to make sure it is a deeded week rather than right to use.
The owner should be able to tell you which type the points are. The
legal description on the deed will indicate x number of points if they
were originally purchased as points. If it was a fixed week it will say
Bldg. xx, Unit xx, Week xx etc.
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FF VIP Gold level requires ownership of 500,000 points; VIP Platinum is
1,000,000 points.