I've posted this before, as this is how Luis (Premier Sales Mgr., nice guy, very good at his job) closed me. He asked me if I go anywhere OTHER than Temptation. I told him yes, as a matter of fact, we had planned a trip to Maui (the 1st trip a couple years back) for that July. He asked how much was the flights, hotel, etc., and what did I budget in for food, entertainment, etc. Did I use an online broker like Expedia/Travelocity (I had), and did I actually pick exactly where I was staying, or was it a suggestion based on amenities, location blah blah blah (he said "blah blah blah," too). Then he asked how much was it going to cost me. I told him that the room rate at the Sheraton we were staying at was $430/night, and that seemed like the going rate for the area of Maui (between Lahaina & Weilea). I needed two rooms, since we were being generous and taking our daughter & her bf (20 & 21). Yes, we are enlightened. AND I didn't want them cock-blocking me on my own first trip to Maui. Flights + Hotel for all 4 of us, budget in for food and entertainment was $15K, about $3.75K or so per person. He pulled up his own RCI account (before they got associated with SFX) and found Maui on his iPad app, pulled up his own "trading power (he had 2 weeks in), turned it around and Showed Stacia all the places still available.... hotels, condos, apartments, etc. At the rate of $450/week. A week, I asked in a sort of stupor. So, my $960/day investment looked pretty stupid, when for slightly more than 1 nights stay at the Sheraton I could have a week in a 2-bedroom apartment right off of Makenna beach.... and saved let me calc... $5,570. Yes, I have to buy the membership. Yes, the membership costs a good deal of money. But, travel is What We Do. A year later we come back, get more weeks and get the SFX deal upgraded for a paltry price, get another couple free weeks (how much are those actually worth? Full week at TTR at $0 to you?), and I used that to save this years ~$7K. So, to us, we work it and it works great for us. But... if we only went to TTR, I don' tthink it'd be nearly as easy to see the value. I do really like the different level of attentiveness at the bar, but you guys can all get that by tipping well. We do that, too, because everyone works their ass off for you, you should. It is mannerly. I can't tell I've got a white towel, as I couldn't see it, so thanks to y'all for pointing that out, it dries me off just fine. But, I don't see anyone else (joke there for those who are paying attention) getting brought lunch by the pool by a server... unless they are a member. That's a huge thing for me, personally. I hate leaving the pool to go eat. The Pool is Where the Fun Is, right? Reservations are as easy as setting them up for the week or your portion thereof right when you arrive, bonus. Lenni, thanks! I had no idea, really and truly, that I got a 25% off the spa and the couple's sensual massage (translation, they warm you up your partner takes care of the issue). I saved money! Hell, I had already told her "We're doing this every time back, hon. Just sayin'!" The above is my take, my $0.02. It is NOT for everyone. I mean, hell, you have to want to go back to Temptation first, right? Who does that, anyway...
We bought in a couple of years ago and we enjoy our membership, we do go to TTR 2 times a year and the amount of money we have saved is worth our investment. On top of that we will get our investment back at the end of our contract - this was the best selling point for us. We always say ask the questions you just don't know unless you ask. We also always use our free time at the Spa at the end of the day it is a nice relax time to unwind before we are back down for diner and party at Pattio's. So to sum this all up - it works for us but we know it doesn't work for all so if your interested ask lots of questions.
We too have become premier and are from Ontario. I always watch for a West Jet seat sale and book our vacation during those times. Last trip we saved $600 over the best posted packaged trip. I did not buy the Cadillac of memberships but purchased only what we needed. I anticipate that at the rate we use our membership we will cover our initial investment in four years after which the savings will be in our pocket. We did not hastily enter into this agreement. We visited TTR several times before we committed and only after having spoken to a great many other premier members about their experience. The membership for me isn't only for cost savings. We purchased a lifestyle. A couple times a year we come to TTR and for that week we are treated like royalty. We enjoy every perk and frankly with four kids at home, I feel we deserve a little luxury every now and then. But damn those fluffy white towels sure are nice. Lol
Please Help. Have been thinking abt Premier for a while. We only go to TTR once a year, maybe twice a year. Like the benefits of Premier, but don't want to get taken. Looking for a ultra cheep version, and that sounds like the cheapest would be around 5K. What should we expect to get for around that amount? What are some of the must haves? and any advise on what to avoid? Suzanne
Also with membership you can book a nice diner on the beach (extra $$$) but is worth it esp if your their for a honeymoon or anniversary .
I will have been at TTR 8 times this year. I spend an average of 2400.00 - 2500.00 us dollars for nine days including airfare. never bought into it. thats an average of 140.00 all inclusive with airfare per person... I have been to many places....nothing comes close to cancun. just wondering if theres maintenance fees every year like other timeshares? ??? Also...if I dont have the $$$$ to go on vacation I just dont book and dont lose any membership $$$$
We bought, in the end it made sense. We fly out of Tijuana domestic to Cancun super cheap (like 600 less per ticket than from San Diego) so we always were booking flights and Temptation separately. The pricing was sometimes close when alphrarooms would have some good deals but those started to creep up in price and is seemingly too cheap to really last. Prices will surely rise up vs having the premier price locked in. I can also lock in the trip in advance and pay a month before so we know we're always good to go on the busy weeks we like to go. The other perks with the premier bar and waiters coming around and being able to order food to the pool is handy. Also reservations and menu options are a little better at the restaurants (and a free lobster each trip). The extra seating on the deck is nice to have available as it is in patios when you can grab one of the little enclaves to hang out in with a group. I was torn on what the sorta monetary value of that was, it's definitely worth something extra. Lastly as was mentioned up above being able to bank nights and trade out of the resort to other places. We're planning on trying to do a big Europe trip in the next year or two and trading the nights will save a ton of money vs the expensive hotel costs there. That alone would probably cover the cost we paid for our premier in savings. We got the cheap package to try it out and see how it all went. It works for us so far.
We are planning on selling out Premier Membership with Full RCI Access, we just don't use it enough. We have 3 Weeks in the Bank and haven't used any of our referral Weeks either. If anyone is interested we'll do you a hell of a deal!
