5. Lace-Up Your Hiking Shoes

Throw on those boots and hit the trails to get one with nature.

Hike to Grotto Falls. You’ll follow the Trillium Gap Trail through an old-growth hemlock forest, passing a series of waterfalls along the way before walking behind the 25-foot waterfall.

Distance: 3 miles, roundtrip

Level of difficulty: moderate

Hike the Laurel Falls Trail through the lush landscape to see the 80-foot waterfall (and maybe some black bears in the distance!)

Distance: 2.6 miles, roundtrip

Level of difficulty: moderate

Traveler Tip: during the summer, the parking lot can fill up fast. Try to arrive early to avoid crowds and secure a spot.

The post 10 Ways to fall in love all over again in Sevierville, TN appeared first on Suite Match.

travel jewelry case

This Eric Javits Squishee Fedora is the perfect splurge for the bougie, sun-loving lady in your life. It’s still one of the most expensive things I’ve ever bought for myself but I can honestly say after wearing it for the past five years that it is worth every last penny. It has been stuffed into so many suitcases and taken such a beating and it still looks like the day I bought it. It simply will not lose its shape. 

 

I can’t wait to give this Family Bucket List book out to our adventure-loving family friends this year. I love that it has the potential to spark great big magical adventures – and for under $40!

The post 12 Travel gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list appeared first on Suite Match.

Well, upon guaranteeing your vacation time, there are five things, in particular, you need to know after signing on the dotted line and closing the deal to get those Wyndham timeshare points in the bank.

And, I’m sharing them today so you can understand your ownership privileges to the fullest and get to creating lasting memories with your loved ones! 

1. What type of Wyndham vacation ownership do you have?

It’ll be one of four options—Select, Access, Presidential Reserve, or Margaritaville Vacation Club. And, your unique booking privileges, which include how far in advance you can make reservations, will be based on the type of membership you’ve purchased.

This is extremely important because the first step in helping you get the most out of your timeshare is traveling when and where you want with your membership! Availability at resorts can be scarce thanks to the sweet, suite unit sizes, and having the ability to book early is key.

Additionally, those same privileges only extend to the specific number of annual points that are associated with your ownership type. For example, you may own 700,000 points, yet only 300,000 are Club Wyndham Access, and 400,000 are Select. The privileges unique to Access would only apply to the 300K. This generally occurs if and when you purchase more than one contract (often at different times).

If you’re curious how the benefits vary among the different types of ownership, take a look at the information the Suite Match team has gathered just for you.

• Club Wyndham Select: If you choose a Select membership, which is known as a deeded timeshare, it’s important you understand where your “home” resort is. Club Wyndham Select ownerships include the following contract types: Undivided Interest (UDI) Contract, Converted Fixed Week Contract, Converted Float/Flex Week Contract, and Affiliate Contract. As a deeded owner, you can book at your home resort up to 13 months in advance. Reservations at all other Wyndham resorts may be made up to 10 months in advance. 
• Club Wyndham Access: You’ll receive an ownership certificate for the amount of Club Wyndham Access points purchased and may reserve up to 13 months in advance at ANY Club Wyndham Access resort. It’s otherwise known as the Advanced Reservation Priority. 
• Club Wyndham Presidential Reserve: As a Presidential Reserve member, you’ll receive exclusive access to Presidential Reserve units up to 14 months in advance at your home (deeded) resort. For all other Presidential Reserve resorts, you’ll get access up to 12 months in advance. Additionally, this type of ownership allows exchange privileges with The Registry Collection through your affiliate RCI membership. Presidential resorts include:
  • Wyndham Desert Blue
  • Wyndham Park City
  • Wyndham Rio Mar, A Margaritaville Vacation Club Resort
  • Wyndham Clearwater Beach Resort
  • Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort
  • Wyndham Resort at Avon
  • Wyndham Sundara Cottages at Wisconsin Dells
  • Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Glacier Canyon
  • Wyndham Vacation Resorts King Cotton Villas
  • Wyndham Vacation Resorts Smugglers’ Notch Vermont
  • Wyndham Midtown 45 at New York City
  • Wyndham Dye Villas at Myrtle Beach
  • Wyndham Vacation Resorts Emerald Grande at Destin
  • Wyndham St. Thomas, A Margaritaville Vacation Club Resort
  • Wyndham Vacation Resorts Panama City Beach
  • Wyndham Vacation Resorts Great Smokies Lodge
  • Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor
  • Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront
  • Wyndham Canterbury at San Francisco
  • Wyndham Bali Hai Villas
• Margaritaville Vacation Club: You’ll be able to make reservations at your home (deeded) resort up to 13 months in advance and up to 11 months in advance at all other Margaritaville Resorts. Also, you’ll be notified in advance of Jimmy Buffett concert ticket sales, and you can present your owner card for priority seating at participating Jimmy Buffett restaurants. Margaritaville resorts include: 
  • Wyndham Rio Mar, A Margaritaville Vacation Club Resort
  • Wyndham St. Thomas, A Margaritaville Vacation Club Resort
  • Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge

2. How to access the MyClubWyndham.com website?

The Club Wyndham site is the place to learn more about how to get the most from your membership, make and manage reservations, and track your timeshare point usage. 

To register for the website, visit MyClubWyndham, and enter your member number, name as it appears on your contract, and contract number or phone number. From there, you’ll be prompted to create a unique user ID and secure password, which you can use to access all of your ownership resources.

3. How many points do you receive on an annual or biennial basis?

Remember back at the beginning of this post when I mentioned being able to travel when and where you want with your membership is the most important thing? 

Well, it’s true. 

And, it’s essential you understand exactly how many points it takes to reserve your desired unit size and location during the time of year you’re looking to get away. 

For example, a week during Prime season in a two-bedroom deluxe unit at Wyndham Bonnet Creek will require an investment of 224,000 points. 

So, let’s walk through how to know how many points you’ll receive on an annual or biennial basis. 

First things first, the number of points you own indicates your membership level within Wyndham, which has corresponding benefits—from the number of complimentary guest confirmations (value of $99 each) to housekeeping credits, and reservation transactions you receive each year. 

Here’s the rundown: 

• Club: up to 300,000; two guest confirmations
• Silver: 300,000 – 499,000; 5 guest confirmations
• Gold: 500,000 – 999,000; 10 guest confirmations
• Platinum: 1,000,000+; 15 guest confirmations per million timeshare points owned

Keep in mind, however, housekeeping and reservation transactions are limited for non-VIP owners (which are those who own less than 400,000 points annually).

4. Did you receive bonus points, and when do they expire?

Bonus points are temporary points that may be given to you as an on-tour benefit when you make a new purchase. And, they are available to use for up to 24 months from the start date. They can only be used, however, for booking up to 10 months in advance, regardless of your ownership type, and cannot be used before their start date.

There is no recurring maintenance or expense related to bonus points. They cannot, however, be point deposited into a future use year as the 24-month window is firm. 

Additionally, bonus points count towards VIP status. Therefore, if your bonus points put you into the next membership level, then you’ll be classified within that membership type for the entire 24-month period the points are in effect. 

What does that mean for you regarding club-level privileges? All privileges apply during that 24-month period (such as complimentary guest fees, housekeeping credits, etc.).

5. What is your use year?

Your use year start date will either be January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1. It’s important to know this information for two reasons. One reason being for the sole purpose of keeping track of expiration dates, so your timeshare points don’t expire. And, the second being to understand the points you’re using when making reservations. 

For example, points under a contract that runs April 1, 2018 – March 30, 2019, are classified as 2019 “use year” points. Then, points are pulled from your “use year” based on the reservation check-in date, not the date the reservation is made.  

In the end, the decision to purchase a timeshare with Wyndham can be exciting. So, I hope this post will help you feel confident that you are, without a doubt, going to get the most out of your investment!

The post Top 5 Club Wyndham beginner’s guide appeared first on Suite Match.

As mentioned, the only requirement of becoming a CLUB WYNDHAM Platinum Owner is buying at least 1,000,000 points. These points do not all need to bought through Wyndham directly. Points can be bought through resale and converted to Wyndham Points through PIC+ and still qualify for Platinum level membership.

CLUB WYNDHAM Presidential Reserve is an elite program within the Platinum level of membership that is achieved by purchasing points at one or more of the twenty participating Presidential Reserve Suites. Presidential Owners get all the benefits of a Platinum membership, plus more. So what are the benefits of being a Platinum Member?

points discount

Wyndham Platinum Owners receive a 50% points discount within two months of check in on new reservations. This can be used to essentially double your points if you book inside the 60 day window, or if your rebooking rate is 100%. Platinum Owners are also eligible to upgrade two months out, further out than any other level.

Complimentary guest certificates

Wyndham Platinum Owners receive the most complimentary guest confirmations than any other tier. Platinum Owners enjoy 15 guest confirmations per million points each calendar year that can be shared with friends and family.

Housekeeping Credits and Reservation Transactions

As a Wyndham Platinum Owner, there is no charge for Housekeeping Credits or Reservation Transactions. If you are renting out your points with a program like Vacation Management Services that has a 60% profit share, unlimited housekeeping credits and reservation transactions means your profit will not be affected by these services.

vip upgrades

When a Wyndham Platinum Owner confirms a reservation, they are able to opt-in to receive either an automatic upgrade to the next largest unit, a unit with a better view, or a Presidential suite if it becomes available within 60 days of check in.

Points deposit feature

When a Wyndham Platinum Owner confirms a reservation, they are able to opt-in to receive either an automatic upgrade to the next largest unit, a unit with a better view, or a Presidential suite if it becomes available within 60 days of check in.

Plus Points Conversion to Maintenance Dollars

Wyndham Platinum owners can take advantage of the entire Use Year to convert eligible points to apply toward Maintenance Dollars. With Wyndham, that gives you a $2.10 per 1,000 point return. If using a service like Vacation Management Service, the return is $4.50.

So, now that we’ve laid out the benefits of being a Wyndham Platinum owner, what is Presidential Reserve? The top CLUB WYNDHAM tier is an exclusive program within Platinum Ownership, called CLUB WYNDHAM Presidential Reserve. Presidential Reserve owners experience all the benefits of a Platinum member with a few extra perks. Here we’ve outlined the major benefits of being a CLUB WYNDHAM Presidential Reserve Owner.

Guaranteed and Exclusive Access to Available Presidential Reserve Suites

Wyndham Presidential Reserve members have guaranteed access to available Presidential Reserve Suites at their “home” resort when booking during the Advance Reservation Priority window, which is 12-14 months prior to the check-in date.

They also receive exclusive access to available Presidential Reserve Suites from 12 to 10 months in advance of the check-in date at all Presidential Reserve Resorts. This does not have to be the “home” resort.  

Up to 75% of unreserved Presidential Reserve Suites are held for Club Wyndham Presidential Reserve Members to access during the Privileged Reserve Period so that they can snatch up the best of the best suites. The Privileged Reserve Period for Presidential Reserve Suites is anywhere from 10 months to 30 days prior to your check-in date.

Exclusive amenities

There are several fee-based amenities that are available only to Wyndham Presidential Reserve Members. They can take advantage of pre-stocked groceries upon request, so they don’t have to make an extra trip to the grocery store or restaurant after a long day out. Or, there’s the option to coordinate with resort management for an in-room personal chef! There are also three housekeeping options for Presidential Reserve Members, including housekeeping on demand.

Exclusive toll free number

Wyndham Presidential Reserve Members are given exclusive access to a toll-free number for all your service needs. This significantly reduces wait times when calling in for services and questions.

Think becoming CLUB WYNDHAM Platinum or Presidential Reserve is worthwhile for your timeshare ownership journey but are unsure of how you’ll use the extra points? Suite Match can help. We offer free rental services for Wyndham point owners which allows you to get the most out of your ownership in those instances when you’re not able to vacation.

If you’re interested in learning more give us a call at 1-888-571-1811. We’d love to chat with you and answer any questions you may have!

The post Perks of being a Club Wyndham Platinum owner appeared first on Suite Match.

• Wyndham Extra Holidays: The Wyndham Vacation Club owner books a reservation and then contacts Wyndham Extra Holidays to list the reservation as available inventory.  Representatives will offer recommendations for what to book if an owner takes the time to call and ask.  Rentals are filled on a first come/first serve basis, so best success with booking a reservation that is far out and turn in early.
• Suite Match attracts rental inquiries by advertising some of highest demand resorts in the Wyndham portfolio (think amusement parks, beaches, and big cities). Renters are able to request any length of stay, travel dates, and unit size based on their travel needs and preferences. We then book those stays using our participant’s authorized points.  In addition, we also reserve advance inventory based on historical trends and experience for high demand locations and seasons.

How are reservations made?

• Wyndham Extra Holidays – Wyndham Vacation Club owners are responsible for making a reservation. They then complete a Vacation Time Listing Agreement per reservation/week that you want to place for rent. Wyndham Extra Holidays will then include your reservation as inventory for that resort to sell.  Wyndham Extra Holidays does not communicate any bookings or cancellations on your account, the owner is responsible for calling to check the status at all times.
• Suite Match – makes all reservations on the owner’s behalf.  Reservations are made once a rental inquiry is received or in advance based on historical rental demands. In either case, Suite Match handles all of the rental activity on the owner’s behalf.

How much do owners make? 

• Wyndham Extra Holidays – 60% of reservation cost.  It is important to note that Wyndham Extra Holidays will partially fill a reservation, i.e. an owner offers a 7-night stay but only 5 are booked by a renter.  The owner then loses the points and potential revenue associated with the additional 2 nights.  For this reason, it is better to only book 2 or 3 night stays for the best chance of the entire reservation being rented.
• Suite Match -Presidential, Platinum, and Founders level participants receive $6/1000 points for all points rented.

What happens if a guest cancels? 

• Wyndham Extra Holidays – You are responsible for canceling the reservation to get points back if the reservation has not rented. If you do not, you lose all your points for the reservation you booked. Wyndham Extra Holidays will not proactively contact you about canceling outside the 15-day window. If a guest cancels after booking a rental then the reservation will get put back into rotation as available inventory.  
• Suite Match – rental guests are required to cancel at least 15 days in advance. Once reservations are inside of 15 days they are considered final. In the event of a cancellation, Suite Match is responsible for canceling reservations within Wyndham guidelines and the system to protect owner’s  points.

5. When do owners get paid?

• Wyndham Extra Holidays – You are paid 30 days after the traveler’s check-out date.
• Suite Match – participants are also paid 30 days following guest check-out. Suite Match also offers direct deposit which allows for even quicker and easier payout of rental proceeds.

The post Extra holidays vs. Suite match – a side by side comparison appeared first on Suite Match.

It comes down to three options: employ Wyndham Extra Holidays, hire a third-party rental agency, or do it yourself.  Each of these options offer pros and cons, challenges, and rewards. We’re sharing all of the essential information you need to know here to help you make the decision that’s right for you and ensure optimal rental success. 

DO IT YOURSELF

The option that is going to give you the highest degree of control and the most elevated margins is going to be simply doing it yourself. You’ve certainly got some things working in your favor – such as not having to deal with “turning over the unit” or general maintenance. These are some of the biggest challenges that often come with playing the role of “Property Manager”. 

However, you will need to successfully market and advertise the property, manage the availability calendars, identify competitive rates and policies, secure qualified (and responsible) renters, collect and process rental payments, and provide ongoing communication with the guest. 

Simply advertising and marketing timeshare points offer the toughest challenge you’ll face with renting points on your own. You’ll  have to either make a specific reservation in advance and advertise that specific stay or choose one resort and unit type and leave the dates open for guests to choose when they would like to stay.  

This second option allows you to cast a wider marketing net but it also requires constant maintenance and updating of your calendars to make sure they reflect the real time availability in the Wyndham reservation systems. Failure to ensure accurate calendars may result in stiff penalties from the advertisers including loss of ad visibility or being kicked off the platform entirely – therefore daily management is generally required. 

In both of these instances you’ll also be responsible for generating your rental rates and policies and handling all other matters associated with reservations. This includes being financially responsible in the event that a guest damages the unit or cancels. 

HIRE A THIRD-PARTY RENTAL AGENCY

If you’re short on time, patience, or interest in learning how to rent timeshare points on your own, hiring an expert may be just the ticket. Today, there’s a handful of timeshare rental companies that hold a majority of the market share. Most offer their services without any upfront fees in exchange for a portion of the rental proceeds. But, that doesn’t mean they’re all created equal or that you can skip doing the necessary research to choose the right one for you. 

Below are the key questions you should ask when interviewing and hiring a timeshare rental agency.

How much and when will I get paid?

When it comes to renting timeshare points, rental proceeds are king. Don’t forget to ask about this critical piece of the puzzle – and don’t be fooled. 

If an agency is offering a percentage of the rental revenue—as most do— check out the rental rates on their website or rental listings and use that as a guideline for what you can expect for rentals per thousand points. Don’t be fooled by higher payout percentages and lower rental rates, because you’ll wind up making less in the end for your points. Also, ask about what costs will be deducted before you receive your profit share. Some agencies may even cover additional fees and services such as point depositing as needed.  And, ultimately, make sure they pay on time and conveniently. Do they offer direct deposit option ensuring payment happens as quickly and painlessly as possible? 

Ask what the average turn-around time is for a customer’s first rental and stats on overall success rate annually. All of these details are the ones that will make the difference in overall satisfaction and value.  

How do you rent points?

Make sure you know whether or not the agency has viable marketing strategies in place to reach vacation rental consumers. To do so, ask to see their website, go to their social media pages, read reviews on Google+ and other sites from travelers. This helps to ensure they’re actively marketing in a professional, compelling way which is necessary in order to successfully rent your points. 

If they can’t point you to exactly where and how they are getting their customers, this may be a big red flag. Rental success only comes from advertising and marketing efforts, which should be easy to find. That said, there are a lot of rental agencies out there that are quick to enroll timeshare owners with little rental results to show for it. Even if it’s free to join, you still want fast and consistent results from the agency. Time wasted is money wasted.   

What will I be responsible for?

Agencies work differently and offer various types of service models—ranging from being responsible for making a reservation and “listing” stays to being completely hands off. Therefore, make sure you ask exactly what you’ll be responsible for. Are you required to cancel a reservation if it doesn’t rent in time, supply guest confirmations, or make changes to guest information? 

Also, ensure the agency is willing to assume financial responsibility for reservations they do not cancel in time or other administrative slip ups along with any damages caused by potential renters in writing.  

How is activity on my account communicated to me?

Don’t let an agency leave you in the dark. Are you going to be responsible for reaching out for information? The last thing you want is to hear crickets and get unreturned emails in return. Often customer service is what separates great rental agencies from the rest. What types of correspondence can you expect and when? What are the office hours and who will be your contact person? 

At a bare minimum you should expect monthly reports to include the guest name, payout amount, check # or payment due dates, points used per reservation, and points remaining. 

Beyond account communication, there’s also general information about the agency, who the people are taking care of your account, and rental trends that are helpful to be aware of. So, again, ask about newsletters, emails, and check them out on social media to get a feel for their culture. Trust and transparency are critical when choosing an agency to rent your timeshare. And, communication is a big part of that. 

CONTACT WYNDHAM EXTRA HOLIDAYS

Wyndham Extra Holidays is Wyndham’s own in house rental program. Their model is different than most of the full-service management models discussed above. With this program Wyndham owners are responsible for booking a reservation and then contacting Wyndham Extra Holidays to list the reservation as available inventory.  Wyndham representatives will offer recommendations on desirable resorts and dates upon request.  Rentals are filled on a first come/first serve basis, so best success can be found with booking a reservation that is far out and turned in early.

It is important to keep in mind that Wyndham Extra Holidays does not communicate any bookings or cancellations on your account, timeshare owners are responsible for calling to check the status. Once a renter has been secured, the owner will receive 60% of the reservation cost.  Beware, Wyndham may choose to partially fill a reservation, i.e. an owner offers a 7-night stay but only 5 are booked by a renter.  In these instances, the owner loses not only the points but also the potential revenue associated with the additional 2 nights.  For this reason, it may be better to only book 2 or 3 night stays for the best chance of the entire reservation being rented.

In the event that a reservation does not rent, the owner is responsible for canceling within the 15-day window to avoid loss of points. On the other hand, if a renter cancels after an initial booking the reservation goes back into rotation as available inventory.  Owners are paid 30 days after the traveler’s check-out date.

__________________________________________________________________

If you would like to learn more about Suite Match and our full- service rental program, call us today at 888-571-1811.   

The post The Essential Guide to Club Wyndham Timeshare Rentals appeared first on Suite Match.

1. Will I still be able to use some of my points?

Some agencies don’t let you take back your points after you’ve allocated them for renting. So, if you think you’re going to want to end up redeeming some of your points for personal use, make sure the agency you choose lets you have that option. At Suite Match, you can always request to use your points—even if you’ve allocated them for rental use. As long as they haven’t already been used to secure a rental you’re welcome to update your balance with a simple email or phone call.

2. How do you rent points?

Make sure you know whether or not the agency has a viable channel to reach vacation rental consumers. To do so, ask to see their website, go to their social media pages, read reviews on Google+ and other sites. This helps to ensure they’re actively marketing in a professional, compelling way on their social pages and website. 

If they can’t point you to exactly where and how they are getting their customers, this may be a big red flag. Rental success only comes from advertising and marketing efforts, which should be easy to find. That said, there are a lot of rental agencies out there that are quick to charge upfront fees from timeshare owners with little rental results to show for it. Even if it’s free to join, you still want fast and consistent results from the agency. Time wasted is money wasted.   

3. What will I be responsible for?

Agencies work differently and offer various types of service models—ranging from being responsible for making a reservation and “listing” stays to being completely hands off. 

Therefore, make sure you ask exactly what you’ll be responsible for. Are you required to cancel a reservation if it doesn’t rent in time, supply guest confirmations, or make changes to guest information? 

Also, ensure the agency is willing to assume financial responsibility for reservations they do not cancel in time (if it is their responsibility) in writing. 

And, if you want to just enroll and have everything done for you and get a check in return, those agencies do exist—including Suite Match!

4. How much and when will I get paid?

When it comes to renting timeshare points, maintenance is a must. Don’t forget to ask about this critical piece of the puzzle! 

At Suite Match we offer a fixed flat rate per 1000 points so you know upfront exactly what you’ll receive for your points.

If an agency is offering a percentage of the rental revenue—as most do— check out their rates on their website and use that as a guideline for what you can expect for rentals per thousand points. Also, make sure you understand what fees are deducted prior to your share of the profits. And, ultimately, make sure they pay on time. If not, don’t hesitate to shop elsewhere. 

5. How is activity on my account communicated to me?

Don’t let an agency leave you in the dark. Are you going to be responsible for reaching out for information? The last thing you want is to hear crickets and get unreturned emails in return. 

At Suite Match, we supply log-in access to our owner portal where you can view real-time updates on your account without waiting for reports or callbacks. Plus, quarterly e-newsletters keep you up to date on updates within the market and the agency.

If an agency doesn’t offer a live portal, it’s fair to say you should expect timely reports (monthly at a minimum) to include the guest name, payout amount, check # or payment due dates, points used per reservation, and points remaining. 

Beyond account communication, there’s also general information about the agency, who the people are taking care of your account, and rental trends that are helpful to be aware of. 

Trust and transparency are critical when choosing an agency to rent your timeshare. And, communication is a big part of that. 

Looking for even more information? We’re here to help. Contact our friendly staff today to learn more and start getting value out of your vacation ownership. Call us at 1-888-571-1811 to get started today!

The post 5 Questions to ask when Choosing a Timeshare Rental Co. appeared first on Suite Match.

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