This is interesting food for thoughtPersonally, I'm guessing that a new benefits "wrapper" will be introduced starting with Riviera sales. The new program will include Tier Benefits based on number of qualified points owned. Initial benefits might include special phone line to Member Services; special check-in lines; perhaps additional FP+; earlier booking window for Member Cruise events; waive transaction fees for Concierge/Disney/World Collections; wider selection of TV channels/movies; better in-room internet; new ways to use your DVC points for tickets, outside travel; etc. The program will offer better benefits than we've seen in recent years but not be free. It will carry it own MF on top of your DVC resort dues. It is included with each developer purchase, can be passed down to your immediate family, but does not transfer in resale.
Existing members will not be eligible for the perks offered by this new program unless we add-on (from the developer, of course) from a new resort. But good news: a one-time add-on will upgrade all of your existing qualified points to the new system's tiers. Of course, you'll need to pay the new program dues on the total number of new + upgraded points.
I'm also guessing we'll debate the value of upgrading for years to come.
(FWIW, my guess comes from "industry standards" and my personal experience through another points-program. My other points program rolled out their new wrapper in 2006. We don't see the value of upgrading ... and have not done so ... but continue to get hit offers from the parent company. My 'old' product is still working just fine for me!)
Right now they have to build up buying direct and offering benefits. I think as they weed out resale people and they are no longer entitled to get any benefits they will still offer benefits and membership extra's but maybe at a lower scale. Just my 2 cents -- Their sales pitches currently have to sound amazing when asking someone to pay 40% more than resale, but once they get to a point in the new generation of resorts all they have to say is - resale can only book at one resort and they don't get any perks -- right there is where they kill any thoughts of someone wanting to buy resale and it will steer them to buy direct without them contemplating the savings of resale.
Bill
I get they need to have financial growth, but what about customer satisfaction, or goodwill? Is there no need for that because we are a captive audience? I too am happy with my home resorts, but the optics of all these restrictions is what bothers me. As if they are saying "Ha! Take that resellers, now we've got you!"
I'm also happy with my home resorts, but being able to stay anywhere on property was a big selling point for many people.
If this is what they wanted, why not ROFR all contracts thereby terminating ALL resale?
Would they really want to sell all those SSR points again??
Doing that would leave them with a huge number of points on their hands. Inventory costs money. I believe ROFR works for both sides, but with this latest restriction they are trying to make it less desirable. This change in itself isn't the end of the world, but the number of changes over the past years, the changes to the points structure in the 2020 chart have all changed the atmosphere. JMHO
Personally, I'm guessing that a new benefits "wrapper" will be introduced starting with Riviera sales. The new program will include Tier Benefits based on number of qualified points owned. Initial benefits might include special phone line to Member Services; special check-in lines; perhaps additional FP+; earlier booking window for Member Cruise events; waive transaction fees for Concierge/Disney/World Collections; wider selection of TV channels/movies; better in-room internet; new ways to use your DVC points for tickets, outside travel; etc. The program will offer better benefits than we've seen in recent years but not be free. It will carry it own MF on top of your DVC resort dues. It is included with each developer purchase, can be passed down to your immediate family, but does not transfer in resale.
Existing members will not be eligible for the perks offered by this new program unless we add-on (from the developer, of course) from a new resort. But good news: a one-time add-on will upgrade all of your existing qualified points to the new system's tiers. Of course, you'll need to pay the new program dues on the total number of new + upgraded points.
I'm also guessing we'll debate the value of upgrading for years to come.
(FWIW, my guess comes from "industry standards" and my personal experience through another points-program. My other points program rolled out their new wrapper in 2006. We don't see the value of upgrading ... and have not done so ... but continue to get hit offers from the parent company. My 'old' product is still working just fine for me!)
Sorry, I wasn't referring to "last call" cash rentals ... but discounted exchanges.
