An Interesting Proposal

Last week, I received a proposal. NO! It has nothing to do with weddings. It's something infinitely more interesting. :)

My partner in crime received a text which promised free buffet diner + 3-days-2-nights free accommodation in some specific locations if he, along with another guest of his choice, would just sit for MINIMUM of 90 minutes presentation.


I find this funny because I've received calls of this same offer and didn't mind it because I just dismissed it as a scam. And so, on our way there, I already warned him that I'm going to laugh if it turned out to be one big sham.


Well, thankfully, it was no scam at all. 

In fact, the presentation as I said was truly interesting although the free dinner was nothing to sing about and the presentation lasted 3 hours long. 


The offer was a membership to Club Balai Isabel. This may sound unappealing but what makes it worth the consideration is that it has a partnership with RCI or Resort Condominiums International. They call this membership "Holiday Ownership" but that's just a more fancy term for "time share." In a nutshell, when you sign up for membership, you'll get 8 days / 7 nights for every year in Club Balai Isabel or exchange this week (you can only split it into 2 4 days/3 nights and 5 days/4 nights) with any hotel signed up in RCI which are mostly 4 star to 5 star hotels. 


Anyway, geek as I am: let's start with numbers because this really is the most important part, isn't it? Take note that these fees are good for a couple and two kids. There's no discount for anything less, and an additional for anything more.


MEMBERSHIP FEE *for hotel room,whole year*: php 347,888.00
DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIP FEE if you apply right after the presentation: 
php 278,310.00
DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIP FEE if you also pay outright cash:
php 222,648.00


RCI MEMBERSHIP FEE: php 150,000.00


ANNUAL CLUB FEE: php 5,000.00
ANNUAL RCI FEE: php 5,400.00


RCI INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE FEE: sgd388.00 (x php36.00 = php 13,968.00)

RCI ASIA-AUSTRALIA EXCHANGE FEE: sgd188.00 (x php36.00 = php 6,798.00)


There are several scenarios. 


If you get the so-called "TOP VIP" which means you signed up with them right there and then, paying cash, this would entitle you:
1. free RCI membership fee, 
2. free annual club fee for a year,
3. free annual RCI fee for 2 years,
thus, you'll be paying these rates per night:
International (US + Europe) hotel = php 4466.13
Asia Pacific (including Australia) hotel = php 3441.84

If you get the so-called "VIP" which means you signed up with them right there and then, paying in installment maximum of 3 years, this would still entitle you:

1. free RCI membership fee, 

2. free annual club fee for a year,

3. free annual RCI fee for 2 years,

thus, you'll be paying these rates per night:

International (US + Europe) hotel = php 4731.19

Asia Pacific (including Australia) hotel = php 3706.90

If you get the normal which means you signed up with them later than that night of presentation, this would still entitle nothing at all:

thus, you'll be paying these rates per night:

International (US + Europe) hotel = php 5852.03

Asia Pacific (including Australia) hotel = php 4827.75

*They do offer 3% rebate for every membership referral, which could help lower this costs. (If you're wondering, we didn't sign up yet due to reasons I'll share later.)

*Higher rates are available for travelers with more money who would prefer villa type of accommodations. :)

Other advantages of this membership is that RCI offers get away specials (premium hotels in discounted fees) and UPTO 40% discounts with car rentals, air fares, etc.


What's more is that it is transferrable. The members (They put in two names which explains the encouragement to bring somebody else along.) can choose to lend it or give it as a gift or rent it or else save it (weeks expire after 4 years, which means you can accumulate only until 1 month/4 weeks per year.). Furthermore, members can leave it to their next kin in case of early demise. But of course, we're not dwelling on that! Members may also opt to sell it if the want to. Lastly, they can exchange it for a condo. Of course they have to pay additional amount for the condo units but the membership fee will be discounted from the cost. I can't really remember if the would deduct the used amount or as is, sorry! 


Well, I think that's it. The three-hour presentation left me with this information. It's like high school again, a days-long lecture leaves but an hour's worth of knowledge. Hehehe.


Contact Vincent Bulaon @ 0916-5625742 if interested. :)