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Interval International already offers itsmembers
the chance to exchange their week or points
for a vacation experience in the Interval
network, which comprises more than 3,000
resorts in 80-plus nations around the world.
And, now, Interval is poised to offer
thousands of additional properties, allow-
ing Interval Gold®, Club Interval Gold ®, and
Interval Platinum® members to widen their
vacation world even further through a new
benefit: hotel exchange.
Thanks to seamless, high-tech access
to quality hotel and Interval-sourced inven-
tory, members will soon be able to exchange
toward a stay at a hotel or resort in popu-
lar destinations around the world, such as
Paris, London, Tokyo, and New York City.
“Our research has made it clear that
a hotel exchange benefit is desired by our
members,” says Sharon Freed, Interval’s senior
vice president of consumer marketing. “In fact,
79 percent of members surveyed said that they
found the ability to exchange their timeshare
week or points toward hotel accommodations
valuable.”
Freed notes that hotel exchanges—
which can only be conducted online at
intervalworld.com—will initially be avail-
able to upgraded members worldwide by
mid-2017.
What’s more, members can apply pre-
existing deposits for exchange toward these
alternate accommodations and can travel
after the dates of the unit they are relinquish-
ing, Freed points out.
Besides a transaction fee, initially set
at a special introductory rate, an additional
payment may be required if the value of the
week or points relinquished is less than the
value of the hotel stay.
According to Freed, the Interval-sourced
hotel and resort inventory will be in vacation
markets such as urban and international des-
tinations that are traditionally underserved
by timesharing—as well as popular travel
spots, such as Hawaii and Aruba, where the
exchange demand often exceeds the supply
of resort space that members have provided
to Interval.
“Hotel exchange is just another way
that Interval enhances the value of its mem-
bership,” says Freed. “It’s a great feature to
present to prospective buyers at point of sale,
as it significantly increases flexibility, which we
know from our research is important.”
HOTEL EXCHANGE: EXPANDING THE WORLD FOR INTERVAL MEMBERS
INSIDER
The Fives Luxury Residences recently affiliated with
Preferred ResidencesSM. The upscale resort, located in
the heart of Playa del Carmen, near Cancún, Mexico, offers
fully furnished one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with
a kitchen. Amenities include an on-site beach, outdoor
pool, hot tub, spa, and restaurant and bar. In addition
to a clubhouse, playground, and exercise room, there
are opportunities for scuba diving, tennis, waterskiing,
and sailing. Nearby are biking, boating, fishing, golf, and
horseback riding.
A F F I L I A T I O N
8
Depositphotos
Leisuretimepassport.com recently debuted a new website
along with various tech upgrades. Now, sales teams can cus-
tomize and cobrand the site to help promote customer affinity
when utilizing Leisure Time Passport.
The site’s full-page imagery and videos engage visitors
and create excitement about vacation lifestyle products.
Responsive design helps users to enjoy a rich experience
via desktop, tablet, or smartphone. The upgraded site also
provides more flexibility and access to all the vacation
options, allowing members to use multiple criteria in one search.
Leisure Time Passport also unveiled a selection of new
benefits to its lineup. Now, members will enjoy 10 percent off the
best hotel rates powered by the Orbitz Partner Network, access
to nearly 900 private courses through Golf Connection, insider tips
from City Guides, and VIP treatment at approximately 170
restaurants through Dining Connection.
THREE BENEFITS FOR RESORTS
What’s more, with Leisure Time Passport, resorts can:
A product that hits on so much of what a prospective timeshare buy-
er is looking for is a powerful chip to hold, turning what might have
been—under different circumstances—a lost sale into a successful
transaction.
Simply put, “When a prospect isn’t ready to make a full purchase,
offering the Leisure Time Passport portfolio of year-round lifestyle and
leisure benefits can be the product that leads to a transaction now,
and a transaction at a later time,” says Michelle DuChamp, vice president
of business development for Interval International.
TWO WINNING ADDITIONS
Interval also offers two products that can enhance the
appeal of Leisure Time Passport even further.
1. Dream Vacation Week certificates provide one-time access to
weeklong resort accommodations in popular Interval International
destinations. Adding a Dream Vacation Week certificate to a Leisure
Time Passport membership significantly enhances the perceived
value. Also available at a slightly higher price point, Dream Vacation
Week Prime certificates provide more high-demand destinations
during busier travel seasons.
2. The Leisure Time Passport Visa Signature® card withWorldPoints®
rewards adds additional appeal to prospects. When developers offer
applications at point of sale, they get online approvals in a matter
of minutes—and the card provides year-round value to the qualified
buyer. Cardholders earn points that can be redeemed for cash, or
applied toward expenses including travel and the purchase of vaca-
tion ownership.
ONE POWERFUL PRODUCT
Whether it’s offered as a stand-alone product, cobranded and
customized for a specific clientele, or combined with Dream Vacation
Week or the Visa Signature card, Leisure Time Passport delivers results.
“It’s a proven addition to any sales team’s efforts,” says DuChamp.
“Offering Leisure Time Passport has made many a salesperson’s day.”
LEISURE TIME PASSPORT: THE POWER OF THREE
LEISURETIMEPASSPORT.COM: NEW LOOK—AND NEW FEATURES
Close more sales.
Optimize marketing spend.
Increase customer satisfaction.
Leisure Time Passport® provides members with a variety of ways to vacation, from resort Getaways to cruises
to discounted hotel stays. It also delivers a suite of other valuable benefits that can be used at home or when
traveling. It’s the ultimate trial program that offers members a taste of timeshare, and then some.
APRIL – JUNE 2017 RESORTDEVELOPER.COM VACATION INDUSTRY REVIEW