WorldMark^® Words

The Vacation Stimulus Plan has been extended again and currently applies to reservations made through February 28, 2010. In case you aren't aware of the plan or don't remember the details, the plan lets you make a reservation for cash, rather than using your credits. In that respect it is like Bonus Time or Inventory Specials. But the general booking rules apply just the same as if you were booking with credits. You can make a Vacation Stimulus Plan reservation up to 13 months in advance. Here's a repeat of the plan rules from the description on the WorldMark web site. Click on this link for a full description.

Normal booking and cancellation guidelines apply with the exception of the following:

• Limited to a maximum of 4 reservations during the duration of the plan
• 7 night maximum per stay
• Reservations may be grouped into multiple resorts as long as the grouping does not exceed the 7 night maximum"

The footnote to the plan description says, "Vacation Stimulus Plan reservations will be booked with FAX Credits that were assigned to the developer for use in WorldMark by WorldMark Owners who used their credits to travel out of network or to purchase an offered developer product." That means that it is basically a relaxation of the FAX credit rules, allowing you to make multiple reservations in Red season at the normal FAX credit rate. The cost is 8 cents per credit required for the reservation and includes housekeeping. That is the same rate that has been in effect for FAX credits for as long as I can remember.

A little clarification seems to be required though. Does the maximum of 4 reservations for the duration of the plan include last years' reservations? Or did the counter reset when the original plan expired at the end of last August? Does it reset each time the plan expires with a new count for each extension? Also, if you make a FAX credit reservation for White or Blue season do you use regular FAX credits rather than falling under the rules of the Vacation Stimulus Plan? There are no restrictions on White or Blue season FAX credit bookings, it would seem silly to have them restricted by the Stimulus plan rules. If you are contemplating a number of Vacation Stimulus Plan reservations these are things you need to know.

It's a good plan, it gives WorldMark owners options beyond using their credits. But what's with these continuing short term extensions? The plan was initially set to expire on August 31, 2009. Then it was extended to December 31, 2009. Then it was extended to January 31, 2010, and now is has been extended to February 28, 2010. Can we expect an extension next month too? Why keep extending it a month at a time? How about extending it through the end of the year? How about making it a permanent deal? That way when you are planning future vacations you know what your options are. That makes planning easier.