Choice Escapes Transitions To Include Initiation Fee

By: Destination Club News
Date: February 22, 2007

Earlier this year, we reported that we believed that Choice Escapes would be transitioning from a 100% fully refundable membership deposit to 80% as the club increased prices. It appears that has been made official as the club will now have two parts of their membership deposit, a fully refundable deposit and an initiation fee that will total the amount due to join.

Bronze Level
Refundable Deposit: $22,000
Initiation Fee: $7,000
Total Membership Fee: $29,000

Silver Level
Refundable Deposit: $33,000
Initiation Fee: $14,000
Total Membership Fee: $47,000

Gold Level
Refundable Deposit: $45,000
Initiation Fee: $14,000
Total Membership Fee: $59,000

Platinum Level
Refundable Deposit: $60,000
Initiation Fee: $19,000
Total Membership Fee: $79,000

Last month, Private Escapes Destination Clubs announced that they also would be instituting a transfer fee, where the non-refundable portion was equal to 20% of the total membership fee. Unlike Private Escapes, Choice Escapes redemptions amounts have vastly different refund percentages.

Bronze: Approximately 76% Refundable
Silver: Approximately 68% Refundable
Gold: Approximately 77% Refundable
Platinum: Approximately 76% Refundable

Based on these percentages, Choice Escapes now has one of the lowest refundable membership deposits in the industry, but also has some of the lowest annual dues and a one in, one out resignation policy

To learn more about the various clubs in the industry and how they compare to one another, please request a free copy of our Destination Club Guide that will help in your evaluation.