DUO by Quintess Unveils Offer For Ultimate Escapes Members

By: Destination Club News
Date: October 11, 2010

The newly launched DUO by Quintess just made their formal introduction to the market this past week and has already introduced a charter membership offer to the members of the now bankrupt Ultimate Escapes. While DUO is open to everyone, Ultimate Escapes members will be able to take advantage of steep discounts through the charter rates that are scheduled to expire November 30th. Despite the special offer to Ultimate Escapes members, DUO is quick to point out that this is "a new club that is independent of your membership or relationship with Ultimate Escapes."

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Membership plans will be offered for between 20 and 50 nights of access annually, beginning at $12,500 for Ultimate Escapes members. DUO will segment members into groups of 100, based on when they join, adding a time sensitive component to membership.

The first 100 to join will be classified as "Group 1" members and will have priority over "Group 2" and "Group 3" members for new reservations for up to 50% of their available nights until early November. Group 1 members will also have the lowest transfer fee and be eligible for redemption three years from their first anniversary date, the date that they first paid annual dues.

Group 2 members, those that join following the first 100 members in Group 1, will receive priority over Group 3 for new reservations for up to 50% of their available nights during the initial orientation only until early November. Group 2 members will have a higher transfer fee than Group 1 members and will be eligible for redemption four years from their first anniversary date.

Group 3 members will be those that join following the second group of 100 members and will be able to make new reservations for up to 50% of their available nights until early November. Members will be able to resign five years from their first anniversary date.

Members will have two options regarding the payment of their annual dues. Those that pay their annual dues at the time of enrollment will have that day set as their anniversary date and be able to make travel reservations. Members also have the option of delaying their annual dues payment until up to January 31, 2011. The date that the annual dues are paid will then serve as the anniversary date with members capable of making reservations thereafter.

"There are a number of reasons that an Ultimate Escapes member should join sooner rather than later," said Todd Miller, the Vice President of Marketing at Quintess. "Number one is that there are nothing but green fields in terms of availability as a new destination club. Secondly, this pricing is only available for the first 100 members, and we expect prices to go up before the month is out. Based on the flow of calls and inquiries, this is going to happen very quickly. Lastly, the best membership redemption terms are available for the first 100 to join."

DUO by Quintess will use a four in, one out resignation structure. Redeeming members will receive 75% of the most comparable then-current published membership price at the time of the resignation request, up to the maximum of:

  1. 100% of the membership deposit paid to join Ultimate Resort, Tanner & Haley, Private Escapes, or Ultimate Escapes
  2. the 2009 Ultimate Escapes assessment
  3. the transfer fee paid to Club Holdings to join DUO

Members of Ultimate Escapes have many potential options in front of them. The club is still considering a member-owned option and contacted members last week about such a proposal. Exclusive Resorts and The Discovery Club have also both introduced their own alternatives and an offer from Second Home Destinations is pending.

Joining any destination club is a major decision that requires a great deal of due diligence review. If you would like assistance as you conduct your evaluation, requesting a copy of our free Destination Club Guide is a good place to begin. We can also assist you by generating a list of clubs that fit your travel plans, comparing one club to another, and offering an insider's perspective to the benefits and risks of membership. If you are interested in DUO, please contact us and we will be happy to put you in touch with a club representative.