Phoenix Club
Membership Plans

When High Country Club filed for bankruptcy early in 2009, many destination clubs pursued the 375 members of the former destination club leader. Ultimate Escapes and Distinctive Holiday Homes would both make attractive offers to members while Paragon Destinations would be created by High Country Club members in an attempt to revive a version of the club.

In August of 2009, the final player would enter the fold: The Phoenix Club. Created by "a small group of High Country Club members and creditors," The Phoenix Club would bring a new model to the design of their destination club.

"Our plan for reorganization is based upon making the same properties being available for use by the members at a cost less than the annual membership dues paid by the members in 2008," wrote Thomas Quinn, the club's legal representative. "Our plan does not require existing members to pay any down payment and there are no monthly or annual dues and no hidden fees. However, we must count on four weeks of use from each member. In order to keep your membership, each member will be required to make 4 one-week reservations and pay 60 days in advance of your trip. If you have to cancel we will refund 90% of your payment if another member books the property. If you decide not to pay 60 days prior to your reservation date we will release the property to other members and there will be no cost to you."

Based on the property selected by the member and the dates that were requested, a variable rate would be charged for each week of occupancy. Peak periods such as Christmas would have a higher associated weekly rate than travel during the summer for example.

Roughly 200 of High Country Club's 375 members would be needed for the new destination club to be sustainable.

Phoenix would work with mortgage lenders to receive lower interest rates on the properties and lenders who did not want to work with the club would not be available to members.

Based on this model, The Phoenix Club in effect has no membership plans. While members are asked to travel for four weeks per year with the club, they can exceed that capacity by paying for additional weeks of access.

In a letter to High Country Club members in September, The Phoenix Club stated that they had reached approximately 10% of their membership goal but the vast majority of former members had yet to voice their thoughts on the club.

Please check back frequently to learn more about The Phoenix Club and the results of the High Country Club bankruptcy.