Original Message:
Re: BUYING DEVELOPER vs RESALE (typical scenario) (by Lois H.):
In the Wyndham (formerly Fairfield) system, resale points are NOT treated the same as developer purchased points. (We were told that they code the resale points in their system.)
We have bought resale points, and they did transfer to us as points (and managed to escape the scrutiny of FF, but that was many years ago.)
However, the differences do not always matter... except if you are using your VIP privileges, especially your Reciprocal Advance Reservation Priority (ARP). Resale points supposedly can not be used to get ARP at a different resort... however, I can't see how they could prevent you from reserving early at the resort those points are tied to.
Resale points also do not count toward becoming VIP (or going to Gold or Platinum levels).
The ARP can be important in the Wyndham system. Certain resorts (all of Myrtle Beach) reserve fast - if you don't use your home resort 13-month ARP, you won't get a 2-bedroom at Myrtle Beach. And you should know (we found out the hard way), that you must own the number of points you wish to use at that resort... for instance, if you own 154,000 points in M.B., you can NOT reserve a 189,000 point unit on 13-month ARP (obviously making up the difference with points from a different resort)... you've got to own all 189,000 points in M.B. to reserve at 13 months.
I don't think this is a problem at most other Wyndham resorts... Old Town Alexandria is also hard to get into, and I expect that National Harbor (D.C.) will also be (it's new this year.)
The PlusPartners program is an add-on. They try to promote getting into PlusPartners as a reason to buy more developer points... personally I can't see much value to it. It attaches to the points, and I really don't know if it transfers... probably not. We finally got in it when we recently bought developer points (oh, when did I switch off my brain?!)
After 20+ years owning various timeshares, we like the Wyndham resorts, but watch out for the fine print.