How the "merger" has been handled?

star1000 · 06-16-2008, 05:15 PM

SO am I the only one who thinks PE's (and I guess UR) have messed up this merger. I'm a long time (well all is relative) member of PE and the way this happened is so different than the way they handled evrything before it makes me wonder. COmmunication has been poor. We still don't know all the rules. And its unclear who is in charge. They seem to be heading to one set of rules for old PE members and one for everyone else and going forward (with an opportunity to "upgarde" to new UE plans.

I am curious if I am overreacting or if others feel the same.

Kagehitokiri · 06-16-2008, 05:38 PM

welcome to the forum star1000.

some discussion here >

New Reservation Policies for PE members
UE Members-What did you get booked last week?

New Homes for Premiere
New Costa Rica Property for UE Signature

Desties · 06-16-2008, 07:15 PM

Star1000, welcome to the forum.

I may have felt that way earlier in the year, when self-imposed announcement deadlines repeatedly came and went, but I am feeling pretty confident since the deal became official late last month.

As for communication, I believe most of the rules have been established. All of the related missives are available on the member website (which you may want to check, as I received them all via email, but didn't get the June 6th email directly).

As for "who is in charge" there is a co-CEO setup, but Rich Keith will yield the CEO title to Jim Tousignant in a few months. However, it seems as if most of the company's operations will be moving to PE's home turf of Fort Collins.

As for the communications that remain, they are mostly related to the upgrade possibilities within UE. I don't see the immediate allure of going from PE's unlimited nights to the 28-night UE plan (the legacy plan is still cheaper on an annual basis if you use 28 nights, for example), but I imagine that many of the UR-related perks may appeal to some who decide to switch over.

I don't think anyone is happy that it took so long to finalize the deal, but the new properties, the stronger base for future growth, and the assumed synergies have made the wait pay off.

This was a very complicated deal with plenty of concessions made on both sides, but that is behind us.

LTTravel · 06-16-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desties

I don't see the immediate allure of going from PE's unlimited nights to the 28-night UE plan (the legacy plan is still cheaper on an annual basis if you use 28 nights, for example), but I imagine that many of the UR-related perks may appeal to some who decide to switch over.

How does the 42 day plan compare to the PE legacy plan?
What UR related perks are there?

ChicagoMark · 06-16-2008, 07:48 PM

My experience has been nothing but fine. Booked up a Spring Break trip for next year in my venue of choice, booked a week in Vermont at the UR contributed Stowe property (one day later than my first choice of dates), a three day trip to NYC, and have had nothing but first class service from my escape planner.

The website isn't where the rubber hits the road here-it's in getting trips booked and getting service ahead of the trip. If you've ever been involved in a merger of equals deal, they can take time. This one was extenuated by both the real estate market and legal complexities.

It did take a long time to get the deal closed-and given that the bond market has been frozen up like a lake in Minnesota in January-that really isn't a shocker to anyone paying attention to what has been happening in the mortgage market.

Desties · 06-16-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTTravel

What UR related perks are there?

The UR related perks are the totravelto getaways, Bruce World of Travel arrangements, and the Ultimate hotel collection.

That is one of the few things that have yet to be communicated, though it's a fair assumption that PE Legacy members with unlimited nights won't have the right to exchange nights for the Ultimate Collection.

ChicagoMark · 06-16-2008, 08:49 PM

You may or may not be right about that-it's certainly more cost effective for them to have us stay in a hotel and pay $194 a night co-pay, versus our taking up an entire elite home. We'll know more later...

star1000 · 06-17-2008, 03:53 PM

Maybe you are right, but it does seem to me that if took six extra months to get the finance side of the house in order that time could have been used to get member mailings and web sites and the like up to speed.
My big concern is that PE worked well because everyone was on the same footing. No different plans within the club and everyone got 28 days of reservations and an equal chance at holidays. I would have liked to seen this all spread out on day 1 given that they had the time.

06-16-2008, 05:15 PM	#1
star1000 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 37 Club: UE Premiere (PE)	How the "merger" has been handled? SO am I the only one who thinks PE's (and I guess UR) have messed up this merger. I'm a long time (well all is relative) member of PE and the way this happened is so different than the way they handled evrything before it makes me wonder. COmmunication has been poor. We still don't know all the rules. And its unclear who is in charge. They seem to be heading to one set of rules for old PE members and one for everyone else and going forward (with an opportunity to "upgarde" to new UE plans. I am curious if I am overreacting or if others feel the same.

06-16-2008, 05:38 PM	#2
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,389	Re: How the "merger" has been handled? welcome to the forum star1000. some discussion here > New Reservation Policies for PE members UE Members-What did you get booked last week? New Homes for Premiere New Costa Rica Property for UE Signature

06-16-2008, 07:15 PM	#3
Desties Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 216 Club: Ultimate Escapes Signature	Re: How the "merger" has been handled? Star1000, welcome to the forum. I may have felt that way earlier in the year, when self-imposed announcement deadlines repeatedly came and went, but I am feeling pretty confident since the deal became official late last month. As for communication, I believe most of the rules have been established. All of the related missives are available on the member website (which you may want to check, as I received them all via email, but didn't get the June 6th email directly). As for "who is in charge" there is a co-CEO setup, but Rich Keith will yield the CEO title to Jim Tousignant in a few months. However, it seems as if most of the company's operations will be moving to PE's home turf of Fort Collins. As for the communications that remain, they are mostly related to the upgrade possibilities within UE. I don't see the immediate allure of going from PE's unlimited nights to the 28-night UE plan (the legacy plan is still cheaper on an annual basis if you use 28 nights, for example), but I imagine that many of the UR-related perks may appeal to some who decide to switch over. I don't think anyone is happy that it took so long to finalize the deal, but the new properties, the stronger base for future growth, and the assumed synergies have made the wait pay off. This was a very complicated deal with plenty of concessions made on both sides, but that is behind us.

06-16-2008, 07:48 PM	#5
ChicagoMark Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 24 Club: Ultimate Escapes-Elite	Re: How the "merger" has been handled? My experience has been nothing but fine. Booked up a Spring Break trip for next year in my venue of choice, booked a week in Vermont at the UR contributed Stowe property (one day later than my first choice of dates), a three day trip to NYC, and have had nothing but first class service from my escape planner. The website isn't where the rubber hits the road here-it's in getting trips booked and getting service ahead of the trip. If you've ever been involved in a merger of equals deal, they can take time. This one was extenuated by both the real estate market and legal complexities. It did take a long time to get the deal closed-and given that the bond market has been frozen up like a lake in Minnesota in January-that really isn't a shocker to anyone paying attention to what has been happening in the mortgage market. Last edited by ChicagoMark; 08-09-2008 at 09:59 AM. Reason: spelling error!

06-16-2008, 08:49 PM	#7
ChicagoMark Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 24 Club: Ultimate Escapes-Elite	Re: How the "merger" has been handled? You may or may not be right about that-it's certainly more cost effective for them to have us stay in a hotel and pay $194 a night co-pay, versus our taking up an entire elite home. We'll know more later...

06-17-2008, 03:53 PM	#8
star1000 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 37 Club: UE Premiere (PE)	Re: How the "merger" has been handled? Maybe you are right, but it does seem to me that if took six extra months to get the finance side of the house in order that time could have been used to get member mailings and web sites and the like up to speed. My big concern is that PE worked well because everyone was on the same footing. No different plans within the club and everyone got 28 days of reservations and an equal chance at holidays. I would have liked to seen this all spread out on day 1 given that they had the time.

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