Cost of services?

allenwhite · 09-02-2008, 12:06 PM

Hi again,

Can everyone help me with what servicess are included in annual fees of the major clubs? And how they typically charge for all of the add ons. I understand that there might not be a standard, but I want to get an idea for how they arrive at the cost.

Things like groceries, airport transfers, babysitting, private chefs etc.

Thanks!

3DH · 09-02-2008, 12:15 PM

The annual fee that you pay as a DC member is, in effect, what you would consider a per-night fee. (With most clubs, you have a set number of days to use per year)

As far as other services that are "included" (for no additional fees) are trip-planning suggestions, a concierge to make any reservations, grocery shopping service (exact grocery cost will be billed) and the like. Think of these as a service that the destination club arranges for the benefit of the member.

With LUSSO, in particular, private airport transfers (up to $300 each trip) are also included, as is the use of a Lincoln Navigator in most US residences (Hawaii and NYC do not).

With regard to "add-ons", we have found that private chef meals typically come in between $60-100 per person (obviously, depending on menu selection), grocery shopping is done on a "pass-through" basis with no service charge. We have never utilized babysitting services, so I cannot help you with that one, but hopefully someone else can... I would imagine it could vary greatly by location.

allenwhite · 09-02-2008, 12:18 PM

Good to hear on the groceries. I was hoping most of the services would be provided at cost rather than eveything being a profit center.

3DH · 09-02-2008, 12:26 PM

No profit center with LUSSO, but I don't know of other clubs' policies on it.

I can tell you that when we were Exclusive Resorts members that a "convenience fee" was added (about 7%, I believe) in order for them to charge these items to your credit card on file. (This included groceries, private chef services, food from "beach club", and other reservations that were made by concierge and billed directly to your account.) I have no idea whether this practice is still in effect or not. ER did offer a great "breakfast service" in some of the Mexico locations that was at no cost to the member (other than the groceries required for such).

vineyarder · 09-02-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3DH

No profit center with LUSSO, but I don't know of other clubs' policies on it.

Used to be free (i.e. just pass through) with Private Escapes, but now with Ultimate Escapes it varies with destination; in some locations it is still pass-through, in others there is a service charge on top of the cost of groceries. HCC has a service charge as well, which varies based on the destination.

willmyclubmakeit · 09-02-2008, 03:43 PM

the only location that I know there is a $5 service charge for UE is NYC/Trump as they deliver the groceries not UE. I have only been passed through actual costs on my stays.

vineyarder · 09-02-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willmyclubmakeit

the only location that I know there is a $5 service charge for UE is NYC/Trump as they deliver the groceries not UE. I have only been passed through actual costs on my stays.

A few I know of:

Miami Trump = 25% upcharge
London = 35 GBP (~ $63) service charge
Abaco = 15% upcharge
Belize = 20% upcharge

3DH · 09-02-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vineyarder

Abaco = 15% upcharge

I forgot about the Abaco service charge... that is obviously the same with LUSSO, as concierge is provided by The Abaco Club. Thanks for bring that up, vineyarder. Also, $35 for subsequent grocery deliveries, after reviewing location guide...

Kagehitokiri · 09-02-2008, 06:01 PM

DHH is the only DC to include $500 worth of F&B per week. they also have vehicle(s) at each property.

3DH · 09-02-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri

DHH is the only DC to include $500 worth of F&B per week. they also have vehicle(s) at each property.

...love that they include the $500 F&B credit! That goes a long way!

vineyarder · 09-02-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3DH

...love that they include the $500 F&B credit! That goes a long way!

Depends on your tastes on the 'B' part; just might cover Champagne tab for a week...

NeilGoBlue · 09-02-2008, 07:20 PM

With AK there is a 15% surcharge for stocking groceries..everything else is pass through.. no additional charges..

For babysitting i just paid $30 an hour for 3 kids in Hilton head... in cabo, my destination host did it for free (he, his wife and 3 year old came over) (of course I gave him a big tip).

Private Chefs have run me: (including tip.. and I tip pretty well)

Palm Coast dinner for 4 - $350

Cabo dinner for four $220 (wouldn't exactly call it a 'chef' more like a talented mexican line cook..but the price was right. This included drinks and a waiter.

Hilton Head dinner for 7 - $700... included two chefs and a waiter.. it was incredible..(the chef won the Iron Chef award in Hilton Head)

I use my destination hosts a lot.. I get my value out of them!

ER Traveler · 09-02-2008, 07:58 PM

How does DHH afford covering $500 per week per member for F&B? How long can that last?

Quintess Michael · 09-02-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ER Traveler

How does DHH afford covering $500 per week per member for F&B? How long can that last?

Well, it started at $1000...so probably not indefinately.

Quintess will take care of everything, including groceries at cost, with no upcharge.
We will also plan all of your club travel including your friends/family travelling with you at no extra charge.

Kagehitokiri · 09-02-2008, 08:45 PM

ER Traveler, what doesnt DHH cover that other clubs might? its all trade offs.

LTTravel · 09-02-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quintess Michael

Well, it started at $1000...so probably not indefinately.

Re: DHH

It was $1000 when dues were $7000 per week and also included $400 in airport transfers. It dropped to $500 when dues dropped to $5900 per week and airport transfers were dropped. The reasoning was that some members did not utilized the airport transfers and did not utilize the entire $1000 food allowance so they felt the change was member driven.
They also provide breakfast service, daily maid service and laundry service for no extra charge, as well as one or two vehicles (usually a BMW X5 or Audi Q7 and sometimes an additional vehicle like a Mustang convertible or van) and some destinations include a boat (Noosa has a pontoon motor boat and Auckland has a 22 foot Rayglass motor boat- >$70,000USD) The Fiji destination includes all meals and transfers.

Kagehitokiri · 09-02-2008, 09:16 PM

(DHH owners also own the fiji resort.)

LTTravel · 09-02-2008, 09:31 PM

ER has:

1. Free daily maid service
2. Grocery shopping for the cost of groceries + 5%, 7% or 10% depending on your contract.
3. Services charged to your house account may also be subject to those fees.
4. Free breakfast service in Mex

09-02-2008, 12:06 PM	#1
allenwhite Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9	Cost of services? Hi again, Can everyone help me with what servicess are included in annual fees of the major clubs? And how they typically charge for all of the add ons. I understand that there might not be a standard, but I want to get an idea for how they arrive at the cost. Things like groceries, airport transfers, babysitting, private chefs etc. Thanks!

09-02-2008, 12:15 PM	#2
3DH Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 749 Club: LUSSO Collection	Re: Cost of services? The annual fee that you pay as a DC member is, in effect, what you would consider a per-night fee. (With most clubs, you have a set number of days to use per year) As far as other services that are "included" (for no additional fees) are trip-planning suggestions, a concierge to make any reservations, grocery shopping service (exact grocery cost will be billed) and the like. Think of these as a service that the destination club arranges for the benefit of the member. With LUSSO, in particular, private airport transfers (up to $300 each trip) are also included, as is the use of a Lincoln Navigator in most US residences (Hawaii and NYC do not). With regard to "add-ons", we have found that private chef meals typically come in between $60-100 per person (obviously, depending on menu selection), grocery shopping is done on a "pass-through" basis with no service charge. We have never utilized babysitting services, so I cannot help you with that one, but hopefully someone else can... I would imagine it could vary greatly by location. __________________ "Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!

09-02-2008, 12:18 PM	#3
allenwhite Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9	Re: Cost of services? Good to hear on the groceries. I was hoping most of the services would be provided at cost rather than eveything being a profit center.

09-02-2008, 12:26 PM	#4
3DH Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 749 Club: LUSSO Collection	Re: Cost of services? No profit center with LUSSO, but I don't know of other clubs' policies on it. I can tell you that when we were Exclusive Resorts members that a "convenience fee" was added (about 7%, I believe) in order for them to charge these items to your credit card on file. (This included groceries, private chef services, food from "beach club", and other reservations that were made by concierge and billed directly to your account.) I have no idea whether this practice is still in effect or not. ER did offer a great "breakfast service" in some of the Mexico locations that was at no cost to the member (other than the groceries required for such). __________________ "Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!

09-02-2008, 03:43 PM	#6
willmyclubmakeit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 184 Club: UE Signature	Re: Cost of services? the only location that I know there is a $5 service charge for UE is NYC/Trump as they deliver the groceries not UE. I have only been passed through actual costs on my stays.

09-02-2008, 06:01 PM	#9
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,651	Re: Cost of services? DHH is the only DC to include $500 worth of F&B per week. they also have vehicle(s) at each property.

09-02-2008, 07:20 PM	#12
NeilGoBlue Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 239 Club: Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club	Re: Cost of services? With AK there is a 15% surcharge for stocking groceries..everything else is pass through.. no additional charges.. For babysitting i just paid $30 an hour for 3 kids in Hilton head... in cabo, my destination host did it for free (he, his wife and 3 year old came over) (of course I gave him a big tip). Private Chefs have run me: (including tip.. and I tip pretty well) Palm Coast dinner for 4 - $350 Cabo dinner for four $220 (wouldn't exactly call it a 'chef' more like a talented mexican line cook..but the price was right. This included drinks and a waiter. Hilton Head dinner for 7 - $700... included two chefs and a waiter.. it was incredible..(the chef won the Iron Chef award in Hilton Head) I use my destination hosts a lot.. I get my value out of them!

09-02-2008, 07:58 PM	#13
ER Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 115 Club: Exclusive Resorts	Re: Cost of services? How does DHH afford covering $500 per week per member for F&B? How long can that last?

09-02-2008, 08:45 PM	#15
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,651	Re: Cost of services? ER Traveler, what doesnt DHH cover that other clubs might? its all trade offs.

09-02-2008, 09:16 PM	#17
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,651	Re: Cost of services? (DHH owners also own the fiji resort.)

09-02-2008, 09:31 PM	#18
LTTravel Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,031 Club: ER, HCC Corporate, DHH Lite, Bud Lite (A few too many)	Re: Cost of services? ER has: 1. Free daily maid service 2. Grocery shopping for the cost of groceries + 5%, 7% or 10% depending on your contract. 3. Services charged to your house account may also be subject to those fees. 4. Free breakfast service in Mex