Leisure Portfolio Association

Month: September 2020

LPA Educational Blogs: 4. Portfolio

As a Member of LPA, you will always have a variety of different options available as part of your holiday Portfolio. There are endless opportunities for you to unwind, relax and put your feet up. Find out more in this mini-blog about your Portfolio.

For more information on LPA’s Agreement, LPA Payments and our Affiliated Partners – click on the relevant words to be redirected to these topics respective mini-blogs.

Did you know you are guaranteed an annual holiday at your Home Resort, as long as your fees are in good standing?

OR

You can simply Deposit your Week to get Tokens to the value of your LPA Home Resort Week. You can have peace of mind knowing that you can come back and book a holiday at a time and place that suits you.

AND

You can search all the holiday availability at multiple Resorts, from the largest Exchange Companies such as RCI and 7Across, or our own LPA Options, through one Exchange Platform. You can simply Deposit your Week, browse availability and complete your Exchange with just a few clicks on LPA’s Dashboard. Remember that an Exchange Fee is payable.

How do I Exchange my Home Resort Week?

In order to Exchange your week, you need to first Deposit your week with one of the Exchange Partners (7Across or RCI) or LPA Options.

LPA’s Online Portal How-To-Guide:

LPA Options

Exchange Partners (7Across or RCI)

OR

Deposit YOUR week through LPA’s Online Platform to GoMelo as a Rental Option. If your Week is booked, you will receive a monetary return (20% Commission Fee is payable to GoMelo).

We would love to hear from you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to share with us the topics you would like to read more of, by completing this SURVEY.

September 8, 2020
LPA Educational Blogs: 3. Affiliate Organisations
Our affiliated partner offers an array of different services and/or products to add more value to your Portfolio and to ensure that you, our valued Members, have access to even more holiday options. Find out more in this mini-blog about LPA’s Affiliate Organisations.

For more information on LPA’s Agreement, LPA Payments and your Holiday Portfolio – click on the relevant words to be redirected to these topics respective mini-blogs.

Which Exchange Companies am I affiliated to?

You are affiliated with: RCI and 7Across.

RCI is a global leisure travel services provider and is the worldwide leader in Exchange Holidays.

7Across is a Global Exchange System where Members can maximise the value of their vacation ownership with highly-personalized exchange services, exclusive travel discounts and real rewards.

Through affiliations with 7Across and RCI, LPA members can Exchange their week for holidays all over Southern Africa and the world. Exchanging your Home Resort Week means you first need to Deposit it for Tokens of the same value, pay an Exchange Fee and Book through one of the Exchange Partners or LPA Options to secure an alternative holiday. This also means that you can go on holiday to the destination of your choice and time that is more suitable for you.

In the event that you cannot go on holiday at all – you have a whole two (2) year window in which to use those Tokens.

*You would Exchange (7Across, RCI or LPA Options) your holiday for Tokens should YOU wish to go on holiday in the same period, but at a different time.

Which Rental Company am I affiliated to?

You are affiliated with: GoMelo. GoMelo is an Online Rental holiday system.

GoMelo is LPA’s rental company of choice that provides LPA members with the option to rent out their accommodation interval and earn rental income, or to confirm additional holidays on a rental paying basis.

Renting out your Home Resort Week means that you first need to Deposit your Week as a Rental option. This can be done via LPA’s Online Portal which allows you to select GoMelo as a Rental Partner, to choose for what rate you would like to rent out your Home Resort week and earn rental income.

*You would Rent (GoMelo) your holiday to a private buyer should YOU not be able to go on your holiday, nor are interested in a different holiday in the same period.

Who is the Managing Agent for the Leisure Portfolio Association?

Our Managing Agent, VRS (Vacational Recreational Services (PTY) Ltd), is one of the leading Managing Agents in the Timeshare industry. VRS is responsible for the on- and off-site management of the VRS Club Resorts and the vital task of ensuring that the Resorts achieve the highest possible standards. For more details click here.

Which Travel Agency am I affiliated with?

We, here at LPA, would like to ensure that your holiday goes without a hitch and that the planning of your trip is as effortless as possible. It is for this reason that we would like to recommend you to ACT Travel – our preferred travel service provider.

What benefits do you have when using ACT Travel?
- Travel Packages and Tours
- Domestic and International Flights
- Car Hire
- Travel Insurance
- VISA Advice
- Foreign Exchange Assistance
- Airport Shuttles and Transfers
- Accommodation and Packages at Mnarani Club in Kenya
We would love to hear from you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to share with us the topics you would like to read more of, by completing this SURVEY.
September 8, 2020
LPA Educational Blogs: 2. LPA Payments
Breathe, yes it’s the dreaded LPA Payments that nobody wants to talk about, Aaaah! But don’t run away just yet, because when it comes to your LPA Payments – knowledge is power – and for you to fully utilise your Portfolio and to make it work for you – it’s important to have an in-depth understanding of what Payments you’re paying and why you are paying them. In this mini-blog, we will be talking more about the various LPA Payments as part of your Agreement.

* Did you know the Payments you pay depend on the type of Agreement you have with LPA? Contact an LPA Expert for more information relating to your particular Agreement – enquiries@leisureportfolio.co.za.

For more information on LPA’s Agreement, our Affiliated Partners and your Holiday Portfolio – click on the relevant words to be redirected to these topics respective mini-blogs.

Foundation Fee or Deposit (Credit Agreement):

Simply put, this Payment is your “start-off” Fee. You pay this Payment when you activate your Membership with LPA and to receive your allocated Timeshare Module (your choice of Resort and Week). This once-off Fee is an administrative Fee to activate your account both online and on paper, and to make sure you can start planning for that long-awaited holiday at your new home-away-from-home.

Lease Amount or Capital Fee (Credit Agreement):

LPA lets you hire their Timeshare Module (at your Home Resort in your selected Week) for a set term (usually 15 years). An LPA Member will generally pay the Lease Amount (sometimes referred to as the Capital Fee) over 84 months (7 years) or as specified in the terms and conditions contained in your Agreement. After this period, a nominal once-off Annual Fee, as stipulated in the Agreement, is payable over the remaining 8 years in order to keep the Agreement active.

Portfolio Fee or Association Fee (Credit Agreement):

This Fee needs to be paid monthly for the up-keep and servicing of your Home Resort, as well as any other related associated costs to your Portfolio.
- Your Portfolio Fee will be raised 15 months prior to your occupation date.
- Your Portfolio Fee is payable in 12 monthly instalments from the 15 months before your occupation date, meaning that you must pay your Portfolio Fee in full at least 3 (three) full calendar months before your occupation.
To summarise the above three Payments:

Join LPA and pay a once-off Foundation Fee < pay Lease Amount for first 7 years < pay an Annual Fee for remaining 8 years as well as a Portfolio Fee monthly for the full duration of your agreement for the upkeep of your Club Resort.

* Please also note that when making an Exchange Reservation online through the LPA Dashboard, an Exchange Fee is payable to proceed with the Exchange to another Club Resort, at a time that is more suitable for you. Please note that it is subject to change annually.

We would love to hear from you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to share with us the topics you would like to read more of, by completing this SURVEY.
September 8, 2020
LPA Educational Blogs: 1. LPA Agreement
Knowledge is power – and for you to fully utilise your Portfolio and to make it work for you – it is imperative to have an in-depth understanding of all the different segments that form part of LPA’s holiday product. In this mini-blog series, we will be talking more about your Agreement, your LPA Payments, our Affiliated Partners and your Holiday Portfolio. In the first mini-blog we will be discussing the Agreement you’ve entered into with LPA:

What Agreement have you entered into?

You have entered into an Agreement whereby you are a Member of the Leisure Portfolio Association.

How long is the average Agreement valid for?

The average Agreement and the benefits that form part of it are: valid for 15 years; Pensioners Agreement for 5 years; or otherwise, as specified in your Agreement, as stated in Clause 2.1 or 3.13 in your Agreement.

What are my contracts’ benefits?

1. Automatic Membership to LPA Options as well as our Exchange and Rental Partners – RCI, 7Across and GoMelo
- No additional Membership Fees.
- Low Exchange Fees.
- Worldwide availability.
- Unlimited Holiday Choices!
- Access to Bonus Bookings through 7Across, which means more holidays, more often.
- A Rental income opportunity through GoMelo where you will receive the Retail Value of your holiday less 20% commission.
2. Holiday essentials made easy with LPA’s Vacation Boosters
- LPA offers its Members the amazing opportunity to pre-book holiday essentials – such as Meal Vouchers, Spa Treatments, Game Drives and much more – before their vacation, in order to ensure all they need to do is arrive and relax. *This offering is Resort specific.
3. The LPA Dashboard
- A convenient and easy-to-use Online Platform where you can Book, Deposit, Exchange or Rent out your Home Resort Week anywhere, anytime.
4. An Agreement with the option to Renew or Swap

5. Enjoying EXTRAordinary Escapes throughout the year, over and above your LPA Home Resort Week
- LPA Members enjoy as many EXTRAordinary Escapes throughout the year as they would like at EXTRAordinarily low prices! Whether it be a full week, midweek or weekend, Members can enjoy those extra escapes they need and have MORE HOLIDAYS… MORE OFTEN.
6. You will be guaranteed to have a fixed Week of YOUR CHOICE at a stunning LPA Resort of YOUR CHOICE, every year! Enjoy your annual holiday at your preferred home-away-from-home.

Can I Renew or Swap my Agreement?

Did you know that your Agreement will automatically lapse (no longer be an active contract) after 15 years (or 5 years if your contract is a Pensioners Agreement); however, LPA offers tailor-made Renewal options or Swap options for you to choose from. Read more on our tailor-made renewal options here (for peak seasons) and here (for non-peak seasons).

We would love to hear from you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to share with us the topics you would like to read more of, by completing this SURVEY.
September 8, 2020
On the road again…

Don’t stop believing: the journey has begun once again!

Wow, what a year it’s been! Nine months into 2020 and we’ve chartered some treacherous waters; taking on, not just the odd billow here and there but facing a full-on tsunami. However, we’re now seeing some respite after the initial storm and finally, a glimmer of sunshiny hope has penetrated through the cloudy skies (yes, we’re seeing clearly now)!

As inter-provincial leisure travel has opened up, we now have the opportunity to get out there and wave adieu to those cabin fever blues! You now have the chance to explore the country like never before.

The travel possibilities are endless… so if you’re thinking about getting in touch with the open road again, here are a few road-tripping experiences you should try out or jot down as a ‘must’ on your bucket-list.

1. The Solo Roadie

This is a must-do for everyone who values time for themselves. This is the kind of road trip that allows you to get slightly lost as you navigate your way through the adventure. This kind of roadie is the right one for you if you’ve felt overwhelmed and cooped up with family over the lockdown period – don’t feel bad about going solo. We all need some ‘me-time’ and when we take time out to restore ourselves, then we are able to give of our very best, to our families and to our work responsibilities. Take this time to reflect on the moments in your life which have meaning to you. Remember when Dad actually allowed you to drive all the way from the tiny town you grew up in to the big city, where you started university? Moments like those taught you how to be brave and how to face the unknown – a valuable lesson: growing older and changing is not as daunting as you thought.

2. The Family Roadie

This family pack combo is a deal that everyone should do regularly. If there is anything the past few months have taught us, is that family matters most. Why not cram into the car, let Dad drive (like the good old days), perhaps engage in a light squabble with your siblings over the song on the radio? Along the way, nibble on the ‘padkos’ Mom has packed in the overused cooler-box, etched with memories of 15 years ago. Perhaps have the whole family head out on a road trip. This is great opportunity for a family reunion with cousins, uncles, aunts, godparents and grandparents. Your kids will be given the opportunity to forge memories for a lifetime and strengthen familial bonds and traditions for their future and generations to come.

3. A Partner-Up Roadie

Why not head out on the open road with your beloved? This is a great opportunity to get to know each other better, as you explore the vast open road. Kick things up a notch by going on a slight detour – why not find a campsite to spend the night at or perhaps a charming country bed and breakfast? Why not combine each other’s bucket-lists to create the ultimate couples bucket-list list of things you would like to do with your special someone-this will allow the two of you to get out of any comfort zones and challenge yourselves in a fun, exciting way! There are so many magical memories to be made here as the two of you listen to your favourite songs and chat about the future!

4. A Best Friend Roadie

This is one for the books. Remember when you were younger and all you wanted to do was to stay over at your best friend’s house? Remember how the two of you would make plans and in an innocent tone, dictate to these master plans to your parents? Well, the great thing about being all grown up is that your best friend probably knows you the best so you’re guaranteed to have a great time. That means no unnecessary arguments or squabbling, just pure best friend shenanigans! This is the ideal time to reconnect with that forgotten childhood wander as you explore the great outdoors. En route to your destination, stop along the way, to visit little towns that you only imagined you could visit as a child. Perhaps plan a spontaneous spa day and stay over at a place along the way. Alternatively, why not book a tour of a local museum or make a point of visiting places of historical importance, for example, visit The Cradle of Humankind, a spectacular world heritage site!

A road trip is not merely an A to B endeavour, but an adventure of familial bonding, self-discovery, and meditation. There are so many memories to be made and experiences to be enjoyed! If there is anything we need to be reminded of, is to take advantage of the travelling opportunities and make every moment count. As the popular saying goes – “Yesterday is history, tomorrow’s a mystery but today is a gift…that’s why it’s called the present.” Put the brakes on hesitation and lift off towards the blissful beauty called travel.

September 3, 2020