MiniVac books timeshare lead
By Rodney Tanaka Staff Writer

ALTADENA – A local company unveiled a method of finding potential timeshare customers at a trade show this week in Las Vegas.

Altadena-based LeisureLink Inc. introduced the Mini Vacation Tracker, or MiniVac, a Web-based leads and tracking system, at the American Resort Developers Association trade show, which concludes today.

“The reception we’re getting is extremely good,” said Kelly Tompkins, founder and president of LeisureLink. “People are really very interested in our distribution of vacation rentals for the timeshare industry.”

The LeisureLink reservation platform connects property management companies through the Internet with travel agents and Web sites such as orbitz.com and travelocity.com.

MiniVac gives online travelers the tools to book their own vacation rentals, then provides the option of getting a discounted rental if they agree to listen to a formal timeshare presentation.

This provides a cost-effective lead generator for property management companies, said Tompkins.

“We’re on track to sign up most of the timeshare industry,” he said. “We’ve either signed up or are in final negotiations with all the leading property managers.”

Online travelers take a survey that evaluates their potential as a timeshare owner. If they don’t qualify, they can still book their vacation at the regular price.

MiniVac will provide companies with vacationers who come pre-qualified as potential timeshare owners, said Tuzy Snyder-Wall, general manager of RMC Resort Management, which has used LeisureLink
for more than a year.

LeisureLink’s methods are preferable to costly mailers, she said.

“You’re ending up with a lot of expense a lot of times for a shot in the dark,” Snyder-Wall said. “A lot of people throw it away.”

Also, LeisureLink helps travel agents understand and book vacation rentals, which have different parameters than hotels, she said.

“Everybody is looking to have as many distribution channels as possible to get their product out to the marketplace,” Snyder-Wall said.

LeisureLink brings qualified leads into resorts who have a higher probability to convert to timeshare ownership, said Tompkins, who founded the company in May 2002.

LeisureLink is completing the acquisition of $5 million in venture capital funding to expand and grow, he said, and the launch of MiniVac has accelerated the sales cycle in signing up many big property managers.

The first tip: Start now. Plus: How to protect your investment.

By Gerri Willis, CNNMoney.com contributing columnist
March 16, 2006: 4:56 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) – We may still be bundled under our winter coats in some parts of the country, but now is the time to start locking in your summer vacation rental. Early birds have already started to book the hottest summer rentals across the country.

In today’s 5 tips we’re going to tell you what you’ll want to know when jockeying for your summer dream house.
1. Start now

January and February are the busiest months and already, ideal vacation spots are getting snapped up. You will want to book early if you want a rental that’s on the water, available on a holiday weekend and notorious as a hot-spot during the summer months. And this means if you are set on going to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Hilton Head or the Hamptons, you better start your planning now.

In fact many families book their summer rentals at places like Martha’s Vineyard a year in advance. If you’re a bit more flexible with your destination and you’re counting on finding a deal, look to the mountains. Places like Vermont, Colorado or Washington have their peak seasons during the winter, so you’ll likely get better summer pricing at a mountain get-away, according to Anne Banas of SmarterTravel.com.
2. Consider your timing

The most popular vacation months — July and August — are going to cost more. You can save a ton of dough if you skip the high season. You could save at least 30% to 50% if you book your rental in late May and early June.

And if you wait until after Labor day, you could cut your bill in half, according to Banas. If you’re looking at beach front property, your best bet may be to go in September when the water is still on the warm side.
3. Go it alone

Avoid rental agents. There is plenty of exploring on the Internet you can do on your own. You’ll be able to skip out on fees which can be up to 10%. Rental owners generally include a few pictures of the property, a description of the house and what’s in the local area.

And since it’s likely you’ll be able to correspond with the vacation rental owner through e-mail, you won’t even have to pay for the phone calls. This can be especially important if you are booking a rental property overseas.

If you want to start your journey, check out the follow Web sites for your next vacation rental: www.vamoose.com, vacation rental by owner at www.vrbo.com and www.cyberrentals.com.
4. Get down to the nitty-gritty

Many people think about their vacation rentals as a home away from home. So before you invest, make sure that all the amenities you’re used to at home will be available.

Generally your kitchenware and your utensils are provided. But you may want to ask if there is Internet access or a highchair that’s available. See if a washer and dryer or a dishwasher is available.

Find out if the rental is pet-friendly and if pool areas are gated if you have children.
5. Protect your investment

Just in case your vacation dream home turns out to resemble something more like out of the Addams Family mansion, you’ll want to make sure you have recourse. Always pay by credit card. It will be harder to get your money back if you pay in cash or by check. Plus you may be protected by the fair credit billing act.

Keep in mind that unlike hotels, payment options and cancellation policies vary widely with vacation home owners. Some rentals may have generous policies in the off-season, but in the peak season they may be come quite limited. You should know the details before you sign on the dotted line. You may also try to work out a payment schedule so you don’t have to pay all the money upfront. And of course, you should only pay the landlord who is named in the rental contract.