Recently, the Alumni Association formed a partnership with Cendant Corporation, and its subsidiaries RCI and RCI Holiday Network LLC. The partnership provides us the opportunity to offer our alumni, faculty and staff, off-season and short-notice vacation rentals in 42 states and 48 countries. The rentals are priced at a discounted rate ($349.00) for eight days and seven nights. 

Diane Deaton, Associate Alumni Director for the Alumni Affairs Office, was tasked with what she calls “test driving” one of the vacation resorts. The following is what she had to say about her test drive.

“The parameters for my preferred vacation location were based on proximity and my available time frame for getting away.  I started looking approximately three weeks before I booked my vacation.

Selecting a vacation site was as easy as searching an inventory list of available locations and choosing a date. Since thousands of vacation rental units go unfilled each year because of an over supply, there is plenty to choose from.  The posted list of rental properties is constantly changing and some rentals may not be available if you delay in making reservations. The company has plans to make this inventory list "real time" in the near future. When that happens, listings will be immediately added as they become available and removed once they are booked.  Currently, this is not the case, so flexibility is the key to avoid frustration.

I chose to go to the Sarasota Sands Resort on Lido Beach on Florida's west coast.  The resort was a renovated hotel and while not lavish or elegant, it was certainly clean, well maintained and more than adequate for our needs. Our unit slept up to six people (with no increase in the weekly rate) and included three rooms; a bedroom with a queen size bed, a sitting room and a combination living/dining room. There were two full baths and a small but very complete kitchenette including all new appliances. Complete sets of dishes, glassware, flatware, and pots and pans were neatly stored in cabinets. All we needed to add was food! 

Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, this resort was a favorite for beach goers. The water was warm, clear, and relatively calm. We had been warned of a dangerous undertow where the Gulf met the bay, and stingrays, but neither seemed to be of grave concern. Waders could walk for several yards out from shore without going in more than waist-deep water, and several guests snorkeled and watched small fish and stingrays in the shallow waters. The resort seemed to be full of families with smaller children or retired folks. It was easy to enjoy the pool, whirlpool, sauna and other amenities of the resort regardless of your age."

To find out more about this benefit log on to http://www.fit.edu/alumni/services/index.html and click on the "Time Share Vacation Rental Properties” link. Read the sections on the left, "Rules and Procedures" and "Frequently Asked Questions." When you are ready to see what off-season or short-notice properties are available, click on "Search Available Rentals" for the best bargains. For each vacation booked the Alumni Association receives a small royalty.