Last week we gave our readers an early preview of Ultimate Resort’s “Ultimate Travel Card” program. Not surprisingly, other clubs are also offering new, more affordable ways to get into a destination club – programs that should help clubs convince prospects to “test drive” this concept.

The reality is that the destination club proposition is not an “easy sell.” Asking people to put down six-figure deposits to get non-guaranteed access to homes around the world. It’s not surprising that referrals from other members are probably the best source of new members for clubs, as these people may have experienced the club via their member friends, or at least had someone they trust endorse that the concept really works.

Private Escapes Preview is a new program that is proving successful for the club. Instead of the $105,000 deposit required for full membership, Preview members pay a $50,000 deposit, annual dues of $4600 and a nightly fee of $78 in exchange for 14 days of travel a year.

You can resign the membership after one year and get 100% of your deposit back within 90 days (Private Escapes has not had any resignations to date). You may also stay with the club at the Preview level or upgrade to the full membership program to enjoy unlimited nightly usage. Private Escapes has told us that a very significant percentage of their Preview members are upgrading to full membership – a strong signal that the program works, and the club is delivering enough value to justify the upgrade.

We will compile a complete list of these more affordable options for destination club membership or trial usage. As we have said before, there are legitimate concerns with these programs for existing members, especially around availability at holiday or peak times.