The total number of Star Credits you have access to each year is based on the membership level you have enrolled in. This will be listed in your Membership Agreement and is also on the membership portal in the Account section.

When your membership is active, this gives you the ability to do the following:

#1- Star Credit Condos-

Your current rates are shown on your membership portal in the Condos section and available under these three categories: Vacation Weeks (VW), Partial Weeks (PW- available on GDV Elite only), Expressway Weeks (EW), and Special Buys (SB). The rate and duration of the stay is listed, but as follows for each category:

Vacation Weeks (VW) - 7 nights, and are a minimum of 60 days up to one year in advance.

Partial Weeks (PW)- 3, 4, & 5 nights, and are up to one year in advance.

Expressway Weeks (EW)- 7 nights, and are up to 60 days in advance.

Special Buys (SB)- 7 nights, and are up to one year in advance.

#2- Star Credit Cruises (SC)-

Available on select cruise offerings to get even more savings using your Star Credits. To see current offerings, log in to your membership portal. These must be booked through GCI’s Travel Agency.

#3- Star Credit Tours (CT)-

Available on select tour offerings to get even more savings using your Star Credits. To see current offerings, log in to your membership portal.

#4- Hotel Weekly Stays Cashback-

Once per year exchange one star credit for $250 cash back using the Hotels Weekly Stays section.

VIP membership levels may do this twice per active year, with $125 cash back on the second usage.

#5- Homes-

Available on select Vacation Home bookings to get even more savings using your Star Credits. Search your desired destination and date for current options.

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Important: Membership must be Active and in good standing to take advantage of any membership benefits. All bookings are final using Star Credits, so make sure you look at the vacation insurance option to see if that is a good fit for you- this is available to you at the time of booking star credit condo stays (VW, EW, & SB).

WANT MORE STAR CREDITS? Call us at 616-949-2727. We are your local Sales Center in Michigan.

The best part of our Annual Activity Fee- it’s not mandatory! It has to paid on the years you use your membership, but you never have to pay on the years you do not use your membership.

When you get your annual renewal notice, you can choose to activate or not for that year. If you choose not too, but change your mind later in the year, then you can activate at that time. This will keep your account active until your anniversary date. To see the anniversary date and current renewal amount, login to your membership portal, select Account, select Renewals.

Depending on your level of membership:‍ Memberships on the platforms for GDV Plus & GDV Elite have the ability to activate portions of their total stars- this allows for even more flexibility for members. This is called a Partial Activity Fee. The options for this will pop-up on the membership portal when you are in the Renewals section to activate. For VIP levels, VIP benefits only apply when all star credits on the account have been activated for that renewal year.

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Important: Once paid, the Activity Fee (Renewal) is non-refundable. Please make sure to pay attention to what year you are choosing to renew.

As a member you have access to Global Connections Full-Service Travel Agents. When your membership is active, this is who you book Star Credit Cruises and Star Credit Tours through.

Pro Tip: should you need help with vacations apart from using your Star Credits, you can utilize the services of the Travel Agents. If you find yourself wanting to use a professional planner, give them a call. Maybe you want a group vacation with family and friends or a destination wedding, a anniversary trip, or retirement celebration- they can help you make that happen. Have your membership number available when calling.

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Important: Star Credits cannot be used on any services offered through the Travel Agency other than Star Credit Cruises (SC) and Star Credit Tours (CT).‍

Don’t forget to check out your additional benefits. Here are a couple that can get overlooked but shouldn’t. How do you find out more? Login to the membership website, select Benefits from the tabs and then select which ones interest you. Here are two of my personal favorites.

THINGS TO DO: Members are able to book attractions, activities, and day tours using this feature. Bonus- members can earn 5% cash back on what they book on this section. How do you find out more? Login to the membership website, select Benefits from the tabs, then Things To Do. Here you can find the options for the area you are traveling and info on the 5% cashback. IMPORTANT to read through any terms & conditions as well as any pricing or refund policy PRIOR to booking since the offerings are via third party.

HONEYMOON REGISTRY: Getting married or have an immediate family member getting married? Want to include travel in the wedding registry? GOODNESS, DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS!

“You've found the place for the perfect honeymoon or wedding spot! Browse through our sample honeymoon registries for suggestions on all the wonderful items your friends and family can give you as a wedding gift. Design your custom wedding registry from ideas we've showcased or include your personalized honeymoon wishes. Create a stunning honeymoon registry and wedding website ~ you'll be on your way to the honeymoon of your dreams.”

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I encourage you to view all of the membership benefits available that interest you on the membership website. There are so many ways to save as a member and savings stack up. Familiarizing yourself with the website will help you not miss out on that.

When you are using your Star Credit Condo stays: If you are in a destination that has an Authorized GDV Membership Distributor, then you may likely be contacted just before or while on your vacation for a membership consultation, often called a Membership Review or Update. If you are wanting to discuss any updates or have a membership review, and you are not wanting to do so while you are on vacation, simply decline the invitation and contact me directly. All Authorized GDV Membership Distributorships are privately owned & operated.

Often referred to as planned weeks.

These are available to book 24/7 on the membership website. They are offered up to 12 months in advance. For current offerings visit the Condos section, select Star Credit Condos. Narrow your search by location, date, unit size, amenities, or distance from your home.

Vacation Week Requests are available using the Request A Condo option, then select Vacation Week Request- Online Request. Complete and submit the form. *Requests are fulfilled first come, first serve and may be submitted up to one year in advance. Minimum notice is required of at least 120 days during Peak season and at least 60 days during Value season.

Some destinations offer Value season and some do not. Please review the Season Guide in the Condos section on the membership portal.

The number of Star Credits that can be used are based on the number available on your account.

Here are the basics for how to use Star Credits for VW:

One (1) star credit + processing fee equates to a studio or one bedroom unit during Value season for up to 7 nights.

Add one (1) star for Peak season

Add one (1) star to travel outside 48 contiguous United States

Add one (1) star for each additional bedroom.

Here are the basics for unit size:

Studio -sleeps two (2) people

One Bedroom - sleeps up to four (4) people

Two Bedroom - sleeps up to six (6) people

Three Bedroom- sleeps up to eight (8) people

Four Bedroom- sleeps up to ten (10) people

*Some units will sleep more or less that the average that is listed here. Please make sure you are booking for the proper size unit based on the total number of people staying in the unit regardless of their age.

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Important: All bookings are final, please make sure you look at the vacation insurance option to see if that is a good fit for you- this is available to purchase at the time of booking the star credit condo week.

Tip: Book when you see the one you want, they go fast!

Commonly referred to as spontaneous weeks.

These are available to book 24/7 on the membership website. They are available to book within 60 days. To see current offerings select Condos, then select Star Credit Condos, then narrow your search by Vacation Type and select Expressway.

If your membership allows for it, you may use an available star credit(s) to waive the Expressway fee.‍ ‍

*Please make sure you are booking for the proper size unit based on the total number of people staying in the unit regardless of their age.

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Important: All bookings are final, please make sure you look at the vacation insurance option to see if that is a good fit for you- this is available for purchase at the time of booking the Expressway.

Tip: Book when you see the one you want, they go fast!

My Personal Opinion - Some of my favorite trips have been using Expressways. You don’t always need to buy airfare to go have a fun time, there are drivable destinations available often.

These are available to book on the membership website, and are not available on all membership levels.

They are offered in various locations on various dates and are coded as SB on the condo section offerings. Prices vary unlike the Star Credit VW & EW stays. Star Credit usage also varies on these offerings.

*Please make sure you are booking for the proper size unit based on the total number of people staying in the unit regardless of their age.

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Important: All bookings are final, please make sure you look at the vacation insurance option to see if that is a good fit for you- this is available to you at the time of booking the Special Buy.

Tip: Book when you see the one you want, they go fast!‍