1989
WorldMark is established
Trendwest established WorldMark, The Club as a California nonprofit mutual benefit corporation. Its credit-based ownership system let members reserve eligible accommodations according to club rules and availability.
RESEARCHED HISTORY · PRIMARY SOURCES
The History Behind Mega Renters
How large-scale vacation ownership rentals developed, why policies changed, and what these events can teach owners today.
Two different histories worth understanding
WorldMark, The Club began in 1989 as a credit-based vacation ownership club. The term “Megarenters” is documented in federal court cases involving Wyndham points owners who operated large rental businesses. Those cases are not proof that a formally organized WorldMark Mega Renters movement existed at that time.
Historical distinction: Club Wyndham points and WorldMark vacation credits are separate ownership systems with different rules. CWMRN is a proposed independent WorldMark owner community, not the original organization behind the historical disputes.
A documented timeline
Key milestones drawn from corporate filings, WorldMark information, and published court decisions.
1990s–2000s
Large vacation ownership portfolios emerge
Some owners acquired substantial quantities of vacation points and pursued rental activity. Court records describe such activity among Wyndham owners, but do not identify one person who founded a unified “Mega Renters” movement.
2005
Wyndham discusses high-volume renters
In a November 2005 internal presentation later discussed by a federal court, Wyndham considered limiting rental transactions and tightening rules. Court opinions describe the company’s use of the term “Megarenters” for certain high-volume owners.
2006
Changes to VIP benefits
A March 2006 strategy presentation addressed guest confirmations, cancellations and upgrades. A number of policy changes took effect July 15, 2006, affecting how some Wyndham owners managed rental activity.
2008–2009
Further changes and owner disputes
Additional guest-confirmation fee changes took effect in October 2008. A January 2009 internal meeting, as described in litigation, discussed measures directed at high-volume renters. Owners challenged aspects of Wyndham’s conduct in subsequent disputes.
2010
WorldMark owner participation in court
A separate California appellate decision addressed WorldMark members’ access to membership contact information for club-related communications and governance. This was an owner-rights dispute, not a ruling establishing a WorldMark Mega Renters group.
Why did the Mega Renter phenomenon develop?
The court records show that some owners used large Wyndham points holdings to operate rental businesses. The underlying incentives included using reservation access and ownership benefits to serve guests beyond the owners’ own vacations. As this activity expanded, Wyndham raised business and policy concerns and modified some benefits and rules.
These developments led to disagreement about representations made to owners, the effects of policy changes, and how rental businesses fit within vacation ownership agreements. The existence of litigation does not mean every owner allegation was proven.
Who started it?
No single verified founder has been identified. Published federal opinions describe multiple high-volume owners and say the origin and precise scope of the term “Megarenter” were unclear. It would be misleading to credit a particular person or to assign a definitive founding year to a movement without further evidence.
What does this mean for WorldMark owners?
WorldMark owners can learn from this history while recognizing that their own club documents, guest policies, credit rules, and applicable agreements control what is permitted. No rental income or pooled-credit opportunity should be assumed or guaranteed.
Why an independent owner network today?
CWMRN proposes a forum for owner education, informed discussion, and careful consideration of possible collaboration. Its mission is forward-looking. It should not be represented as the continuation of a historically documented WorldMark Mega Renters organization.
Understand the rules
Discuss ownership agreements, reservations, guest policies, and program changes with accuracy.
Share experience
Help owners compare practical lessons without promising access, profit, or special treatment.
Explore responsibly
Evaluate ideas only where permitted by the relevant club terms and applicable law.
Historical sources and further reading
These links are provided so visitors can review the underlying records directly.
Trendwest 2001 SEC Form 10-K — WorldMark’s formation and structure.
WorldMark official club guide — relationship between club, developer and property manager.
Sirmon v. Wyndham (2013), memorandum opinion — 2005–2009 Megarenter-related policy history and contested claims.
Spearman v. Wyndham (2014), memorandum opinion — further discussion of the term and policy changes.
Worldmark v. Wyndham Resort (2010) — separate WorldMark membership communication dispute.
Research note: This page summarizes public records for general education. It does not provide legal advice, establish any individual’s liability, or claim that CWMRN is affiliated with WorldMark, Wyndham or Travel + Leisure.
Help shape an informed owner community
Express Membership InterestWorldMark owners and the TravelShare dispute
WorldMark has its own separate history of owner advocacy. In a 2007 lawsuit, WorldMark owners Clarke and Rebecca Wixon and Norman and Barbara Wixon challenged aspects of the introduction of TravelShare. The litigation concerned membership benefits and reservation access, not the creation of a WorldMark “Mega Renters” organization. Court filings show that these were named plaintiffs, not established founders of CWMRN.
It is important to keep these events separate from litigation involving Club Wyndham points and high-volume rental businesses. Both histories help explain why owners may seek clearer information about their contractual rights, reservation access and changing program rules.
What is not established: The reviewed court records do not identify a single founder or verified start date for a WorldMark Mega Renters movement. CWMRN should not claim to be the legal successor to the owners or groups involved in these earlier disputes.
Historical sources and further reading
- Sirmon v. Wyndham, 2013 federal court memorandum — describes Wyndham’s internal 2005 and 2006 strategy, subsequent policy changes, and the owners’ legal claims.
- Spearman v. Wyndham, 2014 federal court memorandum — discusses large-volume rentals and the limits of the evidence in that case.
- Wixon litigation, 2008 federal court order — identifies the WorldMark owner plaintiffs and the separate TravelShare dispute.
- Wyndham 2007 SEC filing — describes the WorldMark TravelShare lawsuit as reported at that time.
Historical information is provided for education and does not determine current rental permissions. Members should consult current WorldMark governing documents and program rules before making reservations or arranging rentals.