Distinctive Holiday Homes has introduced three prepaid travel cards to its membership lineup, adding new entry-level options for potential destination club members. The cards can be purchased for a one-time, non-refundable fee ranging from $30,000 to $50,000, and include 14 to 28 days of use at the club’s collection of residences and yachts.

Distinctive Holiday Homes scrapped its $59,000, seven-day plan in favor of the new cards. The cards expire after four years and allow advance reservations to be made 60 days to two years ahead of the trip, depending on the card. The club touts that it has 76 percent availability in its homes through the end of 2008.

More destination clubs are following the prepaid travel card model introduced by One Key, a club that has three cards that offer 15, 25 and 45 nights. One Key’s non-deposit model reflects the fact that the club does not own the homes in its property portfolio, but rather maintains an extensive collection of residences secured with leases. Distinctive Holiday Homes, however, uses a traditional deposit model for most of its plans, where membership deposits fund the purchase of new property. The club introduced these non-refundable cards as a way for potential members to try out the club before committing to a larger deposit.

One Key’s card prices are slightly higher than the basic cost-per-night of Distinctive Holiday Homes’ new cards, but there are a few differences between the offerings. One Key cards do not expire, and the club maintains a larger property collection of 450 homes in 30 locations. Distinctive Holiday Homes has a collection that includes two yachts and ten residences, with an emphasis on international properties. Additionally, the cost-per-night of a One Key plan can vary, since the club uses a points-based reservation system that may actually yield more, or fewer, nights of vacation than the number of nights specified on the card.

Such cards can be a good way for a potential member to get a taste of the destination club lifestyle, and more clubs are eying the model. Earlier this year, Ultimate Escapes offered a similar card program, and the destination club is currently in the process of revamping it into a “Preview Membership.”

In addition to introducing the card program, Distinctive Holiday Homes is launching a new 63-day plan in September that will be the largest usage plan in its lineup and allow members to book vacations up to three years in advance. The membership deposit is $499,000 and carries annual dues of $49,900. The price is in line with the cost-per-night of Quintess’ 60-day plan, and slightly less expensive than the nightly cost of Exclusive Resorts’ 60-day plan.

Learn more about the full range of destination club membership options by downloading our Decision Guide.