A few questions about II and Hawaii

[stampinshauna]

I've never done a trade through Interval International and I have a few questions.

DH and I are considering going to Hawaii next year with his parents, and want to know what we are getting into before we make reservations.

If I call Member Services about a trade, do I have to pay the $75 before they can tell me if I have an immediate match?

Do I have to deposit the points into the II system before I know if we can get what we want (if we don't want to waitlist)?

When is low season (on the point chart) for Hawaii?

I'm thinking January or February. Is it too early to book, how hard is it to get that time if our weeks are flexible as well as our choice of resorts (either Oahu or Maui)?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[caverill]

Can't comment on the II Trade to HI...

You may consider checking with some of the TS over there for any deals that they have.

We went to Maui in October and stayed at the Marriott Ocean Club for $374 per person for five nights. It also included a rental car.

We didn't even need to do a tour of the TS!

 

[stampinshauna]

Can anyone answer my questions? Some are not Hawaii specific. Thanks.

 

[Dean]

Shauna, I think I can answer all your questions. You would call about a trade and if you are offered and accept an exchange, you would pay the fee. If they don't have an instant match but put in an ongoing search (best way to find what you want) you would pay the $75 fee up front. You also need access to enough points at that time to make the exchange if they find it for you later. The fee is semi non refundable. Basically it's refundable unless they find what you want and then you say no. You DO NOT have to tie up those points though waiting on a match and you usually do not want to. You do not give up points, or use of them, unless you accept a match. But you need access to the points when you accept an exchange.

It sounds like you're making the common assumption that everyone travels when you do. That school vacations are high season and all else low, but that is not consistently the case. Jan & Feb is HIGH season for HI as it is any tropical climate in the Caribbean and MX as well, even South FL. The highest demands weeks look to be 5, 7, 25-27, 31, 51 & 52 . Low season is only weeks 49-50 (early Dec) for all islands except the Big Island which has a larger low season block for fall.

You should have an ongoing search AT LEAST a full year out though if you're looking at early 2007, you should still start a search. You can search a full 2 years out. If you really want that time you may want to look at any available resorts though only the Westin, Embassy's and Marriott's are up to DVC standards. 2 BR units are dramatically more difficult to get as well. Air fare to HI can be a much large issue than lodging. FF tickets usually need to be booked 330 days out (or whatever limit your airline has) to the day. Remember it is YOUR responsibility to research the resorts you request, don't rely on DVC to know what's a good match or comparable resort for you or all the ins and out of what you should expect at that resort.