Aloha! How do I use DVC in Hawaii?

[LMB123]

I'm interested in visiting Hawaii in 2010 or 2011 with my family of four. The Grand Wailea Hotel is very expensive...75 points per night. Has anyone else used their points in Hawaii or exchanged for an Interval International property? I heard a rumor that Disney is opening a resort on Oahu. I wonder how many points it will be?

LMB

 

[dianeschlicht]

To exchange through II, you have to be patient and start your search about 2 years out, but we found it to be a very good value. For 160 points plus the exchange fee, we were able to book a week in a 1 bedroom at Kona Coast II on the Big Island. Since that is our favorite island, we were thrilled, and the accommodations were very nice. The KCII has 2 baths in the 1 bedroom, so accommodating two couples was very easy. In my book, 160 points for a week is a lot better value than 75 points a night for a CC exchange.

 

[OnMedic]

The Hawaiian DVC is a few years out with no set date for either sales or initial reservations, so I would not count on that.

Although the II exchange is "OK", be aware you do not have control over the resort you will receive and you MUST be very spceific about the dates. What you get is not easily returnable from my reading.

Therefore, the best options I feel is a direct exchange. We have done this many times and it works well if you can find what you desire. You then are assured the exact resort and time you want in turn for transferring (if they too also own DVC) them points or making a DVC reservation on their behalf. Best if all it does not cost anything.

I am a DVC owner and Hilton owner. I made a reservation last year for a DVC owner at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu and he inturn paid me with the "DVC points" currancy at the same rate as II exchange. He would never have gotten into Hilton otherwise.

I hope that helps.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I am a DVC owner and Hilton owner. I made a reservation last year for a DVC owner at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu and he inturn paid me with the "DVC points" currancy at the same rate as II exchange. He would never have gotten into Hilton otherwise.

I hope that helps.

We actually allow this type of "Trade" transaction on our DIS DVC Rent/Trade Board but only trading for another reservation, not for DVC points. Please review the Sticky posts at the top of the board before posting in case it becomes a viable option for you.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Although the II exchange is "OK", be aware you do not have control over the resort you will receive and you MUST be very spceific about the dates.

Just a slight correction. You do have total control over the resort. DVC will not confirm you to resort you do not specifically request.

However, the general wisdom is that if your request is too narrow (for example, we want a 2 BR a Marriott Beach Club for 4th of July, 2009), you may never get an exchange confirmed as the inventory at some resorts for some rooms sizes during some time periods is very limited.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just a slight correction. You do have total control over the resort. DVC will not confirm you to resort you do not specifically request.

However, the general wisdom is that if your request is too narrow (for example, we want a 2 BR a Marriott Beach Club for 4th of July, 2009), you may never get an exchange confirmed as the inventory at some resorts for some rooms sizes during some time periods is very limited.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

Exactly. We made our search window very broad, and we were able to get our week nailed down early in the process so we could then search for airfares etc. In fact, we did two exchanges and searched for the second one after the first one was in place.

 

[Dean]

A few random thoughts. You do have control over which resorts and weeks you will take but not on whether you will get them or not or when. It helps to know when certain resorts tend to deposit, 13 months out for Marriott, 2 years for KCR, for example. And you MAY not have control over whether the week starts Fri, Sat or Sun. As noted, many options are very difficult to get even if you plan ahead. I'd agree with the 2 year out recommendation. IMO, only the Sunterra, Marriott and Westin resorts are comparable to DVC but if one needs a larger unit (2 BR), it's likely best to consider second tier resorts as well. IMO, the 1 BR is the best exchange option and the studio a very poor choice given the number of points required.

Specific to KCR, I'm not sure if all the 1 BR units are 2 BA in both sections. Traditionally KCR has been easy to get but given Shell's new arrangement with BG, similar to BVTC for DVC to CI and Cordial, I would expect that may change somewhat. Anyone wanting to trade to HI should talk to some of the independent's and see if you can work something out. It'll improve your chances as this opens up additional resorts and inventory and might save you points as well in many cases. I'd say Dial an Exchange, San Francisco Exchange, Trading Places Int, Trading Places Maui (unrelated), Platinum interchange and HTSE are all viable options. Several will allow free memberships and some will allow search first. Plus it improves the chances of getting a 1 unit size upgrade significantly. Regardless, you could check with any or all of them periodically at the same time you were doing a search with DVC and take the one that comes through first. Some of these companies have an in with certain resorts as well.

As for guessing how many points it will be for DVC on Oahu, I'd estimate you're looking at only 3 seasons with two of them being Magic and Premier and the other likely either Choice or Dream but not adventure and somewhat similar to the points at BWV, BCV, etc for those seasons.

Added: KCR charges extra for AC. Extra charges for electricity, AC, etc are not that uncommon esp in HI and the Caribbean.