Are some resorts seasonal on Sky Auction?

[2BigKIdz]

I got a week at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club from Sky Auction last May, we really loved the place and want to stay there again but I never see it on Sky Auction anymore. Does anyone know if this is a seasonal thing or am I out of luck getting that resort again?

Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

the only way you could get it - if no one exchanging to RCI in Orlando wanted it. this is possible because it is on one of the you can only stay here once in four years.

Or the one I love - it was a last minute exchange - those these days seem to go to skyauction.

there also seems to be more people lately exchanging to Orlando.

HGVC to my knowledge hasn't switched to II (like the Sheraton) - but those have always been few and far between.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

the only way you could get it - if no one exchanging to RCI in Orlando wanted it. this is possible because it is on one of the you can only stay here once in four years.

Hey Pat, this brings up a question that I have forgotten to ask since our last trip.

We were at Vistana, they were trying to sell us on going to the 90 minute presentation, and they brought this point up. The person speaking to us didn't know we used Skyauction, they just knew we had exchanged for a week and were not owners.

So, if I would win another week on Skyauction for Vistana, how would Vistana know that I have now stayed twice within four years?? I'm assuming that SKyauction doesn't monitor this and we could win the auction. So, say I've won, paid my money and I'm checking in at Vistana. Do they do anything?? How do they control it if I'm using Skyauction?

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

 

[spiceycat]

skyauction is renting the resort - not exchanging - you are paying cash not using your timeshare - so the same rules do not apply.

so yes you can do skyauction more often than exchanging it - but there are several dozen (yes I say dozen) timeshares in Orlando that are superior - so just don't always stay in a HGVC - try some of the others, too.

I think there are 60 in RCI and around 40 (probably more now) in II.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

And I can't wait to try more places.

We have stayed at Vistana. We will be staying at Cypress Pointe Grand Villas and Bryan's Spanish Cove. Next trip I would like to try Silver Lake and maybe Orbit One. At least these are the choices right now with SKyauction. If they dwindle down in choices, I might try and rent from an owner. I would LOVE to try out one of the Marriott's or one of the Hilton's.

 

[KerriKaden]

I emailed skyauction and asked if HGVC was still one of their properties, and they told me that it was no longer on their list. We loved HGVC, too. I was sad to hear that. So, we are trying Silver Lake this year. Hope it's not disappointing after HGVC I-drive. I'm trying to not get my hopes up about Silver Lake, so that I won't be disappointed! LOL

 

[spiceycat]

okay I am confused - I though any of the resorts listed in RCI had a change on skyauction - here is the list
http://www.rci.com/RCIW_index

both the HGVC are listed.

of course skyauction has accomplished it goal - this is the first time that there are NO orlando timeshare in the extra vacation pool - WIlliamsburg and Branson -yes - Orlando no. the extra vacation is a great deal if you are member of RCI - $99 for studio, $149 for 1-bedroom, and $199 for 2-bedrooms.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

okay I am confused - I though any of the resorts listed in RCI had a change on skyauction - here is the list
http://www.rci.com/RCIW_index

both the HGVC are listed.

of course skyauction has accomplished it goal - this is the first time that there are NO orlando timeshare in the extra vacation pool - WIlliamsburg and Branson -yes - Orlando no. the extra vacation is a great deal if you are member of RCI - $99 for studio, $149 for 1-bedroom, and $199 for 2-bedrooms.

Now I'm confused. What is the "extra vacation pool"??

 

[spiceycat]

every few months RCI offers at a reduced price - vacations still in its inventory - these are great deals if you can go then. they are for 30 days an less out - so you must be prepared to leave fairly quickly.

before this year the majority were Orlando - now there is not one in Orlando - so skyauction has done its job.

you must be a member of RCI to get these deals.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Gotcha. Thanks Pat. That is good for people who use Skyauction but bad for timeshare owners, right?

Ofcourse, things are drying up more on Skyauction lately. I remember last year when I was planning for our trip last fall, you would do a search for Vistana on SA and there were 8 auctions going. Search for "Ready, Set, Go" auctions and you would get about the same number.

Now you search, and there is only one Vistana at a time and 2 or 3 RSG auctions.

Silver Lake was always to be found on RSG and now only once in a while. Ofcourse, no more Orange Lake or Hilton. I'm wondering how much longer Cypress Pointe is going to be on there. It seems if the resort gets "popular", it's the kiss of death on SA.

 

[spiceycat]

Part of that is the resort themselves.

you need to remember that Skyauction and RCI are part of one company.

if they make money using Skyauction they certainly don't share the money with the timeshares. (they should - but they don't)

Sheraton Vistana is now listed also in II because of RCI actions. Several resorts now have double membership - when before they were only in RCI.

RCI also changed its policy. Before when a resort had some extra inventory they could let RCI rent it out and they could do it too. Last year RCI changed it policy and anything RCI gets - RCI kepts.... So the timeshare could not get access to its own inventory. this is very unfair and has lost RCI some inventory. RCI pays NOTHING for this inventory.

you can generally find Sheraton Vistana easier in II
www.condodirect.com - than RCI or skyauction - these days.

to my knowledge Hilton has not also gone with II - I don't know where they excess inventory is going - probably they are renting themselves through their hotel website.

RCI also has a different auction for government workers and military - it may just be putting HGVC here and there is nothing left for skyauction.

 

[madge]

every few months RCI offers at a reduced price - vacations still in its inventory - these are great deals if you can go then. they are for 30 days an less out - so you must be prepared to leave fairly quickly.

before this year the majority were Orlando - now there is not one in Orlando - so skyauction has done its job.

you must be a member of RCI to get these deals.

then that's why there is nothing coming up for early April on www.afvclub.com, isn't it?

 

[lawgs]

spiceycat.....

what you were describing is .... Last Call vacations....45 days out or so....they go 99$ studio, 149$ 1 bedroom and 199$ 2 bedroom

not Extra Vacations....( which currently show both Hiltons available at certain times... ) at a cost between 400 and 500$....heck you could even book them with a guest certificate.... meaning in a round about way if you were an RCI member you could "exchange the envelope you were selling that actually had the guest certificate in it" for some $$$$


are skyauction and RCI both part of the Cendant family then...???

Keri

if you are getting silver lake points it is a nice resort .....newer rooms etc.....

we stayed there last december ....skyauction .....but it is not showing up any more...

 

[spiceycat]

yes Cendant is the corporate company.

last week a couple of Silver Lake were on skyauction - sometimes along with Summer Bay - sometimes by themselves. So Silver Lake is still showing up on skyauction.

I need to make more sure of my terms....Sorry about that.

 

[spiceycat]

Madge I don't know why. RCI told tuggers who objected to THEIR timeshares going on the open market - that the really good ones would go to the military - this was after 9/11 and everyone though highly of the military - if that was just talk (and with RCI who knows)...

right now I just looked at skyauction - boy from some places getting no bids - now everything in Orlando/Kissimmee has a bid on it....

well that is the end of skyauction for me - until fall...

 

[madge]

Madge I don't know why. RCI told tuggers who objected to THEIR timeshares going on the open market - that the really good ones would go to the military - this was after 9/11 and everyone though highly of the military - if that was just talk (and with RCI who knows)...

right now I just looked at skyauction - boy from some places getting no bids - now everything in Orlando/Kissimmee has a bid on it....

well that is the end of skyauction for me - until fall...

As far as Spring Break goes, it could just be a result of people travelling again. I have my choice of about 12-13 resorts (through www.afvclub.com) for early October. As soon as a 2BR pops up for Summer Bay or Cypress Point, I'll probably go ahead and book it. I haven't seen Silver Lake yet, other than under the high demand searches.

on condodirect, does the availability change daily/weeekly? when's the best timeframe to snag something there. I see the Marriott resorts from time to time at a nice price.

 

[spiceycat]

do you have any friends that are International Interval members?

they can getaway (same as condodirect) for less money - anywhere from $80 to $100.

any II member can get 12 getaways a year - so you aren't doing them out their chance.

II use to lower their prices about 45 days before - but now - they are taken them off the list at 30 to 45 days....I have no ideal where they are going - or what is happening - II use to stop around 10 days before leaving.

So if you see something you like - take it if you can afford the price.

Marriott are lovely - but very high on golf. I think that is why I like HGVC better. the Marriott had a hard time understanding that I don't like golf....

 

[lawgs]

spiceycat....

no need to be sorry

it was confusing me at first too.....then i looked at extra vacations and saw they were different now....they used to be called Bonus Vacations and Last Minute Travel ....i think....


smilawgs

 

[madge]

do you have any friends that are International Interval members?

they can getaway (same as condodirect) for less money - anywhere from $80 to $100.

any II member can get 12 getaways a year - so you aren't doing them out their chance.

II use to lower their prices about 45 days before - but now - they are taken them off the list at 30 to 45 days....I have no ideal where they are going - or what is happening - II use to stop around 10 days before leaving.

So if you see something you like - take it if you can afford the price.

Marriott are lovely - but very high on golf. I think that is why I like HGVC better. the Marriott had a hard time understanding that I don't like golf....

Pat--

We stayed at the HGVC at Sea World in October 2002 and LOVED it.

I've seen Horizons on the Condodirect site, and that interests me quite a bit.

Our friends that own are Fairfield Owners, aren't they their own entity, with points and such?