Can someone give me an overview of how II exchanges work?

[kim_d]

We are thinking about using our points in 2010 at II instead of WDW and wondering how that works. How far in advance can we make our reservations for II?

Also we are looking for a beach resort...does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[moethorne]

So really quick summary. You deposit enough points for your stay. I think they vary by room size not sure about resort. I seem to remember all resorts were the same but room size points were different. I tried to get the point chart link to work yesterday but it did not for me. It's on DVCmembers in the planning area. Once you deposit you have 2 years to use the points. The points may go up but you have deposited for a week and you still get the week even if you wait a year and the point per week goes up. Does that make sense? You can book up to 2 years in advance but I have found in my limited experience that stuff is not available that early. You can waitlist and stuff comes thru. It seems to be easier more flexible. For instance we wanted to go to somewhere in New England for either the last 2 weeks of Aug. II put that is the system and offered one match which we did not want and a couple of days later offered a second one. I'm not sure if the automatically book you now but we had the right to refuse in the past. Maybe you get a day. The II link thru DVC has alot of good info. Definately check it out and look to stay at the resorts that have the gold symbol next to them. Gold is better than silver which is better than no symbol.

 

[moethorne]

Forgot to mention. If you are looking for beach in Mexico I recommend any of the Royal Resorts. My in-laws own there and we have been many times and the accomodations are great. I think Royal Resorts may have a club in the Caribbean as well.

 

[Candace]

Forgot to mention. If you are looking for beach in Mexico I recommend any of the Royal Resorts. My in-laws own there and we have been many times and the accomodations are great. I think Royal Resorts may have a club in the Caribbean as well.

Do you know when the Royals release their openings to II? I really want to go and stay in *any* of the Royals, but nothing comes up when I call. My points are good through July 20, 2010. Should I waitlist or just keep calling back? I would need June though mid-July 2009 or 2010 at any of the Royals. Any help or suggestions? Thanks

 

[Dean]

Do you know when the Royals release their openings to II? I really want to go and stay in *any* of the Royals, but nothing comes up when I call. My points are good through July 20, 2010. Should I waitlist or just keep calling back? I would need June though mid-July 2009 or 2010 at any of the Royals. Any help or suggestions? Thanks

The Royals can deposit up to 2 years out. To be successful you must be willing to put in an ongoing search. Trying to call repeatedly to see what's available is not a very successful option other than inside the 60 day window in some cases.

We are thinking about using our points in 2010 at II instead of WDW and wondering how that works. How far in advance can we make our reservations for II?

Also we are looking for a beach resort...does anyone have any suggestions?

You can request up to 2 years out from the date you expect to travel and you can make changes later further extending up to 2 years from then if you want. For beach locations it is very variable depending on your location, needs and unit size needed. Do you want a swimming beach, time of year you want to travel, etc. HI, MX, Caribbean, SC, FL all come to mind. And don't forget the two DVC resorts at or near the beach. I'd list favorites as some of the top Marriott's (HH, MB, HI, FL, Caribbean), Hyatt's, Westin Maui, Royals, Paradise Village (MX), Westin St. John, Reef Resort Cayman's and Spain Marriott's. Of course if you only needed a 1 BR, that would affect the choices available. And most of these would not be likely to be available for higher demand times even if you request 2 years out. But one thing is for certain, there's a 100% chance of failure if you don't try.

 

[Candace]

So, Dean, are you saying that you can request several resorts at one time even in several locations? For instance, can I request any of the Royals in Mexico or any of the Marriott's in Spain at the same time, and when a match comes up, they will book it and notify me?

 

[AnnaS]

We put in for an exchange around 9/07 for the Royal Sands and only gave one week (July 09) - 2 BDR. The reason we gave only one resort and one week was because my brother and his family (also a dvc member) put in for the same request in the hopes of vacationing together. Mine came through in 4/08 (don't quote me on exact date, I would have to look it up but this is close). My brother is still waiting. He might have to cancel the search soon so he can make other plans.

If you are flexible with resorts/dates and put the request two years before - you should have good luck.

Keep us posted and good luck.

 

[Candace]

So what if NONE of your requests come through in the two year period? Do you just lose those points?

 

[smacky1]

So what if NONE of your requests come through in the two year period? Do you just lose those points?

Ive been wondering the same thing. If nothing comes through, can you use those points for a DVC resort?

 

[AnnaS]

My points were not deducted from my account until the match was made. I actually caught it on the website (points were dedcuted) and then called MS and she gave me all the info. I received my confirmation in the mail immediately after that.

You can cancel the search and get your $95 fee refunded also (which is what my brother will be doing soon). Since this is our first experience with exchanging, I really cannot comment on when some deposits points first.

Dean or someone should reply soon.

 

[moethorne]

I'm pretty sure mine were deposited when I first asked for the exchange and it must have been pre June 2007 because it's no longer on the activity statement on-line. And we would have lost them if I we could not go anywhere. We had originally tried to use them for a family wedding in Hearshy Park in '07 and it never matched. They stayed in II and we tried to match to Royal Resort for Feb of 08 but did not match again. I had them looking for Calif around DL and legoland for Dec this year and they had not matched yet but I pulled them out and am now going to Vagas for a girl's 40th birthday weekend. I was only charged the $95 once even though I did all those searches but I don't remember when they charged it.

 

[AnnaS]

I definitely remember when my $95 fee was charged, lol. Right away as soon as I put in my request.

 

[moethorne]

You are going to love the Sands. My in-laws own at the Islander but friends own at the Sands and we have done the Spa there. Really relaxing!

 

[AnnaS]

You are going to love the Sands. My in-laws own at the Islander but friends own at the Sands and we have done the Spa there. Really relaxing!

I can't wait - thanks. Everyone raves about it.

 

[Dean]

So, Dean, are you saying that you can request several resorts at one time even in several locations? For instance, can I request any of the Royals in Mexico or any of the Marriott's in Spain at the same time, and when a match comes up, they will book it and notify me?

Yes, you can have one request with different resorts, different years, different areas but it must be the same unit size and the resort must have the unit size you want. Once you match one, the rest are off the board. You cannot search for a 1 BR at a resort that has only 2 BR non lockoff units but in some cases you may get a 2 BR while searching for a 1 BR.

So what if NONE of your requests come through in the two year period? Do you just lose those points?

NO, the points are not taken until you match. You don't even have to have them available at the time you search and if you do, they are not tied up while you are searching. The only issue is if you don't have the points and can't get them by banking, borrowing, canceling, you won't get the exchange. The fee is paid up front but is refundable if you don't match or cancel without matching. The only way they take the points first is if you do a deposit first which I'd only do as a way to not lose the points. While not over complicated, it is foreign to most DVC members and one needs to understand it COMPLETELY before you deposit. For example, if you deposit a 1 BR HIGH season, you can't search for resorts that only have 2 BR units. Or if you deposit a MID season, you can't match to a high season option but you can do the revers. Thus one needs to know what resorts and season you're looking at when you deposit or deposit something that gives you options like 270 points for a 2 BR HIGH SEASON.

All of the Royals are great in their own way, even the older VCI. Just realize that "concierge" you're assigned is really a sales liaison. And that last I heard they were still doing daily maid service but with an expected tip much like a cruise. They don't have W/D in the units but have a laundry area with attendants. Last time I was there it was open like 8-5 and closed on Sundays and they charged for each load just like a coin operated machine. They also have an arrangement with one of the limo services for transport which you can arrange prior to arrival and it was a bit cheaper doing so.