Chances of Hawaii or Caribbean

[Ooba]

We are considering trying an exchange - either next summer or summer 2008. We really want to go to Hawaii (Maui) or Bahamas/Caribbean. We would have to have a 2 bedroom - but I'm sure we could find several resorts that would be just fine. We are limited to the summertime, which I know will make it much harder. What are the chances? Are we crazy to think anything would be available in the summer?

Another question on Interval - do you have to commit to transferring the points to Interval when you start the search? What happens if the search is not successful? Would we be able to make WDW reservations using the points as a back up - and cancelling them if the II search comes through - or are the points committed, and therefore not usuable until the search is complete??

I know I will have more questions, but this will get me started

 

[I Love DVC]

We really want to go to Hawaii (Maui) or Bahamas/Caribbean.

I suggest the Polynesian or Caribbean Beach. WDW is always better than the real deal!

 

[beachblanket]

You are most likely to get this exhange if you follow this strategy:

- Make the requst far in advance (you're already in good shape there).

- Think off or pre/post high season. Given you are looking at summer, you're O.K. with the Caribbean - Hawaii might be a little tougher (high season there is winter and summer. Low is spring and fall.)

- Be as wide and flexible as possible in your request. This is critical but often ignored by new traders. Give DCL a prioritized request (first choice being resort "X" on Caribbean island "Y" on any dates during time period "A through F," second choice Hawaii resort "T" for any dates during time period dates "G though K," etc. The longer the list, the better, some of the more seasoned DCL traders give Member services a list of 6-7 options!!!

As for the trade rules, no, you do not have to transfer the points at the start of the search, you can wait until a match is found to do that (and if one is found, you have up to two days to decide whether to accept it). Your worst case scenario with a search is losing the $75 search fee if nothing is found.

 

[Dean]

Be as wide and flexible as possible in your request.[/B] This is critical but often ignored by new traders. Give DCL a prioritized request (first choice being resort "X" on Caribbean island "Y" on any dates during time period "A through F," second choice Hawaii resort "T" for any dates during time period dates "G though K," etc. The longer the list, the better, some of the more seasoned DCL traders give Member services a list of 6-7 options!!!

As for the trade rules, no, you do not have to transfer the points at the start of the search, you can wait until a match is found to do that (and if one is found, you have up to two days to decide whether to accept it). Your worst case scenario with a search is losing the $75 search fee if nothing is found.

One would not lose the fee if nothing is found, only if a true match is found and not accepted. One cannot prioritize a request made, only what choices you give them. Assume you will get the least common denominator of ALL the choices you give them.

A 2 BR is summer is VERY tough and essentially impossible, especially if one wants Lahaina, a 1 BR is more doable. A private exchange might be the better option with maybe Marriott or Westin.

 

[beachblanket]

One would not lose the fee if nothing is found, only if a true match is found and not accepted.

This is not what MS has repeatedly told me. Directly from the DVC member website:

"A non-refundable $75 exchange fee is required when an instant match is confirmed or when a system search is initiated."

Translation: if a search is initiated, you are out $75, whether or not a match is ever found.

One cannot prioritize a request made, only what choices you give them. Assume you will get the least common denominator of ALL the choices you give them.

We have twice had MS do trade searches with the specific understanding that they would follow a prioritized list. In fact, the second time around, MS actually called us up a month and a half after the search started, to re-confirm they were reading the priorities correctly! They ended up finding us the second one on the list - a 2BR in Aruba in late June.

 

[pouncingpluto]

You do pay the $75 up front, but you get it back if they don't find your match, or if you cancel the search before a match is found.

We did the latter and received the refund (which was our understanding up front... there was no haggling with MS and no problem getting the refund) when we decided our chances of getting either of the two European resorts we wanted were too slim, so we made other arrangements and cancelled the search.

 

[beachblanket]

You do pay the $75 up front, but you get it back if they don't find your match, or if you cancel the search before a match is found.

We did the latter and received the refund (which was our understanding up front... there was no haggling with MS and no problem getting the refund) when we decided our chances of getting either of the two European resorts we wanted were too slim, so we made other arrangements and cancelled the search.

Fine, but why is DVC stating in published, public form that a non-refundable (repeat, non-refundable) $75 fee is charged whenever a search is initiated? If the fee is refundable, why are they using the term "non-refundable"?

 

[Dean]

This is not what MS has repeatedly told me. Directly from the DVC member website:

"A non-refundable $75 exchange fee is required when an instant match is confirmed or when a system search is initiated."

Translation: if a search is initiated, you are out $75, whether or not a match is ever found.

They instituted the non refundable part because they had a lot of people simply changing their mind once they found a match. I've talked to the people in charge of the II exchange system at DVC about this exact issue. Basically it's handled on a case by case basis. If no match if found and no unit accepted it's 100% refundable. If you cancel before a match, it's also totally refundable. If they find something on the list that matches the criteria they've given you it's essentially non refundable but even then it's negotiable. Maybe you decided you don't want X but want to keep searching, they will usually do so without requesting another fee. They have essentially adopted the II model which is the same as I quoted.

We have twice had MS do trade searches with the specific understanding that they would follow a prioritized list. In fact, the second time around, MS actually called us up a month and a half after the search started, to re-confirm they were reading the priorities correctly! They ended up finding us the second one on the list - a 2BR in Aruba in late June.

Semantics maybe. They're going to offer you the FIRST thing they find that meets the resorts, unit sizes, etc you've given them. Any prioritization would only come into play if they found more than one thing at one time. I have no doubt they'll look with the priorities in mind but they are not going to hold a unit for a week or two waiting on something better. All you'd have would be the couple of business days they normally give you to accept or reject a match.