Completely Confused about Interval International ? ? ?

[WelcomeHome]

OK, I'm a DVC Owner. Tell me if I have this right - for 160 points (as listed on the bottom of page 40 in the excessively beautiful new 2007-2008 DVC Vacation Planner, I can exchange for a week at an Interval International 1 bedroom resort during "High Season." I tell Member Services where I'd like to go (in my case I'd love to go to Marriott's Ocean Club in Aruba during February). Then for $75 member services puts out a "Request First" into the Interval International System.

Has anyone ever done this with successful results? If so, which resorts did you exchange into and how long does it take to get what you want. I was under the impression that this wasn't cost effective use of points, but I'd gladly exchange 160 points and $75 for a week in Aruba. Am I missing the point here, I realize DVC must have incredible trading power but it just sounds like such an excellent deal for DVC members? And when Member Services puts this "Request First" out, is it for a week at Beach Club since I am using Beach Club points, or does member services only offer OKW to Interval International members because it's the least amount of points?

To further confuse me, page 41 of the DVC Vacation Planner talks about "Depositing Accomodations for a Future Interval International Exchange" in cases your not sure which II resort you want to go to or what week you'd like to go. But if I deposited a specific week in advance (like 1 bedroom at BCV in April) it would come to 270 points. Why would I use 270 points when page 40 says I can do it for 160 points? What am I missing hear? Please help straighten me out!

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Dean]

In theory it does work that way but is infinitely more complicated to be successful. You chose where you want to go, the dates and tell MS. They look online and if it's there, you pay the $75 and you're set plus your points are gone. If it's not there you can do an ongoing search. If they find anything on your list, they'll call you and you can say yes or no at that time. If you say yes, they take your points and you get the exchange, if you say no, they cancel the exchange and keep your $75 exchange fee. Obviously this is the simple version.

But how many Marriott owners are going to give up a 1 BR in Feb. And if they do, how many of those units will make it past II's internal Marriott trading preference. HI and Aruba are particularly tough even for Marriott members to get anything xmas to easter esp. so they would not be realistic requests using DVC, IMO. I did match my trading 1 BR Marriott week to Aruba for mid Jan next year but had a conflict so cancelled it within the 24 hour free cancelation period. I matched my trading studio to a Maui studio for Sept for my daughter. I'm currently looking for an Oahu 1 BR for Jan or Feb to go with a Westin exchange I got through II (non DVC). II called me today with a studio at Makaha but no way would I give up my 1 BR Marriott for a studio at a second class resort.

 

[RobDoc]

...

To further confuse me, page 41 of the DVC Vacation Planner talks about "Depositing Accomodations for a Future Interval International Exchange" in cases your not sure which II resort you want to go to or what week you'd like to go. But if I deposited a specific week in advance (like 1 bedroom at BCV in April) it would come to 270 points. Why would I use 270 points when page 40 says I can do it for 160 points? What am I missing hear? Please help straighten me out! ....

In addition to Dean's comments, you won't really be making and depositing a DVC reservation - you will just "deposit" the appropriate number of points needed for the dates and accommodation type you are looking for. MS will take care of providing the actual reservation for the DVC portion of the exchange.

 

[dvcnut39]

Last year we attempted to book 1 week (8-15JUL06), at Virginia Beach's Boardwalk Resort. We first called on Friday, 6JAN06. When I called back on Monday, 9JAN06, our 1 bdr was confirmed. Either we were lucky or it's not that hard to get a room?

BTW, we had a great time and the resort was great.

 

[utahkennedys]

Instead of hassling with II, just rent your points for $1600+, then rent the unit you want from an owner. So much easier in my opinion, we rent timeshares this way frequently.

 

[caven553]

We have done 2 trades with II and been successful getting what we wanted both times in Colorado.

 

[Disneymurf]

I too am interested in this thread - II for Europe.

Has anyone else had an opportunity to trade points thru II in Europe - say in spring or early fall?

 

[jodifla]

In theory it does work that way but is infinitely more complicated to be successful. You chose where you want to go, the dates and tell MS. They look online and if it's there, you pay the $75 and you're set plus your points are gone. If it's not there you can do an ongoing search. If they find anything on your list, they'll call you and you can say yes or no at that time. If you say yes, they take your points and you get the exchange, if you say no, they cancel the exchange and keep your $75 exchange fee. Obviously this is the simple version.

But how many Marriott owners are going to give up a 1 BR in Feb. And if they do, how many of those units will make it past II's internal Marriott trading preference. HI and Aruba are particularly tough even for Marriott members to get anything xmas to easter esp. so they would not be realistic requests using DVC, IMO. I did match my trading 1 BR Marriott week to Aruba for mid Jan next year but had a conflict so cancelled it within the 24 hour free cancelation period. I matched my trading studio to a Maui studio for Sept for my daughter. I'm currently looking for an Oahu 1 BR for Jan or Feb to go with a Westin exchange I got through II (non DVC). II called me today with a studio at Makaha but no way would I give up my 1 BR Marriott for a studio at a second class resort.

If you are flexible about what you want, can you call them and have them tell you what they have available?

 

[Dean]

If you are flexible about what you want, can you call them and have them tell you what they have available?

Sure, you can also do a search first for a broad group of weeks, resorts even locations.