Dvc Hawaii

[323sarg]

Ok, I am a little confused and probably misguided. My family is looking to go to Hawaii next year 08. The points chart reads to me that it is 85pts a night!!! I was under the impression our guide had given us that 160pts was what we needed to "utilize" the other collections.

 

[wildernessDad]

You were looking at the concierge collection. What you need to look into is the Interval International (II) exchange system.

 

[dianeschlicht]

A World Passport collection Interval International exchange to Hawaii for a 1 bedroom would be 160 points for a week's exchange. If you stay in ANY Concierge Collection hotels, the charge is by night, and is based on the cash price at that establishment, and re-negotiated at least every two years.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Plus, the trade has to be available.

 

[Dean]

Ok, I am a little confused and probably misguided. My family is looking to go to Hawaii next year 08. The points chart reads to me that it is 85pts a night!!! I was under the impression our guide had given us that 160pts was what we needed to "utilize" the other collections.

Getting an II exchange for HI can be very difficult. One needs to plan 12-13 months out and be realistic. You also need to investigate the resorts to see which ones you'll be happy getting. Anyone trying to use FF miles is further cornered. When are you planning to go and what islands are you interested in?

 

[dbkelly]

Dean, can you help me with Hawaii as well. We are not going until July 08 but I was hoping that planning now will give me the ability to get Hawaii. Do you have any tips on using Interval International? What to do and what not to do!

Thank,

D.B. Kelly

 

[Dean]

Dean, can you help me with Hawaii as well. We are not going until July 08 but I was hoping that planning now will give me the ability to get Hawaii. Do you have any tips on using Interval International? What to do and what not to do!

Thank,

D.B. Kelly

I'll be happy to do what I can. At this point I'll concentrate on trading DVC through II and ignore direct exchanges, renting your points then renting on the other end and the smaller exchange companies though these are all valid options to increase your chances, improve your value and give you access to inventory or resorts that you will not have through II.

You need to decide how long you want to stay, how you're going to get there (FF miles ?), what weeks you can go, what islands and how important it is to get there vs the quality of the resort you get and the value of what you give up. Frankly for July, 2008 you really should get your request in ASAP, preferably at least a year before your trip. Even then, some units for some resorts will have come and gone. For DVC exchanges the list is pretty short for the resorts I consider a fair exchange for the same unit size and includes the Sunterra resorts (formerly Embassy), Marriott's and Westin. There are other resorts I'd stay at that are on the DVC II list but I would not give up the points required to get them though you may want to consider them as they will improve your chances if you do for a number of reasons. Studios will be much easier to get but will be of less value due to the relatively high points required compared to a 1 BR exchange.

Give me some feedback on what you want, islands and unit size you would accept and I can likely give you a better idea of your chances and choices. The first specific problem I see for you is when, mid summer is VERY difficult to get though not impossible.

 

[disfreaks]

We would like to go to Kauai for spring break 08, and I know that is asking a lot. I was thinking of trying to get an exchange, since I can't book anything else right now except our home resort. Another reason, the airline we normally use to Florida, has just begun selling non-stop from Seattle to Kauai and Oahu beginning in Oct. Same price as Florida for now. Do you think there is any chance at all to get something? I have only a 10 day window. Also, what would my chances be like to book at Hilton Head during that time as well? Thanks!

 

[Dean]

We would like to go to Kauai for spring break 08, and I know that is asking a lot. I was thinking of trying to get an exchange, since I can't book anything else right now except our home resort. Another reason, the airline we normally use to Florida, has just begun selling non-stop from Seattle to Kauai and Oahu beginning in Oct. Same price as Florida for now. Do you think there is any chance at all to get something? I have only a 10 day window. Also, what would my chances be like to book at Hilton Head during that time as well? Thanks!

I'd say your chances are slim for 2008 but not impossible. If you want to go get a cancelable hotel room and schedule your trip possibly arriving Fri or Sat and leaving Sunday. That will give you more units as options. Then simply put in the request being as broad as you can but as limited as you need to.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Dean, I would like to plan for 2009. Is May and Sept. okay months since it was said they are the easiest to get? Can I just request like 2 hotels, during just May and Sept.? Also, what happens to points? If there is a search initiated, the points go to II. But what if they don't find those places during those months? Do I get the points back for the UY? We value your comments!!

 

[Dean]

Dean, I would like to plan for 2009. Is May and Sept. okay months since it was said they are the easiest to get? Can I just request like 2 hotels, during just May and Sept.? Also, what happens to points? If there is a search initiated, the points go to II. But what if they don't find those places during those months? Do I get the points back for the UY? We value your comments!!

Normally II requires a minimum of 3 choices. That could be 3 weeks at one resort or 3 resorts for one week but there are ways around this if you really don't have 3 acceptable choices which I can discuss further if need be. May and Sept are easier, esp if you avoid the holiday, the first half of Dec is the easiest still. Some of the other times esp for Fall and Jan can be a little easier. Feb to mid April, mid summer and Xmas to New Years will be the hardest. 2 BR are tough because there are few of them and the owners tend to use them.

In the past you didn't lose your points until DVC called AND you said ok to the exchange. One person has reported this is changing but I haven't checked it out, we shall see. Regardless, you don't lose your points until you get an exchange and can even make a DVC reservation which you could then cancel to use the points if you wanted. Your points don't go to II until you get an exchange UNLESS you do deposit first, which should only be done if it's use or lose given the current functioning of the system.

 

[Cruiser1969]

Normally II requires a minimum of 3 choices. That could be 3 weeks at one resort or 3 resorts for one week but there are ways around this if you really don't have 3 acceptable choices which I can discuss further if need be. May and Sept are easier, esp if you avoid the holiday, the first half of Dec is the easiest still. Some of the other times esp for Fall and Jan can be a little easier. Feb to mid April, mid summer and Xmas to New Years will be the hardest. 2 BR are tough because there are few of them and the owners tend to use them.

In the past you didn't lose your points until DVC called AND you said ok to the exchange. One person has reported this is changing but I haven't checked it out, we shall see. Regardless, you don't lose your points until you get an exchange and can even make a DVC reservation which you could then cancel to use the points if you wanted. Your points don't go to II until you get an exchange UNLESS you do deposit first, which should only be done if it's use or lose given the current functioning of the system.

I love reading your answers, Dean . . . so informative and always clearly stated

 

[Dean]

I love reading your answers, Dean . . . so informative and always clearly stated

Thank you for your kind words, I try my best.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Thank you Dean! I guess I will start this search in September, this will give me 1 1/2 yrs. to try to get my request for May or September. I am going to request Westin Maui, Suntera Maui Resorts, but still need one more. Any suggestions for that 3rd resort? Thanks again!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If Kauai is your only hope, I think it will be iffy, but if you want the Big Island, you will likely get Kona Coast Resort easily.

 

[flechette]

Okay another Hawaii trip planner in the mix here.... I'm just wondering if my planning order is feasible.... Aiming for Sept 2008 best week for us Sept 21-27 tho the following 2 weeks will work too. Tim doesn't want to island hop, so we're on Oahu for a week as the ONE thing he wants to do is visit USS Arizona memorial/Pearl Harbor.

Okay we're hoping/planning to use frequent flyer miles so right now I'm researching (somewhat) hotel and timeshare options but I'm not getting my heart set on anything til the airfare is out of the way.


Once I've the flights nailed down I'll make hotel reservations. Possible at Hale Koa for the military tho from some feedback, I don't think we want to stay there. My sister has a timeshare that she's offered to see what she can get (I never did take her up on the offer to own it) if she gets something I'll pay her MF. And who knows we may be DVC members by then tho I'd rather save the points for a GV in Dec 2008

We've also have enough rewards points for some Marriott gift certificates. It may be worth looking into increasing that balance some, I think they have a regular hotel, a J.W Marriott deluxe and the Beach Club timeshare?

So given we're okay with different housing scenarios and really want to use the frequent flyer miles - is this the best way to go about it?

TIA!

Michelle

 

[Dean]

Thank you Dean! I guess I will start this search in September, this will give me 1 1/2 yrs. to try to get my request for May or September. I am going to request Westin Maui, Suntera Maui Resorts, but still need one more. Any suggestions for that 3rd resort? Thanks again!

I'd list the Marriott and Westin as choice 1a & 1b with Sunterra as a second choice. Sunterra only has a partial kitchen as well and is not in as good a location. I'd agree with Diane that Kona Coast is so easy to get that if you list it you will get it. Actually I'd start now. I know Westin can deposit earlier than 12 months out but I'm not sure how early. Plus they do tend to bulk spacebank (dump a lot of units all at one time). That can be good if you're on the list and bad if you miss it.

 

[PEANUT1]

we want to go back to Hawaii for our 10yr anniversary Oct 09. when would we try for it? I would really like the Westin in Maui.

 

[Dean]

Okay another Hawaii trip planner in the mix here.... I'm just wondering if my planning order is feasible.... Aiming for Sept 2008 best week for us Sept 21-27 tho the following 2 weeks will work too. Tim doesn't want to island hop, so we're on Oahu for a week as the ONE thing he wants to do is visit USS Arizona memorial/Pearl Harbor.

Okay we're hoping/planning to use frequent flyer miles so right now I'm researching (somewhat) hotel and timeshare options but I'm not getting my heart set on anything til the airfare is out of the way.


Once I've the flights nailed down I'll make hotel reservations. Possible at Hale Koa for the military tho from some feedback, I don't think we want to stay there. My sister has a timeshare that she's offered to see what she can get (I never did take her up on the offer to own it) if she gets something I'll pay her MF. And who knows we may be DVC members by then tho I'd rather save the points for a GV in Dec 2008

We've also have enough rewards points for some Marriott gift certificates. It may be worth looking into increasing that balance some, I think they have a regular hotel, a J.W Marriott deluxe and the Beach Club timeshare?

So given we're okay with different housing scenarios and really want to use the frequent flyer miles - is this the best way to go about it?

TIA!

Michelle

For this situation I'd try to fly in to Oahu maybe on Fri and fly out on Sunday. That gives you several options. You could then get a week somewhere else (Maui, etc) plus have 2-3 days and 2 nights for Oahu on top of the full week somewhere else. That should give you plenty of time to get to the Arizona but not enough to do everything on Oahu you might want.

But assuming Oahu only, I'd still consider flying in on Friday and out on Sunday. For timeshares on Oahu the only one I'd seek out would be the Marriott for II. For RCI, Hilton, Fairfield and the Ilikai would be my top choices. For Marriott reward options you've got several but the best ones are Ko Olina (cat 7) and the Waikiki Marriott (cat 6) with the likelihood of getting the latter but not the former. Don't forget about 2 special Marriott reward options, they are the miles plus one week certificate and the HI sampler where you can stay in up to 3 hotels for one week total on one certificate. I agree with making the air priority over accommodations.

The Hale Koa is in a great location and has been favorably discussed in the past. If may have gone downhill but given you can't beat the price and location, I'd definitely consider staying there. Don't forget priceline either.

 

[Dean]

we want to go back to Hawaii for our 10yr anniversary Oct 09. when would we try for it? I would really like the Westin in Maui.

I'd put the request in when you reach 2 years out, somewhere in Oct of this year.