Exchanging points question

[FreeTime]

Can someone please help me make sure that I understand how exchanging points works? I want to try and exchange into one of the Marriott resorts as Lake Tahoe summer of 2006. We are flexible and can go anytime June-August. Do I make this exchange now? I can request it 2 years in advance, right? By doing so now, is there a better chance of a match? What if there is not a match, do my points remain usable at DVC or do they have to be used elsewhere? Can I borrow, if necessary, to make the exchange?

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Can someone please help me make sure that I understand how exchanging points works? I want to try and exchange into one of the Marriott resorts as Lake Tahoe summer of 2006. We are flexible and can go anytime June-August. Do I make this exchange now? I can request it 2 years in advance, right? By doing so now, is there a better chance of a match? What if there is not a match, do my points remain usable at DVC or do they have to be used elsewhere? Can I borrow, if necessary, to make the exchange?

Thanks!

Start now. Put in what you want though it’ll likely be less than 12 months before you will get anything. I think the Grand Residence has an extra charge above the exchange fee, seems like it was in the $100 range. You can request 24 months out from the last week of your travel.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Do I make this exchange now? I can request it 2 years in advance, right? By doing so now, is there a better chance of a match? What if there is not a match, do my points remain usable at DVC or do they have to be used elsewhere? Can I borrow, if necessary, to make the exchange?

As Dean wrote, make the request now. You won't get an immediate match because Timberlodge owners can only book their weeks and deposit them with Interval International (I.I.) 12 months before the check-in date. (I don't know the rules for Grand Residence.)

As owners of Lake Tahoe weeks deposit their weeks, those weeks will be matched with ongoing requests. Other Marriott owners have a priority (as long as the weeks they are exchanging have sufficient trading power), so many of the deposits at 12 months are likely to go to other Marriott owners. As deposits go into the general I.I. pool, you'll be near the front of the line if you deposit early enough. Other factors, involving trading power, come into play, so it's not just a matter of matching requests in the order in which they were made. But it's likely you'll be successful because you're requesting early, being flexible about the dates, and have trading power based on highly sought-after, high-quality DVC.

No DVC points will be deducted until the exchange is successful. If you are not successful (or if you cancel before there is a match), it will be as though you never made the request.

If you are successful, but you find that you need to cancel, you will not get your DVC points back (or even the "reservation points" that result when members cancel Disney Collection or Concierge Collection reservations). You will be able to get a different I.I. week, within certain rules. Be sure to read up on the details.