Exchanging ???

[timC]

All of Deans messages about II has got me thinking ...er, dreaming about far away places again. Here are my questions:

1) Through DVC it seems we're limited in the selection of II resorts. Can we set up a deposit account directly with II or RCI, and if so, what would be the potential +/-?

2) DW wants to visit London. With kids, and MIL that's 5 people. I didn't see any 2BR alternatives in London, unless we want to commute from a nearby Shire. Any suggestions?

3) The real question... I'm now starting to poke around on TUG, and a couple of other timeshare sites. Is there a good point systems that would get us to Europe every few years, otherwise long-weekends in various US (eastern) locations?

Thanks in advance....

 

[RobDoc]

I can help with #1.

DVC holds a corporate membership with II and all transactions must be handled thru MS. There is no way to have a personal account with II for our DVC memebrship.
DVC does not currently have any relationship with RCI (although RCI was the original program for DVC).

You may do much better to use TUG or TSTODAY to try to set up a direct trade with an owner at another timeshare.

#3. There are certainly other timeshares with point systems. There is currently no way to use our DVC points within another system for exchanges of less than a week (besides the Concierge Collection). TUG is certainly a good source for information about othe Timeshare programs.

 

[Dean]

There are several points options but I'm not that familiar. Hampimag has one of the largest and oldest. TUG should help you out there. Another options is Marriott which has resorts you can split stays at and also you can use their points (FF miles type) to stay at various Marriot and related hotels.

For London, Marriott Grande residence has 1 and 2 BR. I'm sure it will be on the list within the next year or so.

As noted, you can't join II directly and DVC is no longer affiiliated with RCI. What you can do is use any one of a number of smaller, independent exchange companies. Many will work with you for free other than the exchange fee. Fees tend to be cheaper than RCI and II regular fees but more than the DVC $75 fee. Dial an exchange is a great choice for Europe and has just joined forces with one of the better indepents in the form of Donita's exchange. San Francisco Exchange is a great option for top end resorts, esp for HI, MX, US and Caribbean. Trading places is similar in many ways, at least in the locations. Platinum Interchange is smaller but easy to work with. Dial an Exchange also has a partner company for Australia.

There are no points system I am aware of that does well for long weekends. Good ones for the Eastern US include Bluegreen, Fairfield and RCI's own system. Hilton, Hyatt and the like have small pockets here and there.