Good/Bad Experiences with Interval International?

[veenstra56]

I am very interested in purchasing points in the DVC and have been reading threads on this board for weeks trying to educate myself as much as humanly possible before I make the plunge.
Strangely, I have yet to read a single thing about people's experiences using Interval International.
My family loves Disneyworld, and we plan on using our points the majority of the time there, but we still would like to try other destinations on occasion. Interval looks pretty attractive points-wise, and I know that many of the properties are top notch (Marriot comes to mind).
Could someone please share his or her experiences with me?
Thanks.

 

[RLevy29]

We have only done one trade but we were very happy with it. We used our points to go to Maui last summer at the Sands of Kahana.

 

[Dean]

There is not a single exchange option for DVC that makes it reasonable to buy for. You'd be far better off buying less points, just the number you'd use at DVC resorts, and looking elsewhere for other options.

 

[Cruelladeville]

If you are interested in exchanging thru Interval, you might want to buy a Marriott resale instead, for that purpose, and then buy DVC points for your stays at Disney. I love Marriott, it trades well, and a resale is only $6-$8,000. The cost is low enough that you don't feel cheated if an exchange isn't quite what you had hoped for. I find that DVC is a great value, but it goes alot further when you can use it at Disney. A membership in Interval is about $70 per year, and you have access to Member getaway's where a week will only cost around $500. At Disney, your membership is free, but you don't get access to the Getaway's.

 

[RLevy29]

There is not a single exchange option for DVC that makes it reasonable to buy for. You'd be far better off buying less points, just the number you'd use at DVC resorts, and looking elsewhere for other options.

The OP has stated that they would use the majority of points at Disney resorts. It just sounds like they want other options for the times that they do not want to go to Disney. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with that way of thinking. That is just what we do and are very happy.

 

[greggville]

so how many points does it take to trade II?

and once you transfer your points to a II account do you have to wait until a II owner wants to trade for disney points?

 

[Dean]

The OP has stated that they would use the majority of points at Disney resorts. It just sounds like they want other options for the times that they do not want to go to Disney. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with that way of thinking. That is just what we do and are very happy.

If the majority of points is 98%, then I'd agree. The problem is that anyone looking to buy and asking this question is looking at a periodic exchange option. If you're happy that's fine, that doesn't make it a good choice going in, it is not. In general this is a case of ignorance is bliss with DVC members. The truth is that there are essentially always other better and/or cheaper options than using DVC for any exchange option. One who owns and decides to trade out is one thing, but anyone looking to buy has the opportunity to make a better and more informed decision. I'd challenge anyone to show me an exchange option that's guaranteed available and a value in the $10 per point range compared to what one could get privately, there are none. All the ones you can quote that are a good value through II are almost impossible to get and all the ones easily available (DC, DCL, CC) return on average about $5-7 per point at best with a number of other restrictions. There are very limited situations where discounts have either passed or not available where it might work out in favor of points but these situations are extremely rare.

And definitely nothing wrong with it if that's what you want, that doesn't make it a good choice.

 

[Dean]

so how many points does it take to trade II?

and once you transfer your points to a II account do you have to wait until a II owner wants to trade for disney points?

If my memory serves it's a low of 106 for an off season studio and a high of 454 for a 3 BR High season. You do not have to match up to anyone trading in to DVC, but you do have to wait until a unit comes up that matches your criteria AND you are the top person on the II list.

 

[CPTJAK]

I would also like to see more responses in regards to exchanges (i.e. actual II trades).

In regards to cheaper options, it can also get expensive buying multiple timeshares so that they can be traded and you still may not get the trade/time you want, correct? Wouldn't you be better off exchanging DVC or renting the other timeshare directly or a direct exchange with an owner than spending $6000 on another timeshare unit plus maintenance fees?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have only done one exchange and that was to Hawaii. We used 160 points for a 1 bedroom on Hawaii at the Kona Coast Resort. It was lovely, and I would use a Hawaii exchange again, but I have to agree with Dean...It is really not the best use of points unless it is to a far off spot that would cost much more to pay for on your own. I also think that direct exchanges can be a better deal too.

 

[Lisa P.]

I'd STRONGLY encourage anyone who wants to become better informed about timeshare exchanging (with ANY exchange company) or considering making a purchase to visit TUG (see my sig below). Browsing the TUG forums (like here at DIS) is free and only requires online registration.

Only members may read resort reviews/ratings. Members are only charged $15/first year and it includes a free classified ad - renewal is less. This is a VERY worthwhile membership when one is considering a multi-thousand-dollar purchase!!! But again, visiting the forums is free.

TUGgers are among the most knowledgable people about timeshare that I have come across in nearly 10 years of timesharing with our family. Dean is a tugger too - does that give you a hint? What works for one family may be very different for another.

II has much to offer. There are several ways to go about getting terrific timeshare vacations via II at a MUCH lower cost than DVC can provide. If one thinks that $6,000 is a lot to pay for a timeshare week with $600 maint fees for trading through II, then they would likely think that trading DVC (at roughly double that cost or MORE) is unwise. This is simply a general comment to offer perspective on why II options should NOT be part of the DVC purchase decision, IMHO.

DVC is WONDERFUL for people who love onsite Disney vacations in deluxe accommodations and who rarely visit during Christmas/Easter nor only for the weekend. The DVC resorts are really nice and include two beach resorts for a change of pace. DVC points should be purchased for use at DVC resorts, using banking/borrowing to deal with annual fluctuations in usage needs.

II is a good company (we make better use of RCI but both have their strengths). DVC makes trading through II simpler & more limited/restricted & more expensive than it is with other II timeshares. If you want to read about people's experiences trading through II or any other exchange company - visit TUG!!! HTH!

 

[phyllisnnj]

You might find this thread helpful.....http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1056280

DVC II exchanges fall under DVC World Passport Collection

2006 Vacation Points per week for II exchanges
Studio - 106 low season, 123 mid season & 134 high season
one bedroom - 124 low season, 144 mid season & 160 high season
two bedroom - 207 low season, 252 mid season & 270 high season

 

[Dean]

I would also like to see more responses in regards to exchanges (i.e. actual II trades).

In regards to cheaper options, it can also get expensive buying multiple timeshares so that they can be traded and you still may not get the trade/time you want, correct? Wouldn't you be better off exchanging DVC or renting the other timeshare directly or a direct exchange with an owner than spending $6000 on another timeshare unit plus maintenance fees?

Even the most prolific DVC exchangers will have only a handful of II exchanges under their belt. Most people who own top resorts at peak times don't deposit them, opting instead to use, rent or exchange privately I've seen almost no reports of top resort/units gotten by DVC members during peak times and there's a reason for it. Almost all the listings I've seen for exchange that were actually made were for easy to get options. I have as much or more experience with this system, likely more, than anyone else I've seen and I've never completed a single exchange through DVC.

The problem with easy to get options is that you could pick most of those up with a unit that cost $500 and had yearly fees of $400 or less for a 2 BR. Which relates to your second question which seems to represent bias and assumption. You assume that good resorts that exchange well are expensive. While this is true in many cases, it certainly isn't in others. There are 1900 resorts in II and some 3600 or so in RCI though there is some overlap. And everyone is different in some way or another. Certainly one can generalize to certain categories including off season, beach, expensive, internal trading priorities, points systems, resorts to trade, resorts to exchange, and on and on. And what's best for you might not be best for me.

There is only one situation where exchanging DVC is a good option. It is the person who bought to use but is willing to try for peak resorts during peak times ongoing and take advantage if they do match. And while no exchange is guaranteed, there are many ways to improve one's changes both trading DVC and non DVC resorts. I think a portion of the poor trading is lack of knowledge and planning on the members part. And it's likely worth the negatives for the rare exchange, maybe once every 5 years or so for II. What a smart member would do is to look at the options available and make an informed decision. The OP may want to look at This Thread for some data.

 

[CSCO_KD]

After visiting DW several times over the last three years, we decided to do an exchange. For Thanksgiving, we are going to Marriott Ocean Pointe in FL. (Mid season exchange 1BR for 144 pts.). We like Marriott Vac Club sites and we did not have to go on a waiting list.

So, for me it was a combination of things why I did the exchange:
- Ready to do something different this year.
- No wait list (this time).
- Comparable but not equal value to maximizing pts at a DVC site.
- Convenience (I don't have time to vacation let alone sell my points).

A Few thoughts for the prospective DVC buyer:
1. I agree with Dean, exchanges should be the exception as you generally do not get equal value.
2. Must stay 7 days through the regular II exchange (most people know this).
3. Getting exactly what you want can be a real challenge. Going on a waiting list is common.

That is my .02.

 

[4formickey]

we tried to get a trade but came up empty handed. If the other time share owner do not trade their week, you will not be able to book those resorts. Now we are taken the 18 hr drive to see mickey. Airfare is just to high for us right now.

 

[MCO bound]

If you are interested in exchanging thru Interval, you might want to buy a Marriott resale instead, for that purpose, and then buy DVC points for your stays at Disney. I love Marriott, it trades well, and a resale is only $6-$8,000. The cost is low enough that you don't feel cheated if an exchange isn't quite what you had hoped for. I find that DVC is a great value, but it goes alot further when you can use it at Disney. A membership in Interval is about $70 per year, and you have access to Member getaway's where a week will only cost around $500. At Disney, your membership is free, but you don't get access to the Getaway's.

So as DVC owners affiliated with Interval International, can we become II members by paying the $70 to take advantage of the Member getaways?

 

[Dean]

So as DVC owners affiliated with Interval International, can we become II members by paying the $70 to take advantage of the Member getaways?

No, DVC members are not eligible for II membership and if they are members otherwise, cannot add DVC to their membership.

 

[igitur]

There is only one situation where exchanging DVC is a good option. It is the person who bought to use but is willing to try for peak resorts during peak times ongoing and take advantage if they do match. And while no exchange is guaranteed, there are many ways to improve one's changes both trading DVC and non DVC resorts.

I do tend to agree with you on this Dean. We've only had DVC for 3 years now and have only used it for staying at BCV, our home resort. I did put in for a trade to one of the Royal Resorts in Cancun for next February. Haven't heard anything back yet but I'm not worried. If it comes through, that's great! If it doesn't, heck, we'll figure out another way to go there if we want and we'll still have those Disney points to use again at a Disney Resort or elsewhere.

It certainly makes for a much less stressful planning process if you can keep your options open.

Deb

 

[Dean]

I do tend to agree with you on this Dean. We've only had DVC for 3 years now and have only used it for staying at BCV, our home resort. I did put in for a trade to one of the Royal Resorts in Cancun for next February. Haven't heard anything back yet but I'm not worried. If it comes through, that's great! If it doesn't, heck, we'll figure out another way to go there if we want and we'll still have those Disney points to use again at a Disney Resort or elsewhere.

It certainly makes for a much less stressful planning process if you can keep your options open.

Deb

And that's the way to do it. Request highly rated resorts during high demand times at least a year out. Plan ahead and ride as long as you can hoping the match will come through. But every situation is different and in the end, each specific owners needs to decide what's best for them.

 

[Disney Pappy]

We've done the same thing. Last July we put in for an exchange for The Turtle Quay Resort in Virginia Beach Va. We're requwsting any week in July 2007. I realize it's prime time at the resort but if it comes in we go- if not we'll be heading back to WDW. We'll wait as long as possibe and if nothing comes in WE'll withdraw the exchange request. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.