Has anyone ever traded out to Hawaii?

[DeeP]

I was just reading the latest edition of the DVC Vacation Magic and read the pt chart for the World Passport Collection, which is not bad for a full week in a 1 or 2 br.
Has anyone ever traded out their DVC pts through Interval International for a stay in Hawaii? I am interested in the Marriott resort in Maui. Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DeeP
I was just reading the latest edition of the DVC Vacation Magic and read the pt chart for the World Passport Collection, which is not bad for a full week in a 1 or 2 br.
Has anyone ever traded out their DVC pts through Interval International for a stay in Hawaii? I am interested in the Marriott resort in Maui. Thanks!

Don't hold your breath on that one. Marriott owners have first dibs and still most don't have any luck. It doesn't hurt to try though. I'd look at a direct exchange with an owner there as your best chance of success. There's no question that exchange would be a good value but most of the other resorts in HI would be a downtrade.

 

[DeeP]

I'd look at a direct exchange with an owner there as your best chance of success.

How would this work? I am assuming Member Svcs would not be involved? Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DeeP
How would this work? I am assuming Member Svcs would not be involved? Thanks!

That is correct. You'd make a private agreement with another owner. The advantage for you is no exchange fee, a guaranteed exchange, the chance to ensure a certain view, having owners status at the destination resort, in some case securing a specific unit and the option of exchanging less points if you could work it out.

The advantage for the other person is essentially the same plus they don't have the extra $95 fee and in some cases might get an exchange they'd never have a chance at getting otherwise.

The downside is it's against both II's and RCI's policy and there's always the chance something could go wrong without recourse.

 

[DeeP]

most of the other resorts in HI would be a downtrade.

Which of the resorts available to DVC members through the II do you think would be an even trade other than Marriott? Have you ever stayed in any of them? Sorry for all the questions but you are like the timeshare fountain of knowledge, LOL!

 

[Dean]

Actually all the resorts other than Marriott would be a down trade in my book if you are just looking at the resort other than maybe Kona Coast. The ones I'd put close are Hanelei Bay (esp 2 BR units) and maybe the Club Intrawest if you can arrive on Sunday. Kona Coast on the Big Island is great also but it is fairly easy to get otherways including relatively inexpensive rentals.

That's not to say that it is wrong for every person and situation. Lets say you're trying to use FF miles for air fare. You go ahead and book the plane tickets then you're locked in to dates and it becomes more important you get the dates than the exact resort. They are all worth staying at, just not as an even trade from DVC.

There are other resorts I'd consider. There are 2 new Marriott's and the Westin sure to be added to the DVC list. The Embassy's are apparently changing to II and I'd list both of them as well. The Whaler is in II but not on the DVC list and is a great trade partly due to location. One Napili is 3 BR so if you need more space you can get an uptrade in unit size. Bay Club, some of the Pahio's and the Hilton are great RCI resorts. There are others in RCI I'd consider and put ahead of the B list on the HI DVC-II trade list. You can potentially access these through independent exchange companies and direct exchanges.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We did a trade last year to Kona Coast II and loved it. I thought the 160 points needed was really reasonable too.

 

[KaterBell]

I was wondering the same thing about how easy it would be to do a Hawaii exchange.

It's on the "to do" list for the next few years to come. I'd love to make that happen! 160 points is VERY reasonable.

I'd love to see pics of hotels / rooms / location if anyone has them.

 

[DeeP]

We did a trade last year to Kona Coast II and loved it. I thought the 160 points needed was really reasonable too.

How far in advance did you reserve for this resort? Also what was the resort and the villas like, does it have restaurants, entertainment etc close by? I have never been to HI, so I am completely clueless but from what I have seen on the internet it looks like some of the resorts are located pretty far out. I plan on having a rental car of course and plan to drive around the island to see the sights, etc but we will also spend a good deal of time at the resort so we really like a resort that has full deluxe resort amenities such as restaurants, bars/clubs, nice pools, room service, etc. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DeeP
How far in advance did you reserve for this resort? Also what was the resort and the villas like, does it have restaurants, entertainment etc close by? I have never been to HI, so I am completely clueless but from what I have seen on the internet it looks like some of the resorts are located pretty far out. I plan on having a rental car of course and plan to drive around the island to see the sights, etc but we will also spend a good deal of time at the resort so we really like a resort that has full deluxe resort amenities such as restaurants, bars/clubs, nice pools, room service, etc. Thanks for any advice.

KCR deposits up to 2 years out so start looking way ahead. They have 1 and 2 BR units from what I'm told.

 

[livinglighthouse]

I'm wanting to trade my Embassy Suites in Maui for DVC vacation next year. I have 2 weeks available and would like to stay 2 weeks at WDW but am looking for any combination that might work.....email me if you might be interested....

 

[Dean]

Stayed there, it's a good property. The lack of full kitchen is a disadvantage though. Same at the Marriott's though.