Hawaii Exchange - summer 2005

[realpatt]

We would like to go to Hawaii sometime during the summer of 2005 and would like to do it through DVC World Passport exchange. Has anyone been able to do this during the summer months? Any suggestions, recommendations. I haven't been able to get the search function to work, does anyone have the links to previous threads on this subject? Thanks

 

[BillPA]

I wish I had saved a few of the old posts on this, several were posted. Dean should reply when he logs in next time. I'm also looking to do the same in July of '05. I haven't started anything yet, I'm trying for 2 weeks back to back, but don't give it much hope from what I've read here.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[wdwstar]

i made our ressies for maui using dvc for a week vacation for 2 - 1 bedrooms last jan.2003 for this spring, still waiting and we only have three months before before our ressies start, it looks very doubtful, im glad we didnt book airfare, and have a back up vacation.

 

[Lisa P.]

If you are seeking 2 consecutive weeks or a Marriott (i.e., more difficult trades), consider contacting an owner at one of those resorts for a direct exchange with a DVC reservation. It may save you points as well.

TUG's Direct Exchange Listings are grouped by location. Click on the link for Hawaii resorts and look for an owner who is seeking a DVC vacation. You may also email one of the other owners and make an offer. There are a couple listed now for next summer (2004). You may consider posting your own TUG direct exchange listing (free) if you are serious about seeking particular resorts. If you are a TUG member, it's easy to look up reviews for the resorts offered to see if you may like them. Remember that it's usually easier for an owner to arrange an oceanfront or oceanview condo than for you to receive one with an exchange via II. HTH!

 

[Werner Weiss]

Click on these two recent threads about trading to Hawaii:

• How does trading work??
• Exchange ??? (Doc or Dean?)

 

[realpatt]

Thanks for all the info. I will get on the list Monday.

Realpatt

 

[jel0511]

I actually put in for an exchange to Hawaii for July 2005 and it did come through about two months ago. I had to pass on it unforuntely for various reasons, but it can be done. We got Hanalei Bay on Kauai for the week of July 1 - July 8, 2005.

 

[Dean]

Few resorts are truly worth the DVC points. I'd second Lisa's point about direct exchanges, make sure you post it on the Trade board here as well as contacting those on TUG. Don't forget the smaller exchange companies as well. There are few resorts I'd trade my DVC points for straight up. Don't list anything you will be dissatisfied with. You could also rent out your points and pay cash for a hotel, condo or timeshare and likely come out to the good with more choices.

 

[jasonp5]

I don't know if this is the information you are looking for, I am new, first post.

Anyway, we booked our honeymoon in Maui at Kapalua Bay using our Disney points. It cost us $75.00 at the time, July 02 for June 03 travel. We didn't wait have to wait at all, it was just booked. We called 11 months in advance and did it. At the time, they had a special of buy 5 nights, get the 6th free. I don't remember the exact point total, but I know we had a partial ocean view (awesome) for 6 nights and also received complimentary (tip included) breakfast buffet everyday (6 days). Menu price for that was $26.00 a person. I want to say that the room cost 30+ points a night, but we only had to pay for 5 nights.

It was really nice and based on the comments above, I guess we got lucky that we did not have to wait to get confirmation, we were just able to book.

Again, I don't know if that is the information you are looking for, but maybe it helped.

 

[TnRobin]

We are going to Hawaii this June using a direct exchange.

I placed an ad on the TUG and got quite a few response. I limited my request to only those with high ratings. We are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in a 2BR Ocean View condo in exchange for a 1BR at Boardwalk view at BWV. I have know people who stayed there and they speak very highly of it.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by jasonp5
It was really nice and based on the comments above, I guess we got lucky that we did not have to wait to get confirmation, we were just able to book.

You were "just able to book" because you were using the Concierge Collection. Essentially, using the Conceirge Collection is like making a cash reservation at a hotel. If you book reasonably early, there should be plenty of availablilty. The downside of the Concierge Collection is that the cost per night is high, and that most properties provide only hotel rooms, not suites or condos.

The waiting comes into play when you use the World Passport Collection, which involves timeshare exchanges, primarily through Interval International (II). As I wrote in another thread: <blockquote>World Passport Collection resorts (with a few exceptions) involve 7-night stays, usually beginning on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. At a year out, there is typically no availability at all &#151; but as owners book weeks and deposit them with II, those weeks become available to those who have requested to trade in. It's not unusual for II members to request trades to Hawaii two years out &#151; and then to wait at least a year (and sometimes much longer) before a successful trade occurs &#151; if it occurs at all. </blockquote>
That doesn't mean everyone has to wait every time. There's always plenty of inventory at excellent resorts in II's computer system available for immediate confirmation &#151; but seldom at top properties in Hawaii.

 

[melanieewr]

We actually own a condo on Oahu in a brand new resort and just had a fellow dvcer stay there and he transferred points into my dvc account for the stay. I have had numerous requests for similar transactions, but because they are in 2005 and I have contracted with a rental agent in Hawaii, I have not been able to fulfill those requests. I have recently discussed with the agent that I would like to do some dvc exchanges and I will be able to do some exchanges provided they are in the not-to-distant future and they are at least 2 week stays. I will just be limited on how much I can do this. If anyone is interested they can email me at ewracing99@yahoo.com and you can look at the resort's website...kailanihawaii.com. If you look at the photos posted in there on Oct. 20th, the photo that says pool and spa open...bring a towel has 2 "condos" in the background the one with the green roof is ours and the upstairs unit with the windows facing the pool is our unit. There is a beautiful (obstructed) ocean view that you can see from the inside but really great from the balcony.

If I do an exchange, it will be at 30 points per night. The condo is 2BR, 2Bath, plus a queen sleeper sofa. The countertops are granite in the bathrooms and the kitchen, and it has stainless steel appliances and beautiful furnishings. I also have beach chairs, boogie boards, and a really nice dvd library. The tv is one of the new thin 42" Sony's. There are currently guests in it that were supposed to depart the 9th but love it so much that they have extended their stay until the 19th.

If you look at the website, be sure to go to Ko' Olina link since we are actually part of that whole resort area with a fabulous golfcourse and numerous beautiful swimming lagoons.

Keep this in mind as a Hawaii option!