Help with booking Europe with points

[chriskre]

Hi all,
I need the help of the DISboard veterans to help with planning a vacation to Europe. I have 150 points for 2009 coming plus banked 110 points from 2008 to 2009 and want to stay at the Vienna, Austria resort in a 2 bedroom for 5-7days. Has anyone done this and is it worth it or should I just try to exchange another timeshare that I have with II for the week. I go to DW about 2-3 times a year but usually still have points left over as this year happened. So I decided to see if the alternatives that the club has besides the major Disney resorts is worth trading my treasured points for. Any input on maximizing my points would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Christine

 

[CarolA]

I don't see my response.

I have attempted to trade to Europe with NO success! This is one of the reasons I am considering a Marriott so that I can SEE options etc....

 

[Dean]

You can try for the two Cordial options through II for 7 days and BVTC for other lengths of stays. You cannot book BVTC for 7 nights. You can book directly through BVTC up to 10 months (and 7 days) out using points. Only one has 2 BR units and I understand they have very few. You may have to get two units for two $95 fees. Given the points chart of 39 points a night much of the year and the more control of booking through BVTC, I would recommend that route if it's available.

 

[chriskre]

Hi,
Just wondering how many times you tried trading to Europe and was it during high season or low season. I am looking for April or May in Vienna which should still be shoulder season, I believe. I have a timeshare in Ft. Lauderdale that trades with II so I was considering using that instead of my DVC points but I also kind of want to use some of my points to get a 2 bedroom as I only have a 1 bedroom in Ft. Lauderdale. I guess if I don't have a choice if they don't have 2 bedrooms then I'll trade with II. Do you think my chances would be better in getting Cordial in Vienna this way?
Thanks again for your help.
Christine

 

[chriskre]

Dean,
Have you stayed in a Cordial resort before? Are they are nice as Disney?
Just wondering if it's worth the exchange. I own RCI points also as well as my weeks resorts in Ft. Lauderdale and my DVC so I'm at a loss to which is the wisest exchange. I try to maximize my points and exchanges with the best deal for my exchange. What do you think?
Thanks again.
Chris

 

[Dean]

Dean,
Have you stayed in a Cordial resort before? Are they are nice as Disney?
Just wondering if it's worth the exchange. I own RCI points also as well as my weeks resorts in Ft. Lauderdale and my DVC so I'm at a loss to which is the wisest exchange. I try to maximize my points and exchanges with the best deal for my exchange. What do you think?
Thanks again.
Chris

I haven't stayed with them but the reports I've seen are favorable though not on the scale of DVC. Put in a request with II just don't get your hopes up. Wien does have 2 BR, the other doesn't. Wien is Vienna, the other is in Salzburg and there are no others in II for that area. I'm sorry that I can't give you an idea of your chances, you might try the Timeshare Users Group and see if others have an idea about your II chances. RCI also has 1 resort, it's a standard rated resort and is not an RCI points resort.