How does II work?

[trasor]

How exactly does booking a trip through II work? I thought it was just a matter of using points like booking at WDW but different posts have mentioned trading points and that it's not a good deal. Being able to go to all the different locations is a strong factor in my consideration to become a DVC member. Help me out, please.

 

[Chuck S]

Occasional trades to II really isn't a bad deal. Remember that there will be a $95 fee in addition to the points in order to trade. However, if your primary reason for purchasing DVC is the II trades, there are less expensive timeshares that will accomplish the same goal.

The best value is to use your points at a DVC resort. But as I said, occasional trades to II isn't a bad deal. Cruises and the Disney collection (non-DVC Disney resorts) however, take a LOT of points.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

II trades are a minimum of 124 points for 1 week in a 1 bedroom. A value season studio at AKV is 144 points and you are Walt Disney World! The 1 bdrm at WDW may have a rack rate of $500, where the rack rate for the non-Disney resort may only be $200.

There are several ways to look at trading out. I believe that if you occassionally wish to use your points outside of DVC that it can still be a good use of points. This outlook says that you want to have a great vacation, and you might as well use points that you do have instead of cash money that you may not have available. Of course, others believe to use DVC points to go to Gatlinburg or Williamsburg is a waste of money.

Another thing to consider is the purchase of a small DVC contract to use for your Disney trips every 2 to 3 years. This works because you can bank and borrow your points. That way your Disney fix is covered, leaving you more money to do your non-DVC vacations.A 50 point contract would cost less than $5,000 and have maintenance fees in 2008 dollars of $200/yr., and would allow for a nice Disney vacation - every other year.

Finally, others will purchase a DVC contract with enough points to rent points to others to pay the maintenance fees.

Overall, if you don't want to travel to WDW often, then DVC is not for you. If you do then you may want to consider some of the previous options. You may want to consider purchasing DVC as well as another timeshare, or by going with a different timeshare all together.

 

[Deb & Bill]

With II trades you have to contact MS to see what they have available or request to be put on a list to get a specific resort. The more flexible you are with locations, resorts and times, you can get some reasonable trades. But if you specifically want XYZ resort for a specific time frame, you may be waiting for a long time.

 

[Dean]

How exactly does booking a trip through II work? I thought it was just a matter of using points like booking at WDW but different posts have mentioned trading points and that it's not a good deal. Being able to go to all the different locations is a strong factor in my consideration to become a DVC member. Help me out, please.

II is a barter system, basically a week for a week. The best resorts during peak times are rarely deposited. What you have to do is put in a request and wait hoping it gets filled. Sometimes it does, sometimes it does not. II does not hold deposits for DVC members even though some guides have suggested this is the case. And frankly, DVC does not have nearly as much trade power as some would like to think.

 

[rayelias]

I've never used II, but just for kicks, I went to the website figuring it might be a way to rent (instead of using my DVC points outside of DVC).

I went through this extensive "sign up" process which finalized by asking for a payment.

Am I mistaken, or as DVC members, aren't we automatically enrolled in II? Is there a way to sign up, log in, and search through the II website without paying for a membership (if we're already "members")?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've never used II, but just for kicks, I went to the website figuring it might be a way to rent (instead of using my DVC points outside of DVC).

I went through this extensive "sign up" process which finalized by asking for a payment.

Am I mistaken, or as DVC members, aren't we automatically enrolled in II? Is there a way to sign up, log in, and search through the II website without paying for a membership (if we're already "members")?

We don't have the access to II. MS has the access to II. We cannot be individual members of II with our DVC membership.

 

[Dean]

I've never used II, but just for kicks, I went to the website figuring it might be a way to rent (instead of using my DVC points outside of DVC).

I went through this extensive "sign up" process which finalized by asking for a payment.

Am I mistaken, or as DVC members, aren't we automatically enrolled in II? Is there a way to sign up, log in, and search through the II website without paying for a membership (if we're already "members")?

They will reject your membership at some point. I've even had II advisors go through the process to add DVC to my existing membership but it never worked out. They aren't very knowledgeable about DVC and I think they get paid for getting you to join or add a week. I know they get paid for getting a deposit or getting you to accept an exchange.