How many points for an Interval exchange?

[Davidr1]

How many DVC points does it take to do a studio, 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom exchange with Interval International?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

How many DVC points does it take to do a studio, 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom exchange with Interval International?

Points for studios are not listed. For the others the DVC site has the following:

Low Season 1BR: 124 points 2BR: 207 points
Mid Season 1BR: 144 points 2BR: 252 points
High Season 1BR: 160 points 2BR: 270 points

HBC

 

[H.Richburg]

I'm curious; how long has DVC offerend exchanges through Interval International?

Historically how frequently and by how much have the points required for exchanges increased per year?

Thanks

 

[Dean]

I'm curious; how long has DVC offerend exchanges through Interval International?

Historically how frequently and by how much have the points required for exchanges increased per year?

Thanks

studios are 106/123/134
3 BR are 276/317/349

DVC used RCI as an exchange company from 1991 to 1995 when they changed to II. The story of why they changed varies with who you ask. Some would say DVC members were unhappy with what they were getting from RCI, others would say II has better options though less options. A handful of outsiders would say that they changed because RCI wouldn't let them institute the $95 fee but IMO, this is absurd as RCI allows other extra fees.

From 1995 until early 2003, you found the exchange then deposited a unit that matched the criteria of unit size and "season". That meant you didn’t really know how many points until you actually found the match. Early on it had to be at your home resort but somewhere along the way they made it any resort. Since it was based on DVC seasons (usually adventure, Choice or Dream), one could vary the number of points needed depending on the resort in question and the season. For adventure, HH was always the best and almost always available. For other seasons OKW was the best if available. The 7/11 month windows applied as did the other reservation rules just like you were making it for your own personal use. This means that any comparison to the old system and the new system should use these as the benchmarks, specifically HH for adventure and OKW for Dream season. The new system is cheaper for 1 BR and pretty neutral for 2 BR. It is MUCH higher for studios and for 3 BR. It’s also much higher for short notice trips of under 60 days.

Since DVC points basically don’t change, the points have only changed once, early 2003, when they went to the grid that’s in place now. Over the years less than 3% of owners per year exchange and until 2003 it was always 2% or less. Only 79% of the members asking for an exchange, got one in 2003, the info is not yet available for 2004 as it is usually published in June. 79% isn’t really that good to me as it includes anyone who took an exchange, even if they settled for something other than their preference.

The similar but different question is about the BVTC which has continued to shrink over the years. It currently only offers Club Intrawest and Cordial out of Europe but offered HI and the west coast of the USA previously and you can get non 7 day stays starting at (I think) 10 months out though it varies with the situation. Though Cordial is on hold for now until Cordial members get caught up in taking their part. It also sounds like there’s a good chance Cordial will be dropped from the system. Only 47% of the Cordial exchanges and 58% of the CI exchanges were completed but given the smaller scale and lack of similar alternatives, I’d look at those as about he same as the II 79%. The real question is how many got their A list and that info is unknown.

I think DVC would do better by it’s members by forging alliances with other systems, especially points systems. Bluegreen, Fairfield, Worldmark, Suntera, Hyatt, Hilton and even Marriott (not a true points system) come to mind. They could gear up the BVTC to do this and give the members of DVC far more options than they have now.

This is mostly directed at search first but there is the option of deposit first. With DVC it can be very complicated and is only for those that have no other choice are truly understand the intricacies of the system.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

I am just brand new, as I only passed ROFR today and set to close March 30.

But it seems to me, especially because of the amount of points needed for weekend stays at DVC...that it would ALWAYS be better to rent your Disney points out and try to access II or RCI exchanges through someone who had a 'el cheapo' timeshre highseason that they use FOR exchange purposes.

Or to check the timeshare rental sites for people offering their timeshare for often less than the yearly maintenance fees. (eg. Embassy Suites Kauai..two bedroom awesome units...renting at $150 a night which is less than the maintenance fee). At 270 points for high season exchange rate...and $10 a point rental income ....you would be 'giving up' $2700 for a unit you could rent from owner for $1050!!!!!

And thenyou don't have to deal with the costs of membership, exchange etc.
JUST my 2 cents worth!

 

[Dean]

I am just brand new, as I only passed ROFR today and set to close March 30.

But it seems to me, especially because of the amount of points needed for weekend stays at DVC...that it would ALWAYS be better to rent your Disney points out and try to access II or RCI exchanges through someone who had a 'el cheapo' timeshre highseason that they use FOR exchange purposes.

Or to check the timeshare rental sites for people offering their timeshare for often less than the yearly maintenance fees. (eg. Embassy Suites Kauai..two bedroom awesome units...renting at $150 a night which is less than the maintenance fee). At 270 points for high season exchange rate...and $10 a point rental income ....you would be 'giving up' $2700 for a unit you could rent from owner for $1050!!!!!

And thenyou don't have to deal with the costs of membership, exchange etc.
JUST my 2 cents worth!

You've come around to my line of thinking already, LOL. Seriously, it depends on what your getting and WHEN. If you're getting top places during top times, DVC can be a great deal. Especially since you can do search first with essentially no risk if it doesn't come through. But for most everything else, I'd totally agree with you. One should shoot for the moon if they use DVC for exchanging.

 

[Davidr1]

One should shoot for the moon if they use DVC for exchanging.

That's what I intend to do.

David

 

[Dean]

That's what I intend to do.

David

Places to put on your list include the Four Seasons, top Marriott's, Hyatt's, Franz Klammer lodge, Club Intrawest Ski season, Royals Cancun, Paradise Village, Puerto Vallarta and the like all during prime time. Just like a lot of II timeshare owners add DVC to their list because they know they won't be disappointed if they match and have to change their plans a little. Heck, those are the only things I'd trade DVC for. But then again, I have other timeshare options and I'm willing to rent out what I don't use DVC and otherwise. I could see where someone who doesn't have other options might be a little more liberal in their choices. I do hate to see members trade good DVC points when they could have rented same place for the value of $4-6 pp if they paid cash.

 

[Davidr1]

Dean, are you a TUG member too? Yes, I know all the top resorts too. We just traded our Marriott Newport Coast for Thanksgiving at the Royal Caribbean in Cancun. A few years ago we did a preview stay at the Four Seasons Aviara, I'd love to go back. You left out the Westin St. John and of course the holy grail: Harborside, that's what we'd like to get (for the kid's, of course!).

David

 

[Dean]

Dean, are you a TUG member too? Yes, I know all the top resorts too. We just traded our Marriott Newport Coast for Thanksgiving at the Royal Caribbean in Cancun. A few years ago we did a preview stay at the Four Seasons Aviara, I'd love to go back. You left out the Westin St. John and of course the holy grail: Harborside, that's what we'd like to get (for the kid's, of course!).

David

I did leave out the two top Westins but wasn't really shooting for an all inclusive list. BTW, I don't think the Royals Thanksgiving would fall under my heading of worthy of a DVC trade, for what my opinion is worth on the subject. Atlantis is not on the DVC trade list anymore so it was left out intentionally. I am a TUG member as well.

 

[summerlover]

Dean:

I saw on you list of resorts to visit Club Intrawest during ski season. We were lucky enough to get a trade to Intrawest Mont Tremblant over spring break. We are planning on spending two nights in Montreal and then heading to the resort for six nights. Do you have any tips? places or restaurants not to miss?

Thanks,
Carlette

 

[Dean]

Dean:

I saw on you list of resorts to visit Club Intrawest during ski season. We were lucky enough to get a trade to Intrawest Mont Tremblant over spring break. We are planning on spending two nights in Montreal and then heading to the resort for six nights. Do you have any tips? places or restaurants not to miss?

Thanks,
Carlette

Sorry, not as I haven't visited that area. I was really more referring to the ones in Whistler but I hear both are nice. There should be a lot of info on TUG, especially the reviews. But you do have to be a member to read them.