How to increase chances on getting an II exchange

[Northwoods]

Requested an II exchange for March 13-20 and it hasn't come thru yet. We were very specific on date and resort - Reef Resort on Grand Cayman - becuase we had to book our air. We have a cash reservation at the Reef but would like to use points.

Any suggestions on how to get the exchange to come thru? I've wondered about posting something on one of the II forum sites - but I'm not sure how to state it. Do I say there is a DVC exchange available?

Any ideas out there?

 

[spiceycat]

go post on the rental/trade site here

and then go post on tug....

good luck - but if II doesn't get an exchanger for that time period and resort you requested - you won't.

since you are getting very close to your time period - I would ask on the tug board - post on the local (Florida, Southeast, etc) board on who owns the resort you are interested in -

if all else fails you can always rent your points and get your money back that way.

 

[Dean]

The Reef for March will be a monster trade. A direct exchange will be the way to go but you're likely too late. In general you should start AT LEAST a year out for any trade plus look at all other options like the smaller independent exchange companies. Limiting your self to a single resort for a specific week also severely limits your chances. Here's my list of do's and don't for a successful and enjoyable exchange:

• Start your search at least a year out, preferably two if you can.
• List as many resorts and weeks as you can possibly consider but only resorts and weeks you'd be happy with. A bad exchange is worse than no exchange.
• Research the area and resorts.
• Look on rental sites and find out what the high and low season is for a resort/area.
• Look for direct exchanges on places like TUG.
• Broaden your horizons to include the smaller exchange companies including San Francisco Exchange, Platinum Interchange, Donita's, Trading Places and Dial an Exchange.
• Find out what unit types a possible exchange resort has.
• Research the type of rooms usually given to exchangers.
• Consider renting points and then paying cash for what you want, especially from a private owner at the desired resort.

I'm always amazed that people say things like "I thought it'd be ok because it's on the DVC exchange list" and the like.

 

[Northwoods]

Thank you Dean and Spicycat for the advice.

Unfortunately we were not able to plan very far in advance. We were booked on a Disney cruise and had to cancel it in November because my DH couldn't take 9 days away from his new job. But was willing to take 6. Grand Cayman was our alternative choice.

Dean - how do you handle a direct exchange with DVC? Is it like renting out our points where we make the reservation for them?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Northwoods
Dean - how do you handle a direct exchange with DVC? Is it like renting out our points where we make the reservation for them?

That is correct, it's a private transaction with trust needed from both sides.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Northwoods
We were booked on a Disney cruise and had to cancel it in November because my DH couldn't take 9 days away from his new job. But was willing to take 6.

Were you booked on the Disney Cruise with DVC points? If so, and you cancelled, then those points are only available to you as Reservation Points, not at regular DVC points. That would mean you could not use the points for DVC resorts or the World Passport Collection (II).

 

[Northwoods]

No they were booked with cash while on the ship a year ago.