If transfering excess points is a NOGO -- is II a reasonable alternative?

[bwvBound]

I've been reading the long threads regarding crack downs on commercial activities and find myself sympathetic for owners who are suddenly in a tight spot wrt transfers. I can easily envision having a pool of excess points should travel plans change after the banking windows have passed.

Considering the options (and there are still plenty) - is Interval International an attractive alternative?

Anticpated benefits of II deposit:
a) extending the vacation window of my points by 2 years
b) forcing me to "branch out" by booking a non-DVC vacation (ok, who gasped while reading this? grin!)

Questions:
A) Can this be done? (Can I toss "at risk" points to II for later exchange? I think so based on info titled, "Depositing Accommodations for a Future Exchange" in my Vacation Planner materials.)

B) What is the minimum number of points I can deposit? My 2004-2005 Vacation Planner shows a table of points required for requesting exchanges starting at 124 points (1BR, low season). However, I've exchanged into DVC for reservations representing lower-valued weeks (BWV, Studio in January = 104 points). Could I assume that the smallest number I could deposit would be a studio unit at my home resort with a check-in date anytime before my points expire?

Specific example: I own SRR, Oct UY, last banking window June 30. If in July I have left over points -- could I bank a September studio for 95 points?

C) What are the risks or downsides? Initial list:
-- Deposits given to II within 60-days of check-in may only request exchanges w/in 59 days of travel. (The "late deposit" issue)

-- Once deposited with II - you may not move points back to your DVC account. (Ok, but they were going to expire anyway. This side-effect is similar to banking points to a future UY?)

-- Booking the eventual II vacation will incur a $75 exchange fee.

-- The week I want to deposit (a Sept Studio at SRR from above example) is unavailable and no weeks remain in the system matching my number of left-over points. (Is my deposit restricted to immediately identifiable inventory?)

Thoughts and comments? Thx

 

[RobDoc]

I think you have done a great job of summarizing the possible options if a member decides not to transfer excess points. I can't think of anything to add and would assume , as you did, that you'd want to at least transfer the minimum points necessary for an exchange if possible.

... and the answer to question A is YES!

... as for C, that is not your responsibility (it is MS concern) and is the reason MS will have restrictions about how the exchange may be used.

Thanks for posting those options!

 

[Dean]

You can extend the life of DVC points by depositing in II. I think the minimum is somewhere around 106, a studio for low season. It's based on the tables, not what a single week is in a unit. Even though the published tables are only for a 1 & 2 BR, there are actually numbers for a studio & 3 BR as well. I can give you those when I return home if you need them. Since you can only search for what you deposit or below (unit size and "season"), I'd generally try to deposit High season for a 1 or 2 BR unit. The main exception is when you know exactly what you want and it is less points. It's not generally a good deal but compared to losing the points it is. You usually need to do this at least about 2.5 months prior to the end of the use year if using this use years points. You should also start a search very soon afterwards that will use that deposit. Avoid late deposit if at all possible, a late deposit is likely only worth about $100-200 or so.

Given the current set up, you are not actually depositing a unit. You are giving your points to DVC to deposit and they will actually pool and deposit. In the event nothing was available to deposit, they would work it out and you'd likely never hear about it. It was different under the old system.

 

[bwvBound]

W'Doc and Dean -- Thank you!

I later found/read the table for studios in the Home Resort Rules and Regs. You both mentioned restrictions on the trade based on the deposit and I'm understanding this as restrictions added by MS vs the normal II exchange process? (Although Dean's reply ties the restriction to the search and I'm aware of differences between searches vs "offered exchanges.") If my search allows minimum unit=studio and larger units happen to pop up -- is MS likely to interfere (prevent the exchange) for their own reasons?

 

[RobDoc]

I think the agreement between DVC and MS would prevent a studio from securing a 1 or 2BR villa- since you are not really depositing an actual reservation- only a specific number of points from the negotiated agreement.

If you are using points for a studio, MS won't likely even see a 1BR or larger as an option (unlike usual II exchange opportunities for individual members).

I think DVC members lose a lot of flexibility that "regular" II members have- since we need to go thru a third party (MS) for any transactions. "Regular" II members have the full II inventory to choose from and have the option of online exchanges. DVC members are limited both in the inventory and in the need to go thru MS.

Regardless, the World Passport program is an option and , as pointed out in this thread, it is a means to utilize points that otherwise could be lost late in a Use Year by extending their usefullness thru II exchanges.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

It also sounds to me like DVC members also lose the option of utilizing II's flexchange option where any size/season unit deposited into II can pull any size/season unit available within 60 days of check in. Am I correct?

 

[RobDoc]

Correct, flexchange is not one of the options open to DVC members. I don't know if that is a restriction made by II or by MS - or just something not available within the DVC/II relationship because it was never negotiated.

 

[mello]

I hadn't thought of it, and it does seem like an attractive possible option for some cercumstances. I have one question to add:

Are the deposited points set in stone, as a unit, or would it be possible to add to them at a later time (say you have 100 points left, so you deposit those this year, then add 20 or whatever to them next year)?

 

[RobDoc]

As Dean stated above- there is a minimum deposit (enough for at least a week in a studio - 106 points). I'm not sure if you can later add, but would think as long as you had deposited the minimum, had not requested a search using those points and added on enough for a larger unit in conjunction with starting a search they would allow additional points to be placed into the bank.

 

[LakeAriel]

Thanks for this thread. This could be an option for me also as I wish to travel to Europe next year. I was going to sell off a contract but maybe...? Dean what would a three bedroom cost in points? Has anyone ever gone to Europe for a week on points? I am thinking of France on points and Ireland (small inventory) cash. Any thoughts?

 

[RobDoc]

Here are the point needs for World Passport exchanges thru II. There are 3 "seasons" (Low, Mid and High) and they are determined by the resort itself based on it's own occupancy levels. They do not necessarily correspond to DVC point charts.

............LOW...MID...HIGH

Studio - 106 ...123 ...134
1 BR - 124 ...144 ...160
2 BR - 207 ...252 ...270
3 BR - 276 ...317 ...349

 

[LakeAriel]

Here are the point needs for World Passport exchanges thru II. There are 3 "seasons" (Low, Mid and High) and they are determined by the resort itself based on it's own occupancy levels. They do not necessarily correspond to DVC point charts.

............LOW...MID...HIGH

Studio - 106 ...123 ...134
1 BR - 124 ...144 ...160
2 BR - 207 ...252 ...270
3 BR - 276 ...317 ...349

Thanks! I guess their high season would correlate with their weather and Holidays etc. If anyone has done an overseas trip let us know!

 

[Dean]

W'Doc and Dean -- Thank you!

I later found/read the table for studios in the Home Resort Rules and Regs. You both mentioned restrictions on the trade based on the deposit and I'm understanding this as restrictions added by MS vs the normal II exchange process? (Although Dean's reply ties the restriction to the search and I'm aware of differences between searches vs "offered exchanges.") If my search allows minimum unit=studio and larger units happen to pop up -- is MS likely to interfere (prevent the exchange) for their own reasons?

One cannot request a search that is HIGHER than the deposit either in terms of unit size or season. It does happen that II offers a larger unit than requested at times but no way to search for a higher season. Thus if one plans to search, make sure you deposit something that meets the requirements you desire in terms of season and unit size. Unfortunately, the actual season for a given request isn't set in stone until the exchange is confirmed. That means something may be a MID season now and end up being high season when you match. I'm not sure where the line would be drawn (I have my suspicions) but regardless it's possible one could be told X exchange is MID season when you deposit and end up being HIGH season when you confirm the search and thus be denied the opportunity to search for what you want. If one does enough investigation though, I think this risk can be reduced to very small. DVC can at least tell you some historical data for a given resort and time of year. I have some of the info back home for HI, HH, Aruba, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.

Thanks! I guess their high season would correlate with their weather and Holidays etc. If anyone has done an overseas trip let us know!

Absolutely but it may be totally different than one might inherently think about. For example, for warm areas like HI, South FL, Caribbean; HIGH season is week 51 to 16 (Xmas to Easter). The actual seasons are determined by the destination resort, however, anything that's not red is likely to be LOW. Anything that's II red time may be MID or HIGH season. Many don't follow the school calendar nearly as much as most would think.

It also sounds to me like DVC members also lose the option of utilizing II's flexchange option where any size/season unit deposited into II can pull any size/season unit available within 60 days of check in. Am I correct?

You don't lose the option, you only lose the reduced costs and relaxed rules that most associate with the flexchange II system.

Are the deposited points set in stone, as a unit, or would it be possible to add to them at a later time (say you have 100 points left, so you deposit those this year, then add 20 or whatever to them next year)?

My understanding is it's set in stone. Remember that DVC actually deposits a unit, not points with II. I'd guess that one might have a few days to adjust before the actual deposit occured if desired but no more. And no guarantees even then. Also, remember that the expiration of the deposit is dependent on the date of the actual unit deposited. Thus if one could influence the date, that might be an advantage depending on when you wanted to travel. I'm not sure if one can make the deposit conditional on the date of the week or have any control on the week deposited though I guess if we're talking short term points that will expire, it's hard to ask too much more. Also, under the past system, if one wanted to deposit but there were no units, you were out of luck. I don't think that is a criteria any more.

On a side note, the II contract expired this past summer and was extended for a few months. Apparently DVC is negotiating on our behalf and the delay was by DVC and not II. Rumors are it may work to many members advanatage if the possible changes come about but I don't have anything else to post at this time.

 

[bwvBound]

Thank you, Dean -- lots of great info in your response.

On a side note, the II contract expired this past summer and was extended for a few months. Apparently DVC is negotiating on our behalf and the delay was by DVC and not II. Rumors are it may work to many members advanatage if the possible changes come about but I don't have anything else to post at this time.

Ohhhh, ahhhhhh - looking forward to great things!!

 

[Dean]

Ohhhh, ahhhhhh - looking forward to great things!!

I don't think I'd expect too much out of this, maybe nothing. Personally I'd like to see direct access and being able to add DVC to my II account, removal of the resort restrictions and reduced costs in the flexchange window (60 days or less). Something like Sunterra or Worldmark have with II. But I realize that many of the things that would be to my advantage might be to the disadvantage of the casual exchanger, I guess it's a give and take. Dual affiliation (RCI & II) would be great too.