Interval International-- am I missing something?

[1833]

I'm am new member who was looking at my new vacation planner last night. I saw that it was only 160 points in high season to use the world passport collection for a week. There are some really nice hotels in the collection. Since 160 points won't get you a week in a DVC one-bedroom for most hotels, I was wondering if I were missing something. (For example, a one bedroom at HH for a week is 259 points, yet it seems you can trade out to several Marriott's at HH for 160). Is this right? Is it difficult to use II and actually reserve the nice resorts? While I brought DVC to stay at Disney, this would be a very good option for some years if it actually worked....


Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

I haven't try it since II lower the points.

but considering that each point is worth $10 - then you are talking $1,600 for your Marrriot stay - if it is worth go for it!!!!

I don't know if II will take a 1-bedroom - most of the Marriott in HH are 2-bedroom only. they use to allow DVC members an upgrade - don't know if this is still possible.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by 1833
I saw that it was only 160 points in high season to use the world passport collection for a week. There are some really nice hotels in the collection.

Yes, the World Passport Collection resorts can be a very good value -- especially if you can get a high season 1BR at a top resort for just 160 points. These are timeshare resorts, not hotels (although some timeshare resorts that are a part of a compex that also includes a hotel).

For example, if you could get a high season 1BR at a Marriott Vacation Club in Palm Desert, Boston, or Maui for 160 points, you'd be getting excellent value from your DVC points. But you need to be aware that you'll be competing against Marriott owners who enjoy a 21-day exclusive exchange window before Marriott weeks normally go into the general Interval Intenational pool from which DVC can fulfll exchange requests. So, exchanging from DVC will require a long lead time and a fair amount of luck.

There are some folks on this board who advise you not to use DVC points to make exchanges to non-DVC timeshares. They would argue that you can often get exchanges using less expensive timeshare resorts than DVC -- but, of course, if you don't own any other timeshare weeks, that's not an option. Also, they would argue that you can often rent desirable weeks directly from owners -- but, of course, that's additional money out of your pocket (unless you rent out your DVC points to cover the cost), and rentals require luck and carry some risk on both sides of the transaction.

So, yes, I think World Passport Collection exchanges can be a good use of DVC points -- but the best exchanges will be difficult to get.

By the way, the current Marriott resorts on Hilton Head only have 2BR units. There's a new Marriott under construction which I believe will have some lock-offs, but the supply will be low compared to the demand, so I would not expect to be able to use DVC to get a Marriott 1BR on Hilton Head in the next few years.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by 1833
I'm am new member who was looking at my new vacation planner last night. I saw that it was only 160 points in high season to use the world passport collection for a week. There are some really nice hotels in the collection. Since 160 points won't get you a week in a DVC one-bedroom for most hotels, I was wondering if I were missing something. (For example, a one bedroom at HH for a week is 259 points, yet it seems you can trade out to several Marriott's at HH for 160). Is this right? Is it difficult to use II and actually reserve the nice resorts? While I brought DVC to stay at Disney, this would be a very good option for some years if it actually worked....


Thanks.

1833, I think what you’re missing is that MOST options don’t return the value that a few others do. There’s no doubt that 160 points for a 1 BR of 270 for a 2 BR for peak locations, in top resorts during peak times; is a great value. The problem is that those owners know it and usually either use, rent or trade privately; just like DVC members tend to do. And as pointed out, you are competing against others who also have high trade power and in many case, at a competitive disadvantage. For every trade you can name that is a good value, I can name 100 that are not. So use it if it fits your needs but just realize what you are and are not getting in return. And don’t be fooled into thinking that most of the options on the II list are up to DVC standards, some are but many are not.

 

[1833]

You are getting at where my question was coming from. I admit I don't know about many of the trading options. However a few seem like really nice properties (for instance both the Four Seasons in Scottsdale and San Diego look delightful). The heart of my question is whether one can actually trade into those properties, or are they options in name only.

From your answers, it seems that the better properties may be difficult to obtain. Difficult, but hopefully not impossible.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by 1833
You are getting at where my question was coming from. I admit I don't know about many of the trading options. However a few seem like really nice properties (for instance both the Four Seasons in Scottsdale and San Diego look delightful). The heart of my question is whether one can actually trade into those properties, or are they options in name only.

From your answers, it seems that the better properties may be difficult to obtain. Difficult, but hopefully not impossible.

Nearly impossible for peak times other than maybe direct exchanges. Being willing to accept a range of unit sizes and weeks will help a lot. When one does timeshare exchanges, one must be VERY flexible. By flexible, I mean like listing 8-10 weeks and 10 resorts. When DVC people talk about flexibility, it's usually in the context of X week, which resort. That is by no means flexible enough for exchanging. Also realize that most deposits are done at 6 months or less, making it difficult to use FF miles. OFF season is much easier and for some exchanges, required to have any chance of success. Also remember there are other negatives with exchanging. If you cancel, there are major penalties like not getting your points back. And unit assignments usually work against the exchanger.

So if you go into this knowing you might or might not get what you want and being willing to accept something that is less than DVc in one way or another, you will be OK. Plan ahead, I mean at least a year, preferably two years out. Exchanging is not for the faint of heart, it's more like No Limit Texas Hold em.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I have not traded my DVC points thru II, but I have traded my Marriott weeks. Here is what I have found:

I was able to get a 2 bdrm at the Four Seasons in San Diego working within a 60 day time frame. They had alot of openings for studios, but I didn't consider that a good trade for my 2 bdrm at HHI Marriott Grande Ocean. We are using FF miles to fly first class. I booked it all in mid Sept to go the end of Oct. I consider myself very lucky to have gotten this.

We have been trying to get the Four Seasons in Scottsdale and have had absolutly no luck there.

Join tug and read the reviews of other timeshares. You will see what Dean means about so many not being up to DVC standards.

 

[Doctor P]

The exchange fee, $95 now, also needs to be figured into one's calculation.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Doctor P
The exchange fee, $95 now, also needs to be figured into one's calculation.

The II exchange fee, like DCL is still $75. CC and Adventurer Collection are $95. Though I bet it's only a matter of time.

Actually the best part about exchanging DVC is that you can request first up to 2 years out, then make up your mind if and when they call you. With II, there's limited request first options otherwise outside DVC or trading WITHIN the Marriott's.

 

[JenninVT]

I thought I was being flexible with three weeks and four resorts! I guess it's back to the drawing board.

I wanted to exchange to save some hassle of renting my points and doing a direct exchange, but I'm not having any luck with my requests.

I keep cruising the classifieds on TUG, but I may have to break down and post my own!

I don't think I can get my exchange fee back if I cancel, only if the exchange is not available.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by JenninVT
I thought I was being flexible with three weeks and four resorts! I guess it's back to the drawing board.

I wanted to exchange to save some hassle of renting my points and doing a direct exchange, but I'm not having any luck with my requests.

I keep cruising the classifieds on TUG, but I may have to break down and post my own!

I don't think I can get my exchange fee back if I cancel, only if the exchange is not available.

Many DVC members think that way, that's why I was so specific in my post above. That might be flexible for truly off season like September in Orlando or Summer in the CA desert; but it wouldn't even come close for peak areas at peak times. Frankly, even the range I listed below would not be flexible for say Summer in HH or xmas to Easter in the Caribbean. But the good thing about DVC is you can be picky and if you don't get it, you have lost nothing. That's why it's important to research your options and plan ahead (12-24 months).