Interval International? Does it work?

[alystad]

Today, I was going to do a search for three Mariott Vacation Clubs in South Carolina next July. As the process continued I became uncomfortable with the transaction. We are looking at Barony Beach Club and Grand Ocean at Hilton Head. We also thought we could try Myrlte Beach at Ocean Watch. I can't really say why I was uncomfortable, it could have been MS and that I have never did a trade before with my points. The auto confirm seemed different from what I remember in the past. Can anyone give me guidance with this process. Does it work? Can you cancel and get your $95 back? Finally, if you do cancel do you need to do an instant match? What if there is not an instant match? I have banked points that need to be used and I would hate not to use them. Help!

 

[spiceycat]

don't count on Marriott's Grande Ocean - those members are smart and will rent their timeshares for cash before giving them to II.

that say you might get lucky - get don't count on it.

not sure but think they are still selling Barony Beach Club - if so, II should have some - but not certainly about summer.

you can ask MS first - before you give up your points - that say the $95 is lost.

you can't get the money back. and once you give up your points - you can't get them back either.

MGO is lovely!!! you might try offseason for it - if you really want it.

 

[Dean]

Today, I was going to do a search for three Mariott Vacation Clubs in South Carolina next July. As the process continued I became uncomfortable with the transaction. We are looking at Barony Beach Club and Grand Ocean at Hilton Head. We also thought we could try Myrlte Beach at Ocean Watch. I can't really say why I was uncomfortable, it could have been MS and that I have never did a trade before with my points. The auto confirm seemed different from what I remember in the past. Can anyone give me guidance with this process. Does it work? Can you cancel and get your $95 back? Finally, if you do cancel do you need to do an instant match? What if there is not an instant match? I have banked points that need to be used and I would hate not to use them. Help!

If you need a 2 BR for a full week, it is a great deal for the top resorts you're listing. I'd add the MB and Surfwatch resorts to that list personally. The searches changed to auto confirm a couple of years ago. But for 270 points, it's significantly cheaper than the same stay in a 2 BR at DVC HH during summer, and no more than for shoulder season. And all of those resorts are as good or better than the DVC resort and in much better locations IMO. As long as you only lists week that fit your needs you have nothing to lose. You can always change or cancel later as long as you do so before a match occurs with no risk. Once you match, it's a much different story. But if you want those options you better call back and get it started as the weeks are being deposited and taken.

 

[CraftyMouse]

You can get your $95 back up until they match you with a property. After that point you cannot get a refund and your points are II points and must be used for another trade.

We have used II to trade for Hawaii and Sedona, AZ. We had great experiences both times and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

 

[alystad]

Thanks for the help! I will call MS again in the morning and give it a try! I do think it is a value and I know the product. My parents have the Marriott Vacation Club in Aruba. We have a wedding in Myrtle Beach in July and I was trying to allign a beach trip as well as a weekend wedding trip. Hopefully, we will get a match. Thanks!

 

[tomandrobin]

Summer weeks at the beach, during the summer are very high demand. Good luck with your search.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the help! I will call MS again in the morning and give it a try! I do think it is a value and I know the product. My parents have the Marriott Vacation Club in Aruba. We have a wedding in Myrtle Beach in July and I was trying to allign a beach trip as well as a weekend wedding trip. Hopefully, we will get a match. Thanks!

One thing to keep in mind is that those resorts you and I mentioned (3 in HH, 1 in MB) are all oceanfront resorts but they are all different from each other and in ways you should know about. I stand on my original recommendation but I just want to make sure you know what to expect. Grande Ocean has Oceanside and Oceanfront units. The rest are oceanfront resorts but have varying degrees of unit views including "gardenview". At Barony the GV units are across the road and behind the Westin hotel. At MB it's literally on the other side of the road from the hotel/vacation club. It's not quite as bad at Surfwatch with lagoon views in the same basic area as the rest of the units. MOST Marriott's give the same view as was traded but Gardenview units are more likely to be traded. Thus as an exchanger I'd list the order of preference as GO, MB, SW then BB. None are lockoff's which is why I prefaced if you wanted/needed a 2 BR. I still think the locations are better than DVC overall and that as a group, so are the unit locations and views but I didn't want you to have any surprises.

Your chances are still pretty slim. You might consider a direct trade with a Bluegreen member or other person for a beach option in MB. What are your dates you are looking at?

 

[Starr W.]

One thing to keep in mind is that those resorts you and I mentioned (3 in HH, 1 in MB) are all oceanfront resorts but they are all different from each other and in ways you should know about. I stand on my original recommendation but I just want to make sure you know what to expect. Grande Ocean has Oceanside and Oceanfront units. The rest are oceanfront resorts but have varying degrees of unit views including "gardenview". At Barony the GV units are across the road and behind the Westin hotel. At MB it's literally on the other side of the road from the hotel/vacation club. It's not quite as bad at Surfwatch with lagoon views in the same basic area as the rest of the units. MOST Marriott's give the same view as was traded but Gardenview units are more likely to be traded. Thus as an exchanger I'd list the order of preference as GO, MB, SW then BB. None are lockoff's which is why I prefaced if you wanted/needed a 2 BR. I still think the locations are better than DVC overall and that as a group, so are the unit locations and views but I didn't want you to have any surprises.

Your chances are still pretty slim. You might consider a direct trade with a Bluegreen member or other person for a beach option in MB. What are your dates you are looking at?

Also a direct trade with a Wyndham/Fairfield owner(Seawatch and Ocean Blvd) are on the beach.

 

[juliebrooks35]

Has anyone stayed in Surfwatch? If so, what's it like? I've deposited my non DVC timeshare and I'm waiting on an exchange into HHI next June. Like Alystad I've got Barony Beach & Grande Ocean on my list but wasn't sure about Surfwatch due to the ongoing construction.
The more places I request though, the better my chances so I'm interested to know if this one is worth adding.
Can anyone help?

 

[JLitfin]

Also remember that Marriott owners have the 24 day perference with II before non-Marriott owners. If a Marriott resort is deposited with II, for the first 24 days a Marriott owner would get that unit before a non-Marriott owner.

Summer is very hard to land an exchange at a beach Marriott resort on HHI or MB, they are very much in demand. Last year, I did receive an exchange into the Marriott at MB using one of my Marriott weeks, I had my request placed about 15 months before I wanted to travel. My sister on the other hand was unable to receive her request also using her Marriott week, I believe it was because she didn't place her request until 10 months before her travel date. She ended up changing her travel plans.

Just wanted to let you know that it's very hard for a Marriott owner to land one of these resorts in the summer, so it'll be double hard for a non-Marriott owner.

Good Luck!!

 

[alystad]

Also a direct trade with a Wyndham/Fairfield owner(Seawatch and Ocean Blvd) are on the beach.

Is the Wyndham included in II for trade outs? I am on a wait list for 3 of the HH Marriots and Marriot in Myrlte Beach. MS told me I can add or modify my waitlist. If the Wyndham is in II I can add it to our waitlist. I have points that will expire next Aug and if nothing comes up by November I may try Disney's HH. I have stayed at Disney's HH but do not care for taking the bus to the beach with my little kids.

 

[Starr W.]

Is the Wyndham included in II for trade outs? I am on a wait list for 3 of the HH Marriots and Marriot in Myrlte Beach. MS told me I can add or modify my waitlist. If the Wyndham is in II I can add it to our waitlist. I have points that will expire next Aug and if nothing comes up by November I may try Disney's HH. I have stayed at Disney's HH but do not care for taking the bus to the beach with my little kids.

Wyndham/Fairfield resorts trade most on RCI. I don't think any of the ones at Myrtle trade on II. Just looked no they don't.

The Bluegreen resort Dean, mentioned Harbor Lights, is on II.

 

[Dean]

Has anyone stayed in Surfwatch? If so, what's it like? I've deposited my non DVC timeshare and I'm waiting on an exchange into HHI next June. Like Alystad I've got Barony Beach & Grande Ocean on my list but wasn't sure about Surfwatch due to the ongoing construction.
The more places I request though, the better my chances so I'm interested to know if this one is worth adding.
Can anyone help?

I've stayed at SW and I own there. It is on the beach but behind a marsh thus the term Ocean Vista instead of Ocean front for the top stay. IMO, it has the best Garden view units of the 3 mentioned (GO doesn't have GV) and one is FAR more likely to get a trade there than GO. GO would be the top choice but as you say, more choices increase your chances and that's esp true of SW as it's somewhat unknown and forgotten by many. The construction is done there 2 years ahead of schedule unless they develop a phase II which I haven't heard any rumors on. The two buildings where most of the GV units are circling a lagoon but do not have under building parking like the Ocean Vista and Ocean View buildings do. The group knows I hate to trade down and I would not hesitate to stay there even trading DVC or any similar top trader. Anyone serious about trading to these types of resorts would be a fool not to list SW for higher demand times, I could see holding out for GO for lower demand times.

 

[Dean]

Wyndham/Fairfield resorts trade most on RCI. I don't think any of the ones at Myrtle trade on II. Just looked no they don't.

The Bluegreen resort Dean, mentioned Harbor Lights, is on II.

BG has 5 resorts, of them 3 are in II. These are HL, and Shorecrest I & II. All are a trade down for DVC IMO. HL is comparable but the location is across the bridge though it is close to the new Hardrock park. SC I is ocean front but a little older, SC II is across the street plus only SC I is on the DVC list along with HL. Much of the BG inventory goes to RCI for all 5 resorts including these 3. IMO, none would be worth 160/270 points. That's one of the reasons I suggested a direct exchange where one should be able to get a better deal, a direct booking and access to more and different inventory.

Also remember that Marriott owners have the 24 day perference with II before non-Marriott owners. If a Marriott resort is deposited with II, for the first 24 days a Marriott owner would get that unit before a non-Marriott owner.

Not to get too technical but the way II works they will not automatically give the unit to the Marriott member. They must still "qualify" for that unit with their trade power. Thus more units make it outside the 24 day window than many people realize.