Interval International exchanges online coming soon

[Pootle]

Apologies upfront if this has been posted before, but along with the new 2008/9 planner came a Greetings mailing which says 'Beginning in early 2008, Members can enjoy the added benefit of making direct Interval International exchanges online'.

I can't imagine using this often, but I'll be interested to see how it works and what options you can see online. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[jcodespoti]

You got your planner?

Joe in CT

 

[dianeschlicht]

Hey, glad to see you got the planner! I'll be anxious to see how this works as well. We are in the pre-planning stages for Hawaii again. We aren't actually thinking of going until 2011, but I will likely use some DVC points for at least part of that trip.

 

[Chuck S]

And I wonder if we'll be able to book ALL available II resorts, not just those approved by DVC. For instance, the Marriott at DLP would be a good alternative to using points at the actual DLP resort. Timeshares nearby to Disneyland, etc. Here's hoping, as it sure would add to DVC flexibility.

 

[CarolA]

However, there are some advantanges to having Disney "screen"

I stayed in an Interval DUMP in Costa Rica LOL! It's not on the DVC approved listing. Wonder why? Dirty? Rude service? HORRID FOOD? (it's an "all inclusive") Or the topper IMHO NO HOT WATER!!!!

I was there on a tour and the "timeshare" salesmen had the nerve to try to sell me a unit. I gave them an earful on the above LOL!

 

[Pootle]

You got your planner?

Joe in CT

Yes, here in the UK some of us got them last week. It also came with a neat Mickey magnet note showing my membership number and the 407 MS telephone number too - won't be using that from the UK

Carol, that sounds awful! I know almost nothing about other timeshares (but would definitely use TUG for guidance if I ever did decide to trade) and I can see that the Disney 'screen' would hopefully prevent such 'dogs' getting through.

 

[tomandrobin]

I can't wait to see how DVC is going to interface with II. I use II with my Westin timeshare and so far love it. If they make easy to use, you might have more DVC members trading out to other timeshares. This will help DVC in their expansion of becoming more then just a theme park timeshare.

 

[littlestar]

I wonder if this means DVC members will have access to II's cash Getaway weeks, too?

 

[dianeschlicht]

This might be another "be careful what you wish for" thing! Since most owners of other timeshares have to be personal members of II and foot that bill themselves, that might be in the future for us too! Not sure I'd like that little "simplification"!

 

[Brian Noble]

Not necessarily. For example, the Wyndham owners with home resorts in II have their II memberships paid for out of annual fees.

 

[CarolMN]

Not necessarily. For example, the Wyndham owners with home resorts in II have their II memberships paid for out of annual fees.

I'm not crazy about that method and I hope it does not come to be!

First of all, I don't want to pay a membership fee for something I am unlikely to use. If DVC "trades" the corporate membership for "individual" memberships, I hope it is voluntary and only those who want to join II pay the fees.

Secondly, if an "individual" membership means the member (rather than MS) picks the week to deposit, I think there will be less availability for peak times than there is under the current system.

I would bet that there are many DVC members who do not use DVC for II trades and do not plan to do so. I think the current corporate membership benefits more members than individual memberships would. JMHO, YMMV.

P.S. Individual memberships would not be consistent with the "simplification" trend, either!

 

[Dean]

The direct online issue isn't really that much of an issue the way DVC and II currently work. II already have the resort segregated to the ones that DVC has approved and already have filters in to allow the use of points and floating units in terms of unit size, actual resort and time of year. It will be nice to be able to look yourself and to see what may be there at 6 am instead of later when most everything is gone. I'm doubting DVC members will have access to bonus weeks, getaways, unit size trade ups and the like but we can only hope.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The direct online issue isn't really that much of an issue the way DVC and II currently work. II already have the resort segregated to the ones that DVC has approved and already have filters in to allow the use of points and floating units in terms of unit size, actual resort and time of year. It will be nice to be able to look yourself and to see what may be there at 6 am instead of later when most everything is gone. I'm doubting DVC members will have access to bonus weeks, getaways, unit size trade ups and the like but we can only hope.

I hope you're right, Dean. I just hope it doesn't go the way a lot of things have lately with "simplification"!

 

[Dean]

I hope you're right, Dean. I just hope it doesn't go the way a lot of things have lately with "simplification"!

I don't see anyway the online option can be worse. I also see it as a commitment to the exchange system, something that I hope DVC finally realizes they can and should shore up. DVC has the potential to be a great trading option as well as usage option and it troubles me somewhat that DVC hasn't taken advantage of that potential.

 

[shellbelle1971]

I don't see anyway the online option can be worse. I also see it as a commitment to the exchange system, something that I hope DVC finally realizes they can and should shore up. DVC has the potential to be a great trading option as well as usage option and it troubles me somewhat that DVC hasn't taken advantage of that potential.

Amen, Dean!

 

[littlestar]

I don't see anyway the online option can be worse. I also see it as a commitment to the exchange system, something that I hope DVC finally realizes they can and should shore up. DVC has the potential to be a great trading option as well as usage option and it troubles me somewhat that DVC hasn't taken advantage of that potential.

I agree.

One constant comment I hear from friends and family (regarding joining DVC) is that they don't want to go to Disneyworld every year. DVC needs to be more than a "theme park" timeshare to attract people that aren't Disney park fanatics.

 

[Brian Noble]

First of all, I don't want to pay a membership fee for something I am unlikely to use. If DVC "trades" the corporate membership for "individual" memberships, I hope it is voluntary and only those who want to join II pay the fees.

I assume you already are. That "corporate" membership isn't free---I'm sure Disney is paying II something. I would expect that those costs come out of annual dues. It's not as though Disney would cover a cost for the members, now, is it?

 

[Jaaron2]

 

[tomandrobin]

We all pay an II fee now, its part of our dues. My Westin timeshare is the same way. I don't pay for the II membership directly, Westin has a corporate account like Disney. I'm sure buried in the yearly maintenance fee, its there, just not as a line item.

 

[CarolMN]

We all pay an II fee now, its part of our dues. My Westin timeshare is the same way. I don't pay for the II membership directly, Westin has a corporate account like Disney. I'm sure buried in the yearly maintenance fee, its there, just not as a line item.

I don't doubt that dues pay for the corporate membership. That said, I think the portion each member pays for the corporate membership is much less than than what we would have to pay for individual membership. JMHO. YMMV.