interval international wait times

[scotlink]

My brother is getting married in Key west in February and my family is planning on using interval international to book out rooms. We have already been on the wait list for an opening at all resorts there for over a month. I hate to keep passing up really good airfare prices because we don't know if or what dates we will have a place. The bride and groom are also expecting to have a room through us.

We gave the week before and the week after as options. How long has everybody else been on the waiting list for II places? When do I start to panic and come up with money to go instead? places there are too expensive for our family right now.

Am I getting worried over nothing? We have done all Disney places with our points before this. The cruise every other year.

Please share how you handled this situation with me. I can't be alone....right?

Candy
Reading PA
Member since 98

 

[phyllisnnj]

According to Interval International Travel Demand index for Key West, February is peak season (highest demand with the lowest availability)
See http://www.intervalworld.com/images/_resd/tdi-51.gif

Key West demand in February is even higher than any Orlando week year round - http://www.intervalworld.com/images/_resd/tdi-5.gif

You could get lucky but I would make backup plans.

 

[Brian Noble]

You have to be a little careful comparing those charts between different areas. I do not believe they were meant to be compared that way.

Key West in February is a tough trade. To have the best possible chance of getting there, you want to have requested at least a year in advance. While it is still possible, I can't say that it is likely.

If I were in your position, I'd consider renting out some points, and using the proceeds to book units with cash---especially considering that this is not a "maybe we will maybe we won't" trip, and that someone's wedding is on the line.

 

[eva]

I totally agree with the previous posters. The likelihood of getting this only 4 months out is pretty slim. With II you can put your name on the list 2 years out. Most will say that it will probably take at least a year to get a good trade. You could luck out. But I don't think I would bet a wedding on it.

 

[Dean]

Getting anything at a peak time starting less than 6 months out is tough. For KW, I'd venture your only chance is inside the 2 month window, likely the last 2-3 weeks if anything.

As for the Travel Demand Index, they are NOT standardized overall. They are standardized for each REGION only with 100 representing the average for that regions. There is some question how they break them down as for as regions go but my info suggests you can compare KW to Orlando in this manner but not KW to HI or HH for example. Put another way, 100 in KW has no relationship at all to 100 in the Southwest. IMO it's unfortunate they have not standardized them so that one could at least compare one area to another with some real data. They also tend to vary over time and from one year to another based on events and holidays. But they at least give you some idea of what you're up against for a given area and more importantly for many, help you decide which week to secure for deposit when you have a choice. I'd look at them as a rough guide as best but it's better than nothing.

 

[Dean]

I totally agree with the previous posters. The likelihood of getting this only 4 months out is pretty slim. With II you can put your name on the list 2 years out. Most will say that it will probably take at least a year to get a good trade. You could luck out. But I don't think I would bet a wedding on it.

But what you could do is book the trip with something you could cancel if you do match. That way you have up until the cancelation window to keep searching. This is a great trick when air is a major issue, esp when using FF miles.