Interval International

[Mjasp]

Would like to know if anyone who has joined Interval International (II) is happy with them.

Is it hard or near impossoble to trade your timeshare for something good during peak times. Easter Week or Presidents week?

Would like to know your experiences.

Our friends have RCI and they have a real hard time trading and they own in Vistana Resorts Cascade section with a floating week.

Thanks
Joanna

 

[nativetxn]

I know nothing about this company. I'll just bump this back to page one for you and hopefully someone will have some advice for you.

 

[jfulcer]

You might try this question over on the DVC board - I believe Interval International is one of the places DVC members can trade out to. You'd think I'd know this for sure since I OWN at DVC, but I am not 100% sure...

 

[Mjasp]

Your right...DVC resorts are part of Interval International. Thanks

Does anyone know how to post it on that thread without me having to retype the whole post?

Thanks
Joanna

 

[jfulcer]

Just ask a moderator to move it.

 

[Mjasp]

Hi Moderators, Wait robin is in Vistana having a grand old time.

But, if there are any moderators out there reading this, could you please, please move this thread to the DVC board for me.

Thanks
Joanna

 

[Caskbill]

DVC members do not have individual accounts with II. It is a corporate account only. Members therefore do not do their own 'trading'. Instead members would 'spend' a set number of points for an II trade. The DVC trading list is not the full II list but rather only those resorts that DVC has signed on for.

I personally have never traded out as I, and many others, feel that trading DVC is a trade down.

There are several DVC members who post here who have other timeshares with II. (We have Marriott but haven't traded it). Maybe they can offer some more information.

If Dean sees this post he can give you the real scoop. He's our 'timeshare' expert.

 

[Dean]

A number of us own other timeshares and belong either to RCI or II or both. I own several other timeshares and belong to II. There are a tremendous number of factors that go into the trading process. The main ones are:

1. Resort Quality
2. Unit Size
3. Demand of the area and week in question
4. date of request
5. internal trading preferences
   [/list=1] So for Vistana that means chose Xmas or Easter week, deposit 12 months out and request at least 12 months out with as many weeks and resort choices as possible. Part of the problem is that outside DVC, Orlando has fairly low trading power due to the glut of units. Otherwise they should do as I noted above with an ongoing request and let it ride for months. Most matches occur between 4-6 months out making it difficult to get cheap air fare at times and very difficult to use FF miles. II will now hold a unit for a couple of hours to let you decide for sure but they will not call you to ask if a match is ok if it's something you gave them for the search.
   
   The other side of the problem is that those that own high demand areas/resorts tend to either use them or rent them out. With DVC, for example, less than 2% of the owners in any given year exchange. Other factors come into play. Some resorts do not deposit high demand weeks at all, DVC is one of those. Some don't allow members to reserve until even 6 months out in a couple of cases. At many resorts that don't allow an II deposit until the dues are paid, members tend not to deposit until the dues are due. II also works on a like for like method. That means that they want guests that own at resort A to only go to resorts that are generally in the same quality and demand as their home resort. Some resorts or times might be beyond your reach from a trade standpoint, others might be below you. In both cases there may be units in the II system that you will not see online and II will not offer to them.
   
   They should go to Timeshare Users Group (TUG) where there is a lot of info on Buying/Selling, exchanging and various areas like MX. They also have classifieds, ratings and reviews. Much is free but some areas require a membership of $15 for year one ($10 thereafter) and it includes a free add each time. They even have a special for $25 for 3 years but I don't know if it applies to new members or just renewals.
   
   If you have any info on their habits we might be able to help furtehr. Thsese would include their exchange methods, how far in advance and where thy are hoping to go. The also can contact me directly if they want. I'm always interested in knowing what happens when people try to exchange, both good and bad. Good luck.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) does its exchanges with International Interval, but it is not "a part" of II.

My neighbor is a member of II. The problem they have is they are locked into specific weeks, which I think limits their vacation options. Our lives & jobs change and what may be a good time of year to vacation now, may not be 10-years from now.

That is why I like DVC's point system. I simply vacation when I please.

The other problem my neighbor has is, they say they find it very difficult to book Disney World. But overall, they are happy with II.

Another friend of mine has RCI, with his home resort in South Africa! He says the fee's & taxes are lower having a home resort in South Africa. Anyway, he says he has not had booking problems.

 

[twinmomplus2]

I just deposited my Week for exchange through interval. requested off weeks at any DVC. I think I get 3 options. I will gamble the first year and see what happens, If I lose out and lose my week next year live and learn. But, I would like to give it a try. so we will see.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by twinmomplus2
I just deposited my Week for exchange through interval. requested off weeks at any DVC. I think I get 3 options. I will gamble the first year and see what happens, If I lose out and lose my week next year live and learn. But, I would like to give it a try. so we will see.

As long as you can travel short notice (exchange less than a 6 months from travel), aren't interested in Magic or Premier time and don't require a 2 BR, you have a decent chance. List all 4 resorts and as many weeks as you can.

 

[Mjasp]

Hi Dean...Thanks for your response. I will have many questions in the future, as I just purchased my timeshare last year, plan to use it this year. But am thinking of cruising in August next year, but if I do cruise in August then I would want to trade my Vistana week in August for Easter week in Vistana. We own a 2BR in Vistana.

I was under the impression, that when you bank a week, if the week you want is available then you get it. I am at a loss at how trading works. I joined II for the bonus week perks only. It was $79 for a 2 year membership, and I felt $79 for 2 years was worth joining, whether I trade or not, just to get my feet wet. But now all my buddies want us to cruise with them in August and they want me to cancel my March cruise.

Thanks
Joanna

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Mjasp
I am at a loss at how trading works. I joined II for the bonus week perks only. It was $79 for a 2 year membership, and I felt $79 for 2 years was worth joining, whether I trade or not, just to get my feet wet.

Trading is much smoke and mirrors, unfortunately. II does not tell you their trade formula. They have gotten very strict on trading like for like and not letting you up or down trade too much. If you figure it out, please let me know.

 

[twinmomplus2]

Thanks Dean, I just talked to Interval yesterday regarding this. I was allowed 3 choices that will bring me up to the actual week of my resort. But, she says if a trade is not successful I get the week back, Which surprised me, I had misunderstood.... I did not think I would retain it, If no match was made. She seemed to think I was not likely to get a match> Further she had only 3 DVC choices at WDW, Beach Club, Boardwalk, And Villas of Wilderness Lodge. Thanks for your help.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by twinmomplus2
Thanks Dean, I just talked to Interval yesterday regarding this. I was allowed 3 choices that will bring me up to the actual week of my resort. But, she says if a trade is not successful I get the week back, Which surprised me, I had misunderstood.... I did not think I would retain it, If no match was made. She seemed to think I was not likely to get a match> Further she had only 3 DVC choices at WDW, Beach Club, Boardwalk, And Villas of Wilderness Lodge. Thanks for your help.

I'm sure the VC meant your trade week back, not your actual week back to use or rent. You can add OKW to your choices as well and I'd recommend it as it's the most likely to come up. That is unless you did a search first which is very limited with II but which DVC actually allows for their members. You can have a combination of 64 choices (# of weeks times # of resorts) but don't list anything you don't want.

 

[Mjasp]

Twinmom...When are you planning to do the traveling you are trading for. Just wondering how far out you are trading. Where do you own? which resort? and which week?

Dean...Do any DVCers ever bank their weeks? Seems since its a point system you don't need to bank.

Joanna

 

[genmasjoy]

I own a timeshare week in the Florida Keys in addition to my DVC membership. I have successfully traded the Keys week through II numerous times - Kauai, Boone,N.C., Wiliamsburg, Va.; Sannibel Island, Fl.; Pigeon Forge, TN, and this year, Branson, Mo. Apparently the Keys are a high demand destination so I can usually trade out to what I want. However, we enjoy DVC so much that we usually use our points on site. I did take advantage of the Concierge Collection to stay at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London, several years ago, and also for a four night Disney cruise.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Mjasp
Dean...Do any DVCers ever bank their weeks? Seems since its a point system you don't need to bank.

Some do but there is little reason to do so. The only reason I'd deposit first using DVC is if the points will expire before I could use them. Under the system in place just a few months ago one could also chose the deposit and therefore the points costs. While I haven't pinned DVC down on this with the changes, I do not get the impression once can still do this. If one wanted to deposit HH at 55 points for a studio, it could be a great deal. Now at more than 100 points for a studio, it is not the same value.

If you deposit first you will extend the life by another 2 plus years but only be able to use them for an II exchange, which can be tough and you can't trade back into DVC. Believe me, I've asked.

Still, most of the benefits come from the request first options and the ability to say yes or no when they call you.

 

[Mjasp]

Dean...Thanks for all your knowledge on time sharing. You are like Dave, Barb and Tony on the Cruise Line board, very knowledgeable on your subject and willing to share it to help others.

Joanna

Edited to add...How much is the charge to trade a week?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Mjasp
Dean...Thanks for all your knowledge on time sharing. You are like Dave, Barb and Tony on the Cruise Line board, very knowledgeable on your subject and willing to share it to help others.

Joanna

Edited to add...How much is the charge to trade a week?

My pleasure, just trying to help with something I enjoy discussing. The DVC exchange charge is $75. The Marriott internal exhange is $79. The regular II exchanges are $121 and $149 respectively for domestic and international exchanges with the determining factor being where one lives and not where one owns. A guest certificate for an exchange is $39 and free for a getaway.