Interval Int'l Exchange Question

[wintergreen]

I was reviewing some DVC exchange opportunities in the II/DVC website. Several of the resorts I am interested in have the following statement on the resort details page: "LIMITED EXCHANGE ACTIVITY." Does this mean that one should not attempt an exchange to one of these resorts? Thanks for any input that anyone might have.

 

[rocketriter]

It doesn't mean, "Don't ever try to exchange here." It means, "Start 2 years ahead and have a backup plan, because this one rarely clicks."

 

[dvc_john]

There could be a number of reasons that 'Limited Exchange Activity' is indicated. One is the size of the resort. For instance, on Sanibel Island, many of the resorts are small, ranging from maybe 15 units to 72 units. Another might be that, while the resort is affiliated with II, many of the owners may not have an II membership, and cannot exchange thru II. And lastly, some people really rarely exchange there units.

 

[Dean]

I would agree with the above. However, DVC tends to not list those that are rarely available. Remember that Atlantis Harborside was removed for this very reason, reportedly. But as a general rule, all of the options that are DVC quality will be limited or non existent for peak times. Which resorts/areas are you looking at?

 

[wintergreen]

Looking at some properties in the UK and Ireland. I realize now that these are probably small properties, but perhaps with lots of options I might be able to come up with something. Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Looking at some properties in the UK and Ireland. I realize now that these are probably small properties, but perhaps with lots of options I might be able to come up with something. Thanks!

I peaked through and I found maybe 4 or 5 listed as limited exchange. Of these, only one was listed in the II exchange materials that came out in June and would have been in II and on the DVC list at the end of 2004. They could be new or under a different name as both McDonald's and Sunterra have really added resorts in the last couple of years. They do all look like smaller resorts. Still, 5 resorts with 5 units each a year is better than 1 resort with 20. Just list everything that you will be satisfied with and hope for the best.

 

[wintergreen]

Thanks, Dean. I appreciate the advice.

Regards,

 

[gppnj]

I'm glad you asked this. The exchange I'd be most interested in is the resort in Coast Rica, and that has "limited exchange activity." I guess I won't be going there soon (at least with my points).

 

[ATCMickey]

However, DVC tends to not list those that are rarely available. Remember that Atlantis Harborside was removed for this very reason, reportedly.

Dean,

I agree with your assessment. I think Atlantis Harborside is part of concierge collection rather than II? I only mention it because the OP asked about II exchanges. Have you heard of it being offered through World Passport as well? I see offerings for the Beach, Coral, and Royal towers (hotel portion) but have yet to find any listings for Harborside (the timeshare portion). We'd jump on Harborside in a second (if it was offered) but thought the hotel-side rates kinda steep.

As an aside, we have friends that own at several premium II resorts. These are also resorts on Disney's II exchange list. They have been trying for years to exchange into any DVC resort on WDW property with no luck. They have consistently been told that DVC owners rarely give up their units. I only offer it as an example of an extremely large resort (all of DVC) that still has limited availability because of the infrequency (as a percentage of total owners) with which it's owners trade out. FWIW.

ATCMickey

 

[Dean]

Dean,

I agree with your assessment. I think Atlantis Harborside is part of concierge collection rather than II? I only mention it because the OP asked about II exchanges. Have you heard of it being offered through World Passport as well? I see offerings for the Beach, Coral, and Royal towers (hotel portion) but have yet to find any listings for Harborside (the timeshare portion). We'd jump on Harborside in a second (if it was offered) but thought the hotel-side rates kinda steep.

Atlantis Harborside was in the II exchange list then removed for "lack of availability". Then it was announced for the CC, then announced it wouldn't be with CC after all, now it's on the list. This time frame covers about 2 years or so.

As an aside, we have friends that own at several premium II resorts. These are also resorts on Disney's II exchange list. They have been trying for years to exchange into any DVC resort on WDW property with no luck. They have consistently been told that DVC owners rarely give up their units. I only offer it as an example of an extremely large resort (all of DVC) that still has limited availability because of the infrequency (as a percentage of total owners) with which it's owners trade out. FWIW.

ATCMickey

DVC is not that hard to trade into if you can go off season, accept less than a 2 BR unit and have sufficient trade power. I have traded in a number of times. I have posted the lower demand times previously but they are essentially when school is in session and away from holidays. Even then, a few larger units and higher demand times (like summer or early Dec) find themselves into II. Thus I would assume they are on the outside of these criteria in one way or another. Also, having a 5* resort does not assure good trade power. And being on the DVC exchange list does not give you an advantage trading back into DVC.

If your friends want to contact me, I may be able to help them improve their chances.

 

[ATCMickey]

Atlantis Harborside was in the II exchange list then removed for "lack of availability". Then it was announced for the CC, then announced it wouldn't be with CC after all, now it's on the list. This time frame covers about 2 years or so.

If your friends want to contact me, I may be able to help them improve their chances.

Dean,

Thanks for the info. I was not aware that Harborside had ever been offered under II. Sure wish they could work something out...I hear the food at Atlantis' restaurants is rather pricey and would love a unit where we could do some of our own cooking. That's just not an option with the hotel rooms. Also...thanks for the offer of assistance, but unfortunately I feel their pain and am more than willing to help them unload their 2 bedroom unit on the slopes

Take care,

ATCMickey

 

[Dean]

Dean,

Thanks for the info. I was not aware that Harborside had ever been offered under II. Sure wish they could work something out...I hear the food at Atlantis' restaurants is rather pricey and would love a unit where we could do some of our own cooking. That's just not an option with the hotel rooms. Also...thanks for the offer of assistance, but unfortunately I feel their pain and am more than willing to help them unload their 2 bedroom unit on the slopes

Take care,

ATCMickey

My offer was to help them figure out how to exchange into DVC, not to relieve them of their ownership. That offer still stands and I'd be willing to work through you if that would be helpful. One piece of additional info is that about 3% of DVC members exchange, that should equal about 2% of the units I'd guess. Still quite a number of units given the size of DVC overall.

 

[pmcpmc]

Looking at some properties in the UK and Ireland. I realize now that these are probably small properties, but perhaps with lots of options I might be able to come up with something. Thanks!

 

[ATCMickey]

My offer was to help them figure out how to exchange into DVC, not to relieve them of their ownership. That offer still stands and I'd be willing to work through you if that would be helpful. .

Dean,

Thanks for your generous offer. My comment was only in jest. I'll mention it to them if they bring up a future desire to try it again. Again, thanks.

ATCMickey

 

[Larry]

Hello,

I was wondering in the DVC Resorts, how many or what percentage is set aside for Timeshare use and for someone calling resevations and paying for the resort?

I too have had my II exchange set up for a DVC, I own Napa and was told that I had the most powerful exchange in the system, alright sell me a bridge now, but II is offereing so many low end timeshares in the area.

but my real question is the percentage.

Thanks all.

 

[Dean]

Dean,

Thanks for your generous offer. My comment was only in jest. I'll mention it to them if they bring up a future desire to try it again. Again, thanks.

ATCMickey

Not a problem., let me know if I can help.

Hello,

I was wondering in the DVC Resorts, how many or what percentage is set aside for Timeshare use and for someone calling resevations and paying for the resort?

I too have had my II exchange set up for a DVC, I own Napa and was told that I had the most powerful exchange in the system, alright sell me a bridge now, but II is offereing so many low end timeshares in the area.

but my real question is the percentage.

Thanks all.

Referring only to the sold out resorts, they are all set aside for timeshare use. DVD still owns a small percentage, reportedly between 2-4%. They also own any points they have bought back. Units available for cash in those resorts are only available because DVD used their points to reserve then rent through CRO OR when members trade their points for options where DVC must raise cash. These options include other Disney Hotels, Disney cruises and the Concierge Collection (top notch hotels) which DVC must pay cash for.

DVC does not do developer deposits so the only units available in II are from 2 groups. A few are deposit first but most are there only after a DVC member matches for another resort using search first. As I mentioned earlier, only about 3% of DVC members deposited last year and it's fluctuated from a low of about 1.8% to a high of 2.8% last year. Most units deposited are smaller ones and DVC does not deposit Xmas or Easter and are far less likely to deposit holidays and prime summer.

Here's my way of looking at how II does exchange power and what they will offer to you. II actually divides up exchange power into two phases. One is resort quality and the rest is demand of your week/resort. You could have 4th of July at the Outer Banks or HH but at a lower rated resort and II would not offer you resorts that are far about your resort quality, even if they are simply sitting there in the bank. As you've apparently figured out, Riverpointe does not appear to be a top trader from what I've heard (it's an age old timeshare sales lie). II also puts a lot of stock in the unit size, esp for 2 BR and above and really down values studios.

Also, most of II's good exchanges are made with an ongoing search. I'm not sure how your resort works specifically, but if you have any choice as to what week you can get, it makes a BIG difference. You should deposit a full year out, more if you can. And start your ongoing search at least a year out, don't just keep calling or looking on the website. Accept a unit smaller than 2 BR if you can. List as many week as possible and as many resorts as you would accept. Never list a choice you will not be happy with if you match because that is always the one you match.

Here's an example. I have an ongoing search for a deposit from one of my resorts at a highly rated resort likely just under the top tier. My deposit is red time but not prime time. The week is still a year away thus I have almost 3 years to match and complete any travel. I put in a request for next year for very specific resorts and weeks that include 2 of the 3 top HH Marriott's for 4th of July and DVC for high demand times only. I set it up so that I would only accept a 2 BR. If I don't match, and I likely will not, I will change it to more liberal terms for the following year when I can be more flexible.

 

[bchlvrrn]

I am a DVC member, as well as an owner of other timeshare units. I have twice been successful in exchanging into DVC .Once at OKW and most recently at SSR for 01/21/06 thru 01/28/06. Am I able to sell my exhcange week at SSR on this site? I know that there is a transportation fee upon check-in which was $95.00 when I exhanged into OKW.

 

[LoveToDisney]

I am a DVC member, as well as an owner of other timeshare units. I have twice been successful in exchanging into DVC .Once at OKW and most recently at SSR for 01/21/06 thru 01/28/06. Am I able to sell my exhcange week at SSR on this site? I know that there is a transportation fee upon check-in which was $95.00 when I exhanged into OKW.

It's against II rules to sell ANY exchange. You may only give it away to guests with the purchase of a guest certificate.

 

[Dean]

I am a DVC member, as well as an owner of other timeshare units. I have twice been successful in exchanging into DVC .Once at OKW and most recently at SSR for 01/21/06 thru 01/28/06. Am I able to sell my exhcange week at SSR on this site? I know that there is a transportation fee upon check-in which was $95.00 when I exhanged into OKW.

The $95 is a resort services fee not a transportation fee. As noted, it's against II's rules. And we'll be there at OKW the same week as an exchange, that's an easy time to get.

 

[bchlvrrn]

Thanks for the info!