New Exchange Fee Policy (Search Fee)

[dougmatt]

I apologize if this has been discussed and I missed it... The board isn't letting me search for it right now.. If so a link to the thread would be helpfull!

While they are still calling it an Exchange fee, apparently member services has decided to begin charging the $75 fee up front when you initiate a search. This fee is non-refundable (Unless you cancel the search before it finds something).. Thus If they find what you are looking for and you decline it, you are charged the fee.

First, I can understand this from their perspective. MS says they changed the policy 6 months ago upon request from II to limit the number of members tying up inventory from others wanting the room. BUT Since you need to put in requests so far in advance, I would tend to enter a search for several locations (some of higher priority) and see what came up. If it wasn't my top priority, and I had lots of time left, I would decline the property and keep the search alive. Now I would be charged $150 to do this..... Further if I call and they don't have an imediate reservation I initiate the search then begin looking for "just in case" alternatives until something comes through. If I was to find a "just in case" book it and not call DVC back imediately I risk the $75 charge AGAIN...

Personally I was considering a 150 point add on for exchanges, or buying a Marriot I am interested in.... I am reconsidering the add-on now... MS says II direct searches are the same way with fee charged up front, but the fee is higher ($95 +). I don't have any other TS's so I don't know. I also think (have heard) that online searches are much easier direct II, not to mention access to a TREMENDOUS ammount of resorts in comparison to DVC. I know there are those who advocate not trading DVC, but that flexibility is a reason I bought as many points as I have, and was considering more.

Obviously I am pretty disappointed with this shift in fee's. I also don't believe they can legitimately call this an "exchange fee" as no exchange is occuring. Thoughts? Comments? Truly I can see both sides here, but I am disappointed with the change.

D

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm going to bump this, because that charge for each search is new to me. A few years back when we did a Hawaii exchange, we did a search for ANY resort within a rather large timeframe. We got a match quickly, and it was my understanding that I didn't have to pay the $75 until I accepted a match.

 

[CarolMN]

This is news to me - but then again, I have yet to even want to trade out, so I don't pay close attention to changes in this area.

Lately, it seems that DVC has been really advertising/highlighting the various II exchanges available to DVC members. In past years, I don't remember seeing whole articles in every Vacation Magic. Seems to me that this new policy is not going to help their desire to have more members trade out (if indeed that is what they want).

Best wishes-

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I know with other timeshares, when you try to search through RCI or II, you pay the exchange fee up front and give up your unit, could be II only wants you to be serious about putting a search in, and not wasting time just "checking", because it changes all the time.

 

[Princess Tink]

We started a search about a month or so ago.....I was quite taken by them wanting me to pay the $75 to start the search, I was also told that if when they called I would choose to decline the find for whatever reason they would continue the search. Then when they called with my match, I was then told I would need to pay another $75 if I wanted to decline and continue......I accepted the match, which was to my satisfaction, I just wanted to know all my options at that time.

 

[btrim]

You do have to first bank your unit with II before they will search for an exchange. I have another TS and that is what we have to do. The exchange fee is $129 and you have to pay your own II dues which can add up also. I don't know how DVC does it, but if they will search before you give up your points, it might be worth the $75 so you can keep your points in your account with Disney.

 

[dougmatt]

Per MS the policy changed about 6 months ago... Some of the rep's are still confused about it, as the first one I spoke to had to pu tus on hold to confirm that was really the case.

Doug

 

[dougmatt]

As an update, I initiated my search (much more limited than I would have preferred), but wanted to post something else I discovered. While you are required to comit to accepting whatever they call and offer you with, MS CANNOT tell you an exact number of points it will cost you.... ie They cannot confirm the season the resort is under for a given period of time.. Thus a 2BR can be anywhere from 207 - 270 points.... That is pretty hard on planning!

This new policy is frustrating. If you haven't traded lately take a look, and send your comments to MS.

D

 

[DVCLady]

Delete

 

[Dean]

II has two main ways to do a search. The main one for regular II members is to deposit and then search for what you want. You have a yearly membership fee then the fees that are applicable are charged at the time you initiate the search. Marriott to Marriott is $79, Domestic is $129 and International is $149. There is a search first option but few people use it other than doing Marriott to Marriott trades. There are some nuances that affect these prices but I won't go into them unless it becomes applicable.

DVC is a horrible vehicle for exchanges unless your searching for top resorts at peak times and doing so occasionally. Same can be said for many top timeshare choices like Marriott, Hyatt and the like in many situations. If a DVC owner wants to shoot for the moon with exchanges and keep something going they just could not live without, I can definitely support that, but most exchanges are a down trade and this includes many top locations and top resorts. The other variable is how much will you trade and what type and demand trades do you need. If it's once every 5 years, DVC might be best even if you do an occasional down trade. If it's every year or so; DVC isn't reasonable in any circumstance. But the choice isn't simply to buy DVC or buy an II or RCI trader. You could buy something else you will use most of the time, you could buy another points system or even buy and trade with one of the smaller independent exchange companies.

As for the fee, it's been at least 6 months and it's been discussed here at least a couple of times. I've read the rules and I've queried them about the fees. Realizing that DVC is famous for giving you multiple answers on different calls, here what I know. If you start a search, you pay the fee up front. If they match it exactly to ANY choice you give them, you are on the hook for the fee whether you accept the exchange or not. This is still far better than regular II so no reason to complain. They don't want to go through all the work then you say, never mind. If you cancel or they don't find an exact match, your fee is refunded.

Since with reg II you pay the fee up front then they don't even call you and automatically match you and you're stuck; it's hard to complain. But in general trading directly with II is far better because you get the wish book, can trade up fairly easily (within reason), have access to getaways and short notice exchanges and can search on line.

 

[dougmatt]

Dean. I agree (after some soul searching!) that the up-front fee is acceptable... However with II I deposit my week (=set number of points in point systems), but with Disney there is no notice up front of how many points this will cost me prior to initiating the search. They only quote the ranges on the trade chart. I would "prefer it" if they could tell me exactly how many points it will cost me before I initiate the search since banking deadlines are potentially affected.

 

[Dean]

Dean. I agree (after some soul searching!) that the up-front fee is acceptable... However with II I deposit my week (=set number of points in point systems), but with Disney there is no notice up front of how many points this will cost me prior to initiating the search. They only quote the ranges on the trade chart. I would "prefer it" if they could tell me exactly how many points it will cost me before I initiate the search since banking deadlines are potentially affected.

They can tell you know exactly how many points X week for Y resort is for any unit size. The problem arises if you are willing to accept more than one unit size or if the weeks or resorts you are searching for are different for the same size unit. You can still do a deposit first, that way you'll know exactly how many points. But the only time this seems to be a good idea is when the points will expire otherwise and it will likely cost you more points and give you less flexibility and options along with more risk.

As I've alluded to, DVC can be a good exchange vehicle in certain situations. If you're looking for the cream of the crop options and can let it ride until about 40 days prior to check in, one can really make exchanging work. Esp if one makes a backup reservation at DVC. It goes something like this. Say you want to go to Key West at Xmas. You make a DVC reservation for the general time you want (or maybe the exact days) and then place a trade request. If it matches, you simply cancel the reservation and use the same points for the exchange. For things where that's not reasonable, like HI, you simply make a backup cash reservation. In this case, renting points might be the easiest options then paying cash for the destination. However, one can start down many paths and you're not committed until you do something irreversible like an II exchange or renting out your points.

Now if DVC kept the options in place currently AND we could have regular II access, that would be the best of both worlds, esp if we retained the $75 exchange fee.