Non DVC property/How long does it take?

[debbie in Seattle]

How long has it taken to confirm a ressie at one of the Concierge Collections or World Passport Collections? From what I'm reading folks wait for months on end to get their vacation plans confirmed. Is this true? Sounds a little stressful to me.

 

[jel0511]

For the Concierge Collection, since that is a direct point reservation, it takes up to 72 hours for DVC to confirm the reservation. For the World Passport Collection, since that is an exchange through Interval International, that can be instantly confirmed it there is a match, if there isn't one, it can take months or not happen at all.

 

[dianeschlicht]

For the II trades, it really depends on where you are planning to go and when. For those of us who like to trade to Hawaii, it can take awhile and you might have to be pretty open as to exact location and time. It really isn't all that stressful if you go into it knowing the way it works.

 

[minnie33]

Disneydiane,

My husband and I are new DVC'ers and we are interested in using II in the future. We have heard both good and bad about the process, but I believe understanding the process is half the battle. I am hoping you can give some insight on how the process works (overall), and what steps should be taken to make the process a positive one. Thanks, in advance, for your help.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have only traded to Hawaii, and it was relatively simple because we knew to be flexible. We requested "any island but Oahu" and "any time January-June". We got an immediate match for the Big Island (Hawaii, Kona Coast Resort II) and could choose to accept that or wait for a different match. Because it was for the first week of May, we decided to take it. Then we searched for a second week either side of that one. We ended up on Kauai in Princeville for that one (not a DVC trade) the week before our Kona Coast reservation. We decided that leaving things very open ended was the reason we got an easy match. I have since learned that Kona Coast II is an easy resort to get into. Knowing that, my next Hawaii exchange, I will request anything BUT the Big Island, and after I get the first week exchange, then I will try for the Kona Coast either side of the first one. Does that answer your question about the process? When you do a search and they find a match, you have the ability to accept it or ask them to keep searching.

 

[mamatojon]

Hi Diane, we are brand new DVC members too! That was a great step by step - I'm just wondering though, when do they charge you the fee? Is it if you accept the match or when they search? I seem to remember reading both somewhere.

We'd love to go to Hawaii someday. Was the Kona nice? When I look at the resort pictures online of many of the II trades they seem to look a bit dated...

 

[jel0511]

Hi Diane, we are brand new DVC members too! That was a great step by step - I'm just wondering though, when do they charge you the fee? Is it if you accept the match or when they search? I seem to remember reading both somewhere.

We'd love to go to Hawaii someday. Was the Kona nice? When I look at the resort pictures online of many of the II trades they seem to look a bit dated...

DVC had recently changed the policy on initiating searches through Interval International. You pay the search fee up front and it is refundable UNTIL they find you a match. If you choose to pass on the match, or continue searching, the fee (which is $75) is then NON-REFUNDABLE. You can edit any on-going searches during the process for no additional fee, but once a match has been found based on your criteria, the fee is non-refundable, though you can admend the search after that.

 

[Dean]

DVC had recently changed the policy on initiating searches through Interval International. You pay the search fee up front and it is refundable UNTIL they find you a match. If you choose to pass on the match, or continue searching, the fee (which is $75) is then NON-REFUNDABLE. You can edit any on-going searches during the process for no additional fee, but once a match has been found based on your criteria, the fee is non-refundable, though you can admend the search after that.

I think it's only refundable if you don't match. I got the impression if you cancel, it's still not refundable.

The basic process is you decide where you want to go and when. You call DVC and start the process and pay the fee. You should give them a range of weeks and resorts. The more flexible the better which for high demand locations would mean say 8-10 weeks and most or all resorts on the list for the given area. Of course you can list only the ones you want but your chances of success will be less. You are responsible for chosing the resorts and times. One should always do your own research prior to accepting an exchange and preferably, prior to even listing one as many resorts are not of DVC quality. And even the ones that are might be available much cheaper in other ways.

If you're looking to 2 weeks, you can only do them independently. Thus looking for the harder week is best so that you limit yourself to one or two weeks you can accept at the easier resort area.

 

[jel0511]

I think it's only refundable if you don't match. I got the impression if you cancel, it's still not refundable.

Nope, as long as you cancel PRIOR to obtaining a match the $75 fee is refundable. I cancelled a search back in November that I had out there for a couple of months for Aruba. I got my $75 back. I was told this when I also originally requested the search, that as long as a match HAD NOT been found, you could cancel the search at any time and request a refund of the $75. You can of course ammend the search to any other location anywhere in the world if you wish.

 

[rocketriter]

Remember that all this searching and matching is for Member Getaways through II. The Concierge Collection eats points a lot more quickly, but the properties are often excellent and your reservation comes through within 3 days.

 

[minnie33]

Yes, Disneydiane, you did a fablulous job of answering my questions. We are in the process of waiting for our member information and pin number, so i will be thinking ahead, educating myself, and preparing to plan!

 

[Dean]

Nope, as long as you cancel PRIOR to obtaining a match the $75 fee is refundable. I cancelled a search back in November that I had out there for a couple of months for Aruba. I got my $75 back. I was told this when I also originally requested the search, that as long as a match HAD NOT been found, you could cancel the search at any time and request a refund of the $75. You can of course ammend the search to any other location anywhere in the world if you wish.

I asked this question of one of the exchange specialists about a month ago and was told told it was non refundable if the offered a match and I thought they said if you just canceled, it was non refundable. But you could always amend it to something that wasn't going to match so either way, it shouldn't be a big deal. The rules say

A non-refundable $75 exchange fee is required when an instant match is confirmed or when a system search is initiated.

Comparing to II's rules, the only difference between the way it seems to be functioning (different than written) is that if they offer a match and you don't accept it. Since II members don't get that option anyway to say no thank you, I don't see it as a big deal. I'd only see it as a big deal if they charged you if you didn't match or made changes.