Question about Buena Vista Trading co. and Interval Int., what's the difference

[sweetp267]

I am still a fairly new DVC member. I bought resale about 2 years ago. I see and hear about II all the time but what is the BVTC? I see it in the member book and hear an option for it on the phone when I call MS for my DVC reservations, but I don't see alot of postings about it. How does it differ from II and is it worth using? Some of you experts out there give me a shout if you have any thoughts. Dean I think that means you LOL!

Thanks

Jon

 

[RobDoc]

BVTC is the Disney division that actually facilitates any exchange using DVC points. It is not associated with II (that is a separate company entirely). The DVC connection with II is that BVTC holds the "membership" with II that allows our exchanges.

BVTC also is the entity that negotiates with and makes reservations for the Disney Collection, Concierge Collection and Adventure Collection- basically any use of points outside of DVC resorts. It also has responsibility to manage our internal reservation system. Basically, any reservation made thru the DVC program goes thru BVTC.

Enjoy!

 

[sweetp267]

So let me get this straight. The BVTC isn't an alternative to using II or some other exchange company, it's just like a middle man used to manage our exchanging of points?

Thanks

 

[RobDoc]

From the POS:

BVTC means Buena Vista Trading Company, a Florida corporation, its successors and assigns. BVTC is an exchange company registered under Chapter 721, Florida Statutes.

The "Association" (DVC) has agreed to angage BVTC to arrange for the assignment and possession and use of each DVC resort. BVTC has agreed to assume all responsibilities and duties set forth by DVC and that DVC agrees that the rights assigned to BVTC are exclusive rights. Included in these rights is the DVC reservation component. The BVTC also has the right to remove a DVC resort as a DVC resort- according to the policies established in the POS.

BVTC fees include $1 per member (from our annual dues) and 50% of rental proceeds.

BVTC can assign it's responsibilities to another provider.

BVTC is the middle man for all of our reservations.

Enjoy!

 

[Dean]

BVTC is actually an exchange company owned and run by DVC. It currently only does exchanges for Club Intrawest but only part of it's properties and a European group called Cordial, mostly in Austria and surrounding areas. In the past there were options for Oregon Coast, So Cal and HI. One can only do reservations for non 7 day stays and I think at 6 months or less. My suspicion is it's essentially the same type inventory for the exchange options similar to CRO getting DVC inventory.

IMO, DVC would really enhance the membership by gearing up BVTC and making deals with companies like Fairfield, Marriott, Bluegreen, Hyatt, Hilton, Royals and the like. Those that either have an internal trading system and/or trade on points. FF is not likely as they are now owned by Cedant, parent company of RCI. Though if they could entice DVC to leave II, that might be an option. Marriott is rumored to be considering doing their internal trades themselves instead of using II to do it. If so, that would be a perfect match for both groups. Marriott and at least one other option would sure be somthing worthwhile. The loss of II would be fairly painless overall if they would get this up and going.

 

[nezy]

It is unbelievable how much you know about all of this Dean!

I recently purchased a Marriott resale and was surprised to learn that they did NOT handle Marriott to Marriott exchanges. They certainly have enough options to warrant this. I think it would benefit any MVC owners. Why would Marriott find it their advantage?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by nezy
It is unbelievable how much you know about all of this Dean!

I recently purchased a Marriott resale and was surprised to learn that they did NOT handle Marriott to Marriott exchanges. They certainly have enough options to warrant this. I think it would benefit any MVC owners. Why would Marriott find it their advantage?

As I said, there have been rumors that Marriott is working on doing their own internal exchanges but at the present time they let II handle it for them. The advantages to the member of doing it themselves would likely be better and more internal exchanges options, especially for those that own lower resorts or lower demand weeks. Members also would not have to belong to II but could in addition. We'll see what happens.

The advantage to members of MVCI and DVC are pretty obvious. It would be a little harder with some of the systems with more lower rated resorts like FF and BG. Regardless, the system would have to allow owners of any resort a priority then internal exchanges then the rest like DVC. For Marriott, it'd have to be a full weeks exchange. For the points systems, there would be other options. Still, if you included multiple systems, you have to have a least common denominator such that all systems will have satisfied their obligations to their members.

Thinking just DVC and Marriott, that would have to be less than 7 months for exchanges or DVC would have to shorten the home resort priority period to less than the current four months. The problem with the current setup is that the points are so high for the BVTC that I think they must just be renting them and paying cash rather than actually exchanging.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Dean
FF is not likely as they are now owned by Cedant, parent company of II.

Yes, Fairfield Resorts, Inc. is owned by Cendant. However, Cendant is the parant company of Resort Condominiums International (RCI), not Interval International (II).

II is owned by Barry Diller's InterActiveCorp (formerly USA Interactive Inc.), parent of Expedia, Hotels.com, TicketMaster, and other online businesses.

There are some foilks who feel that The Walt Disney Company is interested in buying InterActiveCorp, and that Barry Diller may succeed his buddy, Michael Eisner, in a year or two.

See http://biz.yahoo.com/bizwk/040227/b3873126mz027_2.html

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
Yes, Fairfield Resorts, Inc. is owned by Cendant. However, Cendant is the parant company of Resort Condominiums International (RCI), not Interval International (II).

II is owned by Barry Diller's InterActiveCorp (formerly USA Interactive Inc.), parent of Expedia, Hotels.com, TicketMaster, and other online businesses.

There are some foilks who feel that The Walt Disney Company is interested in buying InterActiveCorp, and that Barry Diller may succeed his buddy, Michael Eisner, in a year or two.

See http://biz.yahoo.com/bizwk/040227/b3873126mz027_2.html

correct, Fraudian slip.