Question on trading through Interval International

[mama03]

Would like to hear from those that have traded their points for other resorts. Specifically we are interested in trading for Park City, UT during holiday seasons. I know it costs $95.00 to be put on wait list for transaction and 270 points. I wonder has anyone had good luck making the trade. Also, do they give you a time frame? We don't want them calling us one month away to say we have the place. Thank you to all that respond with your information.

 

[Dean]

Would like to hear from those that have traded their points for other resorts. Specifically we are interested in trading for Park City, UT during holiday seasons. I know it costs $95.00 to be put on wait list for transaction and 270 points. I wonder has anyone had good luck making the trade. Also, do they give you a time frame? We don't want them calling us one month away to say we have the place. Thank you to all that respond with your information.

Xmas and NY week are extremely unlikely to be available for trade and if you do get it, it's likely to be 2 months or less prior. Your best chance for one of the Marriott's would be to have the search in by 14 months prior and to be willing to accept a studio.

 

[tomandrobin]

Totally 100% agree with Dean. Those a top premium weeks, those who own them would probably rent it out before depositing into II.

Its the same problem you see at all of the top resorts, during peak seasons.

 

[Prinny27]

We did a trade into San Francisco for this coming May - I know it's not peak season, but we were put on the waiting list looking for a studio, and a week later they called to say they had a one bedroom and would book it for us for the same point amount as a studio. It was actually completely painless to do the trade!

 

[Dean]

We did a trade into San Francisco for this coming May - I know it's not peak season, but we were put on the waiting list looking for a studio, and a week later they called to say they had a one bedroom and would book it for us for the same point amount as a studio. It was actually completely painless to do the trade!

I think this is a common problem. People get or hear about studio exchanges and/or off season matches at good resorts and equate that with the way the system works. This is the problem with owning a Mercedes or BMW to trade, you'll usually be trading for either a Chevy or an older like vehicle.

 

[Prinny27]

I think this is a common problem. People get or hear about studio exchanges and/or off season matches at good resorts and equate that with the way the system works. This is the problem with owning a Mercedes or BMW to trade, you'll usually be trading for either a Chevy or an older like vehicle.

I don't see how this is a problem. I was expecting a studio - the fact that we got a one bedroom, and so quickly, is a bonus. Of course it's not the norm, but we were planning to take a trip this particular week to this particular region, and if we had to wait a week or six months made no difference to us.

 

[Dean]

I don't see how this is a problem. I was expecting a studio - the fact that we got a one bedroom, and so quickly, is a bonus. Of course it's not the norm, but we were planning to take a trip this particular week to this particular region, and if we had to wait a week or six months made no difference to us.

It's not a problem for you if you knew what you were getting and were satisfied. But when new people are looking at these reports and see a studio or off season week at a good resort or a studio search that matches a 1 BR, they often assume that's representative of what they can do for larger units and/or more prime time and it's simply not so. It does illustrate the point that there are certain situations and resorts where one might get a larger unit than you are searching for. You can't control it but you can put yourself in a position to have a better chance of that happening.

 

[Prinny27]

It's not a problem for you if you knew what you were getting and were satisfied. But when new people are looking at these reports and see a studio or off season week at a good resort or a studio search that matches a 1 BR, they often assume that's representative of what they can do for larger units and/or more prime time and it's simply not so. It does illustrate the point that there are certain situations and resorts where one might get a larger unit than you are searching for. You can't control it but you can put yourself in a position to have a better chance of that happening.

Well, the way I look at is, none of the places you trade into with II are going to be as nice as Disney - there's just not as many places that are going to be on par with their quality. And those that are would be in the Concierge Collection, anyway. I think that if you are just looking for a place to sleep and aren't concerned with having a 'luxury' resort, then these hotels will work fine. Of course it's a happy accident to get 'upgraded' as it were, just like it's hit or miss at Disney to have your room or view requests fulfilled. They don't HAVE to accomodate you, but it sure is nice when they do!

 

[Prinny27]

I also forgot to add, that when we called to make our exchange, we had to tell the CM at MS exactly which hotels we would be willing to stay at. They do not offer any suggestions, nor do they tell you right then which hotels have openings. That means it's up to the DVC owner to go on the website and look at all the hotels offered and decide which you would be okay with staying at. Once they call you back to let you know a match was made at one of your chosen hotels, they repeat (several times) which ammenities are in the room as well as on property, to make sure you understand and that you're okay with them.

 

[Dean]

Well, the way I look at is, none of the places you trade into with II are going to be as nice as Disney - there's just not as many places that are going to be on par with their quality. And those that are would be in the Concierge Collection, anyway. I think that if you are just looking for a place to sleep and aren't concerned with having a 'luxury' resort, then these hotels will work fine. Of course it's a happy accident to get 'upgraded' as it were, just like it's hit or miss at Disney to have your room or view requests fulfilled. They don't HAVE to accomodate you, but it sure is nice when they do!

If you're willing and happy to downtrade, then so be it. If you're just looking for a place to sleep I'd look at non DVC timeshares for exchanging or priceline. Personally I always try to be in a situation where every trade is at least somewhat of an uptrade, that way if I get the dumpster view or worse, I can put it in perspective. I'm not happy with accidentally with trading, I want to put myself and my family in the best position possible, of course things can happen so if you're planned accordingly there are a lot less things that can happen and they are likely to have a far smaller effect. As long as you have the info and you're still happy with a given exchange, that's cook, your choice. I'd just rather that those investigating this option know they may trade 270 or 160 points for something that they could get far cheaper on one hand and that the really good stuff during the times generally worth going are almost never going to happen.

I also forgot to add, that when we called to make our exchange, we had to tell the CM at MS exactly which hotels we would be willing to stay at. They do not offer any suggestions, nor do they tell you right then which hotels have openings. That means it's up to the DVC owner to go on the website and look at all the hotels offered and decide which you would be okay with staying at. Once they call you back to let you know a match was made at one of your chosen hotels, they repeat (several times) which ammenities are in the room as well as on property, to make sure you understand and that you're okay with them.

We may be talking two different things. I think your experience will vary greatly with who you get. Often they will look and see either what is available in an area or look at specific resorts over any timeframe you specify up to 2 years out. I'd disagree somewhat in that while there aren't a lot of places on par or above DVC, there are some. Maybe 50-70 in the regions I mentioned. I would recommend that you do the research and that you specify not only which resorts, but which codes, along with the dates by calendar. Most of these are timeshare only, not hotels, other than some mixed use properties and non II options.