Re: World Passport?

[Happy Ariel]

Hi!

I am a DVC member who is interested in doing an exchange to one of Marriott's Hawaiian properties. However, I was told that nothing was available except for a week that I can't go, and the total points required was 350 pts.

I am wondering if exchanges to world passport has very limited availability since it's all handled by International Interval. Does anyone knows how II handles these exchanges? Is it very difficult to complete any exchanges through II?

Thanks for helping me out!


Happy Ariel

 

[mooses41]

You should sign up for TUG and do a direct trade. I'm guessing a marriot in hawaii would be in high demand, so you probably would have to do a week for a week, but depending on the place/time, you could do 5 dvc days for 1 week, or 1 1br week for a 2rb week, etc. It is very easy. Good luck.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Happy Ariel
Hi!

I am a DVC member who is interested in doing an exchange to one of Marriott's Hawaiian properties. However, I was told that nothing was available except for a week that I can't go, and the total points required was 350 pts.

I am wondering if exchanges to world passport has very limited availability since it's all handled by International Interval. Does anyone knows how II handles these exchanges? Is it very difficult to complete any exchanges through II?

II is an exchange company. They can only give you what other II owners give them. There are only 2 Marriott properties, soon to be 4, in HI. HI is a prime destination mostly all year around. Maui has only recently opened for timeshares and is not even completed yet, last I heard. Other Marriott owners have a 24 day prioritiy before those units are offered to other timeshare owners including DVC members. II members with an ongoing search will also be serviced next. You can bet there will be little if anything left just sitting there once this process has played out. Cost should be 263-296, OKW Dream or Magic 2 BR though could go up as high as 350 or so, depending on what's available to give II once the match is made.

There are also few 2 BR units in HI and all the current Marriott properties are lockouts meaning that basically few if any 2 BR units will ever come available. Your best bet is a direct exchange but no reason you can start a search with II through DVC while looking for a direct exchange. You must decide what's most important, getting a Marriott or going to HI. There are other very good to great timeshares out there and other ways to get them besides just through DVC to inlcude direct exchanges and independent exchange companies. One trick at lockout locations is to get a studio and a 1 BR at the same location for the same dates then ask the resort ot put them together for a 2 BR. Generally the only cost is the extra exchange fee.

I was able to get 2 One BR units at the Embassy in Maui and a 2 BR at the Embassy on Kauai for this summer. None of this was through DVC or even II. I used two 1 BR units in Aruba through SFX to get the two 1 BR units and a direct DVC exchange turned rental for the Kauai 2 BR. Total cost for the yearly fees for Aruba, exchange fees, 3 years of SFX membership, rental costs all total less than the value of 350 points or about $2000. True the Embassy for either island is not the Marriott but they are pretty close. The Embassy is probably the best RCI property on Maui and the second, soon to be the third best timeshare there overall. On Kauai, the Embassy is likely the third or fourth best behind the Marriott, Pahio Shearwater and Hanalei Bay.

BTW, when did you want to go and how many will be traveling. Also be aware that the Marriott's there currently open only have minikitchens and I think the studios don't have anything.

 

[Happy Ariel]

Hi!

Thanks for all of your reply. The advice certainly helps.

I intended on travelling to Hawaii for the last week of August, and nothing was available. My request was for a smaller unit since there was only the two of us, my sister and me. We thought 350 points would be pricey for us since we don't need a two bedroom.

Because of this, I decided to purchase Grande Vista, and do a Marriott exchange to Hawaii. I was told that a Marriott to Marriott exchange is much much easier than exchanges through International Interval. However, I just recently found out that much of the information disclosed during sales presentation seems to be either untrue or exaggerated. We were told by our sales person that Orlando properties have the highest exchangeability among all properties, which of course included Hawaii. However, a recent phone call to both II and RCI revealed that that due to limited suppy at Hawaii, Hawaiian properties are much more difficult to exchange into than those at Orlando.

I am receiving conflicting information from RCI/II versus Marriott sales representative. Do you know whether Orlando or Hawaii has higher exchangeability? Also, the Marriott sales representative told me that I can use either side of the lockoff to exchange into a two bedroom or a three bedroom every time I do an exchange as long as the resort does not have lock-off units. Is this true? Such advantage makes me doubt the validity of my sale representative's words...Why would anyone want to exchange a Marriott three bedroom for another Marriott studio?

Thanks for your help in clarifying my doubts.


Happy Ariel

 

[Dean]

Exagerations would be my vote as well. Think about it, how many hotel rooms and great timeshares are in Orlando vs HI. While Orlando may be the most requested, it is also the most available. Other than DVC, Orlando only has decent at best exchange power. Still, the insider trading with Marriott's might get you where you want to go most of the time including possibly HI. Your chances for getting into HI are much better with Marriott, even GV, than DVC. If you just bought, consider rescinding, if not, you should still enjoy your membership there.

As for trading for larger units, the answer is yes and no. II has really cracked down on the up trades the last year and a half or so. You can not ask for a larger unit with an II exchange request though if one is available, you may be able to get it. What you can do is ask for a studio or 1 BR and if there are only larger units, like HH, if you match, you get a larger unit. You chances of matching will be less than if you were trading a 2 BR though. That makes prime time more difficult to get.

From a trade power standpoint, GV is in the middle of the Marriott pack at best and will depend greatly on which week is available. I believe Xmas, Spring Break, Summer, Presidents week and Thanksgiving will trade the best from what I'm told. Most people prefer to lockoff and deposit separately. You should plan at least a year, preferably more, from when you plan to travel. Put the request in and let it ride. Be prepared to wait until just a few months before your travel to match. Remember II will not call to confirm like DVC will. Once you match, you're stuck, so don't give choices you will not gladly accept. You can always give your A list initially then add options as the time draws near.

Not what you wanted to hear I'm sure.

 

[Happy Ariel]

Hi Dean!

Once again, thanks for your extermely helpful information!

I am really surprised at what Grande Vista's real trading power is...and a couple of other details. When I signed the purchase agreement, it was implied that Marriot's exchanges are done internally, and not through II. The sales representative told me that for me to do the exchange, it's just one phone call from him to the Marriott Hawaiian properties...nothing related to II. He even told me that even if there were studios or one bedroom available, he would definitely be able to get a two bedroom as long as the resort did not have two bedroom lockoffs. Well, he also told be things like Grande Vista has the last lock-off units that Marriott will ever build...Now, I am doubting on lots of things that he has said.


As of now, I am thinking of revoking on this contract, but have already passed the deadline as protected under Florida law. But, I do want people to be aware of Marriott Grande Vista's sales strategy. Hopefully, I can get out of this contract!

 

[Dean]

Some of the newer properties are not lockoff's but a number are. There are several newer than GV that have lockoff features. I know Ocean Pointe, Ko Olina, Aruba, Manor Club and Shadow Ridge are lockoff's. I'd say it's about 50/50. There was a rumor that Marriott was going away from them but that doesn't seem to be working that way. If you can get out of it do so and look resale possibly somewhere else. If not, enjoy, as it's still a great resort and with planning, you will do well in the long run.

 

[dianeschlicht]

350 points is a lot for a week!! We got a one bedroom exchanging through DVC/II for just 160 points. This was to the Kona Coast II resort on the Big Island of Hawaii.