Trading DVC pts for other timeshares- where can I find info?

[bjakmom]

OK, got DH (non-disney lover) to consider DVC purchase by proposing that we could trade for a ski vacation (like Smugglers) every other year. Now I need to find info on whether or not this would work! Is there a web site that lists the available places and how many DVC points I would need to rent a week there? I know so little about this, but have read threads that say it's better to buy into DVC and trade out than to assume you can buy another timeshare and trade into DVC. Taking my kids/grandkids to WDW every year or two will be my top priority - throwing in a ski vacation every two years might cinch the deal for DH - thanks for any help!

 

[Dean]

I'm not that familiar with Vermont geography but I'll tell you what I can. To my knowledge, there's not a Smugglers Notch timeshare in II. Village at Smugglers Notch is a RCI timeshare and not II. Several are fairly close to inclue II resorts at Stowe and Waitsfield and a Concierge collection resort at Stowe, Manchester Village, Windsor, West Townshend and Woodstock.

Your best bet might be to buy less points and look to renting for the non DVC stays. IMO, if you convince him based on the exchange option, you're setting yourself up for failure.

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks Dean - that's what I was unsure about, whether there were different 'levels' or 'groups' with timeshares (RCI/II)- so you would have to trade within the same 'group' as DVC (II - is that pronouced "two"?). Is there anywhere I can go to find out all the places and points needed for II places?
Are you thinking this would fail because trading out we would loose value on points, or because we may not be able to trade to where he would like to go? I was hoping there was some way to include his vacation wants and mine into the same plan - it is difficult because when we met I was a lifelong (well, since I was about 18) WDW lover and he feels the opposite - just trying to find a compromise here If it won't work I will definitely consider less points as you suggest and bank/borrow to go every other year and just continue to rent for our ski vacations.

 

[Dean]

II - is that pronouced "two"?

Interval International is one of the two large exchange companies. With DVC you can use your points for the following.

1. DVC resorts - 11 month priority at your home resort and 7 months ahead at non home DVC resorts.
2. Concierge Collection - World class Resorts/Inns that are tradtionally very expensive and do cost lot of points. You can book these directly.
3. Disney collection - other Disney resorts that can be booked directly but also a lot of points. This includes the DCL (cruises).
4. Adventurer Collection which includes Alaska Cruise, Safari's, bike trips, rafting and the like. Also can be booked directly and also a lot of points.
5. Buena Vista Trading Comapny Exchanges - there aren't that many left. You're mostly talking the Cordial resorts in Europe and the 2 Club Intrawest properties in Canada. These can be booked directly but I think it's only 6 months out and cannot be booked for 7 nights though you can book 6 or 8. That means you're not going to get Whistler for prime ski season.
6. World Passport Collection - which is a traditional week for week timeshare exchange. They can't give you what they don't have and everyone is going for prime ski weeks, DVC, HI, Caribbean during winter and the like. So there are definitely no guarantees there.
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   As long as it's at least 150 points, you will be better off financially and otherwise buying less points and not having to sweat the issues for making none DVC reservations.

 

[bjakmom]

OK, Duh !! - Interval International ! Like I haven't seen it mentioned a million times - sometimes my brain functioning scares even me!!

Thanks again, Dean- your info is sooo much help and I'm getting the point of what you're saying about exchanges. It's great to have input from someone familiar with the process when it's so new to me that it seems confusing!

 

[livinglighthouse]

I saw your post about Smuggler's Notch. I own at Embassy in Maui but am part of RCI who has resort at Smuggler's. I'm wanting to trade for a WDW vacation next year. I actually have 2 weeks available as I want to stay 2 weeks at WDW but am trying to work anything out to make it happen. Just wanted to see if you might be interested in a trade. I own a open week and want to go to WDW in Oct/Nov next year. Let me know if you think it might work out....

 

[RobDoc]

All DVC/II exchanges fall under the World Passport Collection. DVC now has a fixed point chart for these exchanges.

The point needs are divided into Low Season, Mid Season and High Season- depending on the location and demand of the destination resort.

A 1BR timeshare is 124 / 144 / 160 for the respective "seasons" .

A 2BR timeshare is 207 / 252 / 270 .

Some timeshares also offer Studio units- but no point chart has been published yet for those.

Each exchange is for seven nights. Most have Friday, Saturday or Sunday arrival dates. The earlier you make your request, the better opportunity you'll have for success.

 

[5infam]

Doc,

The point needs are divided into Low Season, Mid Season and High Season- depending on the location and demand of the destination resort.

Is there anything in writing somewhere that covers the resorts that we can trade into with II that covers when each one is Low, Mid or High season (a calendar)?

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by 5infam

Is there anything in writing somewhere that covers the resorts that we can trade into with II that covers when each one is Low, Mid or High season (a calendar)?

Not that I'm aware of from DVC. The season will vary for each resort. Some may offer only High Season- some will have no low season. Most will have all three.

You may be able to tell by looking at the resorts on the <a href="http://www.intervalworld.com/iw/cs?a=1500">II website</a> (or the <a href="http://www.rci.com">RCI site</a>- since many are listed in both services) or a site like www.tug2.net . MS can certainly advise the number needed before you'll make any committment of points.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by 5infam
Doc,




Is there anything in writing somewhere that covers the resorts that we can trade into with II that covers when each one is Low, Mid or High season (a calendar)?

There is a list of the resorts included in the World Passport Collection (not all II options are available to DVC members) in the Member Guidebook and also on the Members' website. It doesn't include dates for the various seasons. My understanding is that the seasons are defined by each resort. Winter is most likely high season for any ski resort.

OOPS! Sorry - I see I was posting at the same time as Doc. At least the info is the same!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by 5infam
Doc,




Is there anything in writing somewhere that covers the resorts that we can trade into with II that covers when each one is Low, Mid or High season (a calendar)?

I've asked about this and apparently it's the destination resort that sets the seasons. Resorts side by side can be totally different. While you can get a basic idea from info available and common sense, there will be many exceptions.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I know some folks here say that exchanging out is not such a great idea. But like you this is one of the reasons I bought DVC. We have no interest in going to WDW every year, maybe just every 2-3 years. The other years I plan to either stay at HHI or exchange. IMO the points to exchange are not bad at all. To me getting a week in a 1BR unit for around 150 pts. is a pretty good deal. I'm not real sure why folks keep bad-mouthing it so much.

 

[5infam]

WolfpackFan,

I think why some folks are bad mouthing the exchange is because certain exchanges are pretty costly. Like you, I think the exchanges to II seem like a good deal (or at least reasonable), I will be using mine to alternate between Hawaii and WDW. However, I didn't realize (until I got on this board) that you can rent points from people, typically at $10.00 per point. Using that as a current going rate, for example on the DCL, a 2 year old requires 15 points, rented points would cost you $150.00, but you can pay cash and only pay $99.00. I know the same is true for many Concierge swaps as well where it takes a lot of points to swap to a standard hotel room (albeit at a 5 star hotel) where your points are much more valuable if you stay at DVC, especially in the off season. I do have a friend that uses his DVC only to swap for hotels. To him, he feels it is a great value, in the long run.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by WolfpackFan
I know some folks here say that exchanging out is not such a great idea. But like you this is one of the reasons I bought DVC. We have no interest in going to WDW every year, maybe just every 2-3 years. The other years I plan to either stay at HHI or exchange. IMO the points to exchange are not bad at all. To me getting a week in a 1BR unit for around 150 pts. is a pretty good deal. I'm not real sure why folks keep bad-mouthing it so much.

Your points and you can do what you want. There are some good values and a lot that aren't. If you're happy, that's what's important, especially if you have all the information.

The reasons that many of us are somewhat negative is that the costs are high overall to what you get. There are also few exchanges up to DVC standards but there are some. Like some others, I found it cheaper to do the same things other ways. Went to HI last year for two 1 BR units and a 2 BR for 2 weeks total for about the same cost through DVC for a 1 BR for one week. I was also able to have all wrapped up 12 months out to use FF miles for the tickets. Total cost including air, eats and all related to vacation about $2500.

 

[Lisa P.]

To me getting a week in a 1BR unit for around 150 pts. is a pretty good deal. I'm not real sure why folks keep bad-mouthing it so much.

Consider what it costs to buy 160 points today (~$11,000-$13,000) and pay the maint fees on them (~$500-$650). There are a TON of less expensive, resale, 1BR timeshare weeks out there (under $5,000, w/maint under $400). And some of those will trade into most of the same timeshares you can get with a DVC exchange. Or, save the purchase money and just rent a really nice condo at the weekly rate.

It's not horrible to trade via II. It's just that DVC is one of the more pricy timeshares out there. When you trade, you still pay at the DVC rate, but you stay elsewhere. JMHO.

 

[dianeschlicht]

That is true, but it is also one the trades well into a hard to get location like Hawaii!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
That is true, but it is also one the trades well into a hard to get location like Hawaii!

Unfortunately not any better than many other far cheaper but high demand locations and not nearly as well as other Marriott's to the highest demand of places, the HI Marriott's.