Trading out - Who has done it and was it worth it?

[littlestar]

Hi Again Everybody.

We're new DVC members at the VWL (as you know).

I know we probably will always use all of our points at the five main DVC resorts (soon to be six with the Beach Club Villas). But, I am curious as to your experiences with the other options listed in our DVC Member Guidebook - the concierge collection, etc.?

My mom and dad own on Maui at the Sands of Kahana and I know that's listed as a possible trade with DVC as part of the World Passport Collection. (I don't see anything listed for a possible trade on the island of Oahu though?).

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

My DH and I just got back from Boston last week. We used our points to stay at the Boston Harbor Hotel. The hotel was top of the line and we received first rate service. They even upgraded our room to a junior suite. We will spend most of our vacations at the DVCs resorts; however, once our DDs are older we will probably try out more of the concierge collection and exchanges.

 

[tiffany123]

We bought into DVC for both DVC resorts and the other options. 2002 will find us using DVC points exclusively for WDW, HH, and Vero however, in 2003 we plan to use points in CO, MO, UT and AZ. We're empty nesters and see the concerige program as a big selling point to buyers like us.

 

[Dean]

Using DVC as a trade option is not generally a good use of points. SOK is a good example. Though a pretty good resort in a good location, it does not measure up to DVC standards, not to mention no AC. There are no II exchange options on Oahu because II has no good timeshare on the island. That will change when the new Marriott open up though it's location is somewhat out of the main stream. The only timeshare in the action and worthy of being included with the DVC exchange list is the Hilton Rainbow and it's strictly RCI. If you want something to exchange, buy a (relatively) cheap week for that purpose, one with low fees.

 

[Ed T]

We have used our pts for 4nights in London. It was the best time we have had in London. The room was fantastic at the Dorchester. It was convenient to the underground and you could get to any major site in less than 10 minutes. While most would say that it wasn't the best use of pts I say if you got the pt then use them. We have also cruise on pts and are thinking of doing Italy in the near future.

Ed
DVC 1994

 

[EROS]

We spent an enjoyable week at the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont this summer. I agree with Dean; trading out can be an expensive proposition. However, while we use the majority of our points at WDW, we also anticipate taking vacations with them elsewhere; we look at our points as "prepaid" vacations, even if their use in trading is admittedly less efficient.

 

[littlestar]

Thanks for the replies. I'm curious about everything in the Member Guidebook and as usual, this list is great!

I know we probably will always use our points at the main DVC resorts, but it's nice to know a weekend trip that we can drive to at a bed and breakfast is an option.

Thanks again.

 

[travelbug]

I'm going to Mauna Lani Bay Resort in Hawaii on points at the end of March. I'll report back after I get home.

 

[HarrietSLP]

We have exchanged both through the Concierge Collection and through Interval International. We stayed at The Jefferson in Washington D. C.and at The Fairmont Vacation Villas at Riverside in British Columbia for the II exchange. We were pleased with both of these exchanges. I know members who have made exchanges to Hawaii, Big Cedar Lodge, Tanque Verde (sp), Big Cedar Lodge, Plaza in NY, Trapp, Stowe with very positive comments. I agree that your better value appears to be staying at your DVC resorts but I don't think we would have ever stayed in these resorts if not through our DVC membership. We plan to spend pts for a cruise in April too. I just love the flexibility and options you have through DVC!


HARRIET
DVC Member '96 Vero & OKW

 

[Dean]

HarrietSLP, this is not meant as a negative comment toward you. One of the points I've tried to make along the way is that all the Interval exchanges listed could be made with a timeshare that costs a fraction of DVC. And in most, if not all cases, the non II exchanges could be made with cash at a rate usually far less than the points equivilent. As I've said many times, to each his own. If one wants to use their points for whatever, that's fine. I just don't want propsective members or new members to think it's generally a good deal because exchanges are usually not a good deal through DVC. Direct exchanges can be a very good deal by giving up a smaller unit than you receive or exchanging less than 7 days at DVC. For those than want to pay DVC and use DVC as their vacation and not think about the cost, that's fine.

 

[HarrietSLP]

I just looked in my Member Guidebook and there are two Concierge Collection hotels in Hawaii. These are the Kapalua Bay Hotel in Maui and the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows in Kohala Coast, Hawaii. For an II exchange the options are as follows:

KAUAI
The Cliffs Club, Princeville
Club Intrawest Kauai, Princeville
Hanalei Bay Resort Club, Princeville
Lawaii Beach Resort, Koloa
Marriott's Kauai Beach Club, Lihue

MAUI
Kaanapali Keys at Papakea Beach, Lahaina
Kahana Beach Vacation Club, Lahaina
Marriott's Maui Ocean Club Kaanapali
One Napili Way, Napili
Sands of Kahana Vacation Club, Lahaina

Note: A seven-night exchange in the World Passport Collection ( primarily II exchanges) usually falls within the range of the Choice, Dream, and Magic seasons on the DVC Vacation Points charts for a one-or two-bedroom Vacation Home which could be anywhere between 172 pts to 350 pts. Concierge Collections ressies do not have to be made in a weekly exchange and the pt. range per night varies from around 11 to 158 depending on your type of accomodation and the season of travel. The CC exchanges in Hawaii have point ranges from 43 to 61 pts per night and ressies can be made for as little as one night. Also.....for both the Concierge and the World Passport Collections you have a $75 nonrefundable transaction fee which you don't have when booking at your DVC resorts. We use our points primarily to vacation at the DVC resorts because we are Disney nuts but it's nice knowing you have other options if you want to vacation elsewhere occasionally.

HARRIET
DVC Member '96 Vero & OKW
Next trip: DVC Anniversary Cruise 4/7 -4/11

 

[HarrietSLP]

Oops! Sorry for the previous lengthy post. I just reread this thread and I guess I gave you information you really didn't need. I was thinking you needed info on exchanges in Hawaii. And DEAN.....I agree with your comments. I wouldn't recommend buying into DVC if you planned on using it primarily for outside exchanges. You can definitely get better value by using your pts at the DVC resorts

HARRIET
DVC Member "96 Vero & OKW
Next trip: DVC Anniversary Cruise 4/7- 4/11

 

[littlestar]

Thanks Harriett SLP and Dean and Everybody!

I am printing out the info on Hawaii, as we try to go there about every five years. I could see where using our DVC points for a one or two night stay might work if we were island hopping (I don't think I could go a whole year without going to Disney - hee hee - would have to leave some points for my Disney fix).

We have a lot of frequent flyer miles and sometimes use those to fly free when going to Hawaii - if we don't fly free, then usually a package that includes our airfare and hotel have been the cheapest route for Hawaii.

 

[Dean]

littlestar, I'd recommend you consider other options for HI. You could work a private exchange with your dad. You could also look for private exchanges with other owners there. Consider talking several of the independent exchange companies to include SFX, Trading Places and Platinum Interchange. I was able to get two 1 BR units at the Embassy Maui through SFX and a 2 BR Kauai Embassy unit from an RCI member which was to be a private exchange using DVC but he then offered it to me for cash instead which worked better for me. There are many quality timeshares in HI that are not available to DVC members either because they're not on the DVC list or are RCI only. Many resorts are worth considering for a visit but not worthy of a DVC exchange, at least not an even one.

 

[jekjones1558]

Kapalua and Mauna Lani are both gorgeous properties with high point costs. We loved every minute of our exchange but only used the points because we happened to have a bunch to use. While it is not the most cost effective way to spend points, the point cost of DVC at high season is not cheap either. For a teacher like me, that means I end up doing Disney when it is busy and costly (Christmas and spring break), so CC isn't that much worse. If you've got the points and can fly for free, GO FOR IT on Maui and BIg Island.

 

[Lynn K]

Ed T.,
Can you tell me more about the Dorchester? What were the rooms like? Any extra charges? etc.
Thanks.