Trading through Interval - your experience?

[las3888]

DH and I recently attended the sales pitch for Marriott's time share (we currently own DVC). We hadn't really thought too much about trading our DVC points for a week stay in the interval system, but it did make us think again about it. However, it brought up a few questions that I thought you experts would know a bit about.

First, why is it that you pay an 'Interval' membership fee through Marriott and get the Interval guide book with all the timeshare listings, and seemingly you get interval online access to check availability yourselves, but from what I recall, we (DVC) don't pay any interval dues, but we do pay a fee to exchange (as does Marriott). Why do we not get online access or access to the book (or do we)?

Have you ever done an exchange with your DVC points? Can anybody confirm how many points it is (124 comes to my mind). Is that for a 1BR?

What has your success been in getting what you want? As explained through Marriott if you give Interval 3 choices of resorts for the same date, or 3 dates for the same resort, they can meet your request 97% of the time. Has this been your experience?

We are thinking that someday we may want to do an exchange, but curious as to whether it would just be one big frustrating experience or what. We also are very loosely thinking of down the road buying more DVC points with the thought of using them more for exchange than for DVC, but I have to wonder if that is really a good idea. We love to travel to Disney, but like the idea of having points to use to go to other places maybe every other year or so.

Sorry this was so long but I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Cora]

We booked Ford's Colony Williamsburg, VA for this June about 8 months ago. Had no problems. I gave them the dates (couldn't give a range, had to be that week). We wanted a one bedroom. We received a call either that afternoon or the next day and got exactly what we wanted. I think it was 135 pts for one week.

Now on the flipside I put in a request for April 2005 about 6 months ago and have not heard. But then again it's alot further out.

I believe there has been a change to the II process. From what I understand you now pay the fee before you get the reservation. If you don't reserve anything you get it back. As opposed to what I went through, no exchange fee until they found something.

HTH
Cora

 

[Michelemouse]

We put in a request for a 10/05 exchange to Hawaii in 11/03. We heard back in March and were successful in getting the 1BR we wanted. Total points for 1 week was 144.

We plan to put in another request for a 2nd Hawaii week (this time on the Big Island) this November. We can't do it any sooner as we will have to borrow a few of our 2007 use year points. If we get it we'll be thrilled. If not we'll book something for cash.

This will be our first trip to Hawaii and we can't wait!

 

[Dean]

Most good 1 BR exchanges will be 160 points and 2 BR 270. Some will be a little less but usually not for truly high season. As for what the membership gets you, here's a list to start.

1. Access to the online site including exchanges and getaways.
2. The ability to potentially book ANY II resort options.
3. Access to cash getaways.
4. The ability to trade for a larger unit than you gave up.
5. The book and updates.
6. 800 number and direct access.
7. In some situations you get internal exchange preferences.
   [/list=1] Not worth it for the rare exchange but very worthwhile for others.

 

[las3888]

What does a level II mean? How did you know what resorts were available to choose from? Did you call DVC and they went through it on the phone? I have an old Interval book from a friend who gave me last year's book. Is it safe to say that I could trade my points for anything in that book (as long as there is availability)? I was also led to believe in the DVC sales pitch that trading out of DVC was very helpful because DVC is very desired - how does that really come into play?

Sounds like we don't have to pay the membership dues for Interval, but can do exchanges at an exchange fee if it goes through. It also sounds like we then don't get access to the online info and books etc., which I agree, depends on how much you use it whether you want it is worth paying the dues for or not.

I should probably call DVC and get the official low-down, but I was just curious what your experiences have been, especially in getting the resort you wanted.

PS - it was mentioned roughly what to expect for 1BR and 2BR exchanges - are studio exchanges an option?

Thanks for your replies!

 

[allforpooh]

We also put in a request for Ford Colony in Williamsburg - had no problems getting a week - 1brm 160pts...

Cora,

What week will you be there -

Denise

 

[Cora]

Denise,
We'll be there June 20 - 27.
Cora

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by las3888
What does a level II mean? How did you know what resorts were available to choose from? Did you call DVC and they went through it on the phone? I have an old Interval book from a friend who gave me last year's book. Is it safe to say that I could trade my points for anything in that book (as long as there is availability)? I was also led to believe in the DVC sales pitch that trading out of DVC was very helpful because DVC is very desired - how does that really come into play?

Sounds like we don't have to pay the membership dues for Interval, but can do exchanges at an exchange fee if it goes through. It also sounds like we then don't get access to the online info and books etc., which I agree, depends on how much you use it whether you want it is worth paying the dues for or not.

I should probably call DVC and get the official low-down, but I was just curious what your experiences have been, especially in getting the resort you wanted.

PS - it was mentioned roughly what to expect for 1BR and 2BR exchanges - are studio exchanges an option?

Thanks for your replies!

Again, while DVC is desireable, so are many other places, some more so than DVC. So the idea that you just call and they bow at your feet is absolutely false and a flat out lie IMO if a guide is telling you that. There are points tables for a studio and 3 BR, I've posted them before but don't have access at this moment. The studios start about 106 and go up to about 134 points. The 3 BR is in the 350 range for a high season exchange.

You can't exchange to any resort in the book. All of Orlando is excluded outside DVC and DVC has selected about 350 resorts that they will let you exchange to. You cannot exchange through DVC for any other resorts though you can exchange privately and through the smaller exchange companies for both other II and also RCI resorts.

 

[Connears]

I will be at Marriotts Ford Colony June28-July 4! this is the first time I have done a non DVC resort since we joined in 1994. It looks great. We used 160 points for a 1 bedroom. I saw it on the Marriott site and it looks beautiful. Cora, we'll just miss each other!
Connears

back to OKW for 12/26-12/31/04

 

[Cora]

Connears,
Oh too bad that would've been great! You'll love Ford's Colony. We stayed there about 4 years ago in a studio (we did the Marriott timeshare presentation-did not buy). At that time they were still building but the area and grounds were very nice.
Cora
PS I see we're Mass neighbors!

 

[barb45]

We just did a trade for Hawaii - put in a range of dates and resorts and took the first 2 bedroom match that came up. We were nervous because we thought a 2 bedroom might be harder to get. First go to DVC.com and go to plan your vacation. You can bring up the resorts that are available through DVC. They have only selected about 350 (supposedly because they have to meet Disney standards). I am glad I don't have to pay annual fees to II. After I checked which resorts were available, I checked out the resort website to see if they looked nice. Then I went to tripadvisor.com to check out any reviews. These are the resorts I put in for my search. We just got it in March and didn't have to pay the fee until it was confirmed. As far as II online and their books are concerned we are not entitled to them because we are not actual members (don't pay membership to them). Our member services took care of everything and were great to work with. I'll miss doing Disney this year but Hawaii should be great too.

 

[teo403]

We are new to DVC and to these boards. The information here is great! We are taking our first trip home to the BCV in May and then again in November.

I was hoping to make an exchange for April 2005 and put in a request through MS about 2 weeks ago. After reading this post, though, it seems like we might not be able to take this vacation. We can't be flexible on the dates, but chose about 9 different places to exchange to (ranging from Cancun to Key West). Do we have a shot at a match?

Another question - In the meantime, can I reserve at Vero Beach 7 months out to at least reserve something else? Then, if my match does come through, I can cancel Vero? Thanks.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by teo403
We are new to DVC and to these boards. The information here is great! We are taking our first trip home to the BCV in May and then again in November.

I was hoping to make an exchange for April 2005 and put in a request through MS about 2 weeks ago. After reading this post, though, it seems like we might not be able to take this vacation. We can't be flexible on the dates, but chose about 9 different places to exchange to (ranging from Cancun to Key West). Do we have a shot at a match?

Another question - In the meantime, can I reserve at Vero Beach 7 months out to at least reserve something else? Then, if my match does come through, I can cancel Vero? Thanks.

If you're looking at the end of April, you may have some luck, earlier will be VERY tough. Yes you can reserve a DVC reservation but you'll have to cancel it if you match and intend to use those points for the exchange. As a matter of fact you can search through DVC-II, reserve a DVC option for backup, search using any of the smaller exchange companies, search of a direct exchange AND look to rent your points all at the same time. Then which ever option presents itself that fits your needs, take it and cancel everything else. This is exactly what we did for 2002. We planned 2 weeks in HI with two islands. We wanted Maui plus another Island, preferably Kauai. Knowing Maui would be the hardest, I put in a request for Maui ONLY with DVC, directly through II, San Francisco Exchange (and talked to Trading Places) Platinum Interchange and posted on several sites (including TUG) for a direct exchange. DVC offered me Kona Coast in a 2 BR which I turned down. I didn't even look for the second week until I had a Maui week in hand. I then booked a 1 BR at the Embassy on Maui through SFX and modified my searches to hit the week before or after for Kauai. I then got offered a 2 BR at the Embassy on Kauai for 168 DVC points which I accepted but when the other party gave me the option of $900 and keep my points, I jumped at that. I then went back to SFX and got a second 1 BR at the Embassy on Maui. I requested they be side by side and they were.

I couple of other caveats. First, Air is a big issue for a trip like this. Air is far more important in terms of costs than the unit is. If one is planning on using FF miles, you must book at the first opportunity, usualy 330 days out. For cash, frequently a package deal is best. Remember that many package deals have a min stay of only 3 days or so so one could go for 10 days using a package with 7 days in a timeshare. Also remember that no all timeshare have start days when you might think. For example, Intrawest on Kauai only has Sunday starts so that made it unworkable for us. Even if they have several days for arrivals, that means only a portion of the resort will be available for a specific day. Saturday is the most common and Fri, Sat and Sunday is another common option. One can go to II's directory to look this info up if needed or they can ask and I'd be happy to help.

 

[teo403]

Thanks Dean. We are looking for our April vacation week next year, the 3rd week of April. So, hopefully we will have a bit of luck. We won't be using FF miles, but I know that airfare is going to be our biggest expense because we won't be able to book it that far in advance.

We are going to go the other options that you suggested too.

At what point should we give up on a match? By November or December timeframe?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by teo403
Thanks Dean. We are looking for our April vacation week next year, the 3rd week of April. So, hopefully we will have a bit of luck. We won't be using FF miles, but I know that airfare is going to be our biggest expense because we won't be able to book it that far in advance.

We are going to go the other options that you suggested too.

At what point should we give up on a match? By November or December timeframe?

Each option would have it's own abadonement criteria. If I were in your situation, I'd be looking for the air specials. If something comes on up on AIR that works for you, book it and adjust you other options accordingly. THis is the same recommendation I'd make for FF miles. It's just that you may have more time than the 330 days out. If you book a cancellable hotel or condo, the cancellation window for that should be your hard stop for abonding other options. Actually one of the best times to get something is the last 60 days or so. OF course by that time you will have less options as to what week you can accept. Good luck and let us know what happens.