Using DVC points at Interval International

[mgkatzphp]

I am confused as to the procedure for utilizing my DVC points at the non-DVC resorts that have a reciprocal agreement with DVC (this is the system that utilizes Interval International). Can I only obtain lodging in weekly increments? I have heard horror stories about the inability to secure in season reservations at many of these resorts using my DVC points and people who try to use their DVC points being treated like second class citizens.

What has been your experience with this system?
Thanks in advance.

 

[downontheBW]

Yes, timeshares do trade in weekly increments. I have not actually used II through DVC but have put in requests and been on waiting lists for a trade - none of which came through. I was very particular as to week and which resort I would take and only waited on the list for a couple of months.

I have done one private trade (Four Seasons Aviara) and am in the process of negotiating 2 more - all of these via ads with Timeshare Users Group (www.tug2.net). A private trade requires a good deal of trust with both parties but has worked out great for me.

If you want high season, I'd suggest putting your request in with member services (MS) at DVC ASAP - you can do that up to 2 years ahead - this will put you at the top of the list when availability does come up. As for DVC being treated as second class citizens - I don't think it is DVCers in particular - at many resorts, any non-owner probably will not get treated as well an an owner (the location of the unit may not be the best, for example).

Trading through MS is the easiest as long as you plan ahead and are flexible.

 

[Lisa P.]

As for DVC being treated as second class citizens - I don't think it is DVCers in particular - at many resorts, any non-owner probably will not get treated as well an an owner (the location of the unit may not be the best, for example).

I just wanted to agree with Heidi on this point. We've done quite a bit of timeshare trading with our other timeshares and while we have NOT been treated as anything but a welcomed guest at our resort destinations, I've read plenty of complaints about this. On this forum, it seems that there have been more complaints about this when using nightly stay options (B&B's, historic hotels, Disney collection, etc.) than when using II weekly exchanges. Maybe that's just my perception.

FWIW, when someone exchanges their resort week into a DVC resort, they are treated rather second class. For example...
--- They pay a fee when renting videos (not free usage).
--- They may not pool hop while the Members staying next door may.
--- They are required to pay an additional $95 fee (above the regular exchange fee and their own resort's maint fees) imposed by DVC for resort services that have already been covered by maint fees (unusual in the industry).

The "second class" thing can go both ways. Perhaps, some of this preferential treatment encourages us all to use our home resorts or owned systems more or at least appreciate owning where we do, for our own usage & benefit. It also provides an added benefit to doing direct exchanges with other resort owners... when you are both guests of another owner, you each receive owners' privileges.

 

[Dean]

Timeshare exchanging is a totally different mentality than general DVC usage. You must be willing to put in a request and wait on it to see if anything happens. Success usually occurs at 2-6 months out which can be too late in some cases for cheap air fare. The other issue is that if you want what everyone else wants when they want it, your chances of success are not very good.

Another problem I see with DVC owners and timeshare exchanges is that DVC members tend to make too many assumptions when making exchanges. These can come in a number of areas but include assuming that any exchange on the DVC list is up to DVC standards, it simply isn't so. When one accepts an exchange (through DVC or otherwise), it is important to find out about the resort including any idiosyncrasies that might affect your exchange experience, extra fees, resort quality, any construction and how well the resort meets your desired goals.

Examples include that some resorts charge extra for certain services that most would think are necessities such as AC. Maybe they put exchangers in the worst locations like Cliff's club or Lawaii Beach. Maybe you will get a parking lot view when you were expecting a beach or mountain view.

Lisa is referring to the idea that DVC charges exchangers a $95 fee which is mandatory mostly because they can. While I don't agree with the fee, it's no big deal to me and to be honest, a lot of timeshare do things that are worse (IMO) and you don't know until you get there. The idea that resorts shouldn't extend small courtesies to thier members like restaurant discounts, free putt putt or free movies rentals is an unreasonable one. I think Lisa is simply stating what some people feel, but if these issues (other than maybe the $95 fee) make someone feel like they are second class citizens, they are being unreasonable. The $95 fee is referenced in the II book and is made clear up front and they can decide to accept it or not before they exchange in. If they decide to accept it, they should live with their decision and not gripe about it later. This has been a topic of debate on TUG which Lisa is privy to but most DVC members don't see. Maybe DVC members would like to check out the latest installment at TUG thread

Do your research, plan ahead (at least 12 months) and be as flexible as possible and your chances are great that things will work out. Also realize that once you accept an exchange, you are on your own. If the resort is wiped out 2 weeks before your travel, II will have no responsibility.

 

[Lisa P.]

The idea that resorts shouldn't extend small courtesies to thier members like restaurant discounts, free putt putt or free movies rentals is an unreasonable one. I think Lisa is simply stating what some people feel, but if these issues (other than maybe the $95 fee) make someone feel like they are second class citizens, they are being unreasonable.

I agree with you, Dean, in general. I personally think that it's shameful when any resort charges exchangers with a mandatory for optional or frill services without permitting them to decline the services and the fee or for charging again for anything that's already been paid for from owners' maint fees.

My post on the "second class" issue reflects what I've read here on DIS about it. On a few occasions, when a DVCer has been given a very small room with a terrible view at an otherwise excellent hotel or B&B or resort, the term "second class" has been used to describe their feeling about it. I recall this in some threads about NYC, San Fransisco and London, plus one or more Interval exchanges.

Then on TUG, of course, this term has been used in some resort reviews when people discovered owner benefits or discounts that were not extended to exchangers. Personally, I don't have any problem with owner discounts for a la carte amenities or privileges that are not prepaid through maint fees. Most nice resorts seem to have these and the exchangers has the choice of participating (paying) or not.

 

[Dean]

Lisa I realized you were just the messenger and tried to portray that in my post. I also know you were generalizing which is hard to do on this subject as it's such a mixed bag. The trouble is that most exchanges using DVC are truly a trade down and if you combine a lower quality resort with a less than optimal unit at that resort, you will feel cheated. This is why I've preached to the other DIS members to check out their choices ahead of time to prevent these type of problems. I also own at Marriott's Grande Ocean and have the same problem. I would never exchange it except for very select options and otherwise I would rent it out when I don't use it. There are many resorts I would gladly stay at but would never trade my DVC or GO even for. There are only maybe 40 or so II resorts on the II-DVC list that are truly somewhat equal in quality and a large segment of those fall into the groups that include Marriott, Royals, Hilton, Hyatt, and Four Seasons.

Fortunately I've never had a problem with an unexpected issue. I traded into Embassy on Kauai but knew of the AC fee before hand (RCI not II). The DVC fee is noticed both in the book and when the exchange is made.