When To Try to Book Hawaii??

[Lexxiefern]

I was reading the other thread about the II exchange that has not come through yet for Hawaii and that got me a little worried. We are hoping to trade through II to Hawaii (maui or oahu - not sure on resorts yet) for feb or march 09. When do I need to call MS about this? Is it hard to get an exchange for Hawaii? We will be looking for a one bedroom.

TIA!

 

[tomandrobin]

Hawaii is very doable, just be a little flexible with your resorts and time frame. You should start the process very soon. You probably will not hear anything until 6 months out or less.

Actually the DVC 2008 planner says 6-7 months prior to check-in.

 

[Dean]

Your best bet is if you're looking 2 years out. The odds start decreasing a fair amount once you hit 12-13 months out largely because the Westin and Marriott's tend to deposit in that time frame.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Ouch. Wow, I have never used my points outside of disney hotels so I am so out of touch with reality on this one. Yikes, I better get my ducks in a row and get moving on this. Thank you both for your help!

 

[tomandrobin]

One good thing, right now Westin/Marriott owners are locking in thier 12 month reservations.

 

[Dean]

One good thing, right now Westin/Marriott owners are locking in thier 12 month reservations.

Unfortunately a fairly large segment of the Marriott weeks are reserved at 13-14 months out, somewhere around 50% of the total weeks.

 

[tomandrobin]

Unfortunately a fairly large segment of the Marriott weeks are reserved at 13-14 months out, somewhere around 50% of the total weeks.

Didn't realize the Marriott's had 50% at 13 months. I did know that multi-week owners booked early to get the prime weeks.

At least those waiting for Hawaii can get a feel on how the inventory is just now entering the system

 

[Dean]

Didn't realize the Marriott's had 50% at 13 months. I did know that multi-week owners booked early to get the prime weeks.

At least those waiting for Hawaii can get a feel on how the inventory is just now entering the system

Actually it's over 13 months most times because it's 13 months from the FIRST week reserved. For example, I called Last May, 13 months out from THURSDAY since the resort for the first week has Thur start dates. I then booked on that call one week for each of the following, the studio (lockoff) for that resort, the 1 BR for that resort, 2 HH weeks (5-12 July) then another HH week. So effectively i booked the last week 14 months out and an additional day before any owner who's resort only has Friday check ins. I know people who own up to 17 weeks at a given resort and book then consecutively. The limitation is that no more than 50% can be booked 13 months out but it does vary somewhat in practice it appears. As long as you have a reservation #, II will allow those weeks to be deposited.

 

[tomandrobin]

Actually it's over 13 months most times because it's 13 months from the FIRST week reserved. For example, I called Last May, 13 months out from THURSDAY since the resort for the first week has Thur start dates. I then booked on that call one week for each of the following, the studio (lockoff) for that resort, the 1 BR for that resort, 2 HH weeks (5-12 July) then another HH week. So effectively i booked the last week 14 months out and an additional day before any owner who's resort only has Friday check ins. I know people who own up to 17 weeks at a given resort and book then consecutively. The limitation is that no more than 50% can be booked 13 months out but it does vary somewhat in practice it appears. As long as you have a reservation #, II will allow those weeks to be deposited.

I recall seeing this discussed as an unfair advantage on another board. I am not a Marriott owner, but do like alot of thier resorts. The fact that it seems you have to be a multi-week owner to take advantage of the system, will keep me away since I am already involved with Starwood and DVC.

 

[Dean]

I recall seeing this discussed as an unfair advantage on another board. I am not a Marriott owner, but do like alot of thier resorts. The fact that it seems you have to be a multi-week owner to take advantage of the system, will keep me away since I am already involved with Starwood and DVC.

I'm not sure unfair is the right word, it's simply the way the system works. There are a number of points systems where your priority is determined by how many points you owned and often, whether you bought from the developer or not. I went out and bought extra weeks for the main purpose of taking advantage of this set up.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Wow, you both have me totally confused. I have just spent a good chunk of time looking into resorts and so far only 3 look good to me. They are the Westin Kaanapali on Maui, Marriott's Maui Ocean Club and Marriott's Ko Olina on Oahu. Are there any other good ones? I don't want to stay on Kauai.

So when I call MS, do I tell them I can check in any day of the week? I thought II only had exchanges arriving on saturdays (I'm a newbie). Will this enlarge my chances of having a match?

Basically, if I call and say check in any date of Feb or march 09 for those 3 resorts, what do you think my chances are?

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Wow, you both have me totally confused. I have just spent a good chunk of time looking into resorts and so far only 3 look good to me. They are the Westin Kaanapali on Maui, Marriott's Maui Ocean Club and Marriott's Ko Olina on Oahu. Are there any other good ones? I don't want to stay on Kauai.

So when I call MS, do I tell them I can check in any day of the week? I thought II only had exchanges arriving on saturdays (I'm a newbie). Will this enlarge my chances of having a match?

Basically, if I call and say check in any date of Feb or march 09 for those 3 resorts, what do you think my chances are?

Thanks!

I'd add the Ka'anapali Beach Club to the list though it certainly isn't quite on par with the other 3 you mentioned. But these are the only ones I'd personally consider trading DVC points for. The Marriott's have Fri, Sat and Sunday. The KBC has Thursday, Fri, Sat & Sun and the Westin is Sat and Sunday only. Technically II will assume you will take all 3 (Fri-Sun) unless you are very specific and careful. Giving yourself options for as many deposits as possible will improve your chances of success. For a 1 BR for Feb/March 2009 to match outside the 60 day window I'd say your chances are 10% at most, 1% or less for a 2 BR. Half that if you spend a month planning without putting in the request. A studio will be much more likely to match but is likely not a reasonable exchange given the number of DVC points required.

 

[tomandrobin]

I'd add the Ka'anapali Beach Club to the list though it certainly isn't quite on par with the other 3 you mentioned. But these are the only ones I'd personally consider trading DVC points for. The Marriott's have Fri, Sat and Sunday. The KBC has Thursday, Fri, Sat & Sun and the Westin is Sat and Sunday only. Technically II will assume you will take all 3 (Fri-Sun) unless you are very specific and careful. Giving yourself options for as many deposits as possible will improve your chances of success. For a 1 BR for Feb/March 2009 to match outside the 60 day window I'd say your chances are 10% at most, 1% or less for a 2 BR. Half that if you spend a month planning without putting in the request. A studio will be much more likely to match but is likely not a reasonable exchange given the number of DVC points required.

Westin check-in is also Fri, Sat and Sun

 

[Dean]

Westin check-in is also Fri, Sat and Sun

That's what I was thinking but II only has them listed as Sat/Sunday. I know a number of resorts restrict exchange check ins more than direct member check ins, Bluegreen is very strict in this area. For example, their points system is based on the underlying weeks, as are most points systems. So if you reserve a unit that's based on Friday to Friday but reserve it Sat-Sat, you can't deposit it even if the resort has Sat check ins.

 

[tomandrobin]

That's what I was thinking but II only has them listed as Sat/Sunday. I know a number of resorts restrict exchange check ins more than direct member check ins, Bluegreen is very strict in this area. For example, their points system is based on the underlying weeks, as are most points systems. So if you reserve a unit that's based on Friday to Friday but reserve it Sat-Sat, you can't deposit it even if the resort has Sat check ins.

I just doulble checked the "sightings" board just to be sure and there was availability for Fri, Sta and Sun exchanges. I know the Starwood site lists those dates too. It may had been that before I became owner, only been an owner for three years. The first I was lost and in the dark about my timeshare.

Since Westin added two other Hawaii resorts, availibility has become much easier. In fact, I keep getting email updates letting owners know that rooms are available for internal exchanges.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Thank you both for all your help! I wonder if I should try to find a rental on my own and then just rent out my points to cover the cost. Do you think this would be a better option?

Doesn't the Kaanapali beach club only have kitchenettes? (I may have my resorts confused). We definately want a full kitchen so we can cook.

Thanks.

 

[tomandrobin]

There are two Westins in Maui, side by side. They both have full kitchens, but the second phase does not have an oven , just a cooktop.

Ok, went to the Kaanapali beach club website.........

All suites feature oversized bath area, full sized sofa bed, microwave-equipped mini-kitchen including dishwasher, and a modern entertainment center

 

[Lexxiefern]

Yeah that's what I thought I read. Sounds like a studio with a separate bedroom. I want to be able to make eggs and bacon!

 

[disneydenisel]

Thank you both for all your help! I wonder if I should try to find a rental on my own and then just rent out my points to cover the cost. Do you think this would be a better option?

This would be a good option. That's what I would recommend, because then you can get your exact dates by renting. I rent most of my timeshare stays from owners if I don't own at the resort. It is easier (to me) than hoping for an exchange. Of course, we aren't that flexible in our weeks since we have school-age kids. I suppose if I was super flexible, I'd use II (Dean seems to have the system down and gets some great exchanges!).

Good luck! Lots of Westin and Marriott rentals on the Internet (craigslist, redweek, tugbbs, myresortnetwork, etc.).

 

[Anal Annie]

Your best bet is if you're looking 2 years out. The odds start decreasing a fair amount once you hit 12-13 months out largely because the Westin and Marriott's tend to deposit in that time frame.

OK, we want to go to Hawaii in July of 2011 - so we need to put our request in during the summer of 2009? What if we wait for 18 months to start our search? Do you think it makes a huge difference in the odds matching game? Next question - will the points used for this exchange be from our 2009 points? What UY do they come from and how does that affect our 2010 plans? We have a Dec. UY - so we are currently using a combo of banked 2006 points and all of our 2007 points that we just got for our vac. THIS summer. We are planning on using the 2008 points that we get this next Dec. for our 2009 vac. So if we want to start a search for 2011 starting in 2009 do we borrow from our 2009 UY? Then what points do we use for 2010? I was thinking of another trade to Aruba for 2010. Oh wait - I need to start a search for Aruba for 2010 before I worry about 2011!! Will we be in a perpetual borrowing mode doing this? I'm getting so confused. We KNOW we want to go to Hawaii in 2011 bcuz we go every 5 years. Aruba we really haven't discussed much yet...I would probably want to go over spring break as sort of an anniv. trip...and we won't have the 2010 school calendar until I don't know when....so I don't want to plan w/o that. Our school district does flip flop around Easter sometimes.

One hesitation I have with trying to look at Hawaii 2 years out is now that DVC is building at Ko'Olina we want to also tack on 3 or 4 n there either before or after a week on Maui and we may not have an estimated opening date for them by then...so it would be hard to know if it will be open for the dates that we want to go.... Wonder when we'll get a little more info. about Ko'Olina?! We really prefer a 10 day trip to Hawaii coming from the east coast!