This is my interpretation of the DVC exchange options. The topics to be covered are:
- DVC exchanges with Interval International (II)
- Concierge Collection exchanges (CC)
- Disney Cruise Line exchanges (DCL)
- Disney Collection exchanges (DC)
- Adventurer Collection
- Other alternatives
These are my views as of 2002 and are to be interpreted as such. Overall, I dont feel most exchange options offer DVC members the best value so keep that in mind when reading my views.
DVC exchanges with Interval International
This area is a unique situation to both DVC exchanges and to a certain extent, the entire timeshare world. DVC has a contract with II to offer exchanges to DVC members. DVC takes the entire II book and then attempts to select out the top resorts they feel worthy for DVC members to exchange into excluding Orlando. Since there are only about 30-40 non Orlando resorts in II that are truly comparable to DVC resorts, DVC must round out the options with other resorts that are as good as possible even if below DVC standards.
The process is that a DVC member selects the resorts they would like to exchange into and gives that list to DVC. DVC then looks on line to see if any of the choices are available, if not, an ongoing exchange request is instituted. One can look for a resort up to 2 years from the date you are searching. One can only search for a unit the size you are willing to give up or the smallest unit that the destination resort has, whichever is larger. Once a possible match is found, DVC will call and offer that to you and you can then say yes or no. At that time, DVC will tell you how many points the exchange will cost. The exchange fee is currently $75. In general, the truly high demand times will cost the same as OKW Dream or Magic Season for the same size unit but many requests will actually be Adventure season points for OKW or HH. One may be offered a larger unit than searching for when doing an ongoing search.
For those familiar with the traditional timeshare exchange system, there are some differences. No II book, no bonus weeks, no access to II directly including the website, no getaways and you cant access resorts not on the restricted DVC-II list. The positives are that there is no annual fee, the exchange fee is $75, DVC has very good exchange power and search first up to 2 years out.
Once you make the exchange, DVC actually reserves a unit that matches the criteria noted above and gives that unit to II. The points and the unit are then gone. It is possible to do a deposit first exchange which is more like a traditional timeshare exchange. The deposited unit may be used for an exchange for up to 2 years past the date of the unit deposited. This can be a good way to extend the life of points that may otherwise expire but I think this is the only benefit I can think of at this time.
Direct Exchange Points Options
These include the DC, DCL, CC and Adventurer Collection. Ill give some general information that I think applies to all of these options. These are IMO convenience exchange options with a fairly high points cost. The value for an individual member must be weighed by that member but in general, the points cost is relatively high to very high. The actual value for most of these options usually approaches around $5 per point but will vary depending on available discounts, specials, holidays and the like. These exchange options are not guaranteed and these programs could change or cease to exist at any time. They are good to allow a vacation option that one could not swing otherwise, allow one to use up points that might not be used and to allow variety at a prepaid price. Once youve made the exchange, the points may still be available in reservation status if the reservation is cancelled. Reservation points can be use to book other exchange options except II but are not available to book DVC reservations.
Concierge Collection exchanges
Is mostly a collection of high end Bed and Breakfasts, Top Hotels and historic Inns. While the points costs are high and the value is questionable, the quality and uniqueness of each option is difficult to dispute. They can certainly be a way to splurge on ones self and family as well as a way to create a once in a lifetime weekend or similar getaway. If you watch the Travel Channel or read top travel magazines, you will see the names pop up frequently.
Disney Cruise Line exchanges
DCL, need I say more. The value here may be more than some of the other similar options. For low end cabins, the points option tends to be fairly expensive depending on available specials. The true value tends to increase for the larger cabins due to the lower discounting in the more expensive cabins. Overall, DVC is a fairly expensive cruise line so one must again evaluate for themselves the value for the specific circumstances at hand.
Disney Collection exchanges
The ability to exchange to other DVC hotels is a very interesting one, too bad the points costs are so high. Still, many really enjoy the ability for variety and to try hotels they wouldnt or couldnt do on cash. Still, if you compare to rack rates for the Disney hotels, some may find value here. The option of selecting the view for a specific number of points is a plus for those where the room type, view is truly important.
Adventurer Collection
A combination of high adventure options that include choices like a Safari, whitewater rafting, and the like. Ill also include the Dude Ranch in this group even though DVC lists it in the CC. I havent researched the value of these options but would assume the same $5 per point value.
Other Alternatives
Would include renting ones points and using the proceeds to buy the other vacation options. One could do a direct exchange with another timeshare owner giving access to other possible trades for potentially less points costs. A direct exchanges also allows both parties to bypass possible fees, may allow access to owner only benefits and allow one to improve the chances at or even guarantee certain preferences like an oceanfront unit. Finally, one could exchange through an independent exchange company like San Francisco Exchange, Trading Places, Platinum Interchange, Dial an Exchange or others. Since each tend to specialize in certain resorts/areas, this could improve the chances to get certain exchanges as well as providing potential access to resorts not on the DVC-II list. As an example, I traded my two Aruba II non DVC resort weeks through SFX for two units the same week at the Embassy on Maui, an RCI only resort. While each of these exchange companies have their benefits, in general, they offer a no membership fee option, more liberal bonus weeks, easier trade up options and lower exchange fees than II in general though more than DVC.
