why can't we do II getaways?

[jvincent16]

I was looking at II's website and was wondering why we aren't eligible to take advantage of their "getaways." The wesite says they are "Low-priced resort accomodations without exchanging your resort week." I tried joining but it wouldn't accept my DVC resort.
thanks

 

[JaxFLBear]

You can't exchange directly with II. For one week stays, you have to call MS. For short stays, you can book those at dvcmember.com.

Just re-read your post. Disney is a corporate II member which will prevent you from joining II directly.

 

[spiceycat]

do you have a friend or co-workers who is a member of II?

then you just ask them to help you book it.

this cash only. so when the person doing it for you bring your credit card.

 

[bwvBound]

OP: You might want to consider a small ownership in something West/Southwest to gain individual access to II, RCI or other exchange companies. Adding a smidge of Worldmark would give you plenty of drive-to destinations across the western states along with access to II/RCI, bonus time, and other perks.

 

[Dean]

The short answer is because DVC chooses not to give you access. The problem is that DVC is a corporate member and DVC members are not actually members. If you were a direct member you'd have a lot of choices, benefits and possibilities but would also have a yearly membership fee and higher exchange costs. Besides having access to getaways, you'd have the ability to trade up in unit size or season by trading a 1 BR for a 2 BR for example. But you'd also have to pay the points for a full week doing so. If I were trading DVC as a direct member I'd likely do deposit first with HH Adventure weeks for mostly studios but up to 2 BR depending on what I wanted to trade to and OKW Dream or Magic weeks for 1 or 2 BR. BWV standard view and VB Inn rooms would also be fair game. I'd estimate that my costs in number of points would be about 1/2 to 2/3 what they would be trading the way it's set up now. Here are a few examples of how I might approach it.

• For a summer 2 BR at Marriott's Manor club I'd likely deposit a 1 BR HH adventure week for 104 points.
• To search for Marriott's Grande Ocean or any other prime Marriott during peak season that only has 2 BR or any similar 1 BR, I'd deposit a 1 BR OKW Choice or Dream, 196 or 218 points.
• For the same type Marriott that has lockoff's but I wanted a 2 BR, I'd deposit a 2 BR HH adventure for 133 points if I thought it wasn't difficult to get but for more difficult, likely a Choice, Dream or Magic OKW 2 BR, 232, 263 or 296 points.
• For anything in the 2 months flexchange window, I'd use a HH studio at 55 points.

Some trades would be higher and some lower than the current system but overall the points would be lower. You'd also have access to potential bonus weeks which can give you a second week for minimal fees. For example, just this AM, I trade my remaining bonus week for a May OKW 2 BR, total cost $335 plus the $95 resort services fee. I'll likely just use it for a 4 night weekend but this works well given it is a Friday start and I was looking for a DVC week for that time anyway.

 

[Anal Annie]

OK, so question. Does our home DVC resort determine our success at trading into II? Just for an example, if we owned at BLT instead of SSR would that have an impact on our trading power? Does the person on the other end need to be looking to trade specifically to our home?

 

[Starr W.]

OK, so question. Does our home DVC resort determine our success at trading into II? Just for an example, if we owned at BLT instead of SSR would that have an impact on our trading power? Does the person on the other end need to be looking to trade specifically to our home?

I don't think so, I think DVC determines the resort and week they deposit into II.

 

[littlestar]

We bought a dual affiliated EOY (every other year) timeshare that gives us access to both II and RCI. It works out great for us since we travel off season and I'm usually booking multiple units for family. We've stayed for as little as $243 a week for a 1 bedroom on an RCI last call (booked within 45 days of travel).

If you want access to II and RCI and like Sheraton resorts, picking up a EOY 1 bedroom at some place like Sheraton Broadway Plantation (Myrtle Beach) might work out nicely. An EOY Marriott Branson or Marriott west coast lock off (depending on where you live) would give you access to II. Either one of those would also give you preference on II trades, too, with the Sheraton or Marriott preference. I've seen the Sheraton Broadway Plantation go for as little as $257 dollars, plus closing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHERATON-BROADW...ryZ15897QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'd stick with platinum season, though.

 

[Dean]

OK, so question. Does our home DVC resort determine our success at trading into II? Just for an example, if we owned at BLT instead of SSR would that have an impact on our trading power? Does the person on the other end need to be looking to trade specifically to our home?

Not at this time. When DVC restricted your deposit to home resort and even when they used the 11/7 booking windows to see what you could deposit, it might have, but not now. Given II doesn't have a clue ahead of time what resort their getting and have little knowledge ahead of the time of year for a given resort, they assign a generic trade power. Basically the average what they are likely to get. This gives you worse trading power than you might have otherwise. This could all change in the future, no way to know.

II doesn't swap one resort directly for another, it's more of a barter system. If A is looking for B who is looking for C who is looking for D, who is looking for A, they simply match them all up since they are not a first come system. They can jump over you to match with me if they want and that's what it takes to make the matches happen. It's exactly the opposite of the discussions about the DVC wait list the last couple of days where you could be holding what I want and vice versa but still not be able to match.

 

[bwvBound]

... (depending on where you live) ...

OP's profile shows AZ as location. If going the route of an additional timeshare purchase, it may be wise to consider a drive-to destination with flexibility. I certainly agree an every-other-year week or small points package could prove quite handy.

 

[Dean]

Along the lines of having a starwood preference, Westin Kierland should be relatively close as would Marriott's Canyon Villas. The Westin is a required points resort so I understand it's a way to buy resale and get Westin points (Star options). OF course you have the Marriott to Marriott preference in trading and the resort in AZ is a lockoff resort if I recall correctly.

 

[Starr W.]

Along the lines of having a starwood preference, Westin Kierland should be relatively close as would Marriott's Canyon Villas. The Westin is a required points resort so I understand it's a way to buy resale and get Westin points (Star options). OF course you have the Marriott to Marriott preference in trading and the resort in AZ is a lockoff resort if I recall correctly.

Yes, Canyon Villas is a lock-off. I'm watching a ebay auction for a Plat EOY.

 

[Dean]

Yes, Canyon Villas is a lock-off. I'm watching a ebay auction for a Plat EOY.

Actually didn't I hear the newer units there lockoff into two 1 BR units instead of a 1 BR plus studio, I wasn't sure if it was real or just a rumor?

 

[Starr W.]

Actually didn't I hear the newer units there lockoff into two 1 BR units instead of a 1 BR plus studio, I wasn't sure if it was real or just a rumor?

Hmm don't know about that. I do know the new Marriott Orlando TS(who knows if it will even be built) is supposed to be 2 1br units in a 2br lockoff.

I would love to have a Marriott week and this is pretty much what we are looking for to alternate with our VB points for Spring Break.

We really enjoyed Summit Watch in Park City and Manor Club.

 

[Dean]

Hmm don't know about that. I do know the new Marriott Orlando TS(who knows if it will even be built) is supposed to be 2 1br units in a 2br lockoff.

I would love to have a Marriott week and this is pretty much what we are looking for to alternate with our VB points for Spring Break.

We really enjoyed Summit Watch in Park City and Manor Club.

I don't think there's any doubt the Marriott Lakeshore reserve will be built. I've seen the models and they are top notch, approaching if not equalling the Ritz or Four Seasons product. They have 3 levels for purchase. The bottom is a 2 BR with either a lodge type lockoff that breaks down to a 1 BR plus a studio OR a 2 BR townhouse. You get to chose which you want when you reserve. The second is the same except is a little larger and breaks down to two 1 BR units or a 2.5 bath larger townhouse. The third is a 3 BR either a townhouse or breaks down to a 2 BR plus studio. It's also interesting they made it all Platinum except a number of weeks they made a new level called Platinum Premier I believe, centered around President's week and Easter. Prices are comparable to Grande Vista currently but dues are more, $1100 to $1400 or so. When I stopped in the salesman who showed me the models said you'd have to own here to stay that no one would be able to trade in. I'm thinking, Orlando, you've got to be kidding me.

IMO, there are Marriott's to own to trade and Marriott's to own to use with little overlap unless you're in a weird situation.