World Passport exchanges

[cmoore]

We recently bought into Saratoga Springs. While we do plan to stay a lot at the DVC properties, we're also interested in the worldwide exchanges available through Interval International.

I've noticed there are very few comments or reports from people that have stayed in non-Disney locations. Is that because no one does it, or just because
no one talks about it? I'd be interested in hearing reports from anyone that
has done this. How did the exchanges go? Was it easy to get exchanges in the places you wanted to go, at the time you wanted to? How did the properties compare to the ones we're used to at Disney? Any other tips or suggestions about using the exchanges?

Also, I've seen places online that do "timeshare exchanges." You put a message on saying what you've got and search for people that want to trade. Has anyone ever done this? I was thinking I could reserve a particular week at a DVC resort, then exchange it on my own for someone else's week somewhere else. I'd like to hear opinions about this, too, if anyone has any.

Chris

 

[lizanne]

Chris,
Sorry I don't have any info on timeshare exchanges, but we did use II for an exchange. We went to Williamburg, VA, stayed at the Marriott timeshare, and I must say the accomodations were beautiful. We actually enjoyed it so much we plan on returning, probably next year.

My husband won't fly so it limits the area to which we travel. We didn't have any problems with the ressies at Williamsburg, but this year we tried for Bar Harbour, Maine and nothing was available for this year.

A lot of people don't like to trade off to II because they feel you don't get the best value for your points. Personally, as long as I enjoy the trip, I'm happy.

 

[Dean]

On average, less than 3% of DVC owners do exchanges through the World Passport Collection. Using points at DVC will generally give you a much greater value than will MOST timeshare exchanges. Remember that trading for the top resorts during peak times is tough because there are relatively few of these units and the majority that own that type of unit either use, rent it or trade privately. And that many, like the top Marriott's, have an internal trading preference that puts others at a distinct disadvantage for that unit. Still, if you are flexible, plan 1-2 years out and are willing to let the request ride until a month or two before the planned trade, you may be successful. It really depends on what you want. My definition of flexible would vary with the request but would usually consist of at least 3-4 resorts over a 10 week or so period. Still, there's no reason you can't shoot for the moon. If you put in for say Four Seasons during peak time and don't get it, nothing lost. If you get it, it's a great deal.

As for private trades, they can be a great value but have more risk than renting your points, IMO. If you search using my name and words like exchange, interval, hawaii, and marriott; you may find a lot more info.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
We recently stayed at the Marriott Desert Springs Villas II in Palm Desert CA using points. The accomodation and resort were equal to any of the DVC resorts imho. Each unit has FREE wireless internet access and there's a communal gas barbeque which we enjoyed using. I used 124 points for 7 nights in a one bedroom unit and I considered it great value.

Mick.

 

[rocketriter]

Trading through DVC to II is not the most economical way to use your points, and you do have to go into it with some flexibility. On the other hand, if you have the flexibility or you want to trade to one of the "easier" resorts (such as the Kona Coast on Hawaii or the changing list of "available now" resorts listed in your monthly member bulletin), trading through DVC to II is very simple and only takes a phone call. You have to decide how much your time is worth (to take the renting, private trade or multiple timeshare ownership options) weighed against the simplicity and limitations of DVC/II.

 

[SEC]

We recently completed a 6-night stay at Juniper Hill Inn in Vermont (Concierge Collection) and it was wonderful! We have also exchanged 3 nights at Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. If you have questions about these two places I would be happy to answer them.

 

[Synonymous]

Our experience trading out was great. We requested any of the three Royal resorts in Cancun, for either President's week or the week before Easter. This was a little less than a year ahead of time. It took a week or two to get the match.

We got a 2BR for 160 points. The resort was amazing, at least equal to the DVC resorts (and better than some). And we certainly couldn't have gotten a week at DVC for those points during the week we got.

 

[OnMedic]

I was looking at the passport collection today, coincidentaly... and I will agree, not great value. SOOOO..... Is there any way to start an "internal" program or board here in DISboards???

I have a week baked in SFX, and have extra points at HGVC and would be willing to give up a week for some needed 2006 extra DVC points... and probably not even HALF of what they want through the passport collection!

Thoughts???

 

[Dean]

I was looking at the passport collection today, coincidentaly... and I will agree, not great value. SOOOO..... Is there any way to start an "internal" program or board here in DISboards???

I have a week baked in SFX, and have extra points at HGVC and would be willing to give up a week for some needed 2006 extra DVC points... and probably not even HALF of what they want through the passport collection!

Thoughts???

The worst part about this is that DVC has the pieces in place to run their own exchange program, it's the Buena Vista Trading Company. They would simply have to expand the systems they partner with such as Cordial and Club Intrawest. They could approach Marriott, Hilton, Royals, Hyatt, Starwood and Wordmark to name a few suitable systems. I'd bet they would also partner with the organization that connects the independent exchange companies (I forget it's name).

 

[OnMedic]

Yes, but that does not mean that we here at DI couldn't do direct exchanges. In stead of renting points for $$$, you would be renting your points for time!

Direct exchange.... anyone want to see this in with Rent/Trade?

Thanks

 

[MrsNick]

Hi there, OnMedic

I'm not exactly sure what I would like to do for vacation in 2006, but I do own at SSR, and depending on where you could reserve a week at, I think an exchange between members sounds like a good idea. Anyhoo, why don't we keep in touch about this? You're right, it's a better deal for the person who needs the DVC points, and for the person who's trading them in.

 

[Dean]

Yes, but that does not mean that we here at DI couldn't do direct exchanges. In stead of renting points for $$$, you would be renting your points for time!

Direct exchange.... anyone want to see this in with Rent/Trade?

Thanks

The Rent/Trade board is already in place. I believe DIS has specifically stated previously they were not interested in running an exchange system.

 

[fatherAZ]

Does anyone know where I can find the definitions of Low, Mid, and High seasons for each resort in the World Passport collection. Is it posted online?

 

[tss2]

Fatheraz,

Before I read this thread I was talking to member services about planning an exchange. I asked when was high, mid and low season and they said it depended on the resort. I was interested in Hawaii and she said Hawaii is almost always high season.

I must say I have only stayed at DVC sites and have never been disappointed. I'd like to trade out sometime, probably Hawaii, but maybe somewhere else, too, but I'm concerned about being disappointed. When I read posts from people who said the bugs in a resort in Hawaii were awful I'm concerned about picking a resort somewhere. Everything sounds good when its a small write up with a few choice photos.

 

[rocketriter]

Last year we reserved 7 nights in a 1-bedroom at the Kona Coast for 144 points during Spring Break. We put in our request a little over a year ahead of time, and got our offer about 3 months later.

 

[Dean]

Fatheraz,

Before I read this thread I was talking to member services about planning an exchange. I asked when was high, mid and low season and they said it depended on the resort. I was interested in Hawaii and she said Hawaii is almost always high season.

I must say I have only stayed at DVC sites and have never been disappointed. I'd like to trade out sometime, probably Hawaii, but maybe somewhere else, too, but I'm concerned about being disappointed. When I read posts from people who said the bugs in a resort in Hawaii were awful I'm concerned about picking a resort somewhere. Everything sounds good when its a small write up with a few choice photos.

Even a resort that's great for one person may not be for another. One should ALWAYS research the resort to be sure it fits your needs. For example, many in HI don't have AC, you need to know that. And I don't believe KCR has a beach. Or maybe they charge an extra fee for AC like the Embassy on Kauai or maybe just have a mini kitchen instead of a full one like the Embassy on Maui or two of the four Marriott's in HI. TUG at www.tug2.net is a great way to research the resorts as is Timesharing Today and various BBS.

 

[Dean]

Does anyone know where I can find the definitions of Low, Mid, and High seasons for each resort in the World Passport collection. Is it posted online?

The is no listing, it's actually resort by resort determined by the resort itself. As a generalization, you can look at the II info and anything that's not red time assume it's low season. Anything that's red and peak, assume High season with Mid to the remaining group. I think you'll find HI High except for maybe Sept and Oct. The Caribbean and MX will be high for Xmas to Easter but generally Mid for the rest of the red time and low for anything not red. For a specific week and resort, you'd have to ask DVC about each on individually.