II unit size upgrade fees

[klpca]

But when I lock off my unit and deposit both sides to II the dates *do* line up. I think that I agree with you on short stays. It just frosts my Wheaties every time I pay it. Everyone has their hot button.

I didn't mean to derail the discussion about the new fees. Sorry about that guys.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[disneymom1]

I agree - I understand the rationale for a lock off fee, but $80 seems a bit on the high side. That fee is not going away.

So the unit upgrade fee is $99 from a studio to a one bedroom (and I assume a 1 bedroom to a two bedroom?). It is $199 for a studio to a one bedroom? Platinum members it is $59 for a single upgrade - what is it for a double upgrade? I wasn't planning to renew my platinum membership, but now it may be worth it.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

I will no longer be purchasing e-plus as there will be no benefit.

 

[dioxide45]

I agree - I understand the rationale for a lock off fee, but $80 seems a bit on the high side. That fee is not going away.

So the unit upgrade fee is $99 from a studio to a one bedroom (and I assume a 1 bedroom to a two bedroom?). It is $199 for a studio to a one bedroom? Platinum members it is $59 for a single upgrade - what is it for a double upgrade? I wasn't planning to renew my platinum membership, but now it may be worth it.

It is $99 for each step up. So if you go from a studio to a 2BR, it is $198. $99x2. Same is true for platinum members except their fee is only $59 for each step up. $118 to go from a studio to 2BR for a platinum member.

 

[VacationForever]

Maybe it is impulsive, but reading about the II unit size upgrade fee, we are going to get rid of both our Marriott weeks. I was already contemplating in selling one back and now with this, we will get rid of both.

We will need to also make a decision on our VSE trader. We will definitely will keep VSE with Star Options and our Worldmark. Anything that reduces trading fee will be in our future.

 

[GregT]

All,

I think this is only for Instant Exchanges? I just tried to do a Request First with a phantom studio reservation, and selected only properties with 2BR units, and it priced the exchanges at $129. There may still be up-trading possibilities, but this is indeed a restriction on how people are finding the up-trades. Bulk banks just got more expensive, and I think this fee will force more people to accept like-for-like versus the bonanza of the up-trade.

Interesting move by Interval, and they are starting to look like the much more expensive RCI. RCI's exchange fees today are more than $200, and Interval just found a way to bring that equal.

My speculation is that this will 1) increase the availability of larger units and 2) put further pressure on Marriott timeshare pricing as owners sell out of frustration and feeling that this is the straw that broke the camel's economic back.

I'm not much of an II Marriott trader, having only a single week that I've used OGS for. Do most people up-trade through instant exchange, and if so, could they accomplish the same goal through OGS, if that remains a loophole?

Best,

Greg

 

[tschwa2]

My guess, is the II search engine was never programmed to know which resorts only have 2 br units. This is from the FAQ.

Q. Will I get a chance to upgrade my unit size if I placed a pending request?

At this time, unit-size upgrades are only available with an instant exchange confirmation. If you placed a pending request and a larger unit becomes available, you may be contacted by an advisor from our Vacation Assistance Department, who will offer you the unit and collect the Unit-Size Upgrade fee.

So from that quote it seems like an OGS will not automatch you to a larger unit. You will get a call and pay the upgrade fee if you want it. Seems like a lot more work and much less efficient way to search.

 

[kds4]

We are principally 'uptraders' with II. So, this was a slap in the face to us. I already pay an annual membership fee, and a transaction fee every time I exercise that membership. Now, they want me to pay a 3rd fee that for a Studio to 3BR uptrade will drive my exchange fee from $129 to over $300 ... That is offensive.

I get that I can still make like for like exchanges at current rates. I get that I can make a flexchange uptrade at current rates, (assuming that time frame works for us in the future). I get that II may just be doing/charging what others (RCI) already are. Etc., Etc., Etc.

Unfortunately, there is no 'spin' that is going to change the reality that II is trying to collect more than twice as much from me to make the same exchanges that I have been making for the past 6 years of my membership. And since they are not making this change due to some increase in 'business costs', it smacks of the worst form of motive ... Greed.

I hope owners will refuse to pay this new 'profit' fee. I certainly will be, assuming we choose to renew our membership and not just exchange internally through Marriott via the DC points system or Florida Club.

If II had a room, I would send them to it so they can think about what they have done.

 

[kds4]

Besides sharing my 'warm' thoughts for II with their Customer Service Department, I checked the community forums on II. I wanted to add to the current discussion there about the new fee.

Hmmm. Seems the Community Forums are not working right now...

"We are unable to access Community at this time. Please try again later. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

Must be the rush of all the members anxious to pay the new fee has overloaded their site ...

 

[klpca]

All,

I think this is only for Instant Exchanges? I just tried to do a Request First with a phantom studio reservation, and selected only properties with 2BR units, and it priced the exchanges at $129. There may still be up-trading possibilities, but this is indeed a restriction on how people are finding the up-trades. Bulk banks just got more expensive, and I think this fee will force more people to accept like-for-like versus the bonanza of the up-trade.

Interesting move by Interval, and they are starting to look like the much more expensive RCI. RCI's exchange fees today are more than $200, and Interval just found a way to bring that equal.

My speculation is that this will 1) increase the availability of larger units and 2) put further pressure on Marriott timeshare pricing as owners sell out of frustration and feeling that this is the straw that broke the camel's economic back.

I'm not much of an II Marriott trader, having only a single week that I've used OGS for. Do most people up-trade through instant exchange, and if so, could they accomplish the same goal through OGS, if that remains a loophole?

Best,

Greg

I think that you will get a call and need to approve the upgrade. I never answer the calls from II - so for me this would add an additional layer or irritation. If only they kept the calls to necessary calls instead of the constant barrage of "sales/upgrade" calls.

I agree with you that this should increase the inventory of larger units. They have suddenly become less attractive to folks who don't really need them. I think that one bedroom units will become much more popular. It's probably worth a $59 upgrade from a studio unit using an OGS or instant exchange. Maybe not so much when using an e-plus exchange.

I just sold my annual Marriott and replaced it with an EOY because Marriott's are just too expensive for frequent trading. For once, I feel like I did the right thing. I have also purchased a non-Marriott two bedroom with low MF that will be a nice trader in II now. I won't have preference, but we choose mostly for location and Marriott doesn't always have the location that we prefer.

For me, Interval is no longer the clear leader. I like the overall quality of their inventory compared to RCI but since they are comparable on price, it opens up a lot of other choices with the independent exchange companies that 1) don't charge annual membership fees or guest certificates and 2) have cheaper exchange fees. I am particularly interested in GPX and will probably see if they will accept more of my independent resorts, and maybe even my Marriott if I decide to trade.

 

[turkel]

We are principally 'uptraders' with II. So, this was a slap in the face to us. I already pay an annual membership fee, and a transaction fee every time I exercise that membership. Now, they want me to pay a 3rd fee that for a Studio to 3BR uptrade will drive my exchange fee from $129 to over $300 ... That is offensive.

I get that I can still make like for like exchanges at current rates. I get that I can make a flexchange uptrade at current rates, (assuming that time frame works for us in the future). I get that II may just be doing/charging what others (RCI) already are. Etc., Etc., Etc.

Unfortunately, there is no 'spin' that is going to change the reality that II is trying to collect more than twice as much from me to make the same exchanges that I have been making for the past 6 years of my membership. And since they are not making this change due to some increase in 'business costs', it smacks of the worst form of motive ... Greed.

I hope owners will refuse to pay this new 'profit' fee. I certainly will be, assuming we choose to renew our membership and not just exchange internally through Marriott via the DC points system or Florida Club.

If II had a room, I would send them to it so they can think about what they have done.

Ditto.

I will admit to completing an instant exchange to a 2 bed when I didn't need a 2 bedroom but only because that's all that was available. Case in point SO and I went to Ocean Point in April traded my 1 bed for a 2 bed only the 2 of us went. Even then I would have rather traded my studio for a 1 bedroom. There was not one available.

Got food poisoning while there was grateful for bedroom #2.

Marriott resorts are nicer than most. There is a reason we pay those higher fees. Since the DC program decreased deposits I now see resorts I didn't see before and don't necessarily consider a like exchange. Now II wants me to pay to downgrade to a lesser resort if the unit size is bigger.

 

[dioxide45]

All,

I think this is only for Instant Exchanges? I just tried to do a Request First with a phantom studio reservation, and selected only properties with 2BR units, and it priced the exchanges at $129. There may still be up-trading possibilities, but this is indeed a restriction on how people are finding the up-trades. Bulk banks just got more expensive, and I think this fee will force more people to accept like-for-like versus the bonanza of the up-trade.

Interesting move by Interval, and they are starting to look like the much more expensive RCI. RCI's exchange fees today are more than $200, and Interval just found a way to bring that equal.

My speculation is that this will 1) increase the availability of larger units and 2) put further pressure on Marriott timeshare pricing as owners sell out of frustration and feeling that this is the straw that broke the camel's economic back.

I'm not much of an II Marriott trader, having only a single week that I've used OGS for. Do most people up-trade through instant exchange, and if so, could they accomplish the same goal through OGS, if that remains a loophole?

Best,

Greg

Greg,

This is definitively a big hit to the unerolled or post 6/20/2010 resale Marriott unit. It just about doubles the cost of exchanging in II. We may even start considering using our weeks in DC points now given the added cost of II.

 

[dioxide45]

Besides sharing my 'warm' thoughts for II with their Customer Service Department, I checked the community forums on II. I wanted to add to the current discussion there about the new fee.

Hmmm. Seems the Community Forums are not working right now...

"We are unable to access Community at this time. Please try again later. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

Must be the rush of all the members anxious to pay the new fee has overloaded their site ...

It must have just been down temporarily. I was reading similar discussion over there this morning and there is what is now a 59 post thread on the subject.

 

[Superchief]

I think this will greatly decrease the availability of 1BR units because fewer enrolled MVC owners will lockoff and deposit their weeks. If I actually had to pay for my II membership, I would drop it. I can now get better value and flexibility by converting my weeks to VC points. If I only need a 1BR, I can use the extra points (from studio) to upgrade view or season, or spend a couple of nights at an Urban location.

When using points, I've learned to cut my stay to 6 nights to avoid paying the F&Sa point premium. Marriott hotels often have reasonable weekend rates, so I sometimes stay at an airport hotel. As an example, when we visit MCV next March, it would cost 1040 pts for 2BR, or 700 for 1BR for Fr night. However, I can stay at Marriott airport for $145 for the night and turn my rental in the night before. I'm just learning how to work the system to my advantage (and avoid skim).

 

[Big Matt]

This will pass just like every other fee increase does. The reason this is so offensive is because it is new and a fairly high amount.

My guess is that people will overreact and put more 2 and 3 BR units on deposit. IMO this is great news for people wanting those units who are willing to trade "like" for "like".

Trading up should be easier too since more larger units will be deposited. I'm noodling on whether this is better for me or not.

I will bet that we will soon see another membership level or a change for Platinum that raises the annual fee and gives these upgrade fees for free. Think about it. Roll it out and then make it "free" for a higher membership fee.

 

[Big Matt]

I stay 5 nights and will only stay Sunday to Thursday with my points.

I use Marriott Rewards points to stay in a hotel or just pay the rack rate to fill in the gaps if I want a week long vacation. I've stayed Sunday-Thurs in a timeshare, paid for fri-sat, and then stayed another Sun-Thurs for a 12 day vacation. It cost me a lot less per day than a traditional 7 day vacation.

I think this will greatly decrease the availability of 1BR units because fewer enrolled MVC owners will lockoff and deposit their weeks. If I actually had to pay for my II membership, I would drop it. I can now get better value and flexibility by converting my weeks to VC points. If I only need a 1BR, I can use the extra points (from studio) to upgrade view or season, or spend a couple of nights at an Urban location.

When using points, I've learned to cut my stay to 6 nights to avoid paying the F&Sa point premium. Marriott hotels often have reasonable weekend rates, so I sometimes stay at an airport hotel. As an example, when we visit MCV next March, it would cost 1040 pts for 2BR, or 700 for 1BR for Fr night. However, I can stay at Marriott airport for $145 for the night and turn my rental in the night before. I'm just learning how to work the system to my advantage (and avoid skim).

 

[hangloose]

I will bet that we will soon see another membership level or a change for Platinum that raises the annual fee and gives these upgrade fees for free. Think about it. Roll it out and then make it "free" for a higher membership fee.

I could certainly see this happening. While I don't have a Gold or Platinum II account, I did initially look to see if these upgrade fees were free with a higher II membership level in case the cost of increased membership level could offset these upgrade fees if doing multiple exchanges annually. Appear not at least at this point. Only a discount.

I could also see II giving sales/promotions on the "upgrade fee" when they are overstocked in a certain time period or certain location/resort.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Greg,

This is definitively a big hit to the unerolled or post 6/20/2010 resale Marriott unit. It just about doubles the cost of exchanging in II. We may even start considering using our weeks in DC points now given the added cost of II.

But depending on what is desired it can still be far cheaper than buying and using regular DC points. Goes without saying I suppose.

 

[Mr. Vker]

deleted.....

 

[kds4]

Well, I got the following reply from II Customer Service in response to my email regarding this new fee.

"... it does state in our terms and conditions that fees can be changed and implemented at any time. II is trying to streamline into an equal unit size exchange inventory system. We want our members who deposit their 2 BR units to be able to exchange into another 2BR unit which at this time was becoming more and more difficult for those members to do ..."

Not sure I am buying that this was done to 'protect' 2BR owners who could not get like for like exchanges. Anyone else smell fish?

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Well, I got the following reply from II Customer Service in response to my email regarding this new fee.

"... it does state in our terms and conditions that fees can be changed and implemented at any time. II is trying to streamline into an equal unit size exchange inventory system. We want our members who deposit their 2 BR units to be able to exchange into another 2BR unit which at this time was becoming more and more difficult for those members to do ..."

Not sure I am buying that this was done to 'protect' 2BR owners who could not get like for like exchanges. Anyone else smell fish?

Trust me, it's all about the bottom line (i.e. profits).




.

 

[tschwa2]

The way to protect the larger unit owners would be to program the site so that only equal size units showed for instant exchanges and that OGS only matched with the same size or smaller. By initiating the fee you are letting smaller unit owners take larger units that they couldn't get before. More large inventory can now be grabbed by cheaper, smaller, less desirable units as long as they pay an extra fee. No protection at all.

 

[drlee]

Owner services response on new unit upgrade fee

Thank you for your email. I have contacted Interval International on your behalf to get the answers to your questions. They have shared that they started a pay per upgrade option. What it does is allow a member the chance to upgrade from the size villa they have deposited to the largest villa possible. There is an upgrade charge for each upgrade. For example, a studio villa upgraded to a two bedroom villa would require two upgrades.

Marriott Vacation Club owners who are enrolled will be required to pay the upgrade fee.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions as I am more than happy to assist you.

Best regards,

 

[JIMinNC]

"... it does state in our terms and conditions that fees can be changed and implemented at any time. II is trying to streamline into an equal unit size exchange inventory system. We want our members who deposit their 2 BR units to be able to exchange into another 2BR unit which at this time was becoming more and more difficult for those members to do ..."

Not sure I am buying that this was done to 'protect' 2BR owners who could not get like for like exchanges. Anyone else smell fish?

I'm not an experienced II trader, but as I understand the way the business model works, this explanation actually makes a lot of sense. Thinking about it logically, if lots of people were splitting their 2BR lock-offs into a 1BR and a studio, and this new fee reduces the number of folks who opt to split their units, the supply of 2BR units in the system should increase.

The way to protect the larger unit owners would be to program the site so that only equal size units showed for instant exchanges and that OGS only matched with the same size or smaller. By initiating the fee you are letting smaller unit owners take larger units that they couldn't get before. More large inventory can now be grabbed by cheaper, smaller, less desirable units as long as they pay an extra fee. No protection at all.

But programming the system this way would TOTALLY eliminate the ability for anyone to upgrade unit size. But by implementing the fee, you basically let the market decide. The option is still there, but's there's a fee that may discourage unit splitting, increasing the supply of 2BR units for trade, without totally eliminating the option.

I guess for those who have become accustomed to free regular studio for 1BR or 2BR upgrades this new business model may be annoying, but as an outsider to the upgrade model looking in, this seems like a somewhat more equitable/fair approach.

 

[klpca]

I guess for those who have become accustomed to free regular studio for 1BR or 2BR upgrades this new business model may be annoying, but as an outsider to the upgrade model looking in, this seems like a somewhat more equitable/fair approach.

I've only been timesharing since 2011 so my initial expectations were different than those of the experienced exchangers. I couldn't believe it when I was told that I could lock off my two bedroom and exchange it for two 2-bedroom units. It made no sense to me, but I figured that I would play along. Now, five years later, it feels like they are taking away a treasured perk, but it is more logical. Except the part where they make you pay. Logical would be like-for-like. But money talks.