I've been a member 20 years, still need help. What resorts have $300 m/f but good exchanges? Saw a blogger and got curious

[Quilter]

We've owned MVC over 20 years and that's pretty much where I concentrate my timeshare knowledge.

I recently saw an interview with a "travel hacker" who said she owns 20-30 (depending on the day) timeshare weeks with m/f's ranging $300 - $500. She did not divulge the name of "her" resorts in the interview. I could contact her via Instagram but wanted to ask here instead if someone would speculate to some resorts she could be referring to. I'm pretty confident there's a decent list of possibilities.

This blogger got me to looking around at exchange threads here on TUG and made me wonder what a year of switching up the pattern would look like. I've wondered what it would be like to have a low m/f exchanger and not know where the next exchange would take us.

Back when we got our first resorts people speculated in African timeshares for low m/f's but good exchanges.

She (the blogger) has many posts showing her fantastic trades to high end resorts in Hawaii and Thailand. I've been around long enough to know that a flexible schedule can land a terrific exchange. It's the occupation of this blogger to "travel and tell" so flexibility is the name of her game.

On another thread about exchanges I read that a 4 bedroom VV in Williamsburg can give (2) 2bedroom exchanges for m/f of $1080. That's essentially $540 per exchange but it would have an II fee tacked to the expenses.

Occasionally I get a low season Marriott Canyon Villas week from the resort deposited in II as a fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network. They are old summer weeks but still pull exchanges I am looking for. However, I haven't put them to the high demand test.

Our pattern has been to stay in Hilton Head Island Marriott's and Marriott's Ocean Pointe. Right now we're at Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve in Orlando. I can't stand the traffic or sprawl in Orlando but it filled the weak gap between HHI and OP. The resort is beautiful and if I can stay off the roads as much as possible I will try to ignore where I am. Only once to Hawaii and a couple times to Aruba. Back in 2002 we exchanged to England. Another year to Scotland. I've considered going back to Hawaii for several weeks but I'm overwhelmed with the possible resorts and haven't taken the time to research ones that would match what we'd like.

 

[dioxide45]

Probably Ocean Landing in Cocoa Beach. Apparently it lost some of its punch recently with adjustments to trade power. As you mentioned about VV. I know someone I watched at one time talked about Vacation Village Williamsburg or Colonies. Given that exchange fees are now $239 anyone saying $300-$500 is not including them in their total calculation. They are also likely scoring trades in Flexchange to avoid upgrade fees.

 

[WorldT]

The VVs (Colonies and Williamsburg) definitely pulls some good units in good season with an OGS. But if you are talking about all areas, then you will have to expand to off season, last minute, and sometimes smaller units.
Your MF amount is correct, then add exchange fees. Because people usually trade a two bedroom, you don't have upgrade fees unless you are grabbing a 3 bedroom or higher.
In summary: higher than $500.

 

[Danlop88]

We've owned MVC over 20 years and that's pretty much where I concentrate my timeshare knowledge.

I recently saw an interview with a "travel hacker" who said she owns 20-30 (depending on the day) timeshare weeks with m/f's ranging $300 - $500. She did not divulge the name of "her" resorts in the interview. I could contact her via Instagram but wanted to ask here instead if someone would speculate to some resorts she could be referring to. I'm pretty confident there's a decent list of possibilities.

This blogger got me to looking around at exchange threads here on TUG and made me wonder what a year of switching up the pattern would look like. I've wondered what it would be like to have a low m/f exchanger and not know where the next exchange would take us.

Back when we got our first resorts people speculated in African timeshares for low m/f's but good exchanges.

She (the blogger) has many posts showing her fantastic trades to high end resorts in Hawaii and Thailand. I've been around long enough to know that a flexible schedule can land a terrific exchange. It's the occupation of this blogger to "travel and tell" so flexibility is the name of her game.

On another thread about exchanges I read that a 4 bedroom VV in Williamsburg can give (2) 2bedroom exchanges for m/f of $1080. That's essentially $540 per exchange but it would have an II fee tacked to the expenses.

Occasionally I get a low season Marriott Canyon Villas week from the resort deposited in II as a fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network. They are old summer weeks but still pull exchanges I am looking for. However, I haven't put them to the high demand test.

Our pattern has been to stay in Hilton Head Island Marriott's and Marriott's Ocean Pointe. Right now we're at Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve in Orlando. I can't stand the traffic or sprawl in Orlando but it filled the weak gap between HHI and OP. The resort is beautiful and if I can stay off the roads as much as possible I will try to ignore where I am. Only once to Hawaii and a couple times to Aruba. Back in 2002 we exchanged to England. Another year to Scotland. I've considered going back to Hawaii for several weeks but I'm overwhelmed with the possible resorts and haven't taken the time to research ones that would match what we'd like.

I am pretty sure you are referring to the admin of the Facebook group “interval international travel hacks” and she has mentioned Cocoa Beach

 

[Hindsite]

Go with making better use of Accom certs and getaways before you commit to another ownership.
I know of another blogger who only owns 1 week and travels at least as much as the person I think you mean
She also plays the credit card airmiles game with the expenses for the business she runs and uses exchanges for gifts to employees.
Given the number of hours per day she puts into surfing II for inventory she deserves the deals she gets, but I'm not up for spending that much time on it. A few searches most days is enough for me, those that do more continually are in a different league

 

[jp10558]

Well, IDK about "good exchanges" but I've seen a free giveaway of one that's supposedly $650 or so with decent exchanges in II, and I've seen a user on here really talk up Magic Tree (in RCI) for ~ $650 also. I'm not interested in another Florida TS, but I'm kind of sad I didn't see the $650 one before I picked up my ~$970 ones for II exchanges.

I've gotten pretty good rates by being flexible and off season. That said, I don't think you can do anything for $300 all in. Even RCI Last Calls are $379 for a 2BR plus resort fees. ~$500 is possible in limited locations on Last Calls, but MF+Exchange fee in anything I'm familiar with is going to be closer to $1,000 - $1,300...

 

[Quilter]

Probably Ocean Landing in Cocoa Beach. Apparently it lost some of its punch recently with adjustments to trade power. As you mentioned about VV. I know someone I watched at one time talked about Vacation Village Williamsburg or Colonies. Given that exchange fees are now $239 anyone saying $300-$500 is not including them in their total calculation. They are also likely scoring trades in Flexchange to avoid upgrade fees.

Yes, it's Ocean Landing. (Thank you for the PM). What a dump!

 

[dioxide45]

I understand that many of the people working the system with these <$500 MF deposits are relying heavily on Flexchange as well as getaway alerts through the II mobile app along with searching often. Why this works;

1. Exchanges that other members cancel show up online right away before being swept up for the overnight match process. This allows those that search often to snap something up that most others would never see.
2. Getaway alerts. Sometimes weeks that go into exchange also show up as a getaway. Setting up an alert lets you know that a week might be out there if it shows up in Getaways. Thus you can go in and score an instant exchange.
3. Flexchange. Exchanges within 59 days of checkin don't have upgrade fees. So those studio Ocean Landings deposits don't incur upgrade fees when trading into a 2BR.
4. Lots of flexibility. Need to be willing to score those last minute trades or whatever trade might work and be willing to book airfare on the fly. Don't have your heart set on Newport Coast Villas at a specific time of the year.

I still think enrolled Marriott lock off weeks, while more expensive, can be better. You certainly have more options to trade into with more lead time given the Marriott to Marriott priority. There are also the $0 exchange fees and no II membership fees. You're in at between $750 and $1000 per week. Still on the high end but what you save in time might be worth it.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes, it's Ocean Landing. (Thank you for the PM). What a dump!

Dump means cheap and they never have any intention of going there. As long as II keeps taking the deposits it seems like a good plan and oddly because of how it works in II and this group that somewhat talks it up, it has some value when trying to resell.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The cheapest trader I have is a small 1 bed at Sheraton Broadway Resort, $579 MF + exchange fees of $164, and it's a great little trader into Sheraton/ Westin/ Marriott.

 

[Quilter]

The cheapest trader I have is a small 1 bed at Sheraton Broadway Resort, $579 MF + exchange fees of $164, and it's a great little trader into Sheraton/ Westin/ Marriott.

Why do you have an exchange fee? Aren’t you in the DC? That week not enrolled? Sorry, I’m not versed in Sheraton.

 

[Quilter]

Dump means cheap and they never have any intention of going there. As long as II keeps taking the deposits it seems like a good plan and oddly because of how it works in II and this group that somewhat talks it up, it has some value when trying to resell.

Yes, all that is true but I was told years ago by an II supervisor that II only takes 4 & 5 star properties. Maybe even 3.

The sales value holds only for what it is able to do with exchanges. But pity the poor exchanger who gets OL for an exchange.

Why would II want OL inventory?

 

[Quilter]

I understand that many of the people working the system with these <$500 MF deposits are relying heavily on Flexchange as well as getaway alerts through the II mobile app along with searching often. Why this works;

1. Exchanges that other members cancel show up online right away before being swept up for the overnight match process. This allows those that search often to snap something up that most others would never see.
2. Getaway alerts. Sometimes weeks that go into exchange also show up as a getaway. Setting up an alert lets you know that a week might be out there if it shows up in Getaways. Thus you can go in and score an instant exchange.
3. Flexchange. Exchanges within 59 days of checkin don't have upgrade fees. So those studio Ocean Landings deposits don't incur upgrade fees when trading into a 2BR.
4. Lots of flexibility. Need to be willing to score those last minute trades or whatever trade might work and be willing to book airfare on the fly. Don't have your heart set on Newport Coast Villas at a specific time of the year.

I still think enrolled Marriott lock off weeks, while more expensive, can be better. You certainly have more options to trade into with more lead time given the Marriott to Marriott priority. There are also the $0 exchange fees and no II membership fees. You're in at between $750 and $1000 per week. Still on the high end but what you save in time might be worth it.

#4 for sure. Travel hackers are definitely looking at the great values available if you’re flexible enough to grab and go.

 

[Quilter]

Thanks everyone. This thread has confirmed what I already thought I knew about timesharing. It’s also challenged me to dig deeper into using AC’s. I let those slide most of the time.

 

[jp10558]

Yes, all that is true but I was told years ago by an II supervisor that II only takes 4 & 5 star properties. Maybe even 3.

Hah! Look at my Villa Roma review. My first II experience. My second II SVV was better, but still super musty smelling the whole time I was there. Granted, these were getaways.

Why would II want OL inventory?

I guess the same reason they want Villa Roma - to say they've got more resorts and availability. If you've never used RCI for their version of getaways, you may not realize how limited II getaways are in comparison. I'd estimate they have maybe 40% of RCI. I've only done 1 RCI exchange, but they generally seem like a superset of Extra Vacations + Last Calls. (However, the exchange fee is killer so I understand why people aren't using RCI for exchanges much anymore - the MF plus exchange fee make extra vacations reasonable for most people.)

I think for most TUGers the reason for II is to exchange into MVC properties. Outside of that it doesn't make a lot of sense. The issue is the sales pitch - bigger # sounds better I think. Also if you never see anything in II you won't continue your membership most likely.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes, all that is true but I was told years ago by an II supervisor that II only takes 4 & 5 star properties. Maybe even 3.

The sales value holds only for what it is able to do with exchanges. But pity the poor exchanger who gets OL for an exchange.

Why would II want OL inventory?

There are plenty of properties in II that don't have any kind of fancy icon that are 3 and below. You really can't use high end timeshare deposits to exchange into these as II does have a quality filter that prevents Marriott deposits from seeing these in exchange. They can often be booked using getaways.

 

[iftravel]

I understand that many of the people working the system with these <$500 MF deposits are relying heavily on Flexchange as well as getaway alerts through the II mobile app along with searching often. Why this works;

1. Exchanges that other members cancel show up online right away before being swept up for the overnight match process. This allows those that search often to snap something up that most others would never see.
2. Getaway alerts. Sometimes weeks that go into exchange also show up as a getaway. Setting up an alert lets you know that a week might be out there if it shows up in Getaways. Thus you can go in and score an instant exchange.
3. Flexchange. Exchanges within 59 days of checkin don't have upgrade fees. So those studio Ocean Landings deposits don't incur upgrade fees when trading into a 2BR.
4. Lots of flexibility. Need to be willing to score those last minute trades or whatever trade might work and be willing to book airfare on the fly. Don't have your heart set on Newport Coast Villas at a specific time of the year.

I still think enrolled Marriott lock off weeks, while more expensive, can be better. You certainly have more options to trade into with more lead time given the Marriott to Marriott priority. There are also the $0 exchange fees and no II membership fees. You're in at between $750 and $1000 per week. Still on the high end but what you save in time might be worth it.

What’s the cheap way to enroll these days?

 

[Hindsite]

They can often be booked using getaways.

Agreed and Accom certs, particularly the deposit promo ones.
There are some very decent resorts that are lower than Premier or Elite in II, just as there are unexpectedly poor Premier ones.
IIs criteria include things like on-site facilities such as restaurants, bars and activities even when the units are only OK.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Why do you have an exchange fee? Aren’t you in the DC? That week not enrolled? Sorry, I’m not versed in Sheraton.

Not enrolled.

 

[Quilter]

There are plenty of properties in II that don't have any kind of fancy icon that are 3 and below. You really can't use high end timeshare deposits to exchange into these as II does have a quality filter that prevents Marriott deposits from seeing these in exchange. They can often be booked using getaways.

The more I thought about this, resorts don't want rooms to go empty so finding occupants at the last minute is a win for the resort. Memberships, exchange fees and upgrade fees are a win for II.

 

[Quilter]

Not enrolled.

Thanks for the reply.

I have watched with interest the list of resorts under your avatar. So many different systems. I'm too lazy to learn anything besides Marriott.

 

[lindner]

UDI units at Christmas Mountain Village can get you weeks in the $300 range for annual dues. UDI units have annual maintenance fees for around $2K, but you get perhaps a dozen weeks each year, so less than $200 each week. You also pay a housekeeping fee of around $150 for each week you book, so your net cost is around $300 for each week. You can then deposit those weeks into RCI or II or one of the smaller exchange networks (each of which have different fees). If you are interested in UDI units, I own one (no, you can't have it) and I also know friends with some (you can probably pick one up for around $2K)

 

[jp10558]

UDI units at Christmas Mountain Village can get you weeks in the $300 range for annual dues. UDI units have annual maintenance fees for around $2K, but you get perhaps a dozen weeks each year, so less than $200 each week. You also pay a housekeeping fee of around $150 for each week you book, so your net cost is around $300 for each week. You can then deposit those weeks into RCI or II or one of the smaller exchange networks (each of which have different fees). If you are interested in UDI units, I own one (no, you can't have it) and I also know friends with some (you can probably pick one up for around $2K)

Ahhh, but how do they trade lol. And you pay as much to RCI and almost as much to II as you paid for the week just to exchange it. You're still like $600 per week in reality - likely a bit more in RCI for resort fees too.

I guess that might be another reason to own at a particular resort you wanted to spend 12 weeks at a year - to get that low rate... If the resort you wanted offered that sort of thing.

 

[lindner]

Ahhh, but how do they trade lol. And you pay as much to RCI and almost as much to II as you paid for the week just to exchange it. You're still like $600 per week in reality - likely a bit more in RCI for resort fees too.

I guess that might be another reason to own at a particular resort you wanted to spend 12 weeks at a year - to get that low rate... If the resort you wanted offered that sort of thing.

The red weeks do well; the off season not so much. II gives a good exchange for the red weeks, and you can still get decent exchanges for the off season. They get a good TPU in RCI, and of course you can just keep depositing and get a hefty TPU balance (easily 100 or more a year).

You are conflating two different sets of fees; the fees of ownership and the fees of exchanging. The OP is focused on the fees of ownership; the fees of exchanging are mostly the same no matter what you own.

 

[jp10558]

The red weeks do well; the off season not so much. II gives a good exchange for the red weeks, and you can still get decent exchanges for the off season. They get a good TPU in RCI, and of course you can just keep depositing and get a hefty TPU balance (easily 100 or more a year).

Oh wow. Interesting.

You are conflating two different sets of fees; the fees of ownership and the fees of exchanging. The OP is focused on the fees of ownership; the fees of exchanging are mostly the same no matter what you own.

I'd argue as described by the OP the blogger was talking about going to HI and Thailand so that's at least 2 locations. That would require trading and it certainly gives the impression the $300 is the all in price.

I understand the complications of all TS - but IMHO it's always better to give the highest price - include as many of the fees that are known and estimate others vs give a misleadingly low "only the MF" price. Even to the lesser extent of HGVC - we all like to talk about MF only prices, and yet for many people - especially starting out - the club dues are just added directly to that, as are booking fees. Now, I can see not "worrying" about sub $100 fees, but taken together the $399 club dues and minimum of one booking fee (unless it's my home week, which almost no one uses) of $74 is like 30% of the MFs added on. And in a lot of ways I tend to think many people want to know the "what I'm likely to pay to do a thing", not "the lowest possible price if I do something almost no one does and isn't really what the OP was describing".

Even if the fees are "only" a $300 exchange fee - if that's double the "original price" I would personally feel mislead. Which I think is also the point of most people on this thread.