Best Traders

[mmdays]

Hi everyone,
I am looking for a low maintenance fee but strong trader into II.

What I currently own:
WM 12k credits bought more than 20 years ago
HGVC - resale 2 bedroom plat annual Blvd.

What I do:
I trade the HGVC points into RCI and turn my one week into two, 1 bedroom weeks, typically at HGVC resorts, mostly the Hawaiian and florida resorts
I trade my WM into II and use 10k credits to get a 2 bedroom - mostly trading for DVC. This is worth more than my annual MF for WM.
I buy one time use credits at WM and also trade those into II for 10k credits for a 2 bedroom since one time use credits are cheaper than WM MF, again mostly trading for DVC, and when there is no DVC I pull Marriotts

What I used to do:
I used to trade my WM into RCI at the 45 day mark and convert those 12k credits into 3 weeks ( at 4k credit each through RCI- mostly for DVC). DVC isn't over in RCI anymore, and... Last year WM blocked my RCI access and no matter how many tickets I submit, they refuse to restore my access. They always feign surprise and promise to help, but never do. I asked for help on here last year, but no matter what I do they refuse to restore my RCI link. They tell me to convert my points to Wyndham points and RCI will work again (which I'll never pay them to do that!)

What I am thinking of doing:
Give away the 12k annual WM credits
Buy a low MF Marriott resale 2 bedroom EOY lockoff that can be split and deposited as two weeks into II.

My question:
Am I missing anything? Is there a better option out there for a II trader, esp for pulling DVC? Are there other traders that have better point conversion rates with low MF and are still strong traders?

Thanks to everyone who helps!

 

[Hindsite]

Buying an MVC lock-off week as an II trader is expensive unless you want to exchange into MVC, Sheraton and Westin consistently.

You can get independent resorts that trade into II, any peak season 1 or 2-bed outside of the Orlando area should do it, even the historically good and downgraded Ocean landings on Cocoa beach still seems to pull DVC Orlando. Vacation Villages at Williamsburg 4-beds that lock off into 2 x 2-beds also seems popular. There isn't a 1 size fits all so choose what works for your definition of "Best". Ensure that you have an exit plan, as the ability to trade in II and any trading power is a discretionary benefit that has variable components for trading power, so there is no guarantee that you will get what you want when you want it, but it could go brilliantly for many years.

 

[mmdays]

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[mmdays]

Buying an MVC lock-off week as an II trader is expensive unless you want to exchange into MVC, Sheraton and Westin consistently.

You can get independent resorts that trade into II, any peak season 1 or 2-bed outside of the Orlando area should do it, even the historically good and downgraded Ocean landings on Cocoa beach still seems to pull DVC Orlando. Vacation Villages at Williamsburg 4-beds that lock off into 2 x 2-beds also seems popular. There isn't a 1 size fits all so choose what works for your definition of "Best". Ensure that you have an exit plan, as the ability to trade in II and any trading power is a discretionary benefit that has variable components for trading power, so there is no guarantee that you will get what you want when you want it, but it could go brilliantly for many years.

Do you know if the traders that you listed can trade to both RCI and II? It would be nice to have that flexibility again.

 

[Dean]

Do you know if the traders that you listed can trade to both RCI and II? It would be nice to have that flexibility again.

I am not aware of any MVC resort I'd consider a trader that is in RCI. The resorts in RCI are all older resorts from when MVC was with RCI. You might look at this list https://www.atimeshare.com/which-marriott-vacation-club-resorts-can-be-traded-with-rci/ Of those Desert Springs I Platinum is the only one I'd consider as a trader. A little higher on the fees than the traditional traders should also trade better. My criteria for a trader has a lock off option, moderate to good trade power, fairly cheap to buy and fees on the lower side. Willow Ridge and Grand Chateau will be the lowest fees and around the cheapest to buy. Grande Vista's fees have increased but it's in the FL Club and fairly easy to get a good week. Manor Club Sequel only I put on the list but I'm hesitant to do so, it's be my last choice. I'd only buy Platinum for these and I'd only buy planning to trade ONLY to MVC related properties.

 

[mmdays]

I am not aware of any MVC resort I'd consider a trader that is in RCI. The resorts in RCI are all older resorts from when MVC was with RCI. You might look at this list https://www.atimeshare.com/which-marriott-vacation-club-resorts-can-be-traded-with-rci/ Of those Desert Springs I Platinum is the only one I'd consider as a trader. A little higher on the fees than the traditional traders should also trade better. My criteria for a trader has a lock off option, moderate to good trade power, fairly cheap to buy and fees on the lower side. Willow Ridge and Grand Chateau will be the lowest fees and around the cheapest to buy. Grande Vista's fees have increased but it's in the FL Club and fairly easy to get a good week. Manor Club Sequel only I put on the list but I'm hesitant to do so, it's be my last choice. I'd only buy Platinum for these and I'd only buy planning to trade ONLY to MVC related properties.

Thank you and I appreciate this list and these are the ones I was considering. I think Hindsite above was listing non MVC for me to look at?

I posted here in the MVC boards though looking for MVC resale owners who think this is a good idea to dump my WM and pick up one of these or if I should consider something different?

Any insight is super appreciated!

 

[Dean]

Thank you and I appreciate this list and these are the ones I was considering. I think Hindsite above was listing non MVC for me to look at?

I posted here in the MVC boards though looking for MVC resale owners who think this is a good idea to dump my WM and pick up one of these or if I should consider something different?

Any insight is super appreciated!

I don't have a ton of knowledge about WM other than generally people who post here tend to be favorable about their ownership. Everyone's situation and expectations are different. I tend to se each of my options to its advantage including II exchanges, Bluegreen, DVC, MVC weeks and MVC Abound points. I plan 13-18 months out and I'm reasonably flexible though not as much as someone who can pick up and go with a few weeks notice. I think timesharing can be wonderful for many and horrible for others. What are you trying to accomplish, what is your endpoint?

 

[jrb916]

I own both resale WM & a resale EOY Willow Ridge. My costs are less exchanging WM especially if within the flex-exchange timeframe. I bought my Marriott for preference so I can get better exchanges.

If you can afford it, I’d keep the WM even if you buy a Marriott depending on what you are looking for.

Have you tried logging into RCI directly & not going through WM portal? I haven’t signed up for RCI, but plan to using the free offer posted on here when needed.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Check the DVC sightings board to see what pulled the DVC weeks.

Since you are not explicitly trading for Marriotts and Westins which have preference for MVC/Vistana, as stated above. non-MVC might work.

Another option is to buy an HGVC Craig Lodges Scotland unit. Those units trade in II if you opt in to pay the II fee. They also trade in HGVC DEX for Free to get DRI, Embarc and some RCI and HGVC for points to add to your BLVD when you need it. MFs are about the same as your Blvd. I have not tested how well Craig pulls in II so YMMV.

 

[iftravel]

Buying an MVC lock-off week as an II trader is expensive unless you want to exchange into MVC, Sheraton and Westin consistently.

You can get independent resorts that trade into II, any peak season 1 or 2-bed outside of the Orlando area should do it, even the historically good and downgraded Ocean landings on Cocoa beach still seems to pull DVC Orlando. Vacation Villages at Williamsburg 4-beds that lock off into 2 x 2-beds also seems popular. There isn't a 1 size fits all so choose what works for your definition of "Best". Ensure that you have an exit plan, as the ability to trade in II and any trading power is a discretionary benefit that has variable components for trading power, so there is no guarantee that you will get what you want when you want it, but it could go brilliantly for many years.

For pulling DVC, your WM is doing a great job already. Other popular traders are vacation village at Williamsburg or colonies summer weeks - see all DVC inventories for about $560 MF per trade (plus exchange fee). Marriott 2-beds are good for its preference, but could be $800-1000 MF per trade (plus exchange fee, upsize fee and lock off fees).

 

[Pennytx]

I have a great trader but the MF is high
Week 52 Sheraton Vistana
But I also have some not good ones
The thing is the ones that aren’t great are all in places I like to visit
Just go with what you love
You’ll make mistakes
But overall you’ll have a great time
Think about it… you’re already blessed enough to travel … maybe you didn’t get the best deal, but you’ll having the best time in your life

 

[WorldT]

I second what some people have already said. I would only go with a Marriott trader to get Marriott preference for Marriot resorts and secondary preference for Vistana resorts. If DVC is your target, I would look elsewhere.

 

[mmdays]

I don't have a ton of knowledge about WM other than generally people who post here tend to be favorable about their ownership. Everyone's situation and expectations are different. I tend to se each of my options to its advantage including II exchanges, Bluegreen, DVC, MVC weeks and MVC Abound points. I plan 13-18 months out and I'm reasonably flexible though not as much as someone who can pick up and go with a few weeks notice. I think timesharing can be wonderful for many and horrible for others. What are you trying to accomplish, what is your endpoint?

I am in the very happy and timeshares are wonderful camp. My goal - To have something that trades well in ii and rci… and with hgvc I already have rci decently covered. And also to have the lowest MF possible. I think a select couple of select Marriotts have lower MF than WM, which could lower my price per week when I trade into II. Potentially increasing the number of weeks I can trade each year with II is a goal too. Thanks for your help!

 

[mmdays]

T

I own both resale WM & a resale EOY Willow Ridge. My costs are less exchanging WM especially if within the flex-exchange timeframe. I bought my Marriott for preference so I can get better exchanges.

If you can afford it, I’d keep the WM even if you buy a Marriott depending on what you are looking for.

Have you tried logging into RCI directly & not going through WM portal? I haven’t signed up for RCI, but plan to using the free offer posted on here when needed.

This is exactly what I was wondering. Thank you! So WM exchange costs are less, surprises me because I thought the ii system was so favorable to Marriott owners. Does your WM are willow ridge pull the same things, besides the Marriott preference? And is your annual MF cheaper for the Marriott you have - I assume you have a 2 bedroom lock off that you deposit into ii separately? Thanks!

 

[mmdays]

For pulling DVC, your WM is doing a great job already. Other popular traders are vacation village at Williamsburg or colonies summer weeks - see all DVC inventories for about $560 MF per trade (plus exchange fee). Marriott 2-beds are good for its preference, but could be $800-1000 MF per trade (plus exchange fee, upsize fee and lock off fees).

Thank you so much for this breakdown. Yes, my WM has been amazing for DVC for years. Vacation village sounds interesting... WM dues are slightly higher than than. Do you know if the vacation village locations trade on just II or also RCI? It'd be nice to have flexibility for when I want more hgvc trades on RCI. Thanks for all your help!

 

[dioxide45]

This is exactly what I was wondering. Thank you! So WM exchange costs are less, surprises me because I thought the ii system was so favorable to Marriott owners. Does your WM are willow ridge pull the same things, besides the Marriott preference? And is your annual MF cheaper for the Marriott you have - I assume you have a 2 bedroom lock off that you deposit into ii separately? Thanks!

With Worldmark being a point based system, it will see 100% of the inventory available online. 100%. Now it won't see any Marriott or Vistana units that are in preference. There is no trade power issues with point based systems. Want a bigger unit, you can use more points. Inside Flexchange I understand that all exchanges with Worldmark cost only 4,000 credits.

 

[Hindsite]

I thought the ii system was so favorable to Marriott owners.

The II system isn't favourable to Marriott owners, its just that MVC uses II as its internal weeks exchange platform so there is a period of time when MVC inventory is only viewable to other MVVC owners. Its actually much more favourable to general II users than the Hyatt or DVC systems that have a non-II internal exchange system that doesn't release inventory to II until 5-6 months ahead, whereas non MVC II members can get MVC inventory 11-12 months ahead.

 

[Dean]

I am in the very happy and timeshares are wonderful camp. My goal - To have something that trades well in ii and rci… and with hgvc I already have rci decently covered. And also to have the lowest MF possible. I think a select couple of select Marriotts have lower MF than WM, which could lower my price per week when I trade into II. Potentially increasing the number of weeks I can trade each year with II is a goal too. Thanks for your help!

Unless you want to mostly trade to Marriott I wouldn't buy Marriott, period. There are stronger traders out there for other things including your WM points. To get a truly strong trader you'll need to spend significant dollars up front and yearly. I am very pro Marriott resorts so you might consider a good trade just for Marriott related stays though.

 

[GregT]

I agree with Dean -- I would only buy a Marriott if you wanted to trade into Marriotts specifically -- and you are bearing the hire MFs associated with owning a Marriott week.

I have found Worldmark to be a powerful trading property (it used to be amazing, but it is still a good trading property) for non-Marriott / Westin properties. In the "old days", you could look for bulk banks of Marriott / Westin and still trade in with WM but not sure if that still applies. But I did that alot before I started to buy into the different systems.

In my opinion, Worldmark is best suited for 1) booking within Worldmark network 2) doing space banks that trade well in II and 3) booking flex trades within 60 days of check-in

It's a great ownership and I love mine. But I do think pairing it with on the less expensive Marriott weeks is a great week to get both -- the preference trading within Marriott (and Westin) and the flexibility of the Marriott ownership.

I have an ancient post in here about the ideal Marriott trading property and I suspect it's still relevant. If you search "special qualities" with my name, I think you can find it.

Let us know what you do!

Best,

Greg

Edited, I searched for the post and found it (from 2012!). Well, the MFs are archaic but I think the logic still holds. Good luck!

[2012] good resale recommendation needed for trade

Follow on from my other thread, here is my need/intention: 1. No intention to go to home resort every year 2. Strong Trading power 3. reasonable MF 4. In case I cannot trade, I can rent the property out for or more than the MF 5. Maybe EOY to start with, since there is still lots to learn about...

tugbbs.com

 

[mmdays]

I agree with Dean -- I would only buy a Marriott if you wanted to trade into Marriotts specifically -- and you are bearing the hire MFs associated with owning a Marriott week.

I have found Worldmark to be a powerful trading property (it used to be amazing, but it is still a good trading property) for non-Marriott / Westin properties. In the "old days", you could look for bulk banks of Marriott / Westin and still trade in with WM but not sure if that still applies. But I did that alot before I started to buy into the different systems.

In my opinion, Worldmark is best suited for 1) booking within Worldmark network 2) doing space banks that trade well in II and 3) booking flex trades within 60 days of check-in

It's a great ownership and I love mine. But I do think pairing it with on the less expensive Marriott weeks is a great week to get both -- the preference trading within Marriott (and Westin) and the flexibility of the Marriott ownership.

I have an ancient post in here about the ideal Marriott trading property and I suspect it's still relevant. If you search "special qualities" with my name, I think you can find it.

Let us know what you do!

Best,

Greg

Edited, I searched for the post and found it (from 2012!). Well, the MFs are archaic but I think the logic still holds. Good luck!

[2012] good resale recommendation needed for trade

Follow on from my other thread, here is my need/intention: 1. No intention to go to home resort every year 2. Strong Trading power 3. reasonable MF 4. In case I cannot trade, I can rent the property out for or more than the MF 5. Maybe EOY to start with, since there is still lots to learn about...

tugbbs.com

Thank you for taking the time to explain everything.
I guess it’s hard being from the old days (and using my WM to pull things like great last minute Hawaii Marriotts) and watching MF increase… but you bring up a great point about them increasing on these Marriott traders too! I thought maybe I could do better, but I think from all these messages I’ll keep my WM since I get so much more value from it yearly than the MFs… and maybe just round out what I have with one of these mvc resales if I see a distressed price on one.

 

[mmdays]

I have a secondary question -
One thing I love about WM is owning a little and being able to buy 2x the amt of points owned annually for less than MF. Any other timeshare systems I should think about where owning a little can get me “in”? Anything like this with MVC?

 

[Momheal]

Thank you so much for this breakdown. Yes, my WM has been amazing for DVC for years. Vacation village sounds interesting... WM dues are slightly higher than than. Do you know if the vacation village locations trade on just II or also RCI? It'd be nice to have flexibility for when I want more hgvc trades on RCI. Thanks for all your help!

Yes, VVW trades in both II and RCI. I have a summer week 4-bed and have not used it in RCI yet, but I was able to get a 1-bed dvc WL for June with it. I looked for about 9 months before finding the VVW unit. Hoping it keeps its trading power for a good amount of time.

 

[MCLRenoNV]

Thank you so much for this breakdown. Yes, my WM has been amazing for DVC for years. Vacation village sounds interesting... WM dues are slightly higher than than. Do you know if the vacation village locations trade on just II or also RCI? It'd be nice to have flexibility for when I want more hgvc trades on RCI. Thanks for all your help!

Out of curiosity, which DVC’s have been consistent for you to pull with WM? I also have 12k WM credits and have delved into II more recently. I’ve seen a few DVC units out there but haven’t done a request first for any yet. I know the family would love to try a DVC, but we’d need a 2 bedroom. Not sure how likely those are to pull.

 

[dioxide45]

Out of curiosity, which DVC’s have been consistent for you to pull with WM? I also have 12k WM credits and have delved into II more recently. I’ve seen a few DVC units out there but haven’t done a request first for any yet. I know the family would love to try a DVC, but we’d need a 2 bedroom. Not sure how likely those are to pull.

The usual suspects that show up in II are SSR, OKW, AKV-Kidani, Boulder Ridge and Boardwalk. SSR and OKW are easiest and the ones where we primarily see 2BR units deposited the most.

 

[ahdah]

I am not aware of any MVC resort I'd consider a trader that is in RCI. The resorts in RCI are all older resorts from when MVC was with RCI. You might look at this list https://www.atimeshare.com/which-marriott-vacation-club-resorts-can-be-traded-with-rci/ Of those Desert Springs I Platinum is the only one I'd consider as a trader. A little higher on the fees than the traditional traders should also trade better. My criteria for a trader has a lock off option, moderate to good trade power, fairly cheap to buy and fees on the lower side. Willow Ridge and Grand Chateau will be the lowest fees and around the cheapest to buy. Grande Vista's fees have increased but it's in the FL Club and fairly easy to get a good week. Manor Club Sequel only I put on the list but I'm hesitant to do so, it's be my last choice. I'd only buy Platinum for these and I'd only buy planning to trade ONLY to MVC related properties.

Marriott's Monarch on HHI trades with RCI and II. No Marriott's on HHI have a lock off but are all good traders because HHI is very desirable. Monarch is not as expensive as the BIG 3 but should be a great trader.