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Looking to add a "Trader"

C

CourtShorr

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If you were to buy a deeded week that has lower maintence fees but still has good trading power - What would you choose? We are looking to maybe buy one to use just for trading in II.
We own at NCV and we thought that we'd sometimes trade it to try new places but the truth is- we want to use NCV every year, so we need something else. I was thinking Park City or Las Vegas. What do you think?
 
Some suggested the Phuket Beach Club in a thread in the last IDK 4 months...
 
Your decision should be based on where do you want to trade to. If you want to trade to other Marriotts, buy a Marriott such as Grand Chateau so you get the Marriott-to-Marriott preference. If you want Vistana, an SDO or similar will get you a preference in II trading.
 
There is a number of good choices of suggestions that Tuggers can offer but I can only go by what I use and that is the Grand Chateau. I started with a 2 bedroom as an experiment and based on the success, sold that to buy a 3 bedroom annual and grew it slowly adding one every other year odd followed by a EOY even. I use them to trade 90% of the time to Summer Grande Ocean or Monarch in Hilton Head Island, both relatively difficult trades with 100% success. The 3 bedroom trades as a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom both always getting 2 bedrooms in HHI. My wife and I always trade for 2 bedroom even if family or friends are not joining. 2 bedrooms make it less likely my wife kills me during vacation.

Not sure what you want to trade for, size unit or how many trades so not sure what would work better for you, a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom. There is a posting that discusses that a 2 bedroom trading as a 1 bedroom and studio making economic sense over a 3 bedroom trading as a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom. The math is sound but it doesn't account for the time value of getting a trade sooner and more than likely a better week within a platinum time frame when going into a 2 bedroom
 
vacationtime1 said:
Your decision should be based on where do you want to trade to. If you want to trade to other Marriotts, buy a Marriott such as Grand Chateau so you get the Marriott-to-Marriott preference. If you want Vistana, an SDO or similar will get you a preference in II trading.
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Definitely looking for a Marriott. I'll see if I can add that detail.
 
Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired said:
There is a number of good choices of suggestions that Tuggers can offer but I can only go by what I use and that is the Grand Chateau. I started with a 2 bedroom as an experiment and based on the success, sold that to buy a 3 bedroom annual and grew it slowly adding one every other year odd followed by a EOY even. I use them to trade 90% of the time to Summer Grande Ocean or Monarch in Hilton Head Island, both relatively difficult trades with 100% success. The 3 bedroom trades as a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom both always getting 2 bedrooms in HHI. My wife and I always trade for 2 bedroom even if family or friends are not joining. 2 bedrooms make it less likely my wife kills me during vacation.

Not sure what you want to trade for, size unit or how many trades so not sure what would work better for you, a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom. There is a posting that discusses that a 2 bedroom trading as a 1 bedroom and studio making economic sense over a 3 bedroom trading as a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom. The math is sound but it doesn't account for the time value of getting a trade sooner and more than likely a better week within a platinum time frame when going into a 2 bedroom
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This is great info. We will typically also always trade for a 2 bedroom while we have kids at home (but I do agree that a 2 bedroom is nice - even if it's just a couples trip).
So when you trade your 3 bedroom as a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom - you get a 2 bedroom trade for each? That sounds like a sweet deal.
 
CourtShorr said:
This is great info. We will typically also always trade for a 2 bedroom while we have kids at home (but I do agree that a 2 bedroom is nice - even if it's just a couples trip).
So when you trade your 3 bedroom as a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom - you get a 2 bedroom trade for each? That sounds like a sweet deal.
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When you exchange on II you can trade into anything you see from the available inventory and request any size(s) you want- paying an upsize fee for a larger unit outside of flexchange.

You will see a lot of emphasis placed on a particular resort or unit size used for an exchange.
In my experience the most important thing is to request/search early- 12/13 months ahead for MVC.
This gives you maximum exposure and a chance to be at the top of the list when the unit’s get deposited.
You only have to have the minimum required trading power and then the get to the top before the availability runs out- and inventory continues to be added all the time.
It’s really not an exact science.
You can be successful with any MVC trader. It just requires learning the system and done effort.
Definitely consider maintenance fees and the costs of upsizing.
 
I own four Marriott's in Palm Desert and use all four as "traders". They are 2 BR units and I always split them into the 1 BR and efficiency. One of my "traders" is a Shadow Ridge Enclaves Deluxe which splits into two 1-BR units and although one side is smaller, then seem to trade similarly.

In 17 years of exchanging these units I have made about 100 exchanges and in 15% of the time I stayed in 1 BR units and the rest of the time I stayed in 2 BR units. But I don't travel during school breaks and typically don't book during the highest demand periods. I like traveling during the shoulder season while the "kiddo's" are in school. Also, I prefer driving vacations so 90% of our exchanges are into California or Arizona locations - - but there are a lot of different locations within driving distance (Palm Desert, Newport Coast, Canyon Villas, Starr Pass, 4 Seasons Troon, Timberlodge, Northstar (Tahoe), Harbortown Pointe, SVC Vino Bello (before they left ii), Hyatt Pinon Pointe, The Ridge on Sedona Golf, Sedona Summit, Hyatt Carmel, etc.). But I have also traded into Hawaii eight times.

BTW, I really enjoy the Palm Desert area so we go there perhaps 3 or 4 times a year. We live only about 2 hours from there. I typically deposit an efficiency and trade up into a 2 BR, sometimes at the same location in which I had deposited. I also go to Newport Coast a couple of times a year, but it is a bit rare to exchange an efficiency into one of their 2 BR units.

So for me, my Marriott Palm Desert units (4) seem to trade fairly well and the exchanges work for my needs and wants. (BTW, I always reserve the highest TDI). But I suspect that there are other Marriott TS that have lower MFs and may trade just as well or better. My best trader (by a little bit) is the Shadow Ridge Enclaves Deluxe.
 
I generally suggest Grand Chateau, Grande Vista, Harbour Lake or Willow Ridge as a trader. WR will have the lowest fees, GC will give the best balance of fees, trade power and options, GV is in the FL Club all Platinum only. Generally the added cost of a 3 BR isn't worth it BUT if you can get one for a good price is may be. If there's something you'd use part of the time that could make a higher up front cost and yearly fees worthwhile especially things like OP or CA desert. You should be able to get those for somewhere between $0 and $2000 out the door for a 2 BR Platinum "Traders". Pay attention to fee timing as well, having to pay fees for a unit that doesn't add much value will often double your costs.
 
Dean said:
I generally suggest Grand Chateau, Grande Vista, Harbour Lake or Willow Ridge as a trader. WR will have the lowest fees, GC will give the best balance of fees, trade power and options, GV is in the FL Club all Platinum only. Generally the added cost of a 3 BR isn't worth it BUT if you can get one for a good price is may be. If there's something you'd use part of the time that could make a higher up front cost and yearly fees worthwhile especially things like OP or CA desert. You should be able to get those for somewhere between $0 and $2000 out the door for a 2 BR Platinum "Traders". Pay attention to fee timing as well, having to pay fees for a unit that doesn't add much value will often double your costs.
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Is WR lowest fee now? Thought still be GC, no?
 
iftravel said:
Is WR lowest fee now? Thought still be GC, no?
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GC waslower this last year but WR has been historically and I believe it will be long term. But the two are routinely the lowest in the US.
 
Are there property taxes assessed in addition to the maintenance fees for the Marriott resorts? Or are the property taxes included?
 
amsunshine said:
Are there property taxes assessed in addition to the maintenance fees for the Marriott resorts? Or are the property taxes included?
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Property taxes are mostly included. One clear exception is resorts in California where property taxes are billed separately by the county.
 
I’m doing my due diligence and this thread caught my interest. One question for have is how hard is it to trade a platinum MVC low MF week into a platinum MVC Hawaii week?

I generally go to Hawaii every year. Are properties like Ki Olina, Maui Ocean Club, and Waiohai doable or is it more a cast a wide net and get lucky kind of thing? I suppose with Hyatt and Westin Hawaii properties in the II mix there are a few options.


I only bring this up because I am looking at HGVC as well and those Hawaii properties seem a bit more east to get into during Club Season (one just has to get up at midnight 9 months ahead and not worry about an exchange).

That said I like the idea of MVC because I could get 2 weeks for the price of one with a lock off. So just weighing it all out
 
chosshaul said:
I’m doing my due diligence and this thread caught my interest. One question for have is how hard is it to trade a platinum MVC low MF week into a platinum MVC Hawaii week?

I generally go to Hawaii every year. Are properties like Ki Olina, Maui Ocean Club, and Waiohai doable or is it more a cast a wide net and get lucky kind of thing? I suppose with Hyatt and Westin Hawaii properties in the II mix there are a few options.


I only bring this up because I am looking at HGVC as well and those Hawaii properties seem a bit more east to get into during Club Season (one just has to get up at midnight 9 months ahead and not worry about an exchange).

That said I like the idea of MVC because I could get 2 weeks for the price of one with a lock off. So just weighing it all out
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If you want to trade to a 2 bedroom Hawaii with a trader, starting with 2026 deposits you would need to keep them as 2 bedrooms.
 
Danlop88 said:
If you want to trade to a 2 bedroom Hawaii with a trader, starting with 2026 deposits you would need to keep them as 2 bedrooms.
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Why? If you are not looking for super hard dates like week 51/52 or are flexible with dates, you should be able to trade like for like at minimum. I have had much success in the past 16 years trading into Ko Olina. Maui Ocean Club or Kauai Lagoons might be a little harder but have had success by being flexible with dates.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk
 
@Danlop88 See my post #8 above.

Started to write it again and saw I already said it. How you exchange is often more important than what.
Owning an MVC brand unit will help exchange because of in brand priority.
Realize that you can’t see what view you are trading into before the exchange on II and view is not guaranteed.
 
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chosshaul said:
I’m doing my due diligence and this thread caught my interest. One question for have is how hard is it to trade a platinum MVC low MF week into a platinum MVC Hawaii week?

I generally go to Hawaii every year. Are properties like Ki Olina, Maui Ocean Club, and Waiohai doable or is it more a cast a wide net and get lucky kind of thing? I suppose with Hyatt and Westin Hawaii properties in the II mix there are a few options.


I only bring this up because I am looking at HGVC as well and those Hawaii properties seem a bit more east to get into during Club Season (one just has to get up at midnight 9 months ahead and not worry about an exchange).

That said I like the idea of MVC because I could get 2 weeks for the price of one with a lock off. So just weighing it all out
Click to expand...
If you're truly flexible and not looking for the highest demand weeks and you're OK with roulette on the view, A GOOD trader reserving a top TDI, depositing at least 10 months out and requesting at least 13 months out should work for you. OTOH, if you go yearly you may want to consider just buying there, maybe Ko Olina. You could then reserve what you want and do request first for other options as desired.
Danlop88 said:
If you want to trade to a 2 bedroom Hawaii with a trader, starting with 2026 deposits you would need to keep them as 2 bedrooms.
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I agree with Frank, getting a 2 BR is very possible if you play the exchange game properly. That said, a 2 BR would be more likely to match ALL else equal. IMO it's far more important to check the boxes on how you exchange and when you request as well as being somewhat flexible.
 
frank808 said:
Why? If you are not looking for super hard dates like week 51/52 or are flexible with dates, you should be able to trade like for like at minimum. I have had much success in the past 16 years trading into Ko Olina. Maui Ocean Club or Kauai Lagoons might be a little harder but have had success by being flexible with dates.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk
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Yes, like for like worked 2026. When I used a 2025 deposits 1 BR , it would be able to see the 2 BRs. If I used the 2026 same date then it was only able to see 1 BR. I tried this on multiple MKO sightings these past couple. Don’t believe it was a reduction of power for the traders but an increase for HI.
 
Danlop88 said:
Yes, like for like worked 2026. When I used a 2025 deposits 1 BR , it would be able to see the 2 BRs. If I used the 2026 same date then it was only able to see 1 BR. I tried this on multiple MKO sightings these past couple. Don’t believe it was a reduction of power for the traders but an increase for HI.
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What you see online is not a good metric. Having on On Going Search is the way to go. Just checked right now and see MANY 2BR HI Marriott's (and related brands) using a 1BR deposit.
 
For me, Grande Vista platinum with the lock off feature has been fantastic. I always select the highest TDI week, and I've never traded for less than a 2BR and have many 3BR trades (some back into GV). I would also look less at maintenance fees and more about the value you received in total including the upfront cost.
 
Danlop88 said:
Not sure about the OGS, was just testing sighting post. I did a couple testing MKO, he was one of the post https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/i...-hi-usa-b-mko-may-june-2025-all-sizes.372668/

All other locations I.e. Aruba, Hilton head, the smaller units could see larger units.
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Yes but as Dean said when you search manually you are just seeing what’s left in inventory after requests have been filled.
It is not an indication of trading power, you don’t know what you could have matched with with a request in place and MVC priority.

Smaller units will see larger, again MVC priority helps with that. That is not at all in question.

The way to go is to place a request 12-13 months in advance is optimal for MVC-there is no downside to this- and keep searching manually. You can use the same unit you have used to request to search manually and just make your exchange if you find something.
 
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