Private trades are possible both with other DVC members to trade out for home resort and with non DVC owners. But in reality it's not very feasible. There isn't much incentive to the DVC member to do so and the likelihood of it working out is very slim. This is partly because of the above issue, the fluidity to rent points. For non DVC resorts, other than the top options, matching up the reasonable amount of points is difficult since often the value of DVC is far more than the other option. Of course one can trade through RCI or through independent exchange companies as well.
Tug marketplace has a section specifically for exchanges.
Are you sure you'd not talking about disboards.com?
Unbelievably quick.
Where Do you want to go?
As a rule I agree but there are exceptions IMO. Basically high demand resorts during high demand times like Maui. Unfortunately DVC doesn't have the ability to trade up in villa size.
Probably not for studios but there are for 1 BR and above. I was simply making the point that there are a few locations worth exchanging DVC for. In reality even a comparable resort is a downgrade to a degree because you lose the flexibility of a system reservation and the villa assignment priority of an owner. The difference in points is only 20 for red Gold Crown making the 1 BR over a studio the better choice anyway.
Possibly. The other two sides of the equation are availability and can you get the same thing a different route easier and/or cheaper, really back to the basic point heathpack was making. Even where trading is reasonable, it may be less likely to be successful than renting privately and renting out the DVC points. Regardless it's almost always a better deal to go with the 1 BR over the studio where available. But here's how you can look at it very easily from a cost standpoint, those 130 points (or 150 for a 1 BR) have a true dollar value of around $2000 ($2300). So one can then compare. Basically if I already had $2000 ($2300) in my pocket, would I rent that studio or 1 BR for a given trip. This is the decision one is making if they exchange the DVC points. It's the same process for DCL, ABD, Disney Collection & Concierge Collection as well but the numbers are almost always even more egregious.
I agree the Hilton locations would be better to trade into. I was really meaning Manhattan Island stays, and not specifically The Manhattan Club, I should have been more specific.
