What to expect with my first exchange?

[El485hlax]

I just “acquired” my first timeshare (for free on tug2.com!) in January 2019. The timeshare is the Sheraton Vistana Resort.
I joined II and put in a Request First exchange for my 2020 week.
I put in a request for three resorts (Harborside at Atlantis, Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club, and Costa Linda Beach Resort), but for only one week (1st full week of April-Spring Break).
I’m curious what the likelihood is that one of my exchanges will go though. I’m also curious how long it takes most exchanges to actually be confirmed. Any info/advice is appreciated!

 

[HudsHut]

Welcome to TUG.
There is no "normal" amount of time to get a trade. You were wise to set up an ongoing search, a year in advance. If the target weeks are deposited, and no one else with stronger trade power has a request for those resorts for that week, then you'll get a match. If the inventory is never deposited into II, you won't get a match. The smaller the unit you'll accept, the more likely the match. The wider the range of dates, the more likely the match. You didn't indicate what size unit you have, nor the unit size you requested.

The Marriotts in Aruba do deposit many weeks into II. They are probably your best bet. I have not tracked Costa Linda, so do not know its pattern of deposits.

Add in the Marriott Aruba Ocean Club (MAO).

Search online as often as possible so you become familiar with the resorts that show up often and those that never show up.

 

[El485hlax]

I deposited a 2 bedroom unit and requested a 1 or 2 bedroom unit.
I’ll add in MAO. Thanks for the help!

 

[alwysonvac]

The key with exchanging is flexibility.

Spring Break is not the same week for all schools however the week before and after Easter seems to be the peak period which means higher demand.

Expect high competition since most families with school aged kids will also be looking to vacation any time the kids are out of school (spring, summer and winter breaks and holidays). Also expect a higher percentage of owners to use their week during peak demand time (either for personal usage or for rentals). Some folks will deposit their peak weeks closer to check-in if they’re unable to rent or use their week.

See this recent thread “Exchanging seems too good to be true” - https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/exchanging-seems-too-good-to-be-true.288622/

You can search the TUG SIGHTINGS forum to get an idea of what has been sighted online in the past (after all ongoing request have been satisfied).

Harborside at Atlantis hasn’t been sighted online since 2017. Interval International webpage indicates limited exchange availability for this resort.
https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...ilability-for-harborside-atlantis-hra.284813/

Marriott owners have priority access to “most” Marriott exchange deposits for several weeks before it becomes available to the general public for II exchanges. Most high demand weeks are taken during that preference window.
https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/marriott-priority-in-ii.157694/

Costa Linda Beach Resort is affiliated with RCI and II. I don’t recall which one gets more deposits but I’ve sighted them in both.

 

[alwysonvac]

Here's Interval International Travel Demand Index for Aruba
Notice that demand lowers in Aruba beginning with week 16 in 2020 (which is the week after Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday).
NOTE: Summer weeks are normally available at the Marriott's in Aruba. (search the TUG Sightings Forum) Good Luck