Looking to add a "Trader"

[Danlop88]

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.

The way to go is to place a request- there is no downside to this- and keep searching manually. You can use the same unit you have used to request and just make your exchange if you find something.

In these cases , 2 bedrooms were available . For the sake of gathering data. I do 3 searches , first search to make sure it’s available using a powerful non trader 2 bedroom , then use a 1 bedroom 2026 and then 1 bedroom 2025. I started when looking into it when @ORANGECRUSH couldnt see January MKO with her 1 bedroom MGV July 4th week.

 

[dioxide45]

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.

What about at Ko'Olina? I just did a search with a 2BR deposit and do see several 2BR units through the fall. However, once I search with a 1BR, I don't see anything larger than a 1BR.

 

[dioxide45]

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.

Even though some don't believe it, I think Ko'Olina has become somewhat of an outlier now in Hawaii. There is simply more demand for it now given the situation in West Maui. We never got anything larger than a studio unit in June using a 2BR for deposit. This was after having an OGS setup and doing constant searches. Nothing larger than a studio ever came up for the weekend of our checkin.

 

[rickandcindy23]

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.

Right now, Shadow Ridge is very inexpensive to purchase. The fees went up, as Marriott fees tend to do, but I am surprised the value went down from our resale purchases. I always assume resale will not go down in value, and then it did.

I love my exchange opportunities with Shadow Ridge and with Willow Ridge. Anything that I can get for my studio for under $1,100 total for a full week is a good deal. I rarely take anything smaller than a 2 bedroom.

 

[rickandcindy23]

What about at Ko'Olina? I just did a search with a 2BR deposit and do see several 2BR units through the fall. However, once I search with a 1BR, I don't see anything larger than a 1BR.

Ko Olina has had a resurgence in popularity due to the fire on Maui. It's a tougher trade, and what a shame because the Ka'anapali area of Maui is untouched by the fire and still pristine and beautiful.

 

[Dean]

What about at Ko'Olina? I just did a search with a 2BR deposit and do see several 2BR units through the fall. However, once I search with a 1BR, I don't see anything larger than a 1BR.

I see 20 2 BR for Ko Olina starting 61 days from now through the end of next year. The only unit I don't see is the single 3BR available for Ko Olina. I also see the 5 units at Waiohai.

 

[dioxide45]

I see 20 2 BR for Ko Olina starting 61 days from now through the end of next year. The only unit I don't see is the single 3BR available for Ko Olina. I also see the 5 units at Waiohai.

Then you're using far more powerful traders than I am. Using a low season 2BR, I only see five 2BR at Ko'Olina for the same time period and one Waiohai. With a gold MGV 1BR I see none of those. I can't see anything beyond December 2025 with what I have. This would seem to indicate that what you buy and what you reserve are more important going forward than it was in the past.

 

[Danlop88]

I see 20 2 BR for Ko Olina starting 61 days from now through the end of next year. The only unit I don't see is the single 3BR available for Ko Olina. I also see the 5 units at Waiohai.

What year deposit , 2025 or 2026? And is it MGV, MGC, or Willow?

 

[dioxide45]

What year deposit , 2025 or 2026? And is it MGV, MGC, or Willow?

My 1BR is MGV 2025 and the 2BR is MCV 2024.

 

[Dean]

Then you're using far more powerful traders than I am. Using a low season 2BR, I only see five 2BR at Ko'Olina for the same time period and one Waiohai. With a gold MGV 1BR I see none of those. I can't see anything beyond December 2025 with what I have. This would seem to indicate that what you buy and what you reserve are more important going forward than it was in the past.

I did a deep dive across the 4 traditional traders omitting MC looking at 1 BR and comparing to some 2 BR both from Traders and non traders that would have a higher trade power. I also compared to 1BR at OP Platinum and 2 BR Platinum at LE. My conclusions were that week matters, resort matters (Premier vs Elite) and that 2026 is clearly worse than 2025 in terms of what shows that's sitting online. Even 2 BR didn't show everything consistently. So it may be a lot worse that Ko Olina just getting more difficult, it may be that the strategy many of us have used isn't going to work nearly as as well going forward. Hopefully 2026 is just a one off, we'll see but I'm not hopeful. For me personally it isn't likely to be a huge deal as we normally only need a 1 BR or we're exchanging to easier to get resorts/times. We'll have a ton more flexibility in about a year as I near retirement. Regardless it doesn't appear to be a Ko Olina thing but the end point may be the same that you need a 2 BR for a lot more exchanges than you have in the past.

Maybe Frank can add some insight specific to Ko Olina I he's exchanged back in for 2 BR using a 2026 trader, esp a 1BR.

What year deposit , 2025 or 2026? And is it MGV, MGC, or Willow?

GV week 26 2025 deposited over 13 months out.

 

[Danlop88]

I did a deep dive across the 4 traditional traders omitting MC looking at 1 BR and comparing to some 2 BR both from Traders and non traders that would have a higher trade power. I also compared to 1BR at OP Platinum and 2 BR Platinum at LE. My conclusions were that week matters, resort matters (Premier vs Elite) and that 2026 is clearly worse than 2025 in terms of what shows that's sitting online. Even 2 BR didn't show everything consistently. So it may be a lot worse that Ko Olina just getting more difficult, it may be that the strategy many of us have used isn't going to work nearly as as well going forward. Hopefully 2026 is just a one off, we'll see but I'm not hopeful. For me personally it isn't likely to be a huge deal as we normally only need a 1 BR or we're exchanging to easier to get resorts/times. We'll have a ton more flexibility in about a year as I near retirement. Regardless it doesn't appear to be a Ko Olina thing but the end point may be the same that you need a 2 BR for a lot more exchanges than you have in the past.

Maybe Frank can add some insight specific to Ko Olina I he's exchanged back in for 2 BR using a 2026 trader, esp a 1BR.

GV week 26 2025 deposited over 13 months out.

Not a big deal for me either for MKO. Just wanted to point out the 2026 vs 2025 for the traders. The other non trader 1 bedroom 2026 could still see the 2 bedrooms

 

[Beefnot]

Is Grand Chateau 3br platinum a better trader than Grande Vista 3br platinum? Is purchasing a 3br lockoff over a 2br lockoff worth the extra MF if desiring to score peak season 2br exchanges?

 

[Hindsite]

Is Grand Chateau 3br platinum a better trader than Grande Vista 3br platinum? Is purchasing a 3br lockoff over a 2br lockoff worth the extra MF if desiring to score peak season 2br exchanges?

If you want to be able to exchange into DVC Orlando, then yes it may be worth it, depending on whether you can use the FL club to bust out of the Orlando area exchange block or not and not impact trading power.

 

[Dean]

Is Grand Chateau 3br platinum a better trader than Grande Vista 3br platinum? Is purchasing a 3br lockoff over a 2br lockoff worth the extra MF if desiring to score peak season 2br exchanges?

I'm not sure we can know which is the better trader in general. Some years it seems my GC trades better than GV and other years it seems the opposite. The 3 BR at GC trades as a 2 BR and a 1 BR vs GV which trades as a 2 BR and studio. Fees are less at GC. You can't trade GV for DVC but you do have the potential of the Florida Club. Just be careful of overpaying for either 3BR. Sometimes you can get good deals for a 3 BR but others the premium just isn't worth it. Many times it ends up being better getting two 2BR than the 3 BR. I do think the extra fees are worth it if the up front price is not too much more but it also depends on how you'd use it.

 

[DancingWaters]

I’m not very familiar with Marriott so my question is: are you trading a deeded Marriott week into II and then paying money to use it?

 

[Pamplemousse]

I’m not very familiar with Marriott so my question is: are you trading a deeded Marriott week into II and then paying money to use it?

You deposit your deeded MVC week into II.
MVC doesn’t have an internal exchange program, so if you don’t want to stay at your home resort in your season you need to exchange through II.

There is no exchange fee to other Abound resorts if the week is enrolled.
There is a reduced fee to other Abound resorts if it is not enrolled.
Full fee when exchanging to non Abound resorts.

 

[DancingWaters]

What is “ Abound?”

 

[Pamplemousse]

Is Grand Chateau 3br platinum a better trader than Grande Vista 3br platinum? Is purchasing a 3br lockoff over a 2br lockoff worth the extra MF if desiring to score peak season 2br exchanges?

Trading power on II is based on II’s rating of the resort (both are elite), the size of the unit you are depositing, and the TDI of the week you deposit (read off a chart in II’s resort directory- if both weeks are platinum you should be able to deposit the same TDI week in both cases). There are also other factors involved that II doesn’t specify. Some will say Orlando has less value because there are so many resorts in area- I have no way of knowing since I only own Orlando (gold season) and have been very successful exchanging into other MVC.

You do want to consider II’s regional block which will prevent you from trading into some other brands in Orlando (Disney is one).

For size, II charges an up size fee to get a bigger unit and you are disadvantaged in trading power going from a smaller unit to a larger. So if you need to stay in a 2Br unit have a 3BR lock off gives you 1 2BR and then you would need to pay 2 step upgrade to get the second 2 BR. With a 2BR lock off you would end up paying 3 steps to get both 2BRs.

In my opinion/ experience the key to exchanging successfully on II is using the proper technique- not a owning a particular resort.

 

[Pamplemousse]

What is “ Abound?

‘New’ name for the Destination club- MVC, Vistana/Sheraton/Westin.

Have a look at the pink box at the top of this forum- there is a section on Abound.

 

[Beefnot]

Trading power on II is based on II’s rating of the resort (both are elite), the size of the unit you are depositing, and the TDI of the week you deposit (read off a chart in II’s resort directory- if both weeks are platinum you should be able to deposit the same TDI week in both cases). There are also other factors involved that II doesn’t specify. Some will say Orlando has less value because there are so many resorts in area- I have no way of knowing since I only own Orlando (gold season) and have been very successful exchanging into other MVC.

You do want to consider II’s regional block which will prevent you from trading into some other brands in Orlando (Disney is one).

For size, II charges an up size fee to get a bigger unit and you are disadvantaged in trading power going from a smaller unit to a larger. So if you need to stay in a 2Br unit have a 3BR lock off gives you 1 2BR and then you would need to pay 2 step upgrade to get the second 2 BR. With a 2BR lock off you would end up paying 3 steps to get both 2BRs.

Me and the fam are on our last day at Lake Tahoe (oh my lord, one of the most beautiful places on earth, no exaggeration), regretting not being able to get into Timber Lodge. I could see myself coming here again next summer. Granted, it wasn't until early May that a change of plans made consider trying out Lake Tahoe, so I know Timber Lodge was going to be a luck trade anyway being this last minute.

Could I be overreacting in thinking I need a 3br platinum lockoff to increase my chances of trading into top shelf peak season Marriott two and three bedrooms? My non-Marriott Branson trader has gotten me some pretty great non-flexchange trades over the years (ex: 1br for 2br FSA, 1br for 3br MGC, 2br for June Waiohai, 1br for off-season NCV, most recently 1br for 4br Vista Encantada), so I think it still has a quite a bit of utility for me.

I am wondering if a one or two bedroom Marriott trader, with advance planning, would be plenty for now. Or, because I have until now acquired all of my timeshares for free, might a 3br MGC gold even work to regularly pull 2br+ at Timber Lodge, Los Sueños, MKO, and/or MOC during peak times?

 

[Pamplemousse]

Me and the fam are on our last day at Lake Tahoe (oh my lord, one of the most beautiful places on earth, no exaggeration), regretting not being able to get into Timber Lodge. I could see myself coming here again next summer. Granted, it wasn't until early May that a change of plans made consider trying out Lake Tahoe, so I know Timber Lodge was going to be a luck trade anyway being this last minute.

Could I be overreacting in thinking I need a 3br platinum lockoff to increase my chances of trading into top shelf peak season Marriott two and three bedrooms? My non-Marriott Branson trader has gotten me some pretty great non-flexchange trades over the years (ex: 1br for 2br FSA, 1br for 3br MGC, 2br for June Waiohai, 1br for off-season NCV, most recently 1br for 4br Vista Encantada), so I think it still has a quite a bit of utility for me.

I am wondering if a one or two bedroom Marriott trader, with advance planning, would be plenty for now. Or, because I have until now acquired all of my timeshares for free, might a 3br MGC gold even work to regularly pull 2br+ at Timber Lodge, Los Sueños, MKO, and/or MOC during peak times?

In my opinion many people get hung up on trading power and do not consider how exchanging works on II.
You can’t exchange into a unit that isn’t available no matter how much trading power you have.

Owning an MvC gives you priority exchanging into other MVC on II- when an MVC is deposited into II it only can go to another MVC exchange for 3 weeks- this is a huge advantage.
As long as you have the ‘minimum’ trading power you will have a chance to exchange into an available unit once you reach the top of the ‘list’ of requests- and any MVC will be above another brand during those first 3 weeks.

I believe the best technique is to reserve the highest trading power unit you can in your season, deposit it right away and place a request 13-12 months in advance- MVC owners can deposit that early so you will have exposure to everything deposited. I think requesting early is more important than waiting for a few extra points of TDI.
Also check the available inventory while your request is pending because some cancellations end up in available inventory until the request filter runs and matches it.
For exchanges that are ‘reaches’- ie if I want to exchange my premiere gold season resort into an elite platinum I may boost my trading power by indicating I would take a 1BR for my 2BR or going slightly shoulder season (like June instead of July or August). I might also do this for resorts where there are fewer deposits into II.
Most of the exchanges that you list I would consider more difficult trades simply because everyone wants to go to those resorts peak season (LS is very small also). But again there is no guarantee you would get your exchange no matter what you own, and I have gotten most of what I requested with my lowly unit by requesting early, once taking a smaller unit (not sure I needed too) and my biggest plus is exchanging slightly off season (we don’t travel in summer- too nice at home!).

Bottom line, I do think you are over thinking.
Locking off a 3BR will give you the advantage of exchanging a 2BR which would have more trading power than a 2 and save you an upsize fee if you want a 2 BR unit - but you might not need that and have the option to use the full 2BR if there was a special trade that was very important that you make.

 

[Dean]

Me and the fam are on our last day at Lake Tahoe (oh my lord, one of the most beautiful places on earth, no exaggeration), regretting not being able to get into Timber Lodge. I could see myself coming here again next summer. Granted, it wasn't until early May that a change of plans made consider trying out Lake Tahoe, so I know Timber Lodge was going to be a luck trade anyway being this last minute.

Could I be overreacting in thinking I need a 3br platinum lockoff to increase my chances of trading into top shelf peak season Marriott two and three bedrooms? My non-Marriott Branson trader has gotten me some pretty great non-flexchange trades over the years (ex: 1br for 2br FSA, 1br for 3br MGC, 2br for June Waiohai, 1br for off-season NCV, most recently 1br for 4br Vista Encantada), so I think it still has a quite a bit of utility for me.

I am wondering if a one or two bedroom Marriott trader, with advance planning, would be plenty for now. Or, because I have until now acquired all of my timeshares for free, might a 3br MGC gold even work to regularly pull 2br+ at Timber Lodge, Los Sueños, MKO, and/or MOC during peak times?

I'd suggest you slow down and spend 6 months or so absorbing information and others experiences. You'll make a much better long term decision if you do. The few months lost will be well worth it. Rushing to get that next vacation and "savings" is a recipe for disaster IMO.

 

[pinetree1]

We bought 2 bedroom Shadow Ridge Enclave Deluxe villa, which split into 2 1 bedroom after reading BJRSanDiego's posts. I always split to 2 1 bedroom and deposited them, sometime right after the reservation, sometime a few months later. We were able to exchange into Marriott Custom House, Newport Coast, Grande Ocean, Barony Beach, SurfWatch, Maui Ocean Club, Waiohai Beach, all during June- August peak season. We tried to set up requests with Interval, however, they were never got filled; all trade were manually search, maybe 1-2 per day. I also sometimes have a OceanWatch summer week deposited to trade and did not notice any trading power difference between 2 bedroom OceanWatch vs 1 bedroom Desert Enclave.

Yes, we could save some money by purchase a 2 regular bedroom at Vegas or Palm Desort and split it to a studio and 1 bedroom. However, a studio will have a hard time to find a desirable week, especially 2 bedrooms at June-August peak vacation season.

 

[Pamplemousse]

We bought 2 bedroom Shadow Ridge Enclave Deluxe villa, which split into 2 1 bedroom after reading BJRSanDiego's posts. I always split to 2 1 bedroom and deposited them, sometime right after the reservation, sometime a few months later. We were able to exchange into Marriott Custom House, Newport Coast, Grande Ocean, Barony Beach, SurfWatch, Maui Ocean Club, Waiohai Beach, all during June- August peak season. We tried to set up requests with Interval, however, they were never got filled; all trade were manually search, maybe 1-2 per day. I also sometimes have a OceanWatch summer week deposited to trade and did not notice any trading power difference between 2 bedroom OceanWatch vs 1 bedroom Desert Enclave.

Yes, we could save some money by purchase a 2 regular bedroom at Vegas or Palm Desort and split it to a studio and 1 bedroom. However, a studio will have a hard time to find a desirable

“I also sometimes have a OceanWatch summer week deposited to trade and did not notice any trading power difference between 2 bedroom OceanWatch vs 1 bedroom Desert Enclave.”

@Beefnot This is what I mean by as long as you have the minimum amount of trading power it doesn’t really matter above that. I’m guessing pine tree1 is searching available inventory and saying they can see the say availability with the 1BR as the 2 (both MVC).

 

[Danlop88]

We bought 2 bedroom Shadow Ridge Enclave Deluxe villa, which split into 2 1 bedroom after reading BJRSanDiego's posts. I always split to 2 1 bedroom and deposited them, sometime right after the reservation, sometime a few months later. We were able to exchange into Marriott Custom House, Newport Coast, Grande Ocean, Barony Beach, SurfWatch, Maui Ocean Club, Waiohai Beach, all during June- August peak season. We tried to set up requests with Interval, however, they were never got filled; all trade were manually search, maybe 1-2 per day. I also sometimes have a OceanWatch summer week deposited to trade and did not notice any trading power difference between 2 bedroom OceanWatch vs 1 bedroom Desert Enclave.

Yes, we could save some money by purchase a 2 regular bedroom at Vegas or Palm Desort and split it to a studio and 1 bedroom. However, a studio will have a hard time to find a desirable week, especially 2 bedrooms at June-August peak vacation season.

How did you find the mythical Shadowridge split! At one point I was looking at all unit numbers for shadow ridge 2 BR