[2015] Experience with Vacation Point Exchange

[Superchief]

I was checking out VPE for some points to rent as we may be looking to add a day using points in Maui. I was surprised when I logged in and only saw a small handful of listings. One was for points wanted, one was for 60 day restricted points, one was for 2016 points (typo?) and only three were for rental points but for 2018. There were no 2017 points for rent.

Am I missing something.?We are only needing [Ad-like specifics deleted.] points for the night. I suppose I could ask one of the current 2018 renters if they would borrow the points and make a reservation for me, but I would prefer to have the points transferred to my account. Though, I guess it really doesn't matter.

Dioxide, I tried to send you a PM, but can't figure out how to send one on the revised forum. I have a few extra 2017 points available that I haven't yet banked, so please let me know if you still need some. Hopefully you can also teach me how to send PM's. Thanks.

 

[SueDonJ]

Dioxide, I tried to send you a PM, but can't figure out how to send one on the revised forum. I have a few extra 2017 points available that I haven't yet banked, so please let me know if you still need some. Hopefully you can also teach me how to send PM's. Thanks.

Click on "Inbox" at the top right of the page then click on "Start A New Conversation."

 

[dioxide45]

Click on "Inbox" at the top right of the page then click on "Start A New Conversation."

You can also click on the blue User Name on the left of the post and then click Start Conversation.

 

[gblotter]

It seems that there is a lot of demand. Looking at the Points Wanted board on VPE, it seems that there are a ton of ads for 2017 points wanted. Not surprised that the price is up over last year, but surprised it isn't up even more.

The large number of "wanted" listings account for the small number of rental listings. If someone has points to rent, they don't even need to post a VPE ad. Rather, simply respond to the existing "wanted" listings. I wish there was a better way to increase the visibility of VPE beyond the tug community. No doubt there are many thousands who would use the service if only they knew of its existence.

 

[StevenTing]

The large number of "wanted" listings account for the small number of rental listings. If someone has points to rent, they don't even need to post a VPE ad. Rather, simply respond to the existing "wanted" listings. I wish there was a better way to increase the visibility of VPE beyond the tug community. No doubt there are many thousands who would use the service if only they knew of its existence.

We haven't done any advertising. Perhaps we should. It's been a low maintenance site with very few problems. There's a lot of trust because of TUG and sometimes I'm wary about it being more widely known. Scammers would find a way to take advantage of people if it became too popular.

I've thought of ways to expand the site while still keeping things free/low cost. Unfortunately free and low cost don't always go together.

 

[David10225]

I just wanted to add my thanks for this wonderful resource. I rented points last year and this year (just a week ago). With those points, we were able to go an an extra week vacation this year and we are very appreciative of being able to do this. Given the lack of listings this year compared to last year, I'm almost tempted to rent the 2018 points now. If only my daughter would get engaged, I would know if I'm paying of the honeymoon next year or not

 

[BocaBoy]

There's a lot of trust because of TUG and sometimes I'm wary about it being more widely known. Scammers would find a way to take advantage of people if it became too popular.

And this trust is critically important in my opinion.

 

[NboroGirl]

I'm an enrolled owner... could I convert my week to points and rent them out? Or is that not allowed?

 

[jeff76543]

Yes you can.

 

[SueDonJ]

I'm an enrolled owner... could I convert my week to points and rent them out? Or is that not allowed?

It's allowed. You can also convert your Weeks to DC Points, make reservations using those Points and then rent out those reservations. When renting your Points to another DC Member it's easier to do a simple transfer between the two accounts, but being able to rent out reservations opens up your rental pool to more people (because you'll be able to rent to people who aren't DC Members and thus don't have DC accounts to which Points can be transferred.) Marriott does not limit the number of DC Points transfers in/out of our DC accounts or the number of Weeks or Points reservations to which guest/renter names can be added.

 

[JKankis]

We haven't done any advertising. Perhaps we should. It's been a low maintenance site with very few problems. There's a lot of trust because of TUG and sometimes I'm wary about it being more widely known. Scammers would find a way to take advantage of people if it became too popular.

I've thought of ways to expand the site while still keeping things free/low cost. Unfortunately free and low cost don't always go together.

I'm having difficulty registering for the VPE site. I've tried several times, but I'm not receiving the activation email. Checked my junk mail also. Not able to post anything to the Technical Forum on the VPE site either...does not give me any access. Can you help? thanks