Am I Exploring II Incorrectly?

[EKniager]

Just for the heck-of-it I was looking online at possible exchanges in 2012. Maybe I was doing something wrong but I used both our lockoff "studio" versus our full two bedroom unit. These are platinum at the Aruba Surf Club. I basically got the same options (dates and size of units) regardless of which unit I was trading. It wasn't a surprise to get a 2-bedroom in exchange for the efficiency unit because we have had succuss in doing that each of the last couple years, however, it was disappointing that the full unit didn't up the ante and get us more options.

As the title says... was I doing something wrong?

 

[Stefa]

Probably not. If you are seeing inventory with both units you are searching correctly. I have noticed that my studio trades better than it did before DC got involved, so I think II has just relaxed the requirements.

It is always possible that II's website was experiencing a hickup when you were searching. II is famous for that.

 

[kjd]

I don't think you're doing anything wrong as you described it. It's always a good idea to see if you can get what you want with your weakest trader as well as your best. Many times if you catch it right you can get a two bedroom for a studio. That still leaves you with a one bedroom to use or for another trade.

There are other things that you can do as you gain familiarity with the system. Using the 8 code to see what's available or calling up a full year to check what you can get in the off seasons, or just check the last 60 days to see what flextime deals there are. If you have an AC in your account it's always best to check that too from time to time. If you could get that two bedroom for an AC you wouldn't have to use a deposit to make the trade.

One of the problems with ACs is that there are restrictions on them. They also usually prevent lockoffs so you might not do as well as you would by locking off and trading as a one bedroom and a studio.

 

[EKniager]

We have historically had success trading the efficiency so I'm not seeing any improvement there. It has always been a strong trader, especially since we know to book a top demand week. (Years ago our Marriott Advisor told us which weeks were mostly likely to have the best trading power.)

Yes, I learned that 8 digit code trick on TUG and use it regularly.

 

[m61376]

Esp. with strong traders, frequently what can be seen online will be the same with the studio or larger unit, esp. if not looking at a prime week. The Marriott preference plays a part here, imho. I find tat the biggest diferences are when searching for prime weeks far in advance, and of course what you can place an on-going request for.

Although Marriott decided not to allot Aruba weeks as high in the DC as other weeks, they remain tiger traders in II.

 

[gblotter]

Yes, I learned that 8 digit code trick on TUG and use it regularly.

8-digit code trick? Please share.

 

[EKniager]

I went looking for the original thread but couldn't find it. In any case, here is what I did... and it works.

When you go looking for exchanges on the II website it asks you to choose one of your units, or a configuration of your unit, to trade. After you choose the unit it asks for a confirmation/reservation code. Well, at this point I haven't booked any 2013 weeks so I just typed in an 8 digit number, actually an old obsolete code from a past II vacation. The system accepts this and allows you to continue to search for units you can trade for over the next 12 months. I can't remember exactly, but it could have gone beyond 10/19/2012.

 

[brigechols]

Just for the heck-of-it I was looking online at possible exchanges in 2012. Maybe I was doing something wrong but I used both our lockoff "studio" versus our full two bedroom unit. These are platinum at the Aruba Surf Club. I basically got the same options (dates and size of units) regardless of which unit I was trading. It wasn't a surprise to get a 2-bedroom in exchange for the efficiency unit because we have had succuss in doing that each of the last couple years, however, it was disappointing that the full unit didn't up the ante and get us more options.

As the title says... was I doing something wrong?

Probably not but just to be sure, clear your browser cookies before performing each search.

 

[ConejoRed]

The 8 digit search intructions are under the Marriott FAQ Sticky at the top of the forum page. The direct link is: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92689. The 8 digit number does not have to be a real number, but it must start with 8.

 

[Steve A]

I always use 87654321

 

[NJMOM2]

The 8 digit search intructions are under the Marriott FAQ Sticky at the top of the forum page. The direct link is: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92689. The 8 digit number does not have to be a real number, but it must start with 8.

It can also start with 9.

 

[funtime]

Not sure but it often seems that when I look for weeks with one trader and then change out to another trader the weeks found are the same. So I would start with your two bedroom and if you find something you like, then change over and see if you can see it with your studio. Funtime

 

[dioxide45]

I find that for most off season and shoulder weeks it doesn't matter what Marriott week we search with, we can see the same with any of the different size units. However that isn't the case for the holiday weeks or peak weeks.

We were looking for Ocean Pointe for next Memorial Week. Searching with a studio MGV only turned up studios, using the 1BR turned up 1BRs. I couldn't pull a 1BR with the studio. If I changed my search to any of the other weeks in May I was able to see 2BR units with either the studio or 1BR MGV.

So for off season weeks, the gettings are pretty good for getting larger units than you are giving up, but if you are looking for more popular weeks you need to expect like for like exchanges as far as unit size is concerned.