Aruba Ocean or Surf Club Nov availability Help

[catbro]

On an earlier post I asked about how to use points to book a 1 BR in Aruba. I'm not savvy with using points and do not even understand how all this works,BUT I was informed it was unlikely I would be able to book a reservation with points because of inventory (still not following any of this).

I do do not currently have an points to book, so I was hoping that some kind person would be willing to check availability to book either ocean or surf club a year out for me with their accounts. And if anyone would be willing to check 13 months out with the advance booking option would also appreciate it. I would like to rent extra points for the stay so would be open to the renter to book the time for me.

I'm really having a tough time using my deeded week or finding anything of value to do with it and am on the fence for either trying to sell or use one of the time share exit companies. I understand I will likely get nothing from either of these transactions.

So many knowledgable people on here I'd love to hear your advice. What do you do if you just don't want to stay any of the Marriott resorts including your home resort. Thanks so much.

 

[Pamplemousse]

On an earlier post I asked about how to use points to book a 1 BR in Aruba. I'm not savvy with using points and do not even understand how all this works,BUT I was informed it was unlikely I would be able to book a reservation with points because of inventory (still not following any of this).

I do do not currently have an points to book, so I was hoping that some kind person would be willing to check availability to book either ocean or surf club a year out for me with their accounts. And if anyone would be willing to check 13 months out with the advance booking option would also appreciate it. I would like to rent extra points for the stay so would be open to the renter to book the time for me.

I'm really having a tough time using my deeded week or finding anything of value to do with it and am on the fence for either trying to sell or use one of the time share exit companies. I understand I will likely get nothing from either of these transactions.

So many knowledgable people on here I'd love to hear your advice. What do you do if you just don't want to stay any of the Marriott resorts including your home resort. Thanks so much.

You can’t check points availability without points.
If you had them you would log into the owners site and click use points.

If you are not going to use your owner week deposit it into II and place a request.
The week will be good for 2 years.
You should place a request as far in advance as possible- 12 months plus is ideal but place it anyway.
MVC/Abound priority will help you get your exchange.

Its too early for me to see November 2024.

Where do you own?

 

[Fasttr]

If your desired ressy is not immediately available via points, you can always wait list for it. I think you would have a good chance to secure it.

To your larger question, sounds like it’s time to get out. Can list for sale on www.Redweek.com, here on Tug, or list with a reputable broker. Could also potentially do a deed back to MVC. Do not use an exit company.

 

[jmhpsu93]

Your best shot to secure an Aruba week is in Interval. There is limited points inventory because the trust doesn't own anything there (not in the U.S.). November should be a fairly reasonable trade target.

 

[Fasttr]

Your best shot to secure an Aruba week is in Interval. There is limited points inventory because the trust doesn't own anything there (not in the U.S.). November should be a fairly reasonable trade target.

Not saying Interval is not a good option, but the Points Exchange does also source weeks from Interval to fill point waitlist requests. I have had good luck booking Aruba with points, both via regular ressy snagging as well as via waitlist requests. Just because the Trust doesn’t own the inventory doesn’t mean they don’t have access to other inventory sources.

 

[bazzap]

You can’t check points availability without points.
If you had them you would log into the owners site and click use points.

If you are not going to use your owner week deposit it into II and place a request.
The week will be good for 2 years.
You should place a request as far in advance as possible- 12 months plus is ideal but place it anyway.
MVC/Abound priority will help you get your exchange.

Its too early for me to see November 2024.

Where do you own?

Didn’t MVC change the owner website so that you can check availability even if you don’t have the points?
I have just looked at the 2 Aruba resorts for November 23 and even though I have now used all my enrolled weeks elected points for this year I can still see the availability.

 

[dioxide45]

Didn’t MVC change the owner website so that you can check availability even if you don’t have the points?
I have just looked at the 2 Aruba resorts for November 23 and even though I have now used all my enrolled weeks elected points for this year I can still see the availability.

Yes, you can check availability using the different filters in the search results. It's clunky, but it works. The longest stay I can see is a four night stay checking in on November 14th in a 1BR.

 

[Fasttr]

Didn’t MVC change the owner website so that you can check availability even if you don’t have the points?
I have just looked at the 2 Aruba resorts for November 23 and even though I have now used all my enrolled weeks elected points for this year I can still see the availability.

Yes, you can check availability using the different filters in the search results. It's clunky, but it works. The longest stay I can see is a four night stay checking in on November 14th in a 1BR.

OP is looking for Nov 2024…no??

 

[bazzap]

OP is looking for Nov 2024…no??

Yes.
I looked for Nov 2023 because I have no points left in this year, so just to check that you can search without having the points.
I have 2024 points, so it wouldn’t really have told me anything if I had searched for 2024 availability.

 

[dioxide45]

OP is looking for Nov 2024…no??

Maybe, but we can't check that yet as we are more than 13 months out. Can't even pick it in the dropdown.

 

[catbro]

Thanks to all for your replies.

To clarify. In my original post I mentioned I was hoping to book ~10 days Nov 2025. I asked for folks to check availability for 2024 a year out to see how likely my request could be fulfilled. We only need a 1 BR and getting a 2 BR through interval would just be a waste. Can someone explain to me how I would submit a waitlist request to improve my chances of getting a 1 BR for more than a week? Thank you so much.

 

[jmhpsu93]

You would call MVC to set up the waitlist request, but IIRC you can't do that until 12 month out from check-in date regardless of your ownership level.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Thanks to all for your replies.

To clarify. In my original post I mentioned I was hoping to book ~10 days Nov 2025. I asked for folks to check availability for 2024 a year out to see how likely my request could be fulfilled. We only need a 1 BR and getting a 2 BR through interval would just be a waste. Can someone explain to me how I would submit a waitlist request to improve my chances of getting a 1 BR for more than a week? Thank you so much.

Ok first getting back to my original post I was thinking if you didn’t have points at all (just an enrolled week) that you couldn’t search for points reservations- but I am happy to be corrected, thanks.

catbro I am a little confused with exactly what you are trying to do/ asking.
Do you own an enrolled week? Where?- Am I correct that Aruba is not your home resort, you are not using your week?

If you deposit your week into II you will be exchanging for a week- 7 days.
You can’t downsize your unit to get a longer stay on II.
You could potentially do a short stay exchange which can get you up to 12 days (2-6 day stays) but availability is limited with short stay.
When you place your request you can indicate any size unit you want, you need to pay an upsize fee for larger.
You don’t have to ask for a 2Br, but I wouldn't worry about getting a unit that is larger than you need.
You might find that the monetary value of exchanging your week on II is better than converting your week to points and booking.

As others have indicated you can only search with points 13 months in advance.
I don’t think looking at availability for ‘24 will necessarily be instructive for 2025. But you could certainly do it yourself this year when it opens.
On the owners site go under resources, then helpful tools and be sure you will have enough points to book and then use the when can I book? to find the date and get online and the phone right when your availability opens.
Keep searching several times a day if you don’t get it first try.
You can call and place a waitlist, you can also book individual nights of the exact same unit size and view and string them together.

 

[catbro]

I really don't understand at all. Maybe I just don't use the website enough. I tried using points to book even though I don't have any. Any location and any date comes up unavailable. I don't know why you don't think 24 availability would be reflective of 25 availability. Interval uses demand index all the time.

I have a Vail winter week. I can book 12 months out starting Jan 1 for a ski week to trade. I do not want a 2 BR villa. I cannot view anything on the book with points page, for any resort or any time period.

I Do Not have any points currently.

 

[Fasttr]

I really don't understand at all. Maybe I just don't use the website enough. I tried using points to book even though I don't have any. Any location and any date comes up unavailable. I don't know why you don't think 24 availability would be reflective of 25 availability. Interval uses demand index all the time.

I have a Vail winter week. I can book 12 months out starting Jan 1 for a ski week to trade. I do not want a 2 BR villa. I cannot view anything on the book with points page, for any resort or any time period.

I Do Not have any points currently.

Nov 2024 has not opened up yet for booking as its more than 13 months out. So nobody can check Nov 2024 availability yet. Next month it will be possible. And yes, one would assume Nov 2024 availability would be similar to Nov 2025 availability.

 

[Pamplemousse]

I really don't understand at all. Maybe I just don't use the website enough. I tried using points to book even though I don't have any. Any location and any date comes up unavailable. I don't know why you don't think 24 availability would be reflective of 25 availability. Interval uses demand index all the time.

I have a Vail winter week. I can book 12 months out starting Jan 1 for a ski week to trade. I do not want a 2 BR villa. I cannot view anything on the book with points page, for any resort or any time period.

I Do Not have any points currently.

”I don't know why you don't think 24 availability would be reflective of 25 availability. Interval uses demand index all the time.”
I was not talking about interval here.
I was talking about booking with abound points.
With points inventory is released at the date and time indicated on “when can I book” for your desired trip and it’s first come first served. Get on it the minute they drop- call/log in and book.
Yes the availability year to year with points may be similar.
But we can’t see how many units are released and know how many people will be trying to book and whether they will be faster than you. I don’t see that a trial run will help that. Especially one done by someone else.
Plus Inventory changes over time- people change their minds, etc-so just keep checking if you don’t get it right away.
And you can also waitlist.
I personally just booked a week with abound points in an oceanfront unit at crystal shores 70 days in advance- someone must have cancelled and I pounced! I had a waitlist and needed to chat in to get my points released to book.

But do you know how many points that Vail week will give you if you elect it to points?
Is it enough for 10 days in Aruba in a 1 br? How about 7?
As I said if it is not you might want to reserve your home week and deposit it into II and place a request 12 months+ ahead of travel.
That “might” be a better value- I don’t know, you need to run the numbers.
Once deposited a week is good for 2 years from the reserved home check in date.
Views are not guaranteed with II.
You can request any size unit you want on II.

I have trust points so I can’t advise how things work when you don’t have them.

I hope have I been clearer here and of some help.

 

[catbro]

I really appreciate all of your advice. I've only reserved points one time and I've never understood this inventory bucket thing. We've owned our Vail week for 25 years, and thought all three of our kids would want to make use of it but their signif others do not ski or like the cold. We started trading it on II for Cancun for alot of years, but now prefer to vacation there at Adults Only AI resorts. I've been electing points to rent on VPE but that market seems to have dried up. Our Vail week gets 3550 points, enough for a week plus a couple days in a 1 BR OF in early November. We would also like to rent some points to extend the stay if I can rent them and reserve using our points.

I have never heard of a wait list. I don't see it anywhere online, but I also think the website is terrible to navigate. Do I have to have elected my points before I can request a
waitlist? I'm sure your explanations are perfect for someone more experienced with the system, but its not me.

 

[timsi]

Not saying Interval is not a good option, but the Points Exchange does also source weeks from Interval to fill point waitlist requests. I have had good luck booking Aruba with points, both via regular ressy snagging as well as via waitlist requests. Just because the Trust doesn’t own the inventory doesn’t mean they don’t have access to other inventory sources.

Are you sure about this? I am under the impression that the trust and the Interval inventories do not mix.

 

[Pamplemousse]

I really appreciate all of your advice. I've only reserved points one time and I've never understood this inventory bucket thing. We've owned our Vail week for 25 years, and thought all three of our kids would want to make use of it but their signif others do not ski or like the cold. We started trading it on II for Cancun for alot of years, but now prefer to vacation there at Adults Only AI resorts. I've been electing points to rent on VPE but that market seems to have dried up. Our Vail week gets 3550 points, enough for a week plus a couple days in a 1 BR OF in early November. We would also like to rent some points to extend the stay if I can rent them and reserve using our points.

I have never heard of a wait list. I don't see it anywhere online, but I also think the website is terrible to navigate. Do I have to have elected my points before I can request a
waitlist? I'm sure your explanations are perfect for someone more experienced with the system, but its not me.

You will elect points and on the abound points inventory release date and time for your trip you will call / go online and try to book what you want. Points are good for a year and can be banked forward for 1 more year.
If it’s not available keep trying, searching often to try to find your reservation in case of cancellation, etc.
If you want to waitlist you need to call. Waitlisting ties up your points and must be cancelled in order to book with them.

 

[Fasttr]

Are you sure about this? I am under the impression that the trust and the Interval inventories do not mix.

They touted it early on in the Destination Club launch info. It was also in the early MVC website FAQ listings. Here is an excerpt from the Points FAQ Sticky,,,,

~~ Inventory Sources for DC Points Usage ~~

MVCI Weeks and MVCD Points inventory is kept separate according to the terms of each system's governing documents in order to protect Owners/Members ownership and usage rights. Inventory available through the DC Exchange Company is sourced from Marriott-controlled deposits as well as (according to a no-longer-available FAQ that had been posted to the owners' website during the early DC years,) "... other Marriott Vacation Club Owners who enroll their weeks and elect Vacation Club Points, and non-enrolled Owners who trade their usage for Marriott Rewards points or exchange their week through membership in Interval International."

 

[catbro]

I'm really sorry but I just don't understand all of the jargon and legaleeze in all of these points. I find very, very few stays that I'd like to do within the Marriott network. I thought I FINALLY FOUND a way to use our week to book something Marriott promised with the point system which was to book a 1 BR unit for a longer time. Sounds like I can't even do that without becoming an expert on this convoluted trading system which I'm clearly excluded from. I'm really sorry I'm obviously too obtuse to figure out all your advise but I guess that is the reality of the situation. Thank you to all who tried to help.

 

[catbro]

I feel like an idiot when I don't understand these comments and jargon. I'd really like to try to understand if there is anyway I can use my Vail week for other travel instead of selling points every year to barely cover my maintenance fee. I'm probably 15 years behind in understanding the change to points and using them. Thank you to everyone on this board who has tried to help me, it is really appreciated. But I think my starting point on this is a significant disadvantage. Thank you for all your replies.

 

[Pamplemousse]

I feel like an idiot when I don't understand these comments and jargon. I'd really like to try to understand if there is anyway I can use my Vail week for other travel instead of selling points every year to barely cover my maintenance fee. I'm probably 15 years behind in understanding the change to points and using them. Thank you to everyone on this board who has tried to help me, it is really appreciated. But I think my starting point on this is a significant disadvantage. Thank you for all your replies.

All specialties have jargon to help communicate quickly within that realm.
You do need to take the time to learn it.
Try calling the number on the owners site and having a conversation with the rep. They can answer each of your questions in real time and define terms for you.
From what you have written here your goals are very attainable with points or exchanging on II.
You are imagining it’s too difficult before you even try it.
The rep can show you how to elect your points, bank if needed, explain expiration dates and show you how to use the booking date calendar. This is all easily done online. If you were here to talk face to face I could show you how in an hour.
timsi & fastrr got discussing some finer points of exchange but that is nothing you need to worry about.
Good luck!

 

[Dean]

I feel like an idiot when I don't understand these comments and jargon. I'd really like to try to understand if there is anyway I can use my Vail week for other travel instead of selling points every year to barely cover my maintenance fee. I'm probably 15 years behind in understanding the change to points and using them. Thank you to everyone on this board who has tried to help me, it is really appreciated. But I think my starting point on this is a significant disadvantage. Thank you for all your replies.

It is a fair amount to pick up but not insurmountable. BTW, do not do an exit company, far too expensive and unlikely to be helpful. You have what, 2500 points. As long as you can do any time in November, you should be good for an Aruba 1 BR if you'll take any view but you may need 2 years worth of points. If you're set on Thanksgiving that might be a bit more risky. No one can check Nov 2024 at this point but we can in a month or 2 (13 vs 12 months). Just spend a few months learning the options and you should be a lot more comfortable. You're probably better off doing an exchange and renting the additional days privately.

 

[catbro]

HI Dean, sorry, just got notice of your post. I have 3500 points. I'm looking for early November (arriving around the 7th). A one BR is 2350 and 2925 for OV/OF for a week, so I'd have some additional points to use or to purchase for more nights. I think that time is considered pretty low season. Hoping to get this to work for me. Thanks for your input.