Beginner's Question though not new to this

[Tucsonadventurer]

We always book our week for an exchange as soon as we get them, except this yr . We own a Jan 24 Beach House week. I understand cut off date to put in interval and date to indicate use of set week. My question is if we want to exchange without going to lcup do we have to book an exchange 6 mo prior to Jan and complete stay by January or can we book an exchange before Jan for a July 24 week. Thanks in advance

 

[GTLINZ]

I assume you are talking about Interval. If so, there are layers to how you can use Interval with your week.

You can book in Interval using points (some or all) from your Jan 2024 week anytime from Jan 2023 (likely prepay MF) to Jan 2024. As long as the points have not gone to LCUP.

You can CHOOSE to put your points (some or all) from your Jan 2024 week in EXTENDED EXCHANGE for Interval use anytime from Jan 2023 to Sept 2023 (4 months before your use week). The points are valid to use in Interval up until Jan 2026 (2 year past your week). The value here is to extend the life of the points - but once in EE you can only use them for Interval.

I hope this answers your question. Its all about the planning.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

I assume you are talking about Interval. If so, there are layers to how you can use Interval with your week.

You can book in Interval using points (some or all) from your Jan 2024 week anytime from Jan 2023 (likely prepay MF) to Jan 2024. As long as the points have not gone to LCUP.

You can CHOOSE to put your points (some or all) from your Jan 2024 week in EXTENDED EXCHANGE for Interval use anytime from Jan 2023 to Sept 2023 (4 months before your use week). The points are valid to use in Interval up until Jan 2026 (2 year past your week). The value here is to extend the life of the points - but once in EE you can only use them for Interval.

I hope this answers your question. Its all about the planning.

Thank you. I was wondering about internal exchanges within Hyatt. For a Jan 2024 week, if I exchange internally I would need to complete my stay by Jan of 2024 or would I need to book by Jan 2024. Just hoping I could book Maui for June of 2024. Sorry I wasn't clear.

 

[GTLINZ]

Thank you. I was wondering about internal exchanges within Hyatt. For a Jan 2024 week, if I exchange internally I would need to complete my stay by Jan of 2024 or would I need to book by Jan 2024. Just hoping I could book Maui for June of 2024. Sorry I wasn't clear.

Gotcha. It's when you book. As long as you book using points from your Jan 2024 week BEFORE that week starts, you should be able to see and book anything available since your points are still CUP (you may see availability up to a year out).

Once any unused points from your Jan 2024 week reach that date, they become LCUP and can only be used for reservations 2 months out (you can see but not book beyond 2 months out). The LCUP points will last 6 months then drop off.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

Gotcha. It's when you book. As long as you book using points from your Jan 2024 week BEFORE that week starts, you should be able to see and book anything available since your points are still CUP (you may see availability up to a year out).

Once any unused points from your Jan 2024 week reach that date, they become LCUP and can only be used for reservations 2 months out (you can see but not book beyond 2 months out). The LCUP points will last 6 months then drop off.

Thank you so so much! Great news and explanation

 

[GTLINZ]

What if failed to mention is that although it is nice to be able to book past your points expiration date (going to LCUP), cancellations are a consideration.

Just like it matters is when you book, it matters when you cancel. And the age of the points still applies.

Example - you book in Sep of 2024 with your some/all of your Jan 2024 points. If you cancel that reservation in May of 2024 your points go to LCUP since your LCUP lasts until July of 2024. There would be no point in cancelling past July, as the points would be expired (nowhere to go).

Example - you book in Feb of 2024 with your some/all of your Jan 2024 points. If you cancel that reservation in Dec of 2024 more that 2 months before the reservation, your points go back to CUP. But inside of 2 months, even though the points would still be CUP you go to RCUP because of the penalty for cancelling inside 2 months. The only real difference between RCUP and LCUP is RCUP can still be used in Interval.

So the booking and cancellation dates are always a consideration.

 

[ScoopKona]

So the booking and cancellation dates are always a consideration.

If you can live with II trades, dropping points into II before the four-month window buys you an additional year and four+ months.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

We went to a Pinion Pointe presentation today and were told we had to USE our week by Jan. Maybe they were saying that to promote points program where that isn't an issue but they asked the supervisor . I trust TUG responses more

 

[GTLINZ]

If you can live with II trades, dropping points into II before the four-month window buys you an additional year and four+ months.

I love EEE - i use my week for both Hyatt and Interval trades and it leaves you so many options by extending the points for 2 years. I have never stayed at any of the units I have owned.

 

[ScoopKona]

I love EEE - i use my week for both Hyatt and Interval trades and it leaves you so many options by extending the points for 2 years. I have never stayed at any of the units I have owned.

You and me both. It chaps my posterior when people who don't know how this system works pop off about "never buy anything to trade" or "make sure to own something where you want to travel."

I think it's better advice -- at least for people who want to see the world -- to buy something which trades like a monster and then use that to see the world.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

I love EEE - i use my week for both Hyatt and Interval trades and it leaves you so many options by extending the points for 2 years. I have never stayed at any of the units I have owned.

Same here, we own 3 units and have never used our home week.

 

[GTLINZ]

I think it's better advice -- at least for people who want to see the world -- to buy something which trades like a monster and then use that to see the world.

We have only owned points systems weeks and have gotten to go to a lot of great places on the cheap in nice units. We have settled more driving to places we love in FL and visiting friends and relative in FL. We don't own a lot anymore but can do a lot with our Hyatt unit for sure.

 

[ScoopKona]

We have only owned points systems weeks and have gotten to go to a lot of great places on the cheap in nice units. We have settled more driving to places we love in FL and visiting friends and relative in FL. We don't own a lot anymore but can do a lot with our Hyatt unit for sure.

The lack of curiosity on the part of the people who own traditional timeshares is frustrating. Traditional timeshares are easy -- buy a week, use your week or trade for a week. But it's always a week. (Unless lockoffs are involved. But even those are too complicated for some timeshare owners.)

Very rarely, the subject of timeshares comes up with people in real life. Usually, it's someone sheepishly admitting that they own a timeshare -- saying it like they contracted an STD. "Well we used our timeshare to go there. I know what you're thinking."

It usually floors these people when I reply that our timeshare has made more of an impact on our quality of life than any other toy we have purchased. "Are you kidding? I love mine. I trade it for a month of vacations nearly every year."

Thanks to stories like the one Jon Oliver recently did, "common knowledge" is that timeshares are bad; the people who sell timeshares are liars; and the people who buy them are fools. At least that scares the herd off and lets us trade more easily. That's the only silver lining I can see. Try to tell these people that it doesn't have to work this way, and they treat that information as an invitation to join the church of scientology.

 

[geist1223]

I can still remember when Patti and I bought out first Timeshare together over 20 years ago. We did this even before we married. I put my share on a no interest credit card. Patti wrote a check for her half. When she called her Financial Advisor to have money transferred to her Bank Account to cover the check. She got the oh no what a stupid idea lecture. A few years later and after trips with us to Australia, Hawaii, Oregon Coast, and Canada the Financial Advisor admitted she was wrong and that we were putting our Timeshare to full and good use. This was helped by the fact I spent the time to figure out how to use it for our benefit.

 

[Scavanjer]

My financial advisor actually told me he owns a timeshare and has been very happy with the value that he has received from his investment. He walked me thru the numbers and the weeks he owns and it made a lot of sense and he’s very happy with his decision to own

 

[ScoopKona]

My financial advisor actually told me he owns a timeshare and has been very happy with the value that he has received from his investment. He walked me thru the numbers and the weeks he owns and it made a lot of sense and he’s very happy with his decision to own

I wouldn't call it an investment, no matter how well it trades. It can save money on vacations. That isn't the same -- spending less isn't the same as making more. Not vacationing at all saves even more. (Until the early heart attack and death happens, at least.)

When we (the people who are happy with our timeshares) start throwing around words like "investment," people think they can buy one and rent out weeks -- and make BANK.

 

[AJCts411]

I wouldn't call it an investment, no matter how well it trades. It can save money on vacations. That isn't the same -- spending less isn't the same as making more. Not vacationing at all saves even more. (Until the early heart attack and death happens, at least.)

When we (the people who are happy with our timeshares) start throwing around words like "investment," people think they can buy one and rent out weeks -- and make BANK.

We own two weeks, and rent out one week and plus a studio. Bought both weeks to be able to continue to vacation in KW, with the spiraling rent costs. With our "investment" we gain about $300 per year. (over all for the 2 weeks) That is we have a positive cash flow of $300 per year, after maintenance fees. Well, positive until one adds in everything else like flights, food, beverages, excursions...then it's not so much of a investment. The ROI (maintenance fees and purchase cost) for the second week for us was 5 years. Yes we bought low. And we still have some value when we sell the week. So investments...thats a wide definition, certainly not a traditional one.

 

[GTLINZ]

Investment is a misleading word. My timeshares have been anything but a financial investment that returns capital (money). But it has been an investment into our life with our family (and often just my wife and I) with the benefit/returns that come from a vacation/traveling.

The net capital effect is a drain because we are traveling and spending money. But our timeshares have certainly allowed us to travel at significant savings. And owning it has basically made us carve out time to take vacations.

So if you took the cost of what our traveling would be without the timeshares and what it does cost because we own the timeshares, in a twisted way the timeshare has been a good "investment".

 

[ScoopKona]

So investments...thats a wide definition, certainly not a traditional one.

You'd save even more not visiting Key West at all. (I don't recommend not taking vacations.)

Look at some of the posts we get. We can't give people the benefit of the doubt because most of 'em don't deserve it. "You said it was an INVESTMENT! I paid $5,000. Why haven't I made any money!?!?!?! You LIED!"

That's why I'm always careful to call this a toy. Toys don't generally pay returns -- unless they're classic cars with 12 cylinders/aircooled. And even then it's easy to lose one's shirt in the classic car market.