Best value to exchange Welk Points

[jddgfd]

Hello, new to timesharing and this forum and looking to learn the best way to maximize the value of my timeshare.

My significant other and I recently (greater than the 5 day cancellation period) purchased into the Welk platinum point program and are getting 360,000 points eoy.

What was explained to us to get the best value through II is to deposit 90,000 (equivalent of a studio one week) and can get 4 weeks of vacation for our "1 week" of points we get. I called II to ask if the points we deposit, which reflects the size of unit equivalent, would affect what results show up on the search and they said no, all availabilities will show up and we can exchange a studio for a 1-2 br if that is all thats available. Has that been the experience of other point users in the II system?

I also joined DAE to see what they offered in comparison to II and found options that II did not have mostly in Scotland and Ireland. Are there other exchange sites that are highly recommended as well? We are very interested in trying to use our points to visit the islands in French Polynesia, any advise on how to find these seemingly hidden gems? Other exchange sites that tend to have better options available?

Thank you all for the help! Very glad to find this fountain of information!

 

[tschwa2]

What was explained to us to get the best value through II is to deposit 90,000 (equivalent of a studio one week) and can get 4 weeks of vacation for our "1 week" of points we get. I called II to ask if the points we deposit, which reflects the size of unit equivalent, would affect what results show up on the search and they said no, all availabilities will show up and we can exchange a studio for a 1-2 br if that is all thats available. Has that been the experience of other point users in the II system?

The above is what II told you not Welk? It doesn't sound right. During flex period which is 60 days or less before check in a studio can probably see most of what would be available to larger units but not everything. Outside of flex even prime Maui studio's report seeing more with a mid to high level one bedroom in a place like Orlando. While a studio deposit won't mean all that you will see are studios, it will greatly affect how many larger units outside of off season you are able to see and therefore exchange into.

My experience isn't with Welk but with Marriott, starwood and other non big name deeded weeks.

How many points would a mid season 1 br cost. I might deposit the sudio and the 1 br and then compare how they do. Look at the tdi. Sometimes what welk considers low season (and less points) might be considered a higher season with II for that area.

 

[jddgfd]

That is what II told me when I called them, but seemed not entirely believable and that is why I was wondering other peoples experiences.

I had considered putting in up to the 120,000 points for a 1 br to see if availability changes but before doing that was hoping to see if there was any other information here.

The II rep also mentioned that the "week" that the resort gives me on the deposit doesn't affect the resorts that will show being available for exchange.

Being new I just didn't quite understand how it all worked and still definitely don't.\

I know the resort only has a TDI of 70 overall. I don't know how to look at the TDI of my week? The assigned week is week 52, so 12/6-1/2, which is holiday season near San Diego so don't know if that makes any difference?

 

[gmarine]

That is what II told me when I called them, but seemed not entirely believable and that is why I was wondering other peoples experiences.

I had considered putting in up to the 120,000 points for a 1 br to see if availability changes but before doing that was hoping to see if there was any other information here.

The II rep also mentioned that the "week" that the resort gives me on the deposit doesn't affect the resorts that will show being available for exchange.

Being new I just didn't quite understand how it all worked and still definitely don't.\

I know the resort only has a TDI of 70 overall. I don't know how to look at the TDI of my week? The assigned week is week 52, so 12/6-1/2, which is holiday season near San Diego so don't know if that makes any difference?

The week you deposit will have a big impact on your trade power. Week 52 will have very good trade power. An off season week will have low trading power. The size of the unit will also make a big difference. A studio will have lower trading power than a one bedroom at the same resort. Think supply and demand. More people want a one bedroom or larger and more people travel in high season than low season therefore larger unit and higher season means more trade power.

Unfortunately II reps often give confusing and sometimes outright wrong information.

 

[jddgfd]

Yea, I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with an II representative trying to get this information. She again said that having a studio vs 1br vs 2br would not affect the inventory shown to me, only additional room sizes at those resorts?

Am thinking of depositing a 1 br instead and seeing if things change, but don't want to put in the additional points if it really isn't going to change anything for me. I would be perfectly happy in a studio and have no need of requiring a 1br.

 

[hjtug]

If you can get in touch with other Welk owners that trade you can learn a lot from them. Otherwise you can learn from you own experience.

 

[HudsHut]

jddgfd:
Welcome to TUG.

Ignore the 70. That is not the travel demand for "California, Southern Areas", the geographic area in which Welk Resort in Escondido exists. II assigns a numerical code to the geographic areas. This number is not an indicator of demand, and has no meaning to us II members.

Week 52 at Welk has a TDI of 135, which is quite good. The highest TDI assigned by II is 150. Go to the Resort Directory, find your resort. Under the Resort Information section, there is a link that says "Travel Demand Index". Click on it, and a graph appears. Scroll down until you see week 52.

If you deposit a studio equivalent, you will be able to trade into fewer units than if you deposit a 1 or 2 bedroom. As it gets closer to the check-in date, more inventory will become available to you, as the trade power required for that inventory will have been reduced by II.

Some people enjoy the trading game. (Others are stressed by the uncertainty it.) You have to know your personality. If you don't mind checking often (persistent) and are willing to wait until 59 - 30 days before check-in (patient), then you may score a fantastic trade for your studio.

I use the "studio trade strategy" when I am going to exchange into a drive-to destination, and I can go at the last minute if the exchange appears that late. If I need to arrange airfare (or time off from work) well in advance of the date of travel, then I need my exchange to come through earlier, and I'm willing to pay full price for it. The savings on a good airfare will generally be greater than the savings from using a studio on the exchange.

Keep reading and asking questions. There is a lot to learn. And you found the best resource there is.

 

[mjm1]

Welcome to TUG. We have owned Welk since 2000 and their Platinum Points program since 2009.

We have only traded a 1BR (120k points) since we converted to the points program. They bulk bank the weeks well ahead of time and assign which ever week comes up from that inventory. Only once (several years ago) was I able to request and receive a specific week. I don't like that, but you don't have a choice from what I have seen. We have received some good trades and some times have received a 2BR unit. I would say that is usually in a shoulder season, not prime time. The most recent example is we received a 2BR at Marriott Marbella, in Spain, for this coming November. I have always heard and experienced that you can only request the same size unit that you deposit, but if something bigger is available you can get it.

Did Welk tell you that you will receive a second week through II if you deposit a unit? They have had an agreement with II since they started the points program. However, I don't know if it is still in effect. If they do, it is an Accommodation Certificate (AC) and you pay a fee based on the size unit you reserve. The availability can be limited, but we have actually received some very nice resorts, but again usually if shoulder or off season.

I hope this information is helpful. Since you are past the time to cancel your purchase, you are doing the right thing- learn as much as you can on how to maximize your ownership.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[jddgfd]

Thank you all for the help and information.

Yea, I've noticed the disparity in exchanges available based off time out and the nearer to the date, the more options. Unfortunately we were planning on a trip to Europe the next couple Octobers and can't wait on airfare til the last month or 2.

Since I transferred over a studio initially, is there a way to upgrade (transfer the additional points) to make it into a 1br just to increase what inventory we see is, or would we have to put in another 1br amount of points and have 2 exchange properties available?

They did tell me about the "bonus week" through II. When I transferred the points over we received a bonus week that must be used within the year, so may actually use that initially this fall to make sure it doesn't go to waste. I don't know if the pricing is the same, I believe its $249 for a studio, $299 for a 1br and $349 for a 2br. At times its about the same price as doing a getaway as well I noticed

I think for travel past this coming winter, we will need to do requests to improve our chances of exchanges we want. Luckily we don't have kids and no school schedules so are trying to do most of our travelling away from peak times which will hopefully be beneficial in the trading game.

I have found some good options on daelive and like how you can search for exchanges before transferring points. Would love to put in a request on II and DAelive and see which one produces results first, however II requires having the points in their system first. Has anyone put points into II and kept points in your welk account, put in the same request for the property at two sites and then use the one that gets it first? Help maximize your results?

From the welk owners that have responded, any other tips to maximize the use of points/bonus weeks for exchanges is very appreciated.

 

[mjm1]

I would call Welk to see if you can upgrade what you deposited to a 1BR. Since they use a bulk bank process I would think they can do it, but I am not sure.

Good question about a request first via II. I know you can do it with other systems, but I am not sure about Welk since they do the bulk banking system. I would speak with both Welk and II to confirm how they handle it.

Mike