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DEX exchange quality/ease vs Interval?

A

amsunshine

TUG Member
Joined
May 11, 2022
Messages
94
Reaction score
50
Location
S. California
Resorts Owned
Park Regency
Hello all:

We are considering acquiring Embarc points and are learning about the new availability of the DEX system to Embarc members. I'm wondering how the system compares to Interval? We've been Interval members for years, and are very familiar with it, as well as the availability and quality of different resorts.

What is not clear to me, even after reading through the DEX guide for Embarc members, and reading some threads here about DEX exchanges, is what resorts are actually available for Embarc members through DEX? The DEX guide references various numbers of resorts throughout the world apparently available for trade/exchange, but doesn't actually name the resorts. In another thread on this forum, posters discussed how HGVC resorts are generally unavailable for trade through DEX for Embarc members.

Can anyone speak to their experience(s) exchanging with DEX (as Embarc members or otherwise), and how those experiences compare with Interval in terms of the quality of resorts available and ease of exchanging into specific desired resorts/locations? Thanks!
 
You might want to look in some of the DEX guides for weeks or EU to get an idea. For whatever reason the Embarc guide doesn't provide resorts. The other guides do, though the resorts provided isn't 100% inclusive.
 
Hmm. After looking through one of the other guides actually listing the resorts, I'm not sure DEX is better than or even equal to Interval (not that Interval is super fantastic, mind you). However, the selection appears even more limited. Eek. There do seem to be a few decent options, but overall, the selection of resorts is not that appealing.
 
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amsunshine said:
Hmm. After looking through one of the other guides actually listing the resorts, I'm not sure DEX is better than or even equal to Interval (not that Interval is super fantastic, mind you). However, the selection appears even more limited. Eek. There do seem to be a few decent options, but overall, the selection of resorts is not that appealing.
Click to expand...
Inventory is mainly limited to former Diamond Resorts and Hilton Vacation Club properties. I am sure there are a few others in there as some HGVC affiliates are available as well as Embarc. One benefit of DEX is there shouldn't be any resort fees like you will find with II and RCI when exchanging into those same properties.
 
Yes, the lack of resort fees is very nice. I guess we would still be Interval members, so not all is lost, even if we have to pay some resort fees.
 
I've used both and prefer Interval. DEX has mostly the former Diamond properties which don't compare to our own or the better resorts on Interval. The only exception would be for Vidanta - because the resort fee is only $300 on DEX but much more with the other exchange companies.
The points cost for DEX bookings is generally higher and the system is built to make as much money as possible (for the developer). The tier system is built to get upgrade fees (one fee per level) if you deposited to a lower level and want to book something at a higher one. You lose the extra points if you had deposited into a higher tier and then downgrade (ex tier 6 (12,000pts) to a tier 4 (8000) because that's where you want to go.
Interval is simple. You find where you want to go and use the exact number of points (we exchange with Interval with points) required for the booking. No losing points with a downgrade or paying extra to upgrade. Members who deposit in DEX to "save" their points end up sometimes paying as much as the point value itself to use them. It's built to confuse.
 
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cd5 said:
I've used both and prefer Interval. DEX has mostly the former Diamond properties which don't compare to our own or the better resorts on Interval. The only exception would be for Vidanta - because the resort fee is only $300 on DEX but much more with the other exchange companies.
The points cost for DEX bookings is generally higher and the system is built to make as much money as possible (for the developer). The tier system is built to get upgrade fees (one fee per level) if you deposited to a lower level and want to book something at a higher one. You lose the extra points if you had deposited into a higher tier and then downgrade (ex tier 6 (12,000pts) to a tier 4 (8000) because that's where you want to go.
Interval is simple. You find where you want to go and use the exact number of points (we exchange with Interval with points) required for the booking. No losing points with a downgrade or paying extra to upgrade. Members who deposit in DEX to "save" their points end up sometimes paying as much as the point value itself to use them. It's built to confuse.
Click to expand...

How does this assessment compare with those that are using deeded HVC weeks DEX instead of points?
 
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@cd5 did they release a 2026 DEX guide for Embarc members?
 
dioxide45 said:
@cd5 did they release a 2026 DEX guide for Embarc members?
Click to expand...
The DEX "guide" is pretty basic. We have the chart with all the fees and some maps, showing a larger "number" of places to go (no details though) but using it is what informs you best.
Basically, their tier system is what ends up costing you extra money. If you don't deposit points to save them (and only booking later) or if deposited, are careful to choose only exchanges in your deposit "tier" it's not as big a hit, but if you do use a deposit, the trick is to find something in that tier, where you want to go, at the time you want. Having a deposit ends up having a certain degree of inconvenience (searching longer) and less flexibility if you want a specific destination or want to keep the cost of the exchange down. Their protection plan also is expensive, it went up from $89 originally to $199.
The fee for going up one tier is $360 or 3000 points. Go up 2 tiers and it doubles the amounts. 3000 points costs us $480 in fees making it better to pay cash. Going down tiers costs you in lost points - 2000 per tier ( $320).
I therefore don't like the program and to me it's only worth using as a last resort to not lose expiring points altogether (they are saved for 5 years if deposited).
To each his own but I find Interval & RCI (with a different timeshare) easier, and cheaper to use. One upside though, is that we have no membership fee; it's free and all Embarc members are "automatically" DEX members.
To each his own, I guess, but I'm not a fan.
The guide is in my One Drive here

Microsoft OneDrive

1drv.ms 1drv.ms
1000139011.jpg
 
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WorldT said:
How does this assessment compare with those that are using deeded HVC weeks DEX instead of points?
Click to expand...
I think in that case you are basically locked in to a certain tier depending on the value of your week, so similar to someone who deposits ahead of time, instead of booking directly (with the correct number of points for the booking). Therefore, unless you only go to the same "value" resorts/timing, in the same tier, basically, you're always having to pay either to upgrade or lose value giving up something better than what you get.
DEX was built by Diamond to use with points. I feel that deed owners, unless they can transfer to points in their system before booking in DEX if not an exact match (and hopefully having enough points left to use elsewhere instead of losing them), are always going to be disadvantaged.
 
fWIW here is my experience.

I took over a small 6K Embarc account this past October, it came with saved points from 2024, so I didn't have long to book before all points expired. I was able to find a short stay close to me in December in Embarc. For the remaining points I deposited into DEX and found an HVC week next October at Villas de Santa Fe NM. So it was worth it to me to be able to use up the points since I paid just the transfer fee for them.

I just got 2026 points and saved right away into 2027, where I will be looking for something good in Dex. I think the best trades are the top tier units, you can probably get lower tier cheaper with Interval Getaways or RCI last calls.
 
Here is an example for May 2027, +-14 days. I like the Embarc version of the HGVC web site better than my HGVC account, it has many search options. This was the Time Finder, just put in dates and it shows a map of all available places, including DEX. You can tell the DEX listing because it shows the Tier number.

Screenshot_20260108-093810.png
 
Here is the cost, exchange fee plus two years of points cost for ocean front reservation.

Screenshot_20260108-094907.png
 
amsunshine said:
Hello all:

We are considering acquiring Embarc points and are learning about the new availability of the DEX system to Embarc members. I'm wondering how the system compares to Interval? We've been Interval members for years, and are very familiar with it, as well as the availability and quality of different resorts.

What is not clear to me, even after reading through the DEX guide for Embarc members, and reading some threads here about DEX exchanges, is what resorts are actually available for Embarc members through DEX? The DEX guide references various numbers of resorts throughout the world apparently available for trade/exchange, but doesn't actually name the resorts. In another thread on this forum, posters discussed how HGVC resorts are generally unavailable for trade through DEX for Embarc members.

Can anyone speak to their experience(s) exchanging with DEX (as Embarc members or otherwise), and how those experiences compare with Interval in terms of the quality of resorts available and ease of exchanging into specific desired resorts/locations? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I am looking to buy. One property that I am considering post that they have 2 to 3 weeks banked in "Hilton's Destination Exchange". I got burned by HGVC developer's sells team. I thought that I learned a lot about point exchanges from honor's points to this HGVCMax (or something similar) but this destination exchange is a new one to me. Admittedly, very new to the timeshare world. Based on this thread sounds like it is still operational. The seller states that they have a tier 3 week and a tier 4 week. If anyone can give me a few simple facts and possibly a link to understand if destination exchange weeks are transferable with the deed transfer and some idea of the magnitude of the destination exchange fees, transfer fees, etc. Thanks. b
 
biggully said:
I am looking to buy. One property that I am considering post that they have 2 to 3 weeks banked in "Hilton's Destination Exchange". I got burned by HGVC developer's sells team. I thought that I learned a lot about point exchanges from honor's points to this HGVCMax (or something similar) but this destination exchange is a new one to me. Admittedly, very new to the timeshare world. Based on this thread sounds like it is still operational. The seller states that they have a tier 3 week and a tier 4 week. If anyone can give me a few simple facts and possibly a link to understand if destination exchange weeks are transferable with the deed transfer and some idea of the magnitude of the destination exchange fees, transfer fees, etc. Thanks. b
Click to expand...
If you're buying an Embarc membership, the DEX deposits don't transfer. The current owner would have to add you as a guest for you to use those weeks - which means the bookings already made before the sale is finalized. Based on how DEX works, if it is a deeded property, the same applies. DEX is separate from HGVC. Once the points/weeks are deposited, Hilton can't transfer them.
There's a link to my One Drive with the DEX guide in my post above

Post in thread 'DEX exchange quality/ease vs Interval?' https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/dex-exchange-quality-ease-vs-interval.379551/post-3237790
 
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