Exchanging via Interval International with points or without points

[andre10056]

I've had an Interval International account for years via my ownership of Hyatt Windward Pointe in Key West, Florida. It's a Gold week so, therefore, my point allocation is 1880 points which became 1880 II points after "banking" my week. Although I had the account courtesy of Hyatt Corporate, I had never used it before but I've now decided to explore what II might be able to do for me.

I realized recently that my three other timeshares traded via both II and RCI so I first looked into adding them to my already existing II account. That can't be done as a Hyatt Windward Pointe Interval International account is only for Hyatt Windward Pointe...period!

So I opened a second II account and added each of my other three timeshares.

But here's the interesting thing that I discovered: you get zero information about the value of the property you might exchange into via the non-point account. A property (week and unit size) may appear as available to any of my three properties in my brand new II account, but I'm blind as to what that available week might be "worth".

This is in contrast to my Hyatt Windward Pointe account (and presumably all accounts for which you have points to "spend") which allows me to see PRECISELY what II believes the target week may be worth. For example, Disney 1 BRs at Saratoga Springs and Old Key West recently appeared as being worth 1700 points during June and 1100 points during a week in April.

In addition, here's what I found in Hawaii right about 6 pm last night:

From one Hawaiian island location (or, at least, one page worth of search results):

Kona Coast II, 1 BR, 4/4, Apr 12-19 1500
Kona Coast, 1 BR, 4/4, Sep 28-Oct 5 1100
Westin Princeville, studio, 4/2, Mar 9-Mar 16 700
Kahaina Beach Vacation Club, studio, 4/2, Jun 29-Jul 6 450
Kahaina Beach Vacation Club studio, 4/2, Sep 17-Sep 24 400
Maui Banyan, studio, 2/2, Sep 20-Sep 27 400
Maui Banyan, studio, 2/2, Oct 24-Oct 31 350
Maui Banyan, studio, 2/2, Oct 31-Nov 7 350
Kahaina Falls, studio, 2/2, Sep 21-Sep 28 400
Kahaina Villa Vacation Club, 1 BR, 4/4, Oct 19-Oct 26 700
Kahaina Villa Vacation Club, 1 BR, 4/4, Oct 25-Nov 1 700
Kahaina Villa Vacation Club, 1 BR, 4/4, Nov 29-Dec 6 700
Royal Kuhio, 1 BR, 4/4, Oct 25-Nov 1 700
Maui Beach Vacation Club, 1 BR, 4/4, Nov 22-Nov 29 800
Pono Kai, 1 BR, 4/4, Jan 3-Jan 10 800
Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach, 1 BR, 4/2, Jan 4-Jan 11 800

And from another page:

Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, studio, 4/2, Jul 26-Aug 2 700

So, if I search using one account, an account that just allows for a one to one trade, I am blind. If I use the account that allocates points to me, I see the precise value of anything that might be available.

I really don't see how one can knowledgeably trade unless you see the value of what you're trading into. Not to mention keeping the balance if you're using some lesser amount of allocated points. You might unknowingly trade some enormously valuable week and get a 350 point week in exchange.

Am I reading this wrong about Interval International?

 

[Hindsite]

Am I reading this wrong about Interval International?

Not quite, points work differently from weeks, and indeed different points systems work differently in II, so there is a lot of variability.

So, if I search using one account, an account that just allows for a one to one trade, I am blind. If I use the account that allocates points to me, I see the precise value of anything that might be available.

You aren't blind, you just don't know the exact algorithm II uses to value weeks deposited and weeks exchanged. II do state the components that make up Trading power of weeks and they include: TDI (Travel Demand Index) for the week deposited, unit size, popularity of the location that the resort is in and the relative supply and demand of what is being deposited. This then matches off against the same parameters for what you are requesting.

I really don't see how one can knowledgeably trade unless you see the value of what you're trading into. Not to mention keeping the balance if you're using some lesser amount of allocated points. You might unknowingly trade some enormously valuable week and get a 350 point week in exchange.

Weeks don't convert back to a points value and its relatively easy to work out what kind of trading power your week has. e.g a studio in high season on Hawaii, will have greater trading power than a studio in high season in Orlando, due to the relative popularity of Hawaii vs Orlando.
I have a strong preference for weeks over points as its much easier to punch above your weight on a maint fee per week basis, as you can get some weeks that can reliably pull higher seasons, and/or larger unit sizes, and even higher location. With points you are stuck in a 2 x 2 or 2 x 3 matrix with no possibility of getting higher than the grid says.

 

[andre10056]

Many thanks, Hindsite, for the detailed reply.

 

[2rebecca]

But here's the interesting thing that I discovered: you get zero information about the value of the property you might exchange into via the non-point account. A property (week and unit size) may appear as available to any of my three properties in my brand new II account, but I'm blind as to what that available week might be "worth".

The points only tell you what II thinks the week is "worth". The real question is what do you think it is worth? Would it be "worth" the trade if you were trading privately on TUG or would you expect compensation in addition to the week swap? For me, not everything has to be dollar for dollar or the absolute BEST deal when it comes to exchanging. It comes down to whether a week at Resort A is worth my maintenance fees plus my II fees (membership & exchange). If it is, I make the exchange. I've been exchanging weeks in II for over 20 years. Sometimes I trade up and other times I trade down a bit, but usually, if I trade up in resort quality, I trade down in TDI or vice versa. All of the exchanges were worth it because it was to a place I wanted to go.

Since I've never traded points, what do you do with your "change" when you exchange into a resort of lesser value through II? Do you have enough points to make a 2nd exchange? Do they rollover each year? I think folks using points in their home system can sometimes sell/rent the "change" but can you do that in II?

In case you haven't seen it before, here is a link to II's comparable exchange policy. It is from 2016, but I think it is the latest version they have posted in the community forums. If you find a more current version please let us know. https://community.intervalworld.com...comparable-exchange-for-weeks-ownership/43229