Exchanging within II

[Sean835]

Hello, can someone please point me to an article or existing thread on how exchanges work within II? As I've mentioned in a different thread, I'm exploring the purchase of a Marriott resale "season" unit but I'm trying to figure out how much trading power a potential purchase would have and how much it "costs" to get into other resorts within II? For RCI Weeks, I understand that RCI assigns a TPU to each deposit based on the specific resort, unit size and view, and week and then the person can use those TPUs to exchange into a different resort where the "cost" is based on those same factors (specific resort, unit size and view, and week). If all TPUs are not used for the exchange the owner can maintain those in a "bank" for future use. I have not been able to figure out how it works within II yet though. Any guidance is much appreciated.

 

[DeniseM]

[Moved to Marriott forum for Marriott specific responses]

 

[Pamplemousse]

II does use trading power but they don’t give a finite number for it. It’s based on resort rating, unit size, TDI (travel demand) of the deposited unit and other undefined factors.
In my experience TDI doesn’t matter all that much when you compare it to the fact that II gives priority for Marriott to Marriott exchanges. I own a gold week at a premier Orlando MVC and I have been very successful with my trades by placing requests a year in advance. I don’t generally travel high season (don’t like crowds) but travelling shoulder season I have exchanged to MVC Hawaii, Hilton Head, Paris, etc.
II membership is $99/yr- discount for multiple years, exchange fee is $219- discount when exchanging to another Marriott, upsize fee for a bigger unit if available-$99 per step, I believe eplus is now $89 which allows 3 manual retrades which is great insurance if you need to make a change.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I thought TDI was "Travel Demand Index" but in any event, you want to go to the Interval International TDI and pick out the highest demand week (specifically for the season in which you own), make a reservation with Marriott for that week, and then deposit it into Interval International in order to be able to grab a desirable week for exchange.

All seasons (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) all have rated weeks, some are very high (think southern Florida in February or March for Platinum), and some are very low (think Hilton Head in early January for Bronze). The key is to reserve the best week from the season in which you actually own.

Obviously Platinum ownership usually has some highly desirable weeks (but you will usually pay more for a Platinum week than you would for a Gold week).

Hope this helps!




.

 

[Sean835]

Thank you both. Given II doesn’t assign a finite value, such as TPU on RCI, does that eliminate the “bank” concept? For example, if I own a 3BR unit at Ocean Pointe (Singer) and exchange it for a 2BR at an II resort in Williamsburg, VA does that mean I lose any residual value?


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[Pamplemousse]

Thank you both. Given II doesn’t assign a finite value, such as TPU on RCI, does that eliminate the “bank” concept? For example, if I own a 3BR unit at Ocean Pointe (Singer) and exchange it for a 2BR at an II resort in Williamsburg, VA does that mean I lose any residual value?


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Yes- a week is a week.
But if you can lock off your unit you can just trade one part at a time. When you place a request you can indicate you will pay the $99 per step fee or select a larger unit (with the fee) when exchanging manually.

 

[dioxide45]

Thank you both. Given II doesn’t assign a finite value, such as TPU on RCI, does that eliminate the “bank” concept? For example, if I own a 3BR unit at Ocean Pointe (Singer) and exchange it for a 2BR at an II resort in Williamsburg, VA does that mean I lose any residual value?


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As indicated, you would lose that residual value. However, to salvage that value, you would lock off the 3BR Ocean Pointe week into a 2BR and a studio. You would then deposit both and trade the 2BR for a 2BR and still have the studio left over to trade for something else. This is only something you can do when you own a lock off unit.

 

[Dean]

Hello, can someone please point me to an article or existing thread on how exchanges work within II? As I've mentioned in a different thread, I'm exploring the purchase of a Marriott resale "season" unit but I'm trying to figure out how much trading power a potential purchase would have and how much it "costs" to get into other resorts within II? For RCI Weeks, I understand that RCI assigns a TPU to each deposit based on the specific resort, unit size and view, and week and then the person can use those TPUs to exchange into a different resort where the "cost" is based on those same factors (specific resort, unit size and view, and week). If all TPUs are not used for the exchange the owner can maintain those in a "bank" for future use. I have not been able to figure out how it works within II yet though. Any guidance is much appreciated.

II doesn't publish trade power like RCI does but they do use the same parameters. As noted, TDI isn't standardized from one area to another so it only gives you week to week comparisons within that area. IMO there are no cheap and top traders for MVC but you really shouldn't need it trading MVC to MVC. IMO the best compromises are Harbour Lake, Grande Vista, Grand Chateau, Willow Ridge and Manor club (Sequel only) Platinum only. They have reasonable dues, can be bought fairly cheaply and all have lock offs. One might add in the CA desert locations for Gold as comparable and lately, Platinum has been very reasonable there though the fees tend to be more. Something you might use part of the time is a major plus IMO.

As for exchange cost, you have the II membership fee, lock off fee, potential upgrade fees and exchange fee (slightly less if you request ONLY MVC options). Assuming a 2BR L/O and upgrading each to a 2 BR for each yearly, that'd be in the range of $800 per year for the 2 weeks/2 exchanges.

 

[Brucedelta]

I am new to this and considering buying into Marriott. Obviously, the salespeople want me to buy points from them. I am trying to figure if a resale week makes sense or even resale points. This is all very confusing and I am trying to make sense of it all.

There are a couple of questions I have that may be fit with this thread.
1) If I put a week into II, does someone have to "take/use" that week for me to get credit?
2) If I do as suggested above and book the strongest week I can a year out and then deposit that with II, how long will I have to make use of the deposited week. It seems like there should be an easy answer for how long time banked into II lasts, but I am not seeing it.
3) If I buy an MVC unit then even as a resale owner I would have II priority for other MVC units? Does it matter if the unit was enrolled?
4) Do MVC properties that use points still show up in II? I would imagine anything new they built after 2010 would only have points and no "deeded units". Is there a way to exchange into those in II or is it dependent on a points owner to book something to deposit for trade?
5) The very subjective question about the value of Marriott vs others. If the MVC has priority on II and seems to be the biggest system, then it seems to me it would be the best place buy, is that reasonable. I do see there are some units people try to give away and part of me wonders if there is any value in those, but I understand not likely or they would not be languishing waiting for people to take them for nearly free. Will the trade priority in MVC likely prevent that issue in the future (assuming MVC stays solvent and in the top tier of desirable)?

Thanks for your help as I embark on my education about this.

 

[dioxide45]

I am new to this and considering buying into Marriott. Obviously, the salespeople want me to buy points from them. I am trying to figure if a resale week makes sense or even resale points. This is all very confusing and I am trying to make sense of it all.

There are a couple of questions I have that may be fit with this thread.
1) If I put a week into II, does someone have to "take/use" that week for me to get credit?

No, once deposited you can use it for exchange.

2) If I do as suggested above and book the strongest week I can a year out and then deposit that with II, how long will I have to make use of the deposited week. It seems like there should be an easy answer for how long time banked into II lasts, but I am not seeing it.

Deposits expire 24 months after the checkout date of the week deposited.

3) If I buy an MVC unit then even as a resale owner I would have II priority for other MVC units? Does it matter if the unit was enrolled?

Yes, the Marriott to Marriott and even Marriott to Vistana priority and preference periods apply.

4) Do MVC properties that use points still show up in II? I would imagine anything new they built after 2010 would only have points and no "deeded units". Is there a way to exchange into those in II or is it dependent on a points owner to book something to deposit for trade?

Yes, we have seen some points only properties show up in II for exchnage. They certainly aren't as common as resorts with deeded weeks where owners deposit, but it happens.

5) The very subjective question about the value of Marriott vs others. If the MVC has priority on II and seems to be the biggest system, then it seems to me it would be the best place buy, is that reasonable. I do see there are some units people try to give away and part of me wonders if there is any value in those, but I understand not likely or they would not be languishing waiting for people to take them for nearly free. Will the trade priority in MVC likely prevent that issue in the future (assuming MVC stays solvent and in the top tier of desirable)?

Some Marriott weeks simply don't have any value, eve if they are Marriott weeks. Low season weeks in places with low demand and high maintenance fees are hard to give away. Also units that don't lock off can be harder to get rid of. Think of Royal, Sabal and Imperial Palms. These are non lock off properties with higher fees. Low season weeks in Hilton Head are also not as easy to sell because none of the HHI properties lock off and they don't make good traders and for the most part people don't want to travel to HHI in the low season.

 

[Dean]

5) The very subjective question about the value of Marriott vs others. If the MVC has priority on II and seems to be the biggest system, then it seems to me it would be the best place buy, is that reasonable. I do see there are some units people try to give away and part of me wonders if there is any value in those, but I understand not likely or they would not be languishing waiting for people to take them for nearly free. Will the trade priority in MVC likely prevent that issue in the future (assuming MVC stays solvent and in the top tier of desirable)?

dioxide has answered the other questions specifically. Realize that the one guarantee in timesharing is that things will change and often not to your advantage. My list above is the minimum I'd consider for exchanging for a unit bought specifically for that purpose for MVC. There are other options that are reasonable for some assuming they'd use them part of the time. Gold Ocean Pointe or a Gold or Platinum week for Aruba comes to mind assuming one would use it a considerable % of the time.

But really the first questions are more general. Whether timesharing in general is a good fit for you and if so, what is the best system for your situation. Considerations would include where you like to travel, how far out you can & will plan, are you OK with the compromises of timeshares, your quality expectations, unit size needed, length of usual travel, where one prefers to vacation and budget. If timeshare in general seem to be a good option, I'd simply look at the other variables, esp location, and that should normally tell you what the best choice is of which company(s) to look at. Maybe it's MVC, Wyndham, Worldmark, Hilton, etc.

 

[jme]

Thank you both. Given II doesn’t assign a finite value, such as TPU on RCI, does that eliminate the “bank” concept? For example, if I own a 3BR unit at Ocean Pointe (Singer) and exchange it for a 2BR at an II resort in Williamsburg, VA does that mean I lose any residual value?

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Likewise, when you trade for a perceived "better" resort or season, you don't realize a net gain of residual value, or pay extra for that gain.
That is, unless you do a stated upgrade with fee attached.

In the not-so-distant past, trades which I pursued were always inherent "upgrades", imho, and I simply "did good"--- no upgrade fees back then.
I still try to get better resorts or trades always....but some have fees and some do not. For a nice upgrade, the fee is irrelevant to me, and a non-issue.
It's truly amazing what I've experienced using lockoff units, and the studio has reeled in many a fantastic "get",
whose upgrade fee, to me, was not an issue in the least----in fact I still felt like I was stealing. It's usually a fantastic feature.
Some of my trades are better and some are a lot better, but even a perceived "loss of value" in the charts to me is a wash if that's where I want to go.

 

[Brucedelta]

dioxide has answered the other questions specifically. Realize that the one guarantee in timesharing is that things will change and often not to your advantage. My list above is the minimum I'd consider for exchanging for a unit bought specifically for that purpose for MVC. There are other options that are reasonable for some assuming they'd use them part of the time. Gold Ocean Pointe or a Gold or Platinum week for Aruba comes to mind assuming one would use it a considerable % of the time.

But really the first questions are more general. Whether timesharing in general is a good fit for you and if so, what is the best system for your situation. Considerations would include where you like to travel, how far out you can & will plan, are you OK with the compromises of timeshares, your quality expectations, unit size needed, length of usual travel, where one prefers to vacation and budget. If timeshare in general seem to be a good option, I'd simply look at the other variables, esp location, and that should normally tell you what the best choice is of which company(s) to look at. Maybe it's MVC, Wyndham, Worldmark, Hilton, etc.

Thank you, Dean and Dioxide for your responses. I have been reading a lot in this forum and trying to understand it all in the quest to decide if a timeshare is for us. Frankly, I am not sure but it is interesting and maybe would force us to take better vacations. I started off looking at Mariott since I am a lifetime Gold Elite (which does not really mean much) with them already and generally like the brand.
It all started when I was booking a hotel and MVC Ocean Palms showed up on my radar. Normally I just look at the hotel list and ignore MVC properties, but I was looking at the Peloton finder and it listed Ocean Palms as having a Peloton. I have since discovered that the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott has acquired a Peloton in their remodel and they are closer to when I want to visit, so my trip for next month is resolved. But that got me wondering about the MVC since I overheard someone who raved about it at a business meeting, so I filled out the information form, and then they offer 50K bonvoy points to attend.
So now I will attend a sales presentation and want to educate myself before I encounter the high-pressure pitch. I am trying to figure out if there is any benefit to buying points from MVC or if the resale market where I see them advertised is equivalent. Is there anything special that you get buying from Marriott?
Then my next thought was why not just buy a week someplace since they are deeply discounted, so I was trying to decide if that makes any sense vs buying points. It seems to me that is a tougher play and what I have not figured yet is how to value a trade unit in II. I see there is a demand metric, but I do not yet understand what is really available vs what can be requested and never gotten.

 

[Steve Fatula]

... and trying to understand it all in the quest to decide if a timeshare is for us. Frankly, I am not sure but it is interesting and maybe would force us to take better vacations.

That actually is a great thing about timeshares, since you pay for it use it or not, you are encouraged to actually go on vacation. I know without a shadow of a doubt if I did not own, I would have had nowhere near the trips I have had and continue to have.

 

[Dean]

Thank you, Dean and Dioxide for your responses. I have been reading a lot in this forum and trying to understand it all in the quest to decide if a timeshare is for us. Frankly, I am not sure but it is interesting and maybe would force us to take better vacations. I started off looking at Mariott since I am a lifetime Gold Elite (which does not really mean much) with them already and generally like the brand.
It all started when I was booking a hotel and MVC Ocean Palms showed up on my radar. Normally I just look at the hotel list and ignore MVC properties, but I was looking at the Peloton finder and it listed Ocean Palms as having a Peloton. I have since discovered that the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott has acquired a Peloton in their remodel and they are closer to when I want to visit, so my trip for next month is resolved. But that got me wondering about the MVC since I overheard someone who raved about it at a business meeting, so I filled out the information form, and then they offer 50K bonvoy points to attend.
So now I will attend a sales presentation and want to educate myself before I encounter the high-pressure pitch. I am trying to figure out if there is any benefit to buying points from MVC or if the resale market where I see them advertised is equivalent. Is there anything special that you get buying from Marriott?
Then my next thought was why not just buy a week someplace since they are deeply discounted, so I was trying to decide if that makes any sense vs buying points. It seems to me that is a tougher play and what I have not figured yet is how to value a trade unit in II. I see there is a demand metric, but I do not yet understand what is really available vs what can be requested and never gotten.

IMO you're far too early in the process to consider buying. The "I'll buy a week ASAP and that'll increase my savings" is a very poor plan IMO. I'm not sure I'd even do a sales tour as they can often persuade you to buy because they are good at what they do, play on your emotions and spew half truths plus they really don't give you a lot of usable info. I can't count the number of people I know who have gone into a sales tour swearing they wouldn't buy and end up buying. There really isn't a lot to learn from them at your level. Instead, spend time on TUG and rent privately for a couple of trips. I'd go back to the suggestions above, decide about finances, future plans (like 5-10 yrs) and locations then back into which system works for you if any do. MVC is great for one person and horrible for the next. If you need a 2 BR for a week at the locations they have then MVC is a good choice. It's a poor choice if looking at shorter stays, at least for the situation you're in and level of knowledge of the system as their points system is a major investment of money.

That actually is a great thing about timeshares, since you pay for it use it or not, you are encouraged to actually go on vacation. I know without a shadow of a doubt if I did not own, I would have had nowhere near the trips I have had and continue to have.

That has certainly been the case for me. Timeshares have definitely pushed me into a better life balance. Unfortunately they often don't work that way because people frequently don't learn the system, plan ahead and take advantage of what they've invested in.

 

[Brucedelta]

IMO you're far too early in the process to consider buying. The "I'll buy a week ASAP and that'll increase my savings" is a very poor plan IMO. I'm not sure I'd even do a sales tour as they can often persuade you to buy because they are good at what they do, play on your emotions and spew half truths plus they really don't give you a lot of usable info. I can't count the number of people I know who have gone into a sales tour swearing they wouldn't buy and end up buying. There really isn't a lot to learn from them at your level. Instead, spend time on TUG and rent privately for a couple of trips. I'd go back to the suggestions above, decide about finances, future plans (like 5-10 yrs) and locations then back into which system works for you if any do. MVC is great for one person and horrible for the next. If you need a 2 BR for a week at the locations they have then MVC is a good choice. It's a poor choice if looking at shorter stays, at least for the situation you're in and level of knowledge of the system as their points system is a major investment of money.
That has certainly been the case for me. Timeshares have definitely pushed me into a better life balance. Unfortunately they often don't work that way because people frequently don't learn the system, plan ahead and take advantage of what they've invested in.

The presentation is via zoom so not a big deal and I expect/hope easier to avoid the full-court press by the salesperson. At first, when I expressed interest I expected to be invited to stay at a resort. I know that is what is normally offered, but they said they are doing zoom presentations these days so I figured why not. The main reason we are considering it is to force ourselves to go on a vacation every year.
I think your idea of renting a unit seems like a good idea and we will look to do that. Thanks

 

[Sean835]

Is there a thread on TUG where people post what some of the exchange options within II are like for the unit they deposited? I find the exchange concept in RCI Weeks a bit easier to conceptualize bc of the TPU but without that I’m struggling a bit to evaluate different Marriott timeshare resale options in terms of “trading power.” For example, I’m wondering if the added purchase cost of a 3 bedroom Ocean Pointe (platinum) is worth the “trading power” over a 3 bedroom Grande Vista (platinum) that will cost me less to purchase. The MFs seem similar.


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[Pamplemousse]

The thing is when you exchange someone must have deposited what you want in order for order for trading power to even matter. So it’s impossible to quantitate- and even more variable in these times.
Marriott priority plays a huge role in exchanging on II- I have a gold Harbor lake ( premiere resort not elite) and by reserving the highest TDI in my season, depositing into II and placing a request as early as possible (12-13 months ideally) I have been able to get the trades I want. Kauai, Paris, non Marriott Big Island, Hilton Head, Arizona, Palm Desert, Palm Beach- mostly shoulder season.
I have read opinions that Orlando has so many resorts that it’s trading power is lessened- I don’t know if that is true.
I’ve also read that you should buy where you want to stay. But especially for Orlando I always lock off and deposit through II even if I want my home resort and pay an upsize fee for the larger unit if needed.
Are either Florida club?

 

[dioxide45]

Is there a thread on TUG where people post what some of the exchange options within II are like for the unit they deposited? I find the exchange concept in RCI Weeks a bit easier to conceptualize bc of the TPU but without that I’m struggling a bit to evaluate different Marriott timeshare resale options in terms of “trading power.” For example, I’m wondering if the added purchase cost of a 3 bedroom Ocean Pointe (platinum) is worth the “trading power” over a 3 bedroom Grande Vista (platinum) that will cost me less to purchase. The MFs seem similar.


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Yes, It is called the Sightings forum, but you have to be a paid TUG Member to access it.

 

[paxlin]

The thing is when you exchange someone must have deposited what you want in order for order for trading power to even matter. So it’s impossible to quantitate- and even more variable in these times.
Marriott priority plays a huge role in exchanging on II- I have a gold Harbor lake ( premiere resort not elite) and by reserving the highest TDI in my season, depositing into II and placing a request as early as possible (12-13 months ideally) I have been able to get the trades I want. Kauai, Paris, non Marriott Big Island, Hilton Head, Arizona, Palm Desert, Palm Beach- mostly shoulder season.
I have read opinions that Orlando has so many resorts that it’s trading power is lessened- I don’t know if that is true.
I’ve also read that you should buy where you want to stay. But especially for Orlando I always lock off and deposit through II even if I want my home resort and pay an upsize fee for the larger unit if needed.
Are either Florida club?

Does deposit first have greater trading power compared to request first?
I am asking this is because I am debating renting out the week vs trading it.

 

[dioxide45]

Does deposit first have greater trading power compared to request first?
I am asking this is because I am debating renting out the week vs trading it.

It makes no difference. Though the longer you wait to deposit, it can have a negative impact on the trade power of the deposit.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Does deposit first have greater trading power compared to request first?
I am asking this is because I am debating renting out the week vs trading it.

All things being equal no.
Don‘t wait until the last minute to deposit, that will reduce trading power.

 

[Dean]

Is there a thread on TUG where people post what some of the exchange options within II are like for the unit they deposited? I find the exchange concept in RCI Weeks a bit easier to conceptualize bc of the TPU but without that I’m struggling a bit to evaluate different Marriott timeshare resale options in terms of “trading power.” For example, I’m wondering if the added purchase cost of a 3 bedroom Ocean Pointe (platinum) is worth the “trading power” over a 3 bedroom Grande Vista (platinum) that will cost me less to purchase. The MFs seem similar.


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II is really not much different than RCI. RCI is a bit more transparent but the principles are the same. Those with the best weeks and resorts generally don't deposit but rather use or rent them. Probably the main difference for this group is the internal trading preference for MVC related resorts and a little difference in fees. RCI members tend to deposit a little earlier in some cases, 2 years is not that uncommon. Far fewer II resorts are set up to deposit more than around a year out. The older fixed week/fixed unit Marriott's can deposit 18 months out and the rest when a reservation can be secured, usually no more than around 12-13 months out.

 

[Sean835]

The thing is when you exchange someone must have deposited what you want in order for order for trading power to even matter. So it’s impossible to quantitate- and even more variable in these times.
Marriott priority plays a huge role in exchanging on II- I have a gold Harbor lake ( premiere resort not elite) and by reserving the highest TDI in my season, depositing into II and placing a request as early as possible (12-13 months ideally) I have been able to get the trades I want. Kauai, Paris, non Marriott Big Island, Hilton Head, Arizona, Palm Desert, Palm Beach- mostly shoulder season.
I have read opinions that Orlando has so many resorts that it’s trading power is lessened- I don’t know if that is true.
I’ve also read that you should buy where you want to stay. But especially for Orlando I always lock off and deposit through II even if I want my home resort and pay an upsize fee for the larger unit if needed.
Are either Florida club?

Thank you. Yes, both Grande Vista and Ocean Pointe are members of the Florida Club so that is a plus in terms of trying to exchange within the Florida Club resorts. I’ve heard some people say similar things about the Orlando resorts having less trading power than non-Orlando resorts. Does anyone else have thoughts on that? Thank you.


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[Sean835]

Yes, It is called the Sightings forum, but you have to be a paid TUG Member to access it.

Thank you. Yes, I’m a paid TUG member but seem to have a different password for the forums than for the website. I’m trying to figure that out now so I can access the paid only forums. Thanks again!


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