Excited About The Exchanges I've Been Getting

[WalnutBaron]

With all of the pent-up demand for vacations in the face of COVID and travel restrictions this year, I'd been thinking that getting good exchanges for late 2020 and 2021 would be a real challenge. I've been pleasantly surprised to find the opposite to be true. Here's the lineup of exchanges we've been able to land over a 13-month period beginning this December:

• December 2020 Marriott Desert Springs I Palm Springs, CA (not Christmas week)
• February 2021 The Carriage House Las Vegas, NV
• March 2021 Ocho Cascadas Puerto Vallarta, MX (celebrating our 40th anniversary on our 41st since we got wiped out by COVID this year)
• May 2021 Eagle Crest Resort Bend/Redmond, OR
• August 2021 Sheraton Steamboat Steamboat Springs, CO
• December 2021 Vista Encantada Cabo San Lucas, MX

These exchanges were primarily pulled using Hyatt exchanges through II, but we also had an old Bay Club deposit through DAE that was going to expire which we were able to use to get the Carriage House. I'm stoked that we have such a great lineup for the coming year, all of it done through exchanges.

 

[klpca]

You got Ocho Cascades through Interval? I had no idea that they traded through II. Super happy for you!

 

[alexadeparis]

Yes, Ocho Cascadas I thought was almost never deposited in II. Or did you get it elsewhere?

 

[Synergy]

I've been really happy with my exchanges as of late as well! Granted, all of mine have been discounted last minute weeks, so my appreciation is mostly for the cost. I can't (well, am unwilling) to book for next year just yet, but I have seen some amazing resorts available on open search, and have had to release some search matches that under other circumstances, I'd have booked without a second thought. I'm thrilled that others here are in a position to take advantage of the availability - silver linings and all that.

 

[TravelTime]

I have found that it is easier to get good exchanges and reservations (paid or through timeshares) this year and next. For example, I booked reservations in Yellowstone for next summer - these are usually sold out by now. I booked a Disney cruise for next summer that is usually sold out. I have numerous exchanges and timeshare reservations that I booked at much less than the usual booking window. I think there is pent up demand but it will probably show up in 2022. Many people on the listserves I am a member of are postponing travel until 2022.

 

[chellej]

I see Ocho Cascades fairly often on Trading Places International

 

[WalnutBaron]

Yes, Ocho Cascadas I thought was almost never deposited in II. Or did you get it elsewhere?

Got it through II. I just happened to see it, grabbed it, and couldn't believe it Lucky timing.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Now all that remains is getting the crystal ball prediction right on whether things are still closed because of covid in 2021.

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

Eagle Crest/Central Oregon is perfect that time of year! Lucky you.

 

[heathpack]

Nice trades @WalnutBaron. I’m leery of flying (and Vegas!), as I guess a lot of folks are, so I think if you’re good with hopping on a plane to Mexico, this is a great time for Mexico (and Vegas!) exchanges.

Ive posted this elsewhere, but I’m replying here because I know you’ll “get it”. Hyatt points are a miracle to me, they go so far in II!

I had to last-minute cancel a 3BR Hyatt Kaanapali week in late April this year. I deposited the points in II to extend their life and ensure they were unrestricted in their usage.

So far Ive traded for:
1BR Sedona Summit April 2021
Studio Four Seasons Scottsdale Nov 2020 (friends are using this one)
1BR Marriott Mountainside Sept 2021

And I still have enough points to book another 1BR week or two studio weeks through II. The really nice consolation prize since I had to cancel my lovely Maui week is that I‘ll get 4-5 weeks of II exchanges out of it.

Enjoy your travels. Sounds like fun.

 

[WalnutBaron]

Great going, @heathpack! Yes, I get it. I, too, am amazed at how powerfully Hyatt pulls exchanges through II. One of the real benefits of owning this smaller but highly-prized system.

With regard to the risks of air travel, I admit I feel better about it after reading this article this past week. I realize the study was sponsored by IATA, so one has to consider the source, but still--it was reassuring to me, and hopefully the odds will improve when we board a plane for the first time next March.

 

[heathpack]

Well, I just got what I was looking for: the consecutive week to the Park City week I already had.

So one week 3BR Hyatt Kaanapali = 1 week 1BR Sedona Summit peak season + 1 week studio Four Seasons Scottsdale good season + 2 weeks 1BR Marriott Mountainside fall foliage season, with a few points to spare!

 

[heathpack]

Jeepers it looks like I mistakenly booked my consecutive Park City week at Marriott Summit Watch rather than Marriott Mountainside. will have to Eplus it, I guess, if Mountainside shows up (which it likely will)...

 

[JanT]

That is one of the best exchanges EVER in my opinion!! Have always wanted to go there but have seen it come up only once in II. Great snag!!!

Got it through II. I just happened to see it, grabbed it, and couldn't believe it Lucky timing.

 

[JanT]

We currently own Hyatt Sunset Harbor and I agree about value of Hyatt weeks. My week is worth 2000 pts which depending on what we book and when we can get a lot of mileage out of them. We owned a Beach House week as well but sold it. As soon as we did I was kicking myself. So, in the market for another Hyatt right now. Just trying to decide if we want another Key West week or somewhere else. But y’all are right - Hyatt is an outstanding program.

Nice trades @WalnutBaron. I’m leery of flying (and Vegas!), as I guess a lot of folks are, so I think if you’re good with hopping on a plane to Mexico, this is a great time for Mexico (and Vegas!) exchanges.

Ive posted this elsewhere, but I’m replying here because I know you’ll “get it”. Hyatt points are a miracle to me, they go so far in II!

I had to last-minute cancel a 3BR Hyatt Kaanapali week in late April this year. I deposited the points in II to extend their life and ensure they were unrestricted in their usage.

So far Ive traded for:
1BR Sedona Summit April 2021
Studio Four Seasons Scottsdale Nov 2020 (friends are using this one)
1BR Marriott Mountainside Sept 2021

And I still have enough points to book another 1BR week or two studio weeks through II. The really nice consolation prize since I had to cancel my lovely Maui week is that I‘ll get 4-5 weeks of II exchanges out of it.

Enjoy your travels. Sounds like fun.

 

[alexadeparis]

We currently own Hyatt Sunset Harbor and I agree about value of Hyatt weeks. My week is worth 2000 pts which depending on what we book and when we can get a lot of mileage out of them. We owned a Beach House week as well but sold it. As soon as we did I was kicking myself. So, in the market for another Hyatt right now. Just trying to decide if we want another Key West week or somewhere else. But y’all are right - Hyatt is an outstanding program.

I also got rid of my second hyatt and regretted it. I am under contract for another week.

 

[JanT]

I just made an offer on another Hyatt week. We’ll see what happens.

I also got rid of my second hyatt and regretted it. I am under contract for another week.

 

[CPNY]

Just got Cancún for Christmas/NYE week and I wish availability popped up last week when airfare was 385. It’s now 785!

 

[Synergy]

Embarrassment of riches: An old search I hadn't yet gotten around to extending just hit - miracle of miracles, I am now booked into a 1br cabin at Glacier Wilderness Resort the same week we'd already booked Island Park. One is a Friday checkin, and the other Saturday - we'll spend four nights in each, and maybe a friend will be interested in taking the opposite trip.

Rental car prices are insane, though! It'll cost nearly as much for the rental as it will for both weeks! Hopefully autoslash finds something a little less painful between now and then...

 

[lily28]

When is the glacier wilderness resort week? Is this resort in Rci or II?

 

[klpca]

Things have been good here too. In 2021 I have pulled exchanges into Ko Olina, Hyatt Carmel, WM Depoe Bay, and WKORV (for my daughter's honeymoon). My husband is already out of PTO. I'm hopeful that we will be able to go and that Covid won't interfere too much but will be holding my breath for sure.

 

[Synergy]

When is the glacier wilderness resort week? Is this resort in Rci or II?

It's an RCI 'resort' #0575 iirc. I understand that it's very isolated and rustic, which is just fine by us! It's the 21st through the 28th of August, we're in Island Park the 20th through the 27th. Sounds be a great trip, though I imagine it's going to be VERY busy in Yellowstone and GNP.

 

[frank808]

Things have been good here too. In 2021 I have pulled exchanges into Ko Olina, Hyatt Carmel, WM Depoe Bay, and WKORV (for my daughter's honeymoon). My husband is already out of PTO. I'm hopeful that we will be able to go and that Covid won't interfere too much but will be holding my breath for sure.

Will see you back here at MKO hopefully. We can have another Tug get together and maybe @JanT will be back also. I know Sam said he was coming back here also. Drop me a PM when you arrive.