Extending 2025 Deposit Because of Higher TP?

[djyamyam]

There's been a number of posts in the various Marriott and Vistana subforums talking about the drop in trade power of 2026 deposits vs. 2025 deposits. Based on that, if you still have an unused 2025 (or 2024) deposit that you've determined to be stronger, is it worth the $199 fee to extend it for another 12 months? This would be so you can use it for that tougher exchange you really want that you're not able to book using your 2026 deposit? I've never done it but given the drop in TP, it's something I'm considering and then I'll use my 2026 deposit for "lesser" trades.

You're getting an extra year on your "tiger" trader to 2028 (on a 2025) deposit and you'll actually have the ability to eplus on top of that so potentially an additional extension on top of that again. Thoughts?

 

[Hindsite]

Its rarely a good idea to extend a deposit. All deposits age in terms of trading power anyway and there is some debate on whether the extension triggers flexchange restrictions, I've not done it so don't know.

In general what we are seeing is that overperforming traders aren't overperforming as well as they used to, that doesn't mean they aren't performing well, or that an OGS won't get you what you aspire to anyway.

To me its too early to tell how widespread the "drop" is, whether it actually impacts when an OGS is used and if it really eliminates the positive value that these traders deliver. Based on that I wouldn't extend, a 2025 deposit.

 

[djyamyam]

All deposits age in terms of trading power anyway and there is some debate on whether the extension triggers flexchange restrictions, I've not done it so don't know.

Extending a deposit that is not currently subject to flexchange does not trigger flexchange. If extending a deposit that already has flexchange restrictions, the extenstion doesn't lift the flexchange restriction. It just gives you more time to search for things within the restricted window down the road.

The comment about deposits age in TP is a fair comment. I do believe I've seen that in the past as I think it kicks in about after a year although I don't have anything definitive on that, more anecdotal

 

[Hindsite]

Thanks for the clarification that's good to know. I wouldn't pay $199 to extend based on the information to date on the changes, assuming I had a requirement for a week to use before its expiration. I'd find a good value use for my week on the basis that it still out-performs its underlying cost.

 

[dioxide45]

I think the confusion about extensions limiting to Flexchange come from this;
An exchange request placed within an extended Redemption Window must be placed through II’s Flexchange service.

I think what they are saying is that if your deposit is already expired and then you pay to extend, then you can only use the extended deposit in Flexchange. You can extend a deposit up to thee months past the original deposit expiration.

I still think Eplus is a better option that paying to extend a deposit, though extending a deposit does retain the ability to add a request (OGS).

 

[djyamyam]

I still think Eplus is a better option that paying to extend a deposit, though extending a deposit does retain the ability to add a request (OGS).

For me, I've run into enough instances (like on a bulk bank) where I know the unit I want is available but I can't "see" it with the deposit but am able to use the OGS trade power bump and have it match overnight with the OGS. I also subscribe to the slight drop in trade power theory associated with eplus,

 

[KProuty]

When can you extend a deposit? I have a 2024 deposit that hasn't matched a trade we wanted in February the beginning of March. (We have a week scheduled the last week of February that we were trying to fit something around.) The 2024 deposit expires this December. Ideally, I would like to maybe try again for next year with an OGS. OR, I'm trying to get a week in St. John as a wedding gift for next year. I have another ongoing search for that using a one bedroom but this week is for a two bedroom. I could try to use this week for that search? I think a two bedroom would have a better chance? Anyhow, any tips appreciated!

 

[Hindsite]

I'm trying to get a week in St. John as a wedding gift for next year.

There is a very close to zero chance of getting WSJ via exchange in II, whether its a 1 or 2 bed won't change that, if the inventory isn't there it can't be exchanged for. To my knowledge its never been seen other than a couple of instances during the COVID travel restrictions.

Whether you decide to extend or not, ensure that you make that decision more than 60 days before the expiry date, jsut so you are a good distance from any potential restriction, even if thos restrictions have reduced to 30 days.

Exchanging into something and then cancelling is another option, the cancellation replacement week will be valid for 1 year from the date of cancellation.

 

[HudsHut]

@KProuty What resort / area are you looking for during first week of March. Your best bet is to use your 2024 deposit before it expires. Once you extend, you no longer have the option to set up an ongoing search request.

I agree with @Hindsite , Westin St. John will not happen as an Exchange.

 

[KProuty]

Grand Bay, Grand View, or Westin, studio on up is what I am looking for. This is where they want to go on their honeymoon in 2027. I thought I read somewhere that extended weeks could be used for an ongoing search if it was done correctly and not within the 60 day window. I could be imagining that.

 

[Hindsite]

Grand Bay, Grand View, or Westin, studio on up is what I am looking for.

Accepting the "Never say Never" position:
No chance of the Westin
Next to no chance of Grand Bay or Grand View. I've very occasionally seen them, (not sure which) but not usually more than once per year. It looks like the last sighting in the TUG sightings forum was Nov 2022

 

[djyamyam]

Extending a deposit that is not currently subject to flexchange does not trigger flexchange.

I learned today that my previous statement is not correct. I had a conversation with another II rep today and was told explicitly that extending a deposit does make it a restricted deposit (even if it wasn't before). Basically what happens is that your original deposit expires at it's current normal expire date and then all future searches are limited to flexchange going forward. Here's the wording in the Terms & Conditions:

"By using the Deposit Extension Option, Members may, upon the payment of an additional fee, extend the period in which they can utilise a particular deposit (“Redemption Window”) for up to a periodof one year. Any particular deposit may be extended a total of two(2) times. The Deposit Extension Option must be exercised no later than three (3) months after the date on which the original or extended Redemption Window expires. The extension begins on the date on which the original or extended Redemption Window expired. The exchange request placed within an extended Redemption Windowmust be placed through II’s Flexchange service."

So based on this updated information, then doing the deposit extension makes no sense compared to the Eplus method, if you have enough time to plan for it accordingly (ie. 60 days or more prior to the expiry date.). If you're already within flexchange period, then it could make sense to extend so you don't lose the week's use altogether since you'll be restricted any way you slice it

 

[Hindsite]

I learned today that my previous statement is not correct. I had a conversation with another II rep today and was told explicitly that extending a deposit does make it a restricted deposit (even if it wasn't before). Basically what happens is that your original deposit expires at it's current normal expire date and then all future searches are limited to flexchange going forward. Here's the wording in the Terms & Conditions:

"By using the Deposit Extension Option, Members may, upon the payment of an additional fee, extend the period in which they can utilise a particular deposit (“Redemption Window”) for up to a periodof one year. Any particular deposit may be extended a total of two(2) times. The Deposit Extension Option must be exercised no later than three (3) months after the date on which the original or extended Redemption Window expires. The extension begins on the date on which the original or extended Redemption Window expired. The exchange request placed within an extended Redemption Windowmust be placed through II’s Flexchange service."

So based on this updated information, then doing the deposit extension makes no sense compared to the Eplus method, if you have enough time to plan for it accordingly (ie. 60 days or more prior to the expiry date.). If you're already within flexchange period, then it could make sense to extend so you don't lose the week's use altogether since you'll be restricted any way you slice it

The only reason I'm not certain about this is that isn't what happens when you extend an Accom Cert, if you do it well in advance of flexchange, and usually ACs follow the same rules as exchanges.

To me the wording isn't clear enough to state with certainty that extending well in advance of flexchange would trigger the limitation as it could be interpreted as relating to when you extend upto 3 months after expiry.

I don't have a use case where I'm looking to try it out and it doesn't change my view that I agree extending is not a good option compared to alternatives. I just don't want an assumption to be baked in by TUG unless we have direct experience. I've already busted the myth about Accom Certs being like that, and II customer services have been known to not have depth of knowledge.

 

[KProuty]

Can you ask for a specific customer service rep who knows things in II?

 

[dioxide45]

Can you ask for a specific customer service rep who knows things in II?

One would be best to probably ask Mark for clarification on this.

 

[dioxide45]

The only reason I'm not certain about this is that isn't what happens when you extend an Accom Cert, if you do it well in advance of flexchange, and usually ACs follow the same rules as exchanges.

ACs don't work exactly the same as exchanges though. They have different parameters and are often tied to a grid. ACs also have their own set of terms and conditions. One would need to look at those terms to understand what, if any, restrictions are added when an AC gets extended. We've burned through all our ACs, so I can't look at them.

 

[Hindsite]

ACs don't work exactly the same as exchanges though.

The grid has nothing to do with extension rules, its just about what inventory you can and can't see with an AC, and even that is just about what you can and can't put on a request as inventory that is on the exclusion list does come up. ACs behave in a similar way to exchanges in terms of 24hr cancellation, so I've made the ginormous leap that my direct experience from extending ACs several times without them going into Flexchange might, just might, have a potential, possible, read across to extending a deposit. Other than not excluding the notion that an extended deposit, when the extension is done well ahead of time, could have no restrictions, I'm not saying it is one way or another, until we have someone who has actually done it tell us otherwise. We've seen II CS reps get things wrong often enough not to take them at face value, and when I called to specifically ask about restrictions on ACs, they didn't know what would happen.

Similarly there have been comments that a cancellation replacement week is limited to flexchange or can't have an OGS associated with it, which I think I recall is also a myth, but I don't ever get close to that so have no need to know thus far.

 

[djyamyam]

Similarly there have been comments that a cancellation replacement week is limited to flexchange or can't have an OGD associated with it, which I think I recall is also a myth, but I don't ever get close to that so have no need to know thus far.

On this issue about a cancellation replacement week, I can definitively say the flexchange doesn't apply and that you can do on OGS. I have one in my account that I've been using to search

 

[Hindsite]

On this issue about a cancellation replacement week, I can definitively say the flexchange doesn't apply and that you can do on OGS. I have one in my account that I've been using to search

Much appreciated, half the battle with getting great use from timeshares and exchange systems is not getting accidentally locked into believing something "can't" be done.