Finally got the much wanted exchange into OceanWatch Myrtle Beach

[cwtkm3]

Just to report to all Tuggers wanting summer trades into MOW; I got the wanted dates today. Feel lucky as know this is hard and Marriott assured me they do not take the best weeks from II for points owners.

 

[jdunn1]

Details, please. Did you use your Surfwatch week, was it a summer deposit? What dates did you get. Thanks for the good news.

Just to report to all Tuggers wanting summer trades into MOW; I got the wanted dates today. Feel lucky as know this is hard and Marriott assured me they do not take the best weeks from II for points owners.

 

[cwtkm3]

Used platinum 2011 SurfWatch week which I deposited as soon as I'd booked it back in July 2010. Had the exchange request open for end July and all of August but then it was time to book next years SurfWatch. So following this I had to make it a specific week request.

Got 12-19 Aug 2012 (first gold week I think)

Booked into SurfWatch 18-25 Aug

Had to book flights last week due increasing costs so we fly 11 Aug but will spend first night with my dad at his home in Myrtle Beach. Then we'll all head down to HHI. We lose one night but it doesn't matter.

We've been allocated a garden room but I don't mind that. Last time stayed there was in Oceanfront cos did direct exchange with an owner (found on Redweek). He went to Marbella and had a fab time.

 

[Big Matt]

I talked to Marriott two times when getting my points reservations done. The first agent told me that Marriott absolutely keeps all the good weeks for points owners until the demand dries up and then they dump them into II. The second rep told me that Marriott never tells her what they do with the weeks. So we are clearly getting different answers from different folks (shock!)

What I noticed when watching II is that Marriott appears to put bulk deposits into II about 90 days after the date for high demand weeks and 60 for lower demand weeks. I'm not sure if this is exact, but it is close.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Used platinum 2011 SurfWatch week which I deposited as soon as I'd booked it back in July 2010. Had the exchange request open for end July and all of August but then it was time to book next years SurfWatch. So following this I had to make it a specific week request.

Got 12-19 Aug 2012 (first gold week I think)

Booked into SurfWatch 18-25 Aug

Had to book flights last week due increasing costs so we fly 11 Aug but will spend first night with my dad at his home in Myrtle Beach. Then we'll all head down to HHI. We lose one night but it doesn't matter.

We've been allocated a garden room but I don't mind that. Last time stayed there was in Oceanfront cos did direct exchange with an owner (found on Redweek). He went to Marbella and had a fab time.

That is a nice trip you have planned!! You'll enjoy each locations and resorts immensely.

One place to try in HHI that we just discovered during our last trip and is right up your alley is the British Open Pub in the Wexler shopping center. Excellent pub food with a nice dinnering atmosphere.

 

[jdunn1]

Thanks for the details. I think I remember your post or even "chatting" with you via a different thread. Glad this all works out. For me, though, it shows just how strong of a week you need, even for the first week of Gold season for Ocean Watch. Other lesser demand OceanWatch weeks are much easier to come by.

For what it is worth, I have heard very nice things about the garden view units. They are close to the best pool at OceanWatch and the elevator issue is not so bad. I also recently found out that you can call ahead for a golf cart and they will pick you up outside your building and drop you off right at the beach. Sure, I would take ocean front over garden or ocean view any day, but I know we would be at the Woodsy pool almost all the time when we weren't at the beach so why not be in the units closest to that pool.

Have fun. If I remember right, you were only giving this trade a few more weeks.

-Jim

Used platinum 2011 SurfWatch week which I deposited as soon as I'd booked it back in July 2010. Had the exchange request open for end July and all of August but then it was time to book next years SurfWatch. So following this I had to make it a specific week request.

Got 12-19 Aug 2012 (first gold week I think)

Booked into SurfWatch 18-25 Aug

Had to book flights last week due increasing costs so we fly 11 Aug but will spend first night with my dad at his home in Myrtle Beach. Then we'll all head down to HHI. We lose one night but it doesn't matter.

We've been allocated a garden room but I don't mind that. Last time stayed there was in Oceanfront cos did direct exchange with an owner (found on Redweek). He went to Marbella and had a fab time.

 

[cwtkm3]

Thanks for the details. I think I remember your post or even "chatting" with you via a different thread. Glad this all works out. For me, though, it shows just how strong of a week you need, even for the first week of Gold season for Ocean Watch. Other lesser demand OceanWatch weeks are much easier to come by.

For what it is worth, I have heard very nice things about the garden view units. They are close to the best pool at OceanWatch and the elevator issue is not so bad. I also recently found out that you can call ahead for a golf cart and they will pick you up outside your building and drop you off right at the beach. Sure, I would take ocean front over garden or ocean view any day, but I know we would be at the Woodsy pool almost all the time when we weren't at the beach so why not be in the units closest to that pool.

Have fun. If I remember right, you were only giving this trade a few more weeks.

-Jim

Thanks Jim

I've had a wander around the resort since the woodsy pool and buildings went up. Thinks it's lovely so know will be happy back there.
I wasn't going to give up on this exchange but closer to the time may have tried to get into one of the HHI resorts for the first week or just spent the week at my dad's house (but not so much fun there as at the resort).
The only thing I don't like much is the humidity but know and love those Southern beaches. Don't get beaches like them in Spain!!

 

[cwtkm3]

That is a nice trip you have planned!! You'll enjoy each locations and resorts immensely.

One place to try in HHI that we just discovered during our last trip and is right up your alley is the British Open Pub in the Wexler shopping center. Excellent pub food with a nice dinnering atmosphere.

Joe - been to this pub several times and have to say it's one of dad's favourites!

 

[winger]

...

What I noticed when watching II is that Marriott appears to put bulk deposits into II about 90 days after the date for high demand weeks and 60 for lower demand weeks. I'm not sure if this is exact, but it is close.

Hi Big Matt. What "date" are you referring to?