That was my question as well. OGS exchanges vs instant one’s may be the difference in availability. It would be more concerning if one could not get a 2 bedroom via OGS. I was under the impression that instant exchanges were the left overs.
Ours wasn't a MGC deposit, it was from what is probably a lower demand deposit. It was via instant exchange.
I only do ongoing exchanges these days.
The short answer
IMO there's no other reasons to own GC other than to exchange, to use with the 13 month window and possibly for points. Maybe for an isolated sitution where one has to have a 3 BR and two separate units won't work or for the Plus week. Same for Orlando at least for GV & HL. All are nice resorts but just too easy to trade into.
From a buy to use standpoint, there is little reason to own Grand Chateau. The same would be true for most of the Orlando resorts. Grande Vista included. Though MGV does have the benefit of the Florida Club. These resorts are bought primarily for trading. In all the years we have owned Grande Vista and Harbour Lake, we have yet to use our home resort weeks there.
I own at HL, GV, GC & WR and I've stayed at 3 of the 4 but none on the weeks I owned directly, all by exchange.
Would Grande Vista have similar trading power to Grande Chateau? more specifically, both Marriott's having more trading power in II than Lagunamar?
You seem to be asking this question by digging up old threads. I think you've got some good information in the threads where you've already asked this. You might be best to start a brand new thread on the subject, though I think you've done that already too.
There's little to say there is much difference in trading power between MGV and MGC, either of them would have MVC to MVC preference, so if exchanging into MVC is your goal either would do better than WLR. There is plenty of studio and 1-bed WLR inventory in II so either MVC would trade back into there well too.
I can't speak specifically for Westin but MX in general has historically had poor trading power. My info suggests that GV will be a little ahead of GC. In the real world and speaking specifically about trading Marriott to Marriott, it likely won't make any difference except for the higher end options like HHI summer, Aruba winter, etc. I think GC is the better value though just for exchanging due to lower fees and if enrolled later, higher points but GV ia part of the FL Club option. Ultimately it comes down to price and how you'll use it. Understand the minutia but don't sweat it.
Once the initial inventory is released, are MVC owners once again given priority periods when cancellations come in and out or those are available to all eligible right away?
It can vary with priority view for cancellations, more often than not the priority period seems to apply, but there are exceptions.
Based on past experience and sightings, the priority period starts the first day the deposit is made. So if the cancellation is within the priority period, then the deposit will still be under priority. If the cancellation happens months later, that deposit will show up right away in general inventory on the II website. In fact it may even initially miss any ongoing searches. This is how many people score great last minute exchanges. They are constantly searching online for cancelled exchanges and snag them when they appear.
I surely am asking too many questions, partially due to the lack of transparency within II, though I also can imagine why they do this. Since you own non-MVC resorts, would you recall spotting the Marriott Aruba resorts with say the SVV vs your MVCs? As I mentioned in another thread, I already signed docs for a Vistana resort, though the broker is still giving me time to change my mind. Just wondering if I am making a mistake 1) getting a Vistana gold plus season vs platinum plus, and 2) perhaps not going for Marriott's Grande Chateau. I only really see myself going to either Lagunamar or the Aruba resorts so that is why I am double guessing my decision. If I go with Vistana, then I get second priority to exchange for MVC, and if I go with MVC will be more difficult to exchange for Lagunamar(though seems that its not so difficult to get a 1 bedroom exchange there, if I am not mistaken).
wow that's awesome. Any suggestions on what trades well like this with lower purchase price and MF?
Thanks for this insight. 1-bedroom at Lagunamar would be good, just not a studio otherwise (in my opinion) can just stay at a regular hotel room I guess.
If you want a 2 BR at Lagunamar, you can usually pick up a Getaway on the studio side for like $700-800 for the week. When we've gone that's how we've added to our 1 BR trade, which is a little cheaper than using both sides of our lockoff.