Phase one is fixed/float. You have to book your own week, then HOPE you can trade into another week if you need it. We own late May, but wanted early to mid-June this year. I was not able to get it during the 12-8 month "float period," despite numerous phone calls. But, I was able to get June 7th by calling first thing in the morning at the 8-month mark. I was not able to switch it to June 14th the next week, and I don't believe there were very many reports here on Tug of people successfully trading in with StarOptions this year for the period June 14 - August 14.
Bottom line with the Gold season and phase one -- your deeded week is VERY important. The season is 18-34 and 47-49. May, Sept, Oct, Nov and 48-49 are easy to trade into (with StarOptions or using your float feature). But, don't count on getting mid-late June through mid-August unless that's your deeded week.
Years ago, I almost bought a developer week (yes, shocking, I know). They offered me early December for THOUSANDS less than a summer week (I forget the exact details but the price differential was substantial). They also tried to tell me they were exactly the same -- both gold, both had the ability to book all weeks in the season, etc. That made no sense whatsover, so I questioned it. They told me that people had a "psychological issue" with owning the December weeks so they offered them for less. I knew there had to be more to the story, and thankfully resisted buying either week.
