Help with II for Upcoming Trip to Maui

[RICHIETAZ]

I have a two fold question that I need help with. I am new to timeshares and recently purchased a large one bedroom, even year usage at the Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale, Az. float weeks 1-52. I am also closing on an Annual 2 bedroom use at Marriott Shadow Ridge, weeks 28-35. I plan to take the family to Maui for 1 week during the end of April to middle of May 2008 timeframe.

First question, do you recommend using II as the exchange company of choice? If so, do I exchange the large one bedroom Sheraton Desert Oasis timeshare or the 2 bedroom Marriott Shadow Ridge property? I have read discussions on several threads that it's easier to book a one bedroom unit in Maui.

Second question, I have narrowed the choices to either the Maui Westin or Marriott Maui properties. Any other properties to give consideration to? I hear that Westin will open a Maui North Property later this year. What is the easier of the 2 to get a reservation at?

Lastly, will I need to get a 2 year membership? If I join II now, but will not be traveling for in excess of one year from now, can I just get a one year membership or do I need to be a member during my vacation date?

Thanks to everyone in advance for their suggestions ans advise.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I have a two fold question that I need help with. I am new to timeshares and recently purchased a large one bedroom, even year usage at the Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale, Az. float weeks 1-52. I am also closing on an Annual 2 bedroom use at Marriott Shadow Ridge, weeks 28-35. I plan to take the family to Maui for 1 week during the end of April to middle of May 2008 timeframe..

Will your first year of use be this year (2007) or next year (2008)? If your weeks are for next year, you can make reservations one year advance.

First question, do you recommend using II as the exchange company of choice? If so, do I exchange the large one bedroom Sheraton Desert Oasis timeshare or the 2 bedroom Marriott Shadow Ridge property? I have read discussions on several threads that it's easier to book a one bedroom unit in Maui...

If you want to trade into a Maui Marriott it is easier to do this in II because all Marriotts receive a 21 day preference. This means that for the 1st 21 days ONLY other Marriott deposits can trade into the resort using their Marriott deposit. After the 21 days are up the resort is available to everyone. However, the popular resorts for popular weeks will be booked within the 21 days. Also, the week you deposit must be a strong trader like a holiday week.

Second question, I have narrowed the choices to either the Maui Westin or Marriott Maui properties. Any other properties to give consideration to? I hear that Westin will open a Maui North Property later this year. What is the easier of the 2 to get a reservation at?...

I'd put both resorts down to trade into. In II you must down at least 3 resorts that you are willing to trade to. I don't know which one will be easier as I've never tried to trade to those resorts. To have a successful trade I believe in the following: place your request in II for more than 13 months out. So if you want to trade for April/May 2008 I'd request it now if you can.

Lastly, will I need to get a 2 year membership? If I join II now, but will not be traveling for in excess of one year from now, can I just get a one year membership or do I need to be a member during my vacation date?

Thanks to everyone in advance for their suggestions ans advise.

Well, if you want to request something more than a year out you'll need a membership that is longer than a year. I guess, that depends on how much of chance you want to take in getting your trade. I've heard May can be a slow time in Hawaii so it might be an easy trade. We own in Hawaii but I've traded twice. One time I got the trade 6 months out but it was for a non-Marriott. The 2nd time I traded into Ko Olina and I got the trade at around 12 months. For my 1st trade that I got 6 months out, I did have a back-up reservation at condo that was cancellable up to 3 days before check-in. So I figured if my trade didn't come through at least I had a place to stay. Hawaii is also one of the tougher places to trade to. So it is very important that you deposit a high demand week at your resort. All trades are not guaranteed. Good Luck!

 

[winger]

Will your first year of use be this year (2007) or next year (2008)? If your weeks are for next year, you can make reservations one year advance.



If you want to trade into a Maui Marriott it is easier to do this in II because all Marriotts receive a 21 day preference. This means that for the 1st 21 days of a Marriott deposits only owners of other Marriotts can trade into the resort. After the 21 days are up the resort is available to everyone. ...

Other MVCI owners correct me if I am incorrect, I am a newbie MVCI owner myself !

From what I was told, just b/c you are a MVCI owner does not get you the up-to-21 day priority. You need to actually use your Marriott week for another Marriott week to get the priority.

In your case, you need to use your Marriott Shadow Ridge in the request to get this up-to-21 days priority when asking for the Marriott Maui Ocean Club. If you used your Sheraton, you do not get this same Marriott priority.

 

[RICHIETAZ]

I just purchased the Marriott resale. For 2007, the owner joined II and banked one week. I had the owner book a guest certifcate for this September (2007) at the Shadow Ridge.

I am not going to close escrow on the Marriott Shadow Ridge timesahre until sometime next month.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

Other MVCI owners correct me if I am incorrect, I am a newbie MVCI owner myself !

From what I was told, just b/c you are a MVCI owner does not get you the up-to-21 day priority. You need to actually use your Marriott week for another Marriott week to get the priority.

In your case, you need to use your Marriott Shadow Ridge in the request to get this up-to-21 days priority when asking for the Marriott Maui Ocean Club. If you used your Sheraton, you do not get this same Marriott priority.

Double post

 

[ciscogizmo1]

Other MVCI owners correct me if I am incorrect, I am a newbie MVCI owner myself !

From what I was told, just b/c you are a MVCI owner does not get you the up-to-21 day priority. You need to actually use your Marriott week for another Marriott week to get the priority.

In your case, you need to use your Marriott Shadow Ridge in the request to get this up-to-21 days priority when asking for the Marriott Maui Ocean Club. If you used your Sheraton, you do not get this same Marriott priority.

Correct that's why I said that ONLY Marriott deposits will have the 21 day preference with other Marriott deposits. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I just purchased the Marriott resale. For 2007, the owner joined II and banked one week. I had the owner book a guest certifcate for this September (2007) at the Shadow Ridge.

I am not going to close escrow on the Marriott Shadow Ridge timesahre until sometime next month.

Basically, you won't be able to deposit a week until sometime this summer for 2008 for Shadow Ridge Week. Not to state the obvious but you do realize that you purchased a low season. July through September is the hottest time in Palm Springs so it might have the lowest trading power. Hopefully, somebody that owns that season can shed some light on trades during that time.

 

[winger]

Correct that's why I said that ONLY Marriott deposits will have the 21 day preference with other Marriott deposits. Hopefully that makes sense.

Got it. i just wanted to be sure the OP understood. At one point when I bought Marriott, I was somehow mislead that possibly all my weeks under my II acct, non-marriott included, got marriott priority just b/c I was MVCI owner. Your post was not crystal clear - that's just my opinion of course (no offence)

 

[RICHIETAZ]

If that's the case, I would think that since the Sheraton is a part of the Starwood VO group, and the fact that I have a week 1-52 float, getting a large one bedroom at one of the Westin Maui Resorts, which is also a Starwood VO resort, would not be too difficult.

Is this a correct assumption?

 

[JimIg23]

In II, do you have to request three locations for an ongoing search? Let's say you just wanted to go to Ko Olina within a six month window. Will II do an ongoing search for one resort based on a deposited week?

 

[ciscogizmo1]

In II, do you have to request three locations for an ongoing search? Let's say you just wanted to go to Ko Olina within a six month window. Will II do an ongoing search for one resort based on a deposited week?

It has to be 3 locations and/or 3 dates....

 

[ciscogizmo1]

If that's the case, I would think that since the Sheraton is a part of the Starwood VO group, and the fact that I have a week 1-52 float, getting a large one bedroom at one of the Westin Maui Resorts, which is also a Starwood VO resort, would not be too difficult.

Is this a correct assumption?

I have no idea since I've never traded my Westin. YOu might want to ask on the hotel board.

 

[winger]

It has to be 3 locations and/or 3 dates....

I think if a person say wants Ko Olina and gives an open date range of more than three weeks, this counts, right? Like say to II "I am willing to accept Ko Olina, anytime months April 15 through September 7th."

 

[MOXJO7282]

I think if a person say wants Ko Olina and gives an open date range of more than three weeks, this counts, right? Like say to II "I am willing to accept Ko Olina, anytime months April 15 through September 7th."

Yes, that counts.

Regards.
Joe

 

[RICHIETAZ]

So, I can choose say the Marriott Maui and Westin Maui and set a date range between, a one month period and this will satisfy their request?

The other questions is, I have a family of 5. Three small children under the age of 9. Can I still qualify for a large one bedroom. I can request a rollaway bed for one of the kids.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I think if a person say wants Ko Olina and gives an open date range of more than three weeks, this counts, right? Like say to II "I am willing to accept Ko Olina, anytime months April 15 through September 7th."

Yes, because it is more than 3 check-in dates... There are ways around this rule but they are kinda difficult to explain since my posts aren't clear to you so, I won't even attempt .

 

[ciscogizmo1]

So, I can choose say the Marriott Maui and Westin Maui and set a date range between, a one month period and this will satisfy their request?

The other questions is, I have a family of 5. Three small children under the age of 9. Can I still qualify for a large one bedroom. I can request a rollaway bed for one of the kids.

I'm not even gonna go there! Good Luck...

 

[divenski]

If that's the case, I would think that since the Sheraton is a part of the Starwood VO group, and the fact that I have a week 1-52 float, getting a large one bedroom at one of the Westin Maui Resorts, which is also a Starwood VO resort, would not be too difficult.

Is this a correct assumption?

Depends. If you are trying to trade for WKORV/N using II, then my guess is that could be tough. Most of the better Westin inventory never makes it to II, because Westin gets to choose the week that is released to II when you make an II trade, and because other Westin owners can reserve a week 8 months out.

Westin has it's own internal exchange program, SVN. Some resale properties, eg WKORV, qualify for this, but many don't. See the Hotel forum for many discussions about Mandatory vs Voluntary resorts.

 

[californiagirl]

I have requested trades through II and stated (by phone) that I am only interested in one date and one resort. The three dates/resorts is offered to give you maximum opportunity for a trade. However, they will not insist that you provide these. (They may encourage you to do that.)

Incidentally, I have received all but one trade that I requested using a DSV II blue (summer) week.

 

[camachinist]

Quick tip for the OP...if you want to get into MOC or KAA/KA1 for specific dates, just request them and add ONP for your online ongoing search request. Of the three, trading with a Marriott interval, you'll likely get MOC. You'll pay the normal exchange fee not the Marriott fee (assuming you use a Marriott interval to generate the exchange).

A 2BR DSV blue week will get one to MOC at certain times which is why I recommend them to people wanting to play the 14 month reservation game, especially at our resort, NCV, which has a high season to match MDS' low season. Cheap and no ROFR (at MDS), perhaps less cheap now that more people are using the strategy.

I wouldn't try to put 5 people into a 1BR at MOC....JMO...

Have fun!

Pat

 

[MOXJO7282]

I wouldn't try to put 5 people into a 1BR at MOC

I just got back from MOC, and you actually could do five, if three are young under 9. I did it with 2 ages 12 and 6, and if we had to, we could have made room for a 3rd yound one. It wouldn't have been ideal, but not that big of a deal if that is what I needed to do to get into MOC. I can tell you the kids won't mind, they will just love the MOC.

Regards.
Joe

 

[camachinist]

If the OP has your personal space requirements, I'm sure it'll be OK for them too. I prefer to spread out when on vacation, which is why I get 2BR units, even though there's only 2 of us. Kinda an extension of why I prefer timeshare condos to hotel rooms when on vacation too.

My wife, OTOH, couldn't care less. Her idea of vacation is to never be in the room and constantly go, go, go.

Are the kitchens at MOC as spartan as I've read in the past? I ask because we're considering it for 2008 and we both enjoy cooking when on vacation. The kitchen at NCV is ideal...

http://mackrafab.com/family_pix/NCVillas/NCV_KIT01.JPG

Any pix of MOC units online? I haven't seen any...

Pat

 

[divenski]

Are the kitchens at MOC as spartan as I've read in the past? I ask because we're considering it for 2008 and we both enjoy cooking when on vacation. The kitchen at NCV is ideal...

The kitchens are more like a kitchenette, and really aren't that great for cooking, and especially compared to any of the new, built from scratch units like Ko Olina, Waiohai or Westin.

Even though the rooms aren't as nice, one plus for the MOC over Westin is that the 1bd at MOC has 2 full bathrooms vs 1, which could help a lot if 5 people are in the unit.

 

[RICHIETAZ]

Pardon my ignorance to one of the posts but what does the acronym "ONP" stand for? What exactly does it refer to?

 

[RICHIETAZ]

Here's another thought. The person I am purchasing the Marriott timeshare from banked their week with II for 2007. I have a guest certificate in my name for the first week in September 2007 at shadow ridge.

What is the possibility of asking the seller to inquire into canceling my current guest certificate at Shadow Ridge in favor of exchanging for the Marriott Maui during the end of April/beginning of May 2008 timeframe? Since I have weeks 28-35, I believe I have until the summer of 2008 to use.

What are the PROS/CONS to this approach?