How to use interval international certificate

[mendota1]

We have a free certificate to use before 12/31/24 and then another one to use in 2025.
Loooking at the long list of timeshares where the certificate cannot be used I am wondering if there is a method to find a place that will take it.
Any timeshare that you have used and you were happy with it?
We are empty nesters and live in a four season ( winter) climate.
thanks

 

[WorldT]

We have a free certificate to use before 12/31/24 and then another one to use in 2025.
Loooking at the long list of timeshares where the certificate cannot be used I am wondering if there is a method to find a place that will take it.
Any timeshare that you have used and you were happy with it?
We are empty nesters and live in a four season ( winter) climate.
thanks

Log into your account, click on redeem certificate (it will be next to the list of the timeshares you own).
It will give you a list of months that the certificate can be used. Select the month you want, then select the area/state, then the city you prefer. You can select up to 6.
Hit search and everything that shows up is available for you to book.
I wish I had more than one certificate, trying to get two weeks in Orlando in January.

 

[mendota1]

Thanks so much for your reply and information.
We now know how to give it a try in order to use the certificate.
Mendota1

 

[iftravel]

BTW, my certificates block the Christmas time. "Certificate not valid for 18DEC to 31DEC travel dates." Not sure if it's ture for everyone.

 

[davidvel]

BTW, my certificates block the Christmas time. "Certificate not valid for 18DEC to 31DEC travel dates." Not sure if it's ture for everyone.

They are all very restrictive. Nothing like a regular deposit.

 

[zentraveler]

They are all very restrictive. Nothing like a regular deposit.

Completely agree, but if you find one that suits you they can be an indredible deal - somewhere ~$300+/- (varies a bit for reasons I have never understood) for an entire week at some great place.

YMMV, by best deals have been booking them right after I get them; they are limited off season destination and other people hop on the best deals also.

 

[Hindsite]

I tend to ignore the info on restrictions as often dates and locations that are on the restricted list can come up, so its easier just to search and see what there is. Inventory changes at least daily and can increase a lot in the 2 months before check-in, so keep looking.
Once you find something that looks like you want it, you can click on the "exchange" button to proceed through the booking process. The exchange button doesn't mean you are exchanging anything, just that the inventory seems to be pulled from exchange inventory, not getaway inventory.
Click through the booking process, carefully reading the restrictions, any resort construction and any mandatory resort fees, which are in addition to the fee you pay II. At the end you will see the cost of the booking and as long as you don't enter the payment info, you can back out without commitment.
They are non-refundable and non changeable, so get insurance or be prepared to take the loss if you can't use the reservation.
They are like discount coupons, if they work for you great, if not then let them go, another will be along in due course.
Enjoy!

 

[Hindsite]

YMMV, by best deals have been booking them right after I get them; they are limited off season destination and other people hop on the best deals also.

Does that work for the ones that turn up for no reason? I find it works well for the ones you get as a promo, but not the random ones. Always good to have a scour whatever, just in case......

 

[zentraveler]

Does that work for the ones that turn up for no reason? I find it works well for the ones you get as a promo, but not the random ones. Always good to have a scour whatever, just in case......

My experience is that the very best ones are the ones I get right after I deposit my FSRC week(s) into II, and those go quickly. Since I can only do that once a year (we own one lock-off unit so a 1 BR and studio) I like to time the deposits for when I have time to look and plan. This year my hustand was away so I didn't want to book anything (use or lose - no grace periods) and by the time he got home most of the good options were gone. The random ones tend to be for resorts where climate change is the worst - Arizona in August when it is 112 degrees etc.

And I agree about looking periodically, although I don't often find the options getting better, but only worse as others book up the inventory for a particular accomodation credit, so the mostly recently added tend to have the best inventory.

 

[montygz]

People will sometimes report interesting finds in the Sightings board.

Anyway, if you want to go somewhere, just start taking a look every day and cast a wide net. If something great pops up, be ready to book.

 

[iftravel]

My experience is that the very best ones are the ones I get right after I deposit my FSRC week(s) into II, and those go quickly. Since I can only do that once a year (we own one lock-off unit so a 1 BR and studio) I like to time the deposits for when I have time to look and plan. This year my hustand was away so I didn't want to book anything (use or lose - no grace periods) and by the time he got home most of the good options were gone. The random ones tend to be for resorts where climate change is the worst - Arizona in August when it is 112 degrees etc.

And I agree about looking periodically, although I don't often find the options getting better, but only worse as others book up the inventory for a particular accomodation credit, so the mostly recently added tend to have the best inventory.

Is there public promotion for deposit? Or this is targeted for your FSRC but you always have it?

Freebie ones are always good for Orlando happy enough.

 

[zentraveler]

Is there public promotion for deposit? Or this is targeted for your FSRC but you always have it?

Freebie ones are always good for Orlando happy enough.

We own at FS Aviara (Carlsbad) but use our lockoff to deposit in II for studio +1BR exchanges. I am not sure what a public promotion is, but occasionally we get random AC's although they are usually of low quality, i.e. Orlando or AZ (for us) . But really useful if you want some of the seasonal places with huge TS presence.

 

[iftravel]

We own at FS Aviara (Carlsbad) but use our lockoff to deposit in II for studio +1BR exchanges. I am not sure what a public promotion is, but occasionally we get random AC's although they are usually of low quality, i.e. Orlando or AZ (for us) . But really useful if you want some of the seasonal places with huge TS presence.

Yeah I got those freebies for Orlando or Palm Springs. Was curious if the best ones you mentioned are from public promotion (for everyone) or just for your Four Seasons occasionally.

 

[dioxide45]

Yeah I got those freebies for Orlando or Palm Springs. Was curious if the best ones you mentioned are from public promotion (for everyone) or just for your Four Seasons occasionally.

II offers different types of ACs. They tend to fall into these buckets;

AC for Deposit - When II wants to promote more deposits at a resort, they may offer owners an AC as an incentive if they deposit their units. II may also have agreements with certain developers to always offer an AC for deposit. I tend to notice this with Westgate. Many Westgate owners get ACs for deposit. These ACs usually have more access to better resorts and units, but they also tend to cost more and the price of using the AC goes up as the unit size you confirm gets larger. They usually expire one year from when issued.

Promo AC - These are offered as a promotion when you renew or upgrade II membership. They are usually restricted to booking something within 45 or 60 days of checkin, but they can usually see some good stuff. They usually expire one year from when issued.

Freebie AC - These are the ACs that are most discussed here. They just show up in your account with a defined expiration date. The expiration date will seem to be random. Sometimes II extends the expiration date and sometimes they issue new ones while the other one is still in your account. These don't have any 45 or 60 day expiration, but what they can confirm into tends to be more limited than the other two above.

 

[zentraveler]

Yeah I got those freebies for Orlando or Palm Springs. Was curious if the best ones you mentioned are from public promotion (for everyone) or just for your Four Seasons occasionally.

Mine fall into @dioxide45's very helpful categories under AC for Deposit and freebies. I get my II memberships 5 years at a time so don't seem to get the promos.

 

[dioxide45]

Mine fall into @dioxide45's very helpful categories under AC for Deposit and freebies. I get my II memberships 5 years at a time so don't seem to get the promos.

Yeah, offers for upgrades and renewals change or are different for different people.

 

[WorldT]

Just started with II and I got a promo AC for signing up for multi year membership. Good for year but can only reserve 45 days to check in. I see some Marriotts, Westgates, and others of good quality in Orlando. Waiting for January/February to use it. Hopefully I will get good inventory. I even saw some very last minute Mexico resorts of high quality that using my AC would be a great deal. At $229 redemption fee, I will absolutely take it. Will take another one now if they can send it my way.

 

[iftravel]

I tend to ignore the info on restrictions as often dates and locations that are on the restricted list can come up, so its easier just to search and see what there is. Inventory changes at least daily and can increase a lot in the 2 months before check-in, so keep looking.
Once you find something that looks like you want it, you can click on the "exchange" button to proceed through the booking process. The exchange button doesn't mean you are exchanging anything, just that the inventory seems to be pulled from exchange inventory, not getaway inventory.
Click through the booking process, carefully reading the restrictions, any resort construction and any mandatory resort fees, which are in addition to the fee you pay II. At the end you will see the cost of the booking and as long as you don't enter the payment info, you can back out without commitment.
They are non-refundable and non changeable, so get insurance or be prepared to take the loss if you can't use the reservation.
They are like discount coupons, if they work for you great, if not then let them go, another will be along in due course.
Enjoy!

Actually it’s true. Like Marriott Harbour Lake is on the restricted list but it comes up very often. I will see if they enforce the Christmas time limit, hopefully not.

 

[Hindsite]

I will see if they enforce the Christmas time limit, hopefully not.

They don't enforce the Christmas black-out, I've used them for Christmas reservations. Whether where you want to go will be available is a different thing.....

 

[zentraveler]

Just started with II and I got a promo AC for signing up for multi year membership. Good for year but can only reserve 45 days to check in. I see some Marriotts, Westgates, and others of good quality in Orlando. Waiting for January/February to use it. Hopefully I will get good inventory. I even saw some very last minute Mexico resorts of high quality that using my AC would be a great deal. At $229 redemption fee, I will absolutely take it. Will take another one now if they can send it my way.at

Just read the fine print. We used AC's for Vidanta Grand Luxe several times until they they starting charging massive fees of one kind or another on top of the II booking charge that was still cheaper than a "rack rate" booking, but still essentially wiping out a lot of the savings. And their sales people are real sharks, making the usual types seem tame by comparison.

 

[iftravel]

Just read the fine print. We used AC's for Vidanta Grand Luxe several times until they they starting charging massive fees of one kind or another on top of the II booking charge that was still cheaper than a "rack rate" booking, but still essentially wiping out a lot of the savings. And their sales people are real sharks, making the usual types seem tame by comparison.

Don’t see Grand Lux any more. Hope it comes back.