II Advice Needed

[DanCali]

Background: My only II trade has been a 2BR (NCV) to a 2BR (Waiohai) and that was using request first and over 10 years ago. I really haven't used it since then except for browsing getaways.

I may have the option to deposit the guest room from our 3BR lockoff Playa Andaluza, since we'd only need a 2BR for our own use. To the extent it matters with II, those studios sleep 2, not 4. The reservation would be a high TDI (130+) reservation for June 2026. We'd be looking to travel with that exchange in summer 2027, sometime mid-June to mid-August.

What can we realistically get for that exchange? Can you upgrade unit size for ongoing requests? Is there any point in trying all-2BR resorts like NCV or Waiohai? Is a 1BR in Hawaii realistic?

Any other advice on how to make the most of this?

 

[VacationForever]

You can specify the unit size that you want to exchange into. The system allows you to put in a range of sizes. It is a difficult exchange into Waiohai and Newport Coast in the summer, not to mention with a studio. Unlikely is the best way to put it. 1BR in Hawaii maybe possible.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Background: My only II trade has been a 2BR (NCV) to a 2BR (Waiohai) and that was using request first and over 10 years ago. I really haven't used it since then except for browsing getaways.

I may have the option to deposit the guest room from our 3BR lockoff Playa Andaluza, since we'd only need a 2BR for our own use. To the extent it matters with II, those studios sleep 2, not 4. The reservation would be a high TDI (130+) reservation for June 2026. We'd be looking to travel with that exchange in summer 2027, sometime mid-June to mid-August.

What can we realistically get for that exchange? Can you upgrade unit size for ongoing requests? Is there any point in trying all-2BR resorts like NCV or Waiohai? Is a 1BR in Hawaii realistic?

Any other advice on how to make the most of this?

As vacationforever said you can specify the unit size you want when you place your request, and you can say 1br if that will work for you even though some resorts are 2br only.
Place the request as far in advance as possible- 13 month plus is ideal.
And then what have you got to lose?
You could try requesting only what you truly, really want first.
The add more resorts if it doesn’t come though soon after the 12 month out time.
The more flexible you can be locations and dates the better.
Search manually too with the same unit you requested with- you can just go ahead nd make the instant exchange if you find what you want nd that cancels the request.

I agree that what you will find at least manually with even a medium/ high TDI studio will be limited in the high TDI season you want to travel, but you could get lucky on the request. Doesn’t hurt to try (unless there is a reason it does for you?).

 

[DanCali]

Doesn’t hurt to try (unless there is a reason it does for you?).

No, the only way it hurts is the alternative of renting the studio. It is peak travel season with "seafront" view and would be great accommodation for 2 people.

We usually just elect points for the 3BR (it's got great value of 4100 points for ~$1700 in MFs, and it's just a Gold week) so I never tried to rent there. Renting the studio even for a modest amount can cover a lot of the MF cost. But of course a 1BR in Hawaii would be worth more to us...

 

[Pamplemousse]

No, the only way it hurts is the alternative of renting the studio. It is peak travel season with "seafront" view and would be great accommodation for 2 people.

We usually just elect points for the 3BR (it's got great value of 4100 points for ~$1700 in MFs, and it's just a Gold week) so I never tried to rent there. Renting the studio even for a modest amount can cover a lot of the MF cost. But of course a 1BR in Hawaii would be worth more to us...

Maybe request first on II is the way to go- see if your exchange comes through and if not try to rent.

 

[DanCali]

I was thinking of that but iirc with request first on II the week you get has to have a checkin before the week you deposit? That'd be pretty restrictive given my desired timing.

 

[Dean]

The other variable is II has it listed as a hotel room, I suspect this will hurt . Will they have you pay to upgrade two or three units sizes to a 2 BR. You should be able to tell online by playing with a fake exchange. I suspect it'll work like a studio and just require 2 levels of upgrade to a 2 BR but will likely have a slightly lower trade power.

 

[Dean]

I was thinking of that but iirc with request first on II the week you get has to have a checkin before the week you deposit? That'd be pretty restrictive given my desired timing.

Not MVC to MVC but you will have to call to set it up and you will have to have it locked off first.

 

[Pamplemousse]

I was thinking of that but iirc with request first on II the week you get has to have a checkin before the week you deposit? That'd be pretty restrictive given my desired timing.

I believe Dean is right that there are special request first rules for MVC, but I don’t know where to find them.

If you think you can rent the studio and that might be best.

 

[Dean]

Not MVC to MVC but you will have to call to set it up and you will have to have it locked off first.

To add, it must be MVC to MVC only to qualify for the special request first.

I believe Dean is right that there are special request first rules for MVC, but I don’t know where to find them.

If you think you can rent the studio and that might be best.

It's in the MVC version of the II Buyers Guide under exchange procedures.

 

[dioxide45]

It's in the MVC version of the II Buyers Guide under exchange procedures.

And even the rep you get on the phone may have no clue what it is and how to open said special exchange request.

 

[Pamplemousse]

To add, it must be MVC to MVC only to qualify for the special request first.

It's in the MVC version of the II Buyers Guide under exchange procedures.

Do you find that on the MVC owner site? Under weeks?
I see to just have the generic one on II.

 

[Dean]

Do you find that on the MVC owner site? Under weeks?
I see to just have the generic one on II.

Resources/Helpful tools/enrollment documentatDocumentation for Owners of U.S. and Caribbean Properties/Documentation for Owners of U.S. and Caribbean Properties/II Buyers Guide

https://content.marriottvacationclub.com/enrolldocs/usc/ii-buyersguide-tc.pdf

 

[Dean]

And even the rep you get on the phone may have no clue what it is and how to open said special exchange request.

I think it's variable. I get the sense that it may not be used as much as it was before the points product.

 

[bazzap]

And even the rep you get on the phone may have no clue what it is and how to open said special exchange request.

We only ever used Marriott Special Request First for all of our many Interval exchanges since we very first bought into MVC.
In the last couple of years though, since we have almost totally changed to electing our enrolled weeks for points and booking with these, I have noticed that Owner Services agents are far less aware of the Special Request First option.