II Mariott- Marriott Exchanges Easier or Harder

[Carlsbadguy]

Have people found recently that it is getting harder or easier to get the exchange you want with II. When the points program first came out I found it harder to get the exchanges I wanted, but recently I have been getting what I want and also far in advance.

I own a Silver Marriott Summit Watch week and reserve either week 15 or Thanksgiving week to use for trading. Last year i traded to Marriott Maui, and was confirmed multiple times till I got the week that worked best for me, which was mid August.

This year got the week at the end of Sundance and will be at Marriott Mountainside starting Jan 30th, and just got a confirmation next year for Marriott Summit Watch starting Jan 16 which covers part of MLK weekend and the first few days of Sundance.

 

[dioxide45]

We are still getting what we are looking for. Though we have reasonable expectations based on what we own and we are mainly Instant Exchange surfers.

 

[enma]

I'm happy with II. As a matter of fact sometimes II works better than Destination Points. I only accept Marriott to Marriott trades. II also bends rules at times when you call them. Yesterday I was able to trade my week which was restricted to 60 days out to an unit in June. As long as you are reasonable I think II still works just fine.

 

[dougp26364]

Several years ago we use to routinely exchange our Ocean Pointe studio unit for either a 1 bedroom Mountain Valley lodge unit or a 1 or 2 bedroom Willow Ridge Lodge unit (depending on the season). Up until recently we had been using that studio unit but, last year we once again locked it off. I really saw no difference with my online searches compared to pre-destination points and once again exchanged a December studio unit for a June 1 bedroom unit at Mountain Valley Lodge.

 

[CCR]

I'm liking my options. I almost exchanged for a 2 bedroom in KoOlina during the University spring break a couple weeks ago. There has been a ton of Hawaii inventory lately. I was using a 1 bedroom Mountainside gold week.

 

[PassionForTravel]

I've been happy with what's been happening with my White Desert Springs II. I booked Thanksgiving week 2015. The studio side traded for MOC studio Easter week 2016 at 13 months out. The 1 bd side which I was holding back for a Hawaii trade for 2017 just got used for an unexpected family trip, it matched to a 2 bd at Labor day 2016 for Sunset Pointe in HHI within 24 hours of placing the OGS.

Ian

 

[davidvel]

I've been happy with what's been happening with my White Desert Springs II. I booked Thanksgiving week 2015. The studio side traded for MOC studio Easter week 2016 at 13 months out. The 1 bd side which I was holding back for a Hawaii trade for 2017 just got used for an unexpected family trip, it matched to a 2 bd at Labor day 2016 for Sunset Pointe in HHI within 24 hours of placing the OGS.

Ian

My experience with Shadow Ridge gold (same as white) is the same. And Thanksgiving week makes a HUGE difference for trading in this season.

No noticeable difference other than the studio to 2BR doesn't happen as much.

 

[gregloucks]

Every year I lock off my two MCV weeks and exchange them into four NCV weeks. On Monday, I made the MCV reservations, deposited them into II and made the exchange requests. By Tuesday morning II had confirmed two of the NCV weeks, including the two weeks of Christmas and New Year's. Today they confirmed a third week. Ever since the implementation of the DC program, I had been afraid of the day when this strategy would no longer work, but so far so good.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

The DC has probably helped the shoulder and off-season inventory in II because MVCI controls many more units that they deposit into II when points bookings do not meet the supply. This is speculation on my part but they do dump good stuff like 3BR Lakeshore units that would very unlikely be deposited by an owner and would not have been dumped by MVCI without the DC.

 

[frank808]

I have enjoyed many more trades marriott to marriott with the dc points program in place. They may not be as far out as pre dc but there have been more units available to me.
Only problem are studios have lost the ability to get 2br or larger greater than 60 days out mostly. This does not include destinations that do not have studio units.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

This does not include destinations that do not have studio units.

It does for me but this was a system wide trading power tweak and not just specific to Marriott.