II response to COVID-19

[sue1947]

So if I need to change a week that begins 4/18/20, and I purchased ePlus which says 2 of 3 trades remain, expiration date of 4/2021; Because it’s now within 59 days, are my 2 remaining trades for up to 59 days each, or is it the 4/2021 expiration date?

Contact II and they will override the 60 day limitation; that's what the II message from this weekend is all about. They will either give you a certificate for later use or book a new week for you now. The latter is better if you can find something. You just need someplace to park it until later. They will rebook for you without using your eplus so you will still have 2 changes remaining. So look for something at the end of Dec to park it. The one I changed today originally had a final eplus date of 9/21/20. I moved it to an Oct 23 week and could have moved it to anything before Dec 30. If your week has similar restrictions in date, book the best you can now when you will be able to book a later date than you will later.

 

[gogogo]

Lydlady- I pretty much have the same situation as you. I have an exchange week with a checkin date of 4/5/20. I purchased e-trade for this exchange at the time of the reservation. When I called this morning, II gave me two options:

1) I could cancel completely, but the new certificate would require me to incur all the fees for new trades, lose my e-trade capability, and since I'm within 59 days of checkin would only be able to rebook using the flex-change searches (for availability within 59 days).

2) I could re-book while on the telephone using one of my 3 e-trades. On my original reservation, my e-trades disclaimer said "3 trades remaining through 4/5/21". I was told that this was no longer applicable since I was within 59 days of checkin, and that I would only be able to see re-trade availability up to my current check-in date of 4/5/20. The rep told me that because of COVID they were waving that limit and extending the availability of re-trades through 12/2020. However, she said I would not be able to see current inventory past 4/5/20 online, and that if I wanted to proceed she could check inventory from now through Dec.

I chose option number 2. Since there was no availability at my original/preferred resort between now and December, I had her check various locations I wouldn't mind traveling to and reserved something as close to the December deadline that I could find. Because this counted as my "1st e-trade" I now have two left. And, I now have the ability to see inventory online between now and my new checkin date of 11/20/20. If I find something online I'd rather have before then, I can use my remaining two e-trades to switch weeks and/or destinations.

I hope this helps!

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am surprised II is not being as flexible as RCI. I got a coupon back for my exchange fee to use toward a future exchange. I have to use it by 6/30/2020, but I just have to travel within a year. I can deal with that. It's better than I thought RCI would do for me.

I have 3 retrades left on my weeks starting 3/21/2020, but if we cancel the weeks, I won't be able to use them for Orlando for early December without incurring another trade fee? I am not okay with that. That is not satisfactory to me AT ALL. The weeks I used are 2 bed, 2 bath SBP. Not cool, II.

 

[Lydlady]

Interesting that I experimented with putting in dates to start an ePlus exchange, and it gave me a 90-day window. I wonder if I could do that twice for 180 days and not have to call II. Still not as good as the end of the year though. We have two weeks to reschedule so probably will have to pay for at least one replacement week. Shouldn't fly and a road trip over 2700 miles away is too iffy at this point.

 

[gogogo]

If you call (i was on hold less than 10 minutes this afternoon) they will quote you the availability of any resort through the end of December. I was charged $99 for my trade because I upgraded from a 1BR to a 2BR unit, otherwise there were no fees. If you do the trades online yourself, you will always be limited to "the next 90 days." If you buy yourself some time by making a reservation "somewhere" mid december, you can access the entire calendar between now and your new checkin date without having to call back.

 

[jmhpsu93]

I called yesterday and exchanged a 2 BR Marriott Grande Vista unit check-in 4/10, which only had one re-trade left on e-plus, for a 6/21 check-in date even though that was past the 59 day window. He had to get a supervisor to approve it but it went through. Crossing fingers things are better by then.

 

[Lydlady]

And if we trade out to December 31st but can't use the week, do we just pay a replacement fee to extend it one year? Looks like I will need to change two weeks. DH and I still work so one week can be rescheduled for possibly this summer but the other would have to wait till next year.

 

[Jwerking]

I called II yesterday at 5:30 pm and was only on hold for 1 minute. Switched my original exchange starting in 10 days on Mar 28th until November. Kudos to II for allowing this change at no cost.

 

[Judy]

Has anyone been successful in getting II to give you a cancel now, re-book later for no-extra-cost certificate? Can we put in an ongoing search for a replacement week? My April exchange is going to have to be cancelled, but since no one knows when this pandemic will be over, I hesitate to book anything else right now.

 

[travelplanner70]

Good news that I did not have to wait for an II agent; however, my option offered is not good - a replacement week that only can be booked 30 days in advance - worse than the FLEX change of 59 days. I had called II just before they offered no refund of exchange fee. At that time the agent said that it would not matter as far as limitations of the new trading week if I canceled now or up to 2 days prior to check-in. However, I was told today that it would matter. If I had redeposited it a week ago, I would have been offered over 30 days prior to trade to secure a reservation. How can II not allow at least the 59 day window to make a trade. That would not cost them anything; yet, it would help us secure a lower airfare. Do you think II will hear our concerns and change their policy?

 

[PamMo]

I'm wondering what options, if any, there are for Interval Getaways? Normally Getaways are nonrefundable and nonchangeable, but if there are travel restrictions which make it impossible to use, is there any way to recoup the cost of the Getaway?

Just found an answer to my question here: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/ii-allowing-changes-to-getaways-due-to-coronavirus.302682/ Sounds like Interval is being pretty good about this.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Yes, I take back my negative post. I called this afternoon and II did exchange my week for something in Orlando today. It wasn't my favorite resort, but it's the right check-in date and is still a Marriott 2 bedroom.

Check-in was supposed to be Saturday for my original week. I had retrade good for 3/21/2021. I can re-trade two more times before the exp date. I am very happy with the outcome. II stepped up.

 

[sue1947]

And if we trade out to December 31st but can't use the week, do we just pay a replacement fee to extend it one year?

yes

 

[BostonKingB]

i had a Marriott Ko Olina check in for 3/28 and called and they deposited a certificate into my account - they said it was good until December 31, 2020 but when I search online I only see 30 days. The phone rep assured me I could check availability when I call through year end? Is that accurate? Hopefully yes, but there was nothing anywhere near as good when I was searching.

 

[travelplanner70]

Since my exchange on April 11 does not have e-plus, I was told that I can get a certificate good through Nov 2019 (2 years from the original unit I deposited) which allows a future exchange without a fee added, but one can only see a 30-day window. There are no openings now when I look at the resorts to which I would like to visit in the future if the II agent would book a future reservation while on the phone with me. Once I ask for the certificate, however, I would not be able to call the agent to book ahead of the 30 day-window without incurring a fee. At least that is my understanding.

 

[travelplanner70]

BTW, how much is it to extend an expiring certificate if I go that route?

 

[Lydlady]

I was wondering this same thing. But I was told that if I do extend it, I would only be able to see 30 days out.

BTW, does anyone have the number for our II contact? I think his name is Mark, right?

 

[skimble]

I personally am not expecting any business to take the brunt of my losses due to the coronavirus. This is affecting everyone, consumers and businesses. We all have to share the burden.

I would not expect them to take the brunt either. However, if they want to continue operating, they must offer some sort of carrot to alleviate the fear of booking future travel.

 

[BostonKingB]

Not sure if anyone has experienced this but I got an Accommodation Certificate deposited into my II account and it's ONLY good for booking at Orlando resorts, for the remainder of the year....

 

[pedro47]

Just held for 48 minutes and I was cut off. It is an April 4 week so I have time.

We held for 30 minutes and we were cut off.

I do not want an AC.

 

[Judy]

I called II today. After listening though the recorded messages, an agent came on quickly. I asked to have my April 10 week in Key Largo (the resort is closed and the Florida Keys are closed to visitors) exchanged for one in September that I could see using a different deposit. He said that he could not. The best he could/would do would be to request that a replacement week, good until December 24, 2020, be put into my account. That, he said, will take several days. I complained that by then, the week I want will likely be gone, but he didn't budge.

 

[Judy]

A replacement week, in the form of a "certificate" appeared in my II account today, just 3 days from the day I called to cancel. Even though the II phone representative told me that it would be good for Key Largo (the resort I had to give up) and good until December 31, 2020, it is not. Here are the restrictions:

All confirmations are made on a space available basis and no guarantee is made that any specific request can be confirmed. The redemption of the Accommodation Certificate is subject to certain terms and conditions. A redemption fee will be required.
This Certificate cannot be combined nor used in conjunction with any other certificate or fee waiver certificate.
All other terms and conditions of individual membership, exchange and flex change must be adhered to.
This certificate must be completed prior to the expiration date DECEMBER 24, 2020.
Certificate not valid for 18DEC to 31DEC travel dates.
Certificate not valid for 01JAN to 02APR travel dates.
Certificate may not be used for the following AREAS.Florida, Fort Lauderdale Coast From:01MAY To:31DEC,Florida, Upper Keys,Florida, Lower Keys,Florida, Key West,Florida, Tampa Bay,California, Kirkwood,California, Southern Coast,California, Big Bear Lake,California, San Diego Area,California, Northern National Forests,California, San Francisco,California, Napa Valley,Hawaii, Oahu,Hawaii, Maui,Hawaii, Kauai,Hawaii, Molokai,Hawaii, Big Island,
Certificate may not be used for the following RESORTS.Franz Klammer Lodge,Four Seasons Residence Club Punta Mita,Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara,Four Seasons Residence Club Scottsdale,
This certificate has no cash value.

Even though it says, "A redemption fee will be required", when I used it to partially book an exchange, a charge of zero appeared. The certificate can be extended until June 21, 2021 for $99 or until December 24, 2021 for $189.

 

[Judy]

What are you all going to do about using your replacement certificates?

I just got off the phone with another II rep. I asked whether if I used my replacement certificate to book an exchange and the stay-at-home orders were still in place when the new date arrived, could I re-trade. He didn't really know, but he guessed that yes, I could, but for an additional exchange fee.

 

[Lydlady]

Hmm, interesting Has anyone checked to see if they can see beyond 30 days at a time with these certificates?

And I wonder if you pay for a replacement week if it will have the same restrictions. I guess time will tell.

I cancelled one week and still am not seeing it. I have a second week to cancel. With all these restrictions, I might be better off using my two remaining ePlus exchanges and finding something for this summer.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I don't want one of those certificates to replace my two weeks at Marriott's Cypress Harbour because I need to get something for January. They had better do something to fix this certificate, or they are going to have some angry TUG members. I am not going to give up weeks that cost that much in MF's and not be able to even get Orlando in January. That is what I want., late January in Orlando because my AP is going to be extended by Disney for the length of time the parks are closed. I will wait until the day before my 17th of May check-in date to cancel. That way, I can have a chance of getting something in January at Marriott's Cypress Harbour for my replacement week. I will ask them to book it for me. I am not asking for a 2 bed at Marriott resorts on Maui during whale season. I just want to get SOMETHING I can use.