I need help from the pro's on your successes, tips, and tricks on a "request first" trade through Interval. I own a 2 bedroom EOY at Ko Olina and will be reserving the 2nd week in April 2026 soon. I would like to go to Maui the same week, and give up my 2 bedroom Ko Olina. What are your thoughts and tips? This is a family event and I need a 2 bedroom and the exact week for me to consider the trade. Also, what resorts would you try for? I've been to Ko Olina many times but haven't tried any of the other islands.
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Interval "Request first" Hawaii to Hawaii
- Thread starter James G
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I think that you have a decent shot. Doing a request first makes sense as you'll still have a nice fallback. I don't know if there are any "tricks" that you could employ.
The Maui Ocean club has two phases. MMO is the original phase and is a hotel conversion. So, a 2 BR will have 3 bathrooms and a small kitchen (but there is a community kitchen on the first floor that you can use) and no washer or dryer (but there are free ones down below). MM1 is the newer towers and they were purpose built, so a 2 BR has 2 baths, a full kitchen and a W/D.
You might consider adding in Marriott Waiohai on Kauai. They are all 2 BR units and the place is very nice IMHO. That could double your chance of getting a match. The Lagoon's on Kauai is also nice. You could also consider adding Sheratons and Westins on Maui and Kauai.
The Maui Ocean club has two phases. MMO is the original phase and is a hotel conversion. So, a 2 BR will have 3 bathrooms and a small kitchen (but there is a community kitchen on the first floor that you can use) and no washer or dryer (but there are free ones down below). MM1 is the newer towers and they were purpose built, so a 2 BR has 2 baths, a full kitchen and a W/D.
You might consider adding in Marriott Waiohai on Kauai. They are all 2 BR units and the place is very nice IMHO. That could double your chance of getting a match. The Lagoon's on Kauai is also nice. You could also consider adding Sheratons and Westins on Maui and Kauai.
You don't need to deposit the entire 2 br Ko Olina to get 2 br at Marriott Maui MM1. You will have preference for Marriott Maui. You can add Westin Nanea WNA as well.
Lock off your MKO and deposit the two units separately.
Typically the week leading into Easter, March 27, 28, 29
or the week of Easter April 4, 5, 6 would have the highest Travel Demand Index TDI for April. Other than Easter, April is medium demand for Hawaii.
The 2nd week of April in 2026 is April 10, 11, 12. Easter is April 5, 2026.
I would not reserve the second week of April, week 15.
I expect the TDI of week 15 to be only 130.
In general, you want TDI 135 - 150 to get the top resorts. However, since you want to trade into Maui for second week of April, (also medium demand time), it should only matter if you split your unit into the 1 br and Studio.
II hasn't published 2026 TDI yet, but typically it's the week of Easter that changes by a step of two.
If you're willing to wait, the highest TDI will be the July weeks. At least wait til mid-June, week 24
Here is the current chart. Go all the way to the bottom to read the TDI. Starts with 50, ends with 150, each square steps up by 5.
Lock off your MKO and deposit the two units separately.
Typically the week leading into Easter, March 27, 28, 29
or the week of Easter April 4, 5, 6 would have the highest Travel Demand Index TDI for April. Other than Easter, April is medium demand for Hawaii.
The 2nd week of April in 2026 is April 10, 11, 12. Easter is April 5, 2026.
I would not reserve the second week of April, week 15.
I expect the TDI of week 15 to be only 130.
In general, you want TDI 135 - 150 to get the top resorts. However, since you want to trade into Maui for second week of April, (also medium demand time), it should only matter if you split your unit into the 1 br and Studio.
II hasn't published 2026 TDI yet, but typically it's the week of Easter that changes by a step of two.
If you're willing to wait, the highest TDI will be the July weeks. At least wait til mid-June, week 24
Here is the current chart. Go all the way to the bottom to read the TDI. Starts with 50, ends with 150, each square steps up by 5.
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Request first defaults to limiting your request to up to your potential deposit check-in date, but with MVC you have the "Special" process that allows you to set up requests that go beyond the check-in date, but you have to call to set that up. I've never done one for the same week as the potential deposit so don't know if that would be an issue for you, but if it is, you do have a choice. II customer service agents don't always know about the special process, so you may need to persist to get it done. If you need check-in date to be a specific day, also request that when you call.
Usually with II you need 3 x resorts or weeks combination for the request to be set up. If you don't have that from choices you would accept then add a "placeholder" resorts to your dates. These placeholder resorts are ones that are not seen as available in II so there is very close to zero chance of a match, but they enable you to set up the request without compromising the specific requirements you have. Disney Aulani (ADJ) and Westin St John (WSJ) are two that fall into this category, so you can add them with high confidence that they won't accidentally match.
With request first the emails you get from II and MVC read like you have actually done the deposit so don't be spooked by that, feel free to check with II that is has been set up correctly. I recall it also showing up as unavailable in my MVC account too, but aren't sure, so that may also happen.
It is also worth checking II manually for any deposits that slip past the auto-match process.
Usually with II you need 3 x resorts or weeks combination for the request to be set up. If you don't have that from choices you would accept then add a "placeholder" resorts to your dates. These placeholder resorts are ones that are not seen as available in II so there is very close to zero chance of a match, but they enable you to set up the request without compromising the specific requirements you have. Disney Aulani (ADJ) and Westin St John (WSJ) are two that fall into this category, so you can add them with high confidence that they won't accidentally match.
With request first the emails you get from II and MVC read like you have actually done the deposit so don't be spooked by that, feel free to check with II that is has been set up correctly. I recall it also showing up as unavailable in my MVC account too, but aren't sure, so that may also happen.
It is also worth checking II manually for any deposits that slip past the auto-match process.
dmharris
TUG Member
This is the closest thread with 'request first' that I could find. I don't remember where to go to Request First with my Marriott weeks in Interval. Can someone please direct me? I've looked at the interval site and don't see a place and there's no Search function. TIA.
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Go to Exchange > My Units. Then click the Place Request button for one of your undeposited units.
dmharris
TUG Member
Thank you, my friend.