I've been a member 20 years, still need help. What resorts have $300 m/f but good exchanges? Saw a blogger and got curious

[dioxide45]

I'd argue as described by the OP the blogger was talking about going to HI and Thailand so that's at least 2 locations. That would require trading and it certainly gives the impression the $300 is the all in price.

The $300 was not the all in price. The all in price was just below $500 based on the videos I've watched. That was also when the exchange fee was $209. Both the exchange fee and maintenance fees have gone up. So their all in is probably closer to $550 now. Then there is also the annual II membership fee.

 

[bnoble]

The history of timesharing is littered with resorts that used to be awesome exchangers until they "went viral" and suddenly tons of people were buying them specifically to exchange. That means lots of new deposits. Guess what happens next?

 

[Hindsite]

Guess what happens next?

It already happened when the Trading power changed (degradations) were implemented last March(ish). Some reports are that the OL Studios can't see any of the MVC Hawaii inventory that they use to.....
Same happened to the legacy Hyatt weeks that used to be lauded for being able to be used to get 5 weeks in II for 1 week of maint fees.
There were probably others.....
It only takes an analytics bot or summer intern for II to work out if a specific ownership is significantly out-performing its underlying value.

 

[jp10558]

Same happened to the legacy Hyatt weeks that used to be lauded for being able to be used to get 5 weeks in II for 1 week of maint fees.

I still don't see how in II you get more than one week for a one week deposit. I know people talked about it, but the closest I've seen is depositing a lock off so 2 weeks, and one's a studio which is size upgrade fees too. Well so is the 1BR but hey.

The thing about the exchange "trading power" thing that never made much sense to me is - does II just not want a few complainers somewhere? Like, they get the exchange fee no matter what. The resorts are getting MF from whoever owned the deposited week so they're not out money. Maybe the small number of TUG people don't buy at the more expensive resorts, or buy one or two "expensive weeks" to somehow get the multiple weeks from that but it seems like all that still has to pale in comparison to retail purchases.

I guess the only potential issue is resort bulk deposits, but I don't see that being affected by being in II. They either already were paid MFs or they were never going to get paid them for a given deposit.

 

[dioxide45]

I still don't see how in II you get more than one week for a one week deposit. I know people talked about it, but the closest I've seen is depositing a lock off so 2 weeks, and one's a studio which is size upgrade fees too. Well so is the 1BR but hey.

The thing about the exchange "trading power" thing that never made much sense to me is - does II just not want a few complainers somewhere? Like, they get the exchange fee no matter what. The resorts are getting MF from whoever owned the deposited week so they're not out money. Maybe the small number of TUG people don't buy at the more expensive resorts, or buy one or two "expensive weeks" to somehow get the multiple weeks from that but it seems like all that still has to pale in comparison to retail purchases.

I guess the only potential issue is resort bulk deposits, but I don't see that being affected by being in II. They either already were paid MFs or they were never going to get paid them for a given deposit.

Hyatt is a point system so you use points to trade through II. Many people would own a Diamond season 2BR that came with enough points that it could easily trade for five studio units.

 

[GrayFal]

The cheapest trader I have is a small 1 bed at Sheraton Broadway Resort, $579 MF + exchange fees of $164, and it's a great little trader into Sheraton/ Westin/ Marriott.

That’s a great maint fee for exchange. Is it Gold Plus, or Gold

 

[Quilter]

Oh wow. Interesting.

I'd argue as described by the OP the blogger was talking about going to HI and Thailand so that's at least 2 locations. That would require trading and it certainly gives the impression the $300 is the all in price.

The blogger would use $300ish and $500ish as the amounts in the interview. I got a message showing me another interview where she elaborated with a breakdown of $200ish plus exchange fee which brought it to $500ish. Maybe an upgrade fee, depending on if she found the exchange during flextime or not.

This thread has surely given a clearer picture of what was said in the first interview.

 

[rickandcindy23]

That’s a great maint fee for exchange. Is it Gold Plus, or Gold

Gold Plus, floats weeks 9-43 and 47. I exchanged into Westin Ka'anapali North, 1 bedroom, 3 consecutive weeks with those, 8/9, 8/16 and 8/23 of this year. No upgrade fees because those are 1 bedrooms.

 

[Quilter]

Gold Plus, floats weeks 9-43 and 47. I exchanged into Westin Ka'anapali North, 1 bedroom, 3 consecutive weeks with those, 8/9, 8/16 and 8/23 of this year. No upgrade fees because those are 1 bedrooms.

Have you read the reviews on TripAdvisor?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Have you read the reviews on TripAdvisor?

On what? Sheraton Broadway Plantation? It's rated well on II and RCI. New updates are up to Marriott standards.

 

[Quilter]

On what? Sheraton Broadway Plantation? It's rated well on II and RCI. New updates are up to Marriott standards.

On what? Sheraton Broadway Plantation? It's rated well on II and RCI. New updates are up to Marriott standards.

No, the Westin Ka'anapali North.

 

[rickandcindy23]

No, the Westin Ka'anapali North.

Are there bad reviews? I love it there. I don't look much at TripAdvisor.

 

[GrayFal]

No, the Westin Ka'anapali North.

Have stayed there several times, fabulous resort. Prefer over Maui Ocean Club. Full kitchen, gorgeous bathroom with soaker tub and stall shower, W/D even in studio.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I just looked at the reviews. Expect to see stupid people posting ridiculous things about noisy kids, parking fees (hotel guests pay that), first floor, bad views, and so many other ridiculous complaints. It's Westin, the bed is truly Heavenly, and we love the pools, the grounds and the entire experience. I don't care about views for $750 per week. Believe me.

 

[Quilter]

I just looked at the reviews. Expect to see stupid people posting ridiculous things about noisy kids, parking fees (hotel guests pay that), first floor, bad views, and so many other ridiculous complaints. It's Westin, the bed is truly Heavenly, and we love the pools, the grounds and the entire experience. I don't care about views for $750 per week. Believe me.

Thanks. I was surprised by the reviews. Hawaii properties are a mystery to me. I'm considering a trip next Spring and thought the Westin's were oo-la-la. Then I read those reviews after reading your post. Is this your favorite Maui property?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Thanks. I was surprised by the reviews. Hawaii properties are a mystery to me. I'm considering a trip next Spring and thought the Westin's were oo-la-la. Then I read those reviews after reading your post. Is this your favorite Maui property?

Well, not really my favorite. My third favorite. My favorite is our oceanfront Westin south towers, where we will be 3/15-3/22. My second favorite is Hono Koa where we are now, oceanfront, 40 feet to the water with our view directly oceanfront. We own three weeks here, and I complain about the fees, but the views are WOW, and there are only four units that are oceanfront.

Westin North I get through exchange only, and it's a wonderful exchange, when you can get it. The full one bedrooms are what I love, and those are no longer available for new dates into 2026, so I will cherish our August trip.

 

[kwelty]

I look for "bang for buck" and have been very happy using RCI Points (not TPU's) where you get last minute type deals using their "7 Night Exchanges under 10k Points" option. This works great during shoulder season and sometimes a prime week will show up. There are a lot more choices than "Last Call" with better quality. I get 57,000 points for my Gatlinburg Treetops resort with maintenance fees currently at $665, slightly over a penny a point. When I got this two bedroom unit free on ebay in 2018, MF's were $535. My week is a red week during Fall foliage time. Overall a great place to own and I get about eight weeks for depositing it.
The spreadsheet below shows an average cost of $478 per week since the beginning of last year and would be lower if I didn't include the three units I own with a MF in the $700 - $800 range. I also use I.I. and make use of their AC's but for me the real value is in RCI's discounted points program. The $ Cost column is my total cost for that week, however my yearly membership in RCI and I.I. is not.

Date	Resort	Location	Cost	$ Cost	Exchange Co.& Date
1/20/24	Southwind II #2150	HHI Shipyard	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 1/4/23
1/27/24	A Place At The Beach-Windy Hill #0823	N Myrtle Beach	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 1/24
3/1/24	Newport Onshore #5155	Newport RI	$299+6.5K Pts	364	RCI 2/12/24
3/8/24	The Soundings Seaside Resort #C788	Dennisport, MA	$299+6.5K Pts	364	RCI 2/17/24
4/13/24	Parkside Williamsburg Resort 8721	Williamsburg VA	323+30 Tax = $353 Platnum	353	RCI 3/30/24
5/4/24	Cottages at Shipyard Resort ID: 3298	HHI Shipyard	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 4/15/24
5/31/24	Samoset	Rockport ME	MF $537 + increase	591
6/7/24	Harbor Ridge	Mt Desert ME	MF $705	705
8/17/24	Brigatine Quarters From TUG member	HHI Shipyard	$750	750	TUG 7/24/24
8/24/24	Brigatine Quarters From TUG member	HHI Shipyard	$750	750	TUG 7/24/24
9/8/24	OBBC II	OBX NC	MF $820	820
9/15/24	Edisto Ocean Ridge Baypoint	Edisto Ocean Ridge	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 08-Sep-2024
10/5/24	OBBC II	OBX NC	?	387
10/26/24	Club Wyndham Ocean Boulevard 6777	Myrtle Beach	$448+54tx=$502 includes Plat+Discount	502	RCI sale 3/29
11/2/24	Waterside	HHI	$349 + 38 = $387	387	II 10/31 Cert
11/30/24	Southwind II	HHI	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 11/1
12/7/24	Island Club-Seawatch #0066	HHI	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 11/7
12/27/24	The Ocean Club on Smuggler's Beach 1638	Cape Cod	$199(sale) + 6.5K 1 BR $70 Fee	334	RCI 12/4
1/3/25	Harbor Ridge	Maine	$369+Tx=$402	402	II Cert 11/24
1/18/25	Egret Point by Spinnaker #4223 3BR	HHI	$299 + 7.5K/$88 = $387	387	RCI 12/19
1/25/25	Spinnaker at Shipyard #0984	HHI	$299 + 7.5K/$88 = $387	387	RCI 1/18/25
2/22/25	Land Of Canaan	Davis WV	$299 + 7.5K/$88 = $387	387	RCI 2/7
3/21/25	Wyndham Newport Onshore #5155	Newport RI	$299 + 6.5K/75 = $374	374	RCI 2/19
3/28/25	Wyndham Newport Onshore #5155	Newport RI	$299 + 6.5K/75 = $374	374	RCI 2/26
5/10/25	Wyndham Ocean Ridge #0955	Edisto, SC	$299 + 5350pts/62 = $361	361	RCI 2/20
8/10/25	Ocean Ridge II #6466 Sat Check in	Edisto Ocean Ridge	$299 + 6.5K/75 = $374	374	RCI 2/19!
9/7/25	OBBC II	OBX NC	$886	886
9/14/25	Marriott's OceanWatch Villas@Grand Dunes	Myrtle Beach	$229 + 77,000 II Pts ($660) = $889	889	II 12/29/24

 

[jp10558]

I look for "bang for buck" and have been very happy using RCI Points (not TPU's) where you get last minute type deals using their "7 Night Exchanges under 10k Points" option. This works great during shoulder season and sometimes a prime week will show up. There are a lot more choices than "Last Call" with better quality. I get 57,000 points for my Gatlinburg Treetops resort with maintenance fees currently at $665, slightly over a penny a point. When I got this two bedroom unit free on ebay in 2018, MF's were $535. My week is a red week during Fall foliage time. Overall a great place to own and I get about eight weeks for depositing it.
The spreadsheet below shows an average cost of $478 per week since the beginning of last year and would be lower if I didn't include the three units I own with a MF in the $700 - $800 range. I also use I.I. and make use of their AC's but for me the real value is in RCI's discounted points program. The $ Cost column is my total cost for that week, however my yearly membership in RCI and I.I. is not.

Date	Resort	Location	Cost	$ Cost	Exchange Co.& Date
1/20/24	Southwind II #2150	HHI Shipyard	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 1/4/23
1/27/24	A Place At The Beach-Windy Hill #0823	N Myrtle Beach	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 1/24
3/1/24	Newport Onshore #5155	Newport RI	$299+6.5K Pts	364	RCI 2/12/24
3/8/24	The Soundings Seaside Resort #C788	Dennisport, MA	$299+6.5K Pts	364	RCI 2/17/24
4/13/24	Parkside Williamsburg Resort 8721	Williamsburg VA	323+30 Tax = $353 Platnum	353	RCI 3/30/24
5/4/24	Cottages at Shipyard Resort ID: 3298	HHI Shipyard	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 4/15/24
5/31/24	Samoset	Rockport ME	MF $537 + increase	591
6/7/24	Harbor Ridge	Mt Desert ME	MF $705	705
8/17/24	Brigatine Quarters From TUG member	HHI Shipyard	$750	750	TUG 7/24/24
8/24/24	Brigatine Quarters From TUG member	HHI Shipyard	$750	750	TUG 7/24/24
9/8/24	OBBC II	OBX NC	MF $820	820
9/15/24	Edisto Ocean Ridge Baypoint	Edisto Ocean Ridge	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 08-Sep-2024
10/5/24	OBBC II	OBX NC	?	387
10/26/24	Club Wyndham Ocean Boulevard 6777	Myrtle Beach	$448+54tx=$502 includes Plat+Discount	502	RCI sale 3/29
11/2/24	Waterside	HHI	$349 + 38 = $387	387	II 10/31 Cert
11/30/24	Southwind II	HHI	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 11/1
12/7/24	Island Club-Seawatch #0066	HHI	$299+7.5K Pts	374	RCI 11/7
12/27/24	The Ocean Club on Smuggler's Beach 1638	Cape Cod	$199(sale) + 6.5K 1 BR $70 Fee	334	RCI 12/4
1/3/25	Harbor Ridge	Maine	$369+Tx=$402	402	II Cert 11/24
1/18/25	Egret Point by Spinnaker #4223 3BR	HHI	$299 + 7.5K/$88 = $387	387	RCI 12/19
1/25/25	Spinnaker at Shipyard #0984	HHI	$299 + 7.5K/$88 = $387	387	RCI 1/18/25
2/22/25	Land Of Canaan	Davis WV	$299 + 7.5K/$88 = $387	387	RCI 2/7
3/21/25	Wyndham Newport Onshore #5155	Newport RI	$299 + 6.5K/75 = $374	374	RCI 2/19
3/28/25	Wyndham Newport Onshore #5155	Newport RI	$299 + 6.5K/75 = $374	374	RCI 2/26
5/10/25	Wyndham Ocean Ridge #0955	Edisto, SC	$299 + 5350pts/62 = $361	361	RCI 2/20
8/10/25	Ocean Ridge II #6466 Sat Check in	Edisto Ocean Ridge	$299 + 6.5K/75 = $374	374	RCI 2/19!
9/7/25	OBBC II	OBX NC	$886	886
9/14/25	Marriott's OceanWatch Villas@Grand Dunes	Myrtle Beach	$229 + 77,000 II Pts ($660) = $889	889	II 12/29/24

It doesn't really say what size unit's you're doing this with... Are they Studios? 2BR? A random mix?

 

[GrayFal]

Interval trader
In the past I owned Fairway of the Mountains, a resort on the same property as Foxrun.
MANY Tugers owned and traded Foxrun.
Foxrun is a 2BR 2Bath unit and the maintanace fee is still just under $1000 (one thousand)

Fairway of the Mountains is a 2BR 2Bath unit that locks off (no fee) into two 1BR asleep 4 private units
It is unrated but my sister is a 18 year owner and routinely trades into Marriotts

Suggest getting a week 23-30 unit for maximum trade power.
Sister has a week 15 and 35 and 35 is the stronger Trader.

@rickandcindy23 has owned FXR and currently has a FXR 52

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@GrayFal $100 or $1000 MF?

 

[MichaelColey]

The CMV UDI's, mentioned earlier in this thread, can be a great value if you travel enough to fully utilize it. The trading power isn't great (probably the top 10% of things I can see with my best traders aren't visible with CMV), but it can still get some great things (and you can further multiply it by using II ShortStay Exchanges to get two 6-night stays for each deposit). With about $2000 in MFs and $150 per reservation in housekeeping fees, your net cost (before exchange fees) depends on how many weeks you can book. If 5, it's $550 per deposit. If 10, it's $350 per deposit. If 15 (about the most I've ever got in a year), it's $285 per deposit.

There are quite a few resorts with lockoffs in the $1000 range. Split those and deposit separately and you're at $500 per deposit.

FWIW, 5-10 years ago, all of these were about half the price, so it wasn't unusual for me to get good exchanges for about $350/week (including exchange fee, which was lower back then).

 

[GrayFal]

The CMV UDI's, mentioned earlier in this thread, can be a great value if you travel enough to fully utilize it. The trading power isn't great (probably the top 10% of things I can see with my best traders aren't visible with CMV), but it can still get some great things (and you can further multiply it by using II ShortStay Exchanges to get two 6-night stays for each deposit). With about $2000 in MFs and $150 per reservation in housekeeping fees, your net cost (before exchange fees) depends on how many weeks you can book. If 5, it's $550 per deposit. If 10, it's $350 per deposit. If 15 (about the most I've ever got in a year), it's $285 per deposit.

There are quite a few resorts with lockoffs in the $1000 range. Split those and deposit separately and you're at $500 per deposit.

FWIW, 5-10 years ago, all of these were about half the price, so it wasn't unusual for me to get good exchanges for about $350/week (including exchange fee, which was lower back then).

I used to own this as well as did @chriske ….it became too much work for too little return as II continually decreased trading power and Bluegreen increased housekeeping fee per week.
I guess I am lazy

 

[rickandcindy23]

I was tempted to grab a UDI at CMV from Bruce but I didn't, and I am glad I didn't go for it. He was persuasive! God bless him, such a wonderful man to talk to.

 

[GrayFal]

@GrayFal $100 or $1000 MF?

Edit!
But I remember the days of South Africa TSs with $92 USD maint fee

 

[GrayFal]

I was tempted to grab a UDI at CMV from Bruce but I didn't, and I am glad I didn't go for it. He was persuasive! God bless him, such a wonderful man to talk to.

BAck then it was worth it!