Need advice on a trade attempt [Marriott]

[John3790]

My brother gave me his week at the Marriott Ko Olina for 2010. I have already been to Oahu and would like have him trade it for the Marriott Waiohai in Kauai. What is my best shot at this? I am somewhat flexible on the dates in 2010(weeks 3,4,5,6). He suggested requesting a week in the end of January at Ko Olina and then work with II on finding an exchange to the Waiohai. I am worried that I may not get an answer by the time I try and book my air which would be about 1 month later since I am going to try and use miles and need to try and book right at day 331 to have the best chance to get a couple of free flights. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, he owns 2 Marriott properties Ko Olina and Waiohai (alternate years). Can he book at 13 months since he owns 2 timeshares?

Thanks

 

[dive-in]

You are unlikely to get a trade prior to getting your FF air ticket. I would just put in the trade request, book your FF tickets (those are probably harder to get than the exchange), have a backup plan, and then wait. I play the same game every couple of years. We got our February Waiohai exchange in October or November. I think the exchange for the weeks you are looking at in January and February are probably, especially with a strong Marriott trader. It's also a great time to be there!! We love watching the whales.

 

[m61376]

You can only book at 13 months if you are booking contiguous or consecutive weeks. Thus, if he owns on alternate years, he can only book at 12 months.

Your best strategy may be to book the Ko'Olina week for week 1 and deposit immediately, asking for the weeks you were interested in. That way, when the Waiohai deposits are made, you'd likely be at the top of the list so may get an early confirmation.

The only downside to that strategy is that Feb. weeks at Ko'Olina may be slightly better traders (I'd check the more resent II guide), but having the deposit already on-board with an on-going request before any of the desired weeks are deposited into II is your best bet.

That said, you may not get your trade before you need to book FF tickets. As posted above, you can book the tickets, make backup cancellable hotel arrangements and hope for the best.

Another option is to book the Ko'Olina week and make a request first into II for what you'd prefer. If you would rather go to Oahu if the Waiohai request doesn't come through, this would be an option. That way, you could book FF tickets and only run the risk of having to pay for inter-island flights, but would be assured of the week you want in Hawaii (since you can always get the Oahu week back if II can't find the Waiohai week).

 

[thinze3]

My brother gave me his week at the Marriott Ko Olina for 2010. I have already been to Oahu and would like have him trade it for the Marriott Waiohai in Kauai. What is my best shot at this? I am somewhat flexible on the dates in 2010(weeks 3,4,5,6). He suggested requesting a week in the end of January at Ko Olina and then work with II on finding an exchange to the Waiohai. I am worried that I may not get an answer by the time I try and book my air which would be about 1 month later since I am going to try and use miles and need to try and book right at day 331 to have the best chance to get a couple of free flights. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, he owns 2 Marriott properties Ko Olina and Waiohai (alternate years). Can he book at 13 months since he owns 2 timeshares?

Thanks

You will have NO PROBLEM with that trade. Have your brother book a week in early January at KoOlina and do a "request first" search immediately. The weeks you are looking for at Waiohai are not high demand weeks.

When Waiohai owners begin depositing their weeks, your trade will come through. Also, Marriott still owns many weeks and makes bulk deposits, usually the lower demand weeks.

Terry