Newbie at Interval International

[jpa2825]

Newbie here. Long time MVC points and week owner. During COVID, exchanged some expiring points for II. They are now scheduled to expire JAN 7, 2024 and looking at options. 1 is a min bdrm 1, max bdrm 4 with a Kitchen. The other is a 0/2 with a Kitchen (studio). I understand if I match to a higher occupancy I can pay the $99 or more to do the exchange.

1 - we have a long weekend trip to Palm Springs beginning of DEC. Currently have reservations at DSV I. When I do the steps to check for a full week I get 2 resorts (Hyatt VC at Desert Oasis DEO and Desert Breezes Resort Timeshare DBR). When I do a Short Stay Exchange 3 day 11.30 arrival, I get 1 resort (DEO). When I do 4 days, 11.30 is not an option but I get 12.1 arrival for DEO and DBR.

Any opinions on DEO or DBR?

If I book the 4 day short stay, will I have a 3 day short stay left in my account in place of the 1 Unit full week that is in there now? Are all "short stays" considered equal and a 1 Unit full week just turns into 2 short stay exchanges (i.e., could I get 2 4 day short stay exchanges for the 1 Unit full week)?

I'd obviously prefer not to use the full certificate, book a week and check out early but this close to expiration it might be worth it.

2 - If none of the above works, looks like the Units can be extended for 6 mos. for $99 and 12 mos. for $199. Not sure of the deadline for executing the extension. There is some commentary about being able to do up to 3 mos. after expired. Apparently this immediately puts the extended Unit into "flextime" which only allows to see out 59 days at a time (kinda like Holding Points, I guess.)

On this front, I've been advised that to try to extend the better move is to book anything as far out as possible and buy EPlus which would give me three manual retrades good for a year after the original check in date. This would avoid flextime "as long as I am retrading within 59 days of check in" (not sure what that means).
As an example, I could book something (anything as a placeholder) for January 7, 2024 and then immediately retrade for something further down the road (presumably something as far off as possible if there isn't anything I really want). This would leave two retrades left to be used before January 7, 2025. I think I follow most of that suggestion but I suspect someone / anyone can explain it better than what I heard.

Any help as I try to understand II will be appreciated.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Take the Hyatt over Desert Breezes. Hyatt at least is Gold and Desert Breezes is not rated. I never stayed at either. If you have a chance at Westin, take that over either of those. Marriott is nice, but of course you know that.

I wouldn't extend the deposit. I would book something close to your week's expiration date and add eplus.

Or enter an ongoing search for what you really want. It's not that tough to get Palm Desert when school is in session.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Newbie here. Long time MVC points and week owner. During COVID, exchanged some expiring points for II. They are now scheduled to expire JAN 7, 2024 and looking at options. 1 is a min bdrm 1, max bdrm 4 with a Kitchen. The other is a 0/2 with a Kitchen (studio). I understand if I match to a higher occupancy I can pay the $99 or more to do the exchange.

1 - we have a long weekend trip to Palm Springs beginning of DEC. Currently have reservations at DSV I. When I do the steps to check for a full week I get 2 resorts (Hyatt VC at Desert Oasis DEO and Desert Breezes Resort Timeshare DBR). When I do a Short Stay Exchange 3 day 11.30 arrival, I get 1 resort (DEO). When I do 4 days, 11.30 is not an option but I get 12.1 arrival for DEO and DBR.

Any opinions on DEO or DBR?

If I book the 4 day short stay, will I have a 3 day short stay left in my account in place of the 1 Unit full week that is in there now? Are all "short stays" considered equal and a 1 Unit full week just turns into 2 short stay exchanges (i.e., could I get 2 4 day short stay exchanges for the 1 Unit full week)?

I'd obviously prefer not to use the full certificate, book a week and check out early but this close to expiration it might be worth it.

2 - If none of the above works, looks like the Units can be extended for 6 mos. for $99 and 12 mos. for $199. Not sure of the deadline for executing the extension. There is some commentary about being able to do up to 3 mos. after expired. Apparently this immediately puts the extended Unit into "flextime" which only allows to see out 59 days at a time (kinda like Holding Points, I guess.)

On this front, I've been advised that to try to extend the better move is to book anything as far out as possible and buy EPlus which would give me three manual retrades good for a year after the original check in date. This would avoid flextime "as long as I am retrading within 59 days of check in" (not sure what that means).
As an example, I could book something (anything as a placeholder) for January 7, 2024 and then immediately retrade for something further down the road (presumably something as far off as possible if there isn't anything I really want). This would leave two retrades left to be used before January 7, 2025. I think I follow most of that suggestion but I suspect someone / anyone can explain it better than what I heard.

Any help as I try to understand II will be appreciated.

For short stay exchange each of the 2 exchanges is 1-6 nights. Its not that it adds up to 7 nights.
Have a look at the faq at the bottom on II page.

You can pay to upsize your unit if a larger unit is available. It will show when you search- if It’s not avsilable then you can’t upsize.


If you pay to extend your week you will be limited to manual exchange (no request) 60 days before check in (flexchange).
You are better off booking an exchange more than 60 days in advance of chevk in and buying eplus. Eplus cost less and gives you 3 manual retrades within a year from the original check in date.
You won’t be in flexchange as long as you always retrade more than 60 days, but you are limited to manual exchange.

If you are just traveling for 3 nights consider booking a hotel and using eplus to extend you time share week.

Consult the faq and buyers guide under legal at the bottom of the page for more info on using II.

 

[BrownThunder]

Anybody know how long it takes for Interval International to return your MVC points after a cancellation?