No Ain't That A Shame?

[csalter2]

I have to tell you that I could not believe it. I was looking to get some rooms through Interval International (II) in Palm Desert for the summer. It's an annual thing I do with the family. Yes, it's hot, but let's not go there we have fun.

I was looking for three two bedrooms. I go to II and I was going to use my Diamond Resorts International (DRI) points like I always do to reserve the rooms. Well, I got to thinking, maybe I might use my Ko Olina 2 bedroom and save some cash in exchange fees. What I was told next was at least to me shocking.

The II rep told me that there are no Desert Springs or Shadow Ridge 2 bedrooms. She said they only had studios and some one bedrooms. I shared with her that I was looking at rooms available in II reservations with my DRI points. Now I am talking with the Marriott II rep and she said that she did not have access to that inventory. I was amazed! I remember when the DRI reps used to tell me that they have access to more Marriotts properties than Marriott owners do. I used to think, "Yeah right, just a sales pitch." However, I need to start paying attention. Now, I must tell you I understand that is off season for the Palm Desert properties, but I have gotten Newport Beach in the summer with DRI points for family members. But for Marriott members to not have access through II and other groups can is ridiculous to me.

Is it just me? Have others seen this? I feel I have more power with my DRI to use Marriott and more power with Marriott to use DRI. I can get 15,000 DRI points with my Ko Olina property. 15,000 points can go a long way. For just two let you know, it cost me 8,000 points for the 2 2bedroom Desert Springs Villas II units. Yes, I know it's a less demand season, but it's a bargain to me.

 

[Quilter]

I don't have DRI points but my thought after reading through your post was that this seems a way for II to get that exchange fee you were trying to avoid.

 

[GregT]

Carlito,

I apologize, I'm confused -- you were able to see the Shadow Ridge/DSV inventory with DRI but not able to see it with Ko Olina?

Please post what you're seeing and I'll check what WM can see?

Thanks very much!

Greg

 

[csalter2]

I could see 2 bedroom villas at Desert Springs Villas with my DRI points, but the Marriott II rep did not see them in their inventory. Apparently, they don't mix them. I guess II must have some inventory that is given to other systems. The bottom line I could not trade my 2 bedroom Ko Olina platinum villa for a low season Desert Springs Villas II 2 bedroom.