Questions re: II exchange procedures for first time use!

[SNAvicki]

Hi everyone, I've been reading your forum for about a month and have loved learning all you have to share - so thank you very much for offering all your advice and comments about timesharing. There is so much more to know than I ever, ever thought there was!

I have several questions about how II works. Ironically, many of my questions have come AFTER looking for answers (the more you read, the more there is to know...). I feel kinda overwhelmed about everything discussed here, the majority of which I'm clueless about. Funny thing is, before I came here, I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about the SVN and how it works (Ha! This board is so humbling)

We own (I'm still learning all the abbrev, sorry)

WMH, 2Bdrm LockOff, Platinum Season. Our ownership shows Week 51, but it's Odd Year Float, so I'm sure that means nothing.
1 Bdrm Prem, WLM (Is that LagunaMar?) Gold Plus Season, Even Year Float

Here are my questions:

Last yr I deposited the small side of the WMH lock off into II. I can't even remember when I did it, it might have been in the last couple of months of the year, when we realized we weren't going to need it. I was told by the SVN counselor we'd have 2 yrs to travel, so I assumed we'd have until Dec of 2009. Our daughter is graduating from college next June and I'd really like to give the week to her as a graduation present.

1) Can I do that? Can she check in w/out me?

2) It looks like from what I've read that SVN will assign a specific week to my deposit? Does that mean I have 2 years from the date of that assigned week? (I'm getting kinda nervous that maybe I don't have as long to use it as I thought)

3) How do I find info about my deposit? If I set up an II account (I've never dealt w/ them at all), will it show up so I can view it? Just go to interval's website and register?

4) I'm reading a lot about quality of deposit and SVN member II procedures. I have no idea if what I did was a smart or not. I do know we own in the highest season at WMH, but because we're SVN members, does that mean my week might have been deposited as a lower season than what it actually was?

5) Why does mystarcentral say it is recommended that you deposit your week no later than Aug 31 of the use year (I think I may have done it later, but I"m not positive)?

6) I'm reading about people "seeing" availability for their trades...will I actually see options when I go to II that I can trade immediately for? I was thinking I would make a request and hear back some time in the future?

7) I know she would like to go to Australia. Any suggestions of places to request?

Sorry for all the questions - and thank you all for your input on this forum. I've been reading everything I can get my eyes on about Harborside - since we'll be there in 11 days!

Thanks so much,

Vicki

 

[tomandrobin]

Hi everyone, I've been reading your forum for about a month and have loved learning all you have to share - so thank you very much for offering all your advice and comments about timesharing. There is so much more to know than I ever, ever thought there was!

I have several questions about how II works. Ironically, many of my questions have come AFTER looking for answers (the more you read, the more there is to know...). I feel kinda overwhelmed about everything discussed here, the majority of which I'm clueless about. Funny thing is, before I came here, I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about the SVN and how it works (Ha! This board is so humbling)

We own (I'm still learning all the abbrev, sorry) We have owned for 4 years and are still learning

WMH, 2Bdrm LockOff, Platinum Season. Our ownership shows Week 51, but it's Odd Year Float, so I'm sure that means nothing.
1 Bdrm Prem, WLM (Is that LagunaMar?) Gold Plus Season, Even Year Float

Here are my questions:

Last yr I deposited the small side of the WMH lock off into II. I can't even remember when I did it, it might have been in the last couple of months of the year, when we realized we weren't going to need it. I was told by the SVN counselor we'd have 2 yrs to travel, so I assumed we'd have until Dec of 2009. Our daughter is graduating from college next June and I'd really like to give the week to her as a graduation present.

1) Can I do that? Can she check in w/out me? Yes she can, just put the reservation in her name

2) It looks like from what I've read that SVN will assign a specific week to my deposit? Does that mean I have 2 years from the date of that assigned week? (I'm getting kinda nervous that maybe I don't have as long to use it as I thought) Have you looked on your II account to see what is there? The deposited unit will have an expiration date with it.

3) How do I find info about my deposit? If I set up an II account (I've never dealt w/ them at all), will it show up so I can view it? Just go to interval's website and register? If you bought from the developer, you already have an II account. Just go to the II site and register so you can access it online.

4) I'm reading a lot about quality of deposit and SVN member II procedures. I have no idea if what I did was a smart or not. I do know we own in the highest season at WMH, but because we're SVN members, does that mean my week might have been deposited as a lower season than what it actually was? Depending on what you are trying to exchange into, the week deposited may not be as important as you think. I have traded for two bedroom units several times with a small bedroom. I will say that Orlando units are not so good, WMH unit even if gold and silver is better.

5) Why does mystarcentral say it is recommended that you deposit your week no later than Aug 31 of the use year (I think I may have done it later, but I"m not positive)? So that you do not lose it and there is invetory available.

6) I'm reading about people "seeing" availability for their trades...will I actually see options when I go to II that I can trade immediately for? I was thinking I would make a request and hear back some time in the future? Yes, once you put in yuor dates and select the deposited resort, II will show you every unit available at that moment, that you can exchange for. You can also make a request for a specific week.

7) I know she would like to go to Australia. Any suggestions of places to request? Sorry, I do not know. But check the tug review section for Australia resorts.

Sorry for all the questions - and thank you all for your input on this forum. I've been reading everything I can get my eyes on about Harborside - since we'll be there in 11 days!
Thanks so much,

Vicki

Have a great time at Harborside! We absolutely love it there. There are a lot of great travel tips for Harborside, here on Tug.

 

[Ken555]

Last yr I deposited the small side of the WMH lock off into II. I can't even remember when I did it, it might have been in the last couple of months of the year, when we realized we weren't going to need it. I was told by the SVN counselor we'd have 2 yrs to travel, so I assumed we'd have until Dec of 2009.

The expiration date can sometimes be misleading when you're on the phone with SVN/II about the deposit. I also have asked the question and the answers vary more than you would expect...

From what I understand you are entitled to use the deposited week up to two years from the date of the week deposited in your name. However, that may (almost certainly will) *NOT* be two years from when you deposit. As T&R said previously, check with II to determine what the actual expiration is of the particular week deposited in your name.

The reason this can be confusing is that SVN often assigns weeks previously deposited with II in your name, perhaps even for a different resort, and very possibly in a different season than that which you own. For instance, I recently deposited next summer's week at WMH and SVN assigned a Spring (March) week in 09 to me. Had I wanted to use it in May 2011 (still less than two years from the use season) the week would have been expired and I could not do so. In my case I'm very happy with the deposit, since a Spring week will probably pull better trades than summer, and I will be using it next year so don't really care about the expiration.

You're probably not going to like the date you received...if it's not to your liking it's worth calling them and complain - occasionally it's been reported that others have gotten them to change it, but since it's been so long since you made the original deposit I tend to doubt they will accommodate you. Good luck!

 

[SNAvicki]

Oh no!! I just registered for II (we had an active account already I guess; I had to call to get our number)

My week expires April 29!! I'm so disappointed! I wish it was 2 months later so she could go right after she graduates.

Should I call and talk to them and what should I say?

Thanks!

Vicki

 

[ocdb8r]

1) Yes she can. You will have to add a "accomodation certificate" to the reservation with II in order for her to use it without you. There is an additional $39 fee.

2) Yes, you will have 2 weeks from the date of the week SVN chose to deposit for you. It may be less than 2 years from when you actually called SVN to deposit.

3) If you are part of SVN you have a developer account. You should be able to register with II and see your deposit. Don't hesitate to call the Starwood desk at II for help, 877-678-4400

4) Starwood is supposed to deposit something in the same season. Within that season they have discretion AND it has been reported they deposit out of season. Calling and complaining usually gets them to correct it but as this was last year it may be too late

5) See above. They want some flexibility to assign you a week as they see fit. Also, I think there is more flexibility to request a better week if you deposit earlier.

6) You can do both. You can put in an ongoing request for something AND also check as often as you'd like to see what is available immediately with your week.

7) You can check out the II directory here http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=1501&regionCode=26 which lists all the Australia resorts. Tug reviews are also helpful.

One way or another it will work out. You may have to be a bit flexible finding something BUT there are lots of great options.

Enjoy Harborside!

 

[SNAvicki]

Ok, thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I already understand much more than I did just yesterday. But, unless I'm completely confused (and I admit to being kinda confused, I'm just not sure if I'm *completely* confused)...I think I kinda blew it if I wanted her to have this as a graduation present. I haven't called them to ask if the date could be moved forward yet, because if it was moved to end of June, that would give me a summer week I think, and that is in WMH's low season and might not give her as much to choose from, right?

So, Plan B:

Can I deposit into II NOW the small bedroom of our 2bdrm lockoff we have for 2009? Then I can request for whenever she wants to go.

 

[Ken555]

II has been known to extend a deposit for a fee.

As for your 2009 depost, YES. That's what I did last month. There are two main advantages to depositing early:

1) II gives you greater trade power since you deposited early. At least, this is the way it's supposed to work, but since we typically get a week out of the SVN bulk deposit I'm not so sure. (Even so, I've been extremely happy with my trades).

2) You can optionally trade it starting today and use it now rather than wait until your use season.

 

[ocdb8r]

Ok, thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I already understand much more than I did just yesterday. But, unless I'm completely confused (and I admit to being kinda confused, I'm just not sure if I'm *completely* confused)...I think I kinda blew it if I wanted her to have this as a graduation present. I haven't called them to ask if the date could be moved forward yet, because if it was moved to end of June, that would give me a summer week I think, and that is in WMH's low season and might not give her as much to choose from, right?

So, Plan B:

Can I deposit into II NOW the small bedroom of our 2bdrm lockoff we have for 2009? Then I can request for whenever she wants to go.

1) As Ken555 said, II has been known to extend deposits for a small fee. Call and see if they are willing. They won't change the week you received but rather extend the time period you have to use it.

2) You can deposit your 2009 week and start looking right away. I would try to extend your old deposit first...unless you have another use for it. Bottom line is to try to ensure it doesn't go to waste

 

[SNAvicki]

Well...after an hour on the phone, here's what I've learned:

Interval said Westin did the depositing; they show I requested to deposit in Oct, 2007, which (she said) means I had 2 years from that date to travel...but when she saw my April 2009 exp. date, she said Westin "for some reason" assigned me a week in April of 2007, which had already passed. She said to call them. So I did.

Westin said they were sorry I was told I had 2 years to travel, because it really isn't 2 years, and they would try to fix it. Then they found they didn't have any avbl weeks left in their bank to deposit for me which would extend my exp date so they suggested I call II back and ask them to "extend" my week - and that they might even waive the fee if I explain the situation.

Called II back: (note to self: don't go into detail w/ person who answers @ II - you'll have to be transferred to Westin desk) Westin desk said (and this is important when it comes to extending at II): YES, you CAN extend for a fee (I didn't even ask how much) BUT, you will then be considered a *late* reservation/deposit and be RESTRICTED in making a reservation until 60 days out. He tried to get me a courtesy extension for 2 mos, but wasn't able to get approval from his dept for that long of a courtesy extension. He asked me to call Customer Relations to see if they'd extend w/out restrictions - but to have my reservation request ready when I called.

Well...she wants to go to Europe - and doesn't know exactly where or when yet (good luck getting these college kids to commit to something tomorrow, much less next summer, lol!!)

So...I'm back to square 1. Thinking of just depositing my 2009 week NOW, for her to use, and using the existing II myself. She may not know where she wants to go until 6 or so mos beforehand, at which point I could try to extend w/ Cust. Rel. w/out restrictions, but if I can't, I might shoot myself in the foot by waiting to deposit our 2009.

They told me Europe is POPULAR and it would be best to request as early as psbl. But then they also said...sometimes you get *lucky* and a spot opens up 60 days out. Ugh...it's like...you could do THIS, or THIS, or then again, how about THIS...but none of these are w/out drawbacks.

Does anyone have any experience w/ EUROPE thru II?? How easy is it to book 60 days out? We have airline employee pass priviledges so flying would be non-revenue and last minute anyway.

This is the part I don't like...learning, making mistakes, phone calls...but the payoff is worth it - def worth it - and again, I thank you all for any help!

 

[DeniseM]

I also have a college age daughter that I have made exchanges for (and lost exchanges because of! )

What I would do is have your daughter give you a range of acceptable dates and locations, with the understanding that she will accept anything on her list. Then you will know what to request. Because of the high cost of airfare, it's possible that we may see more availability for Europe.

Do you know how to search II online yourself? I'd do that too.

Good luck!

 

[ocdb8r]

I think Europe, summer is a tough pull. Especially in the few locations II has resorts that I imagine a recent grad would appreciate. Regardless you'd have to get a request in ASAP for next summer.

You MIGHT be able to get something at one of the Marriott's in Spain (southern coast and Mallorca) which I imagine she would enjoy. If she is willing to take a studio as opposed to a 1Bdrm, you'll increase your chances substantially.

Bummer about the extension...you might call Starwood back and pitch a fit. Tell them II isn't being flexible enough and you were told 2 years from October. They may not have weeks from 2008 available but they certainly have SOMETHING from 2009 they could substitute as goodwill. It sounds like you bought direct so I would play the "I paid XXX card." At the end of the day it's sad they don't make it crystal clear how II and exchanging works...not everyone has the time to become an expert like the Tug community! :-D

 

[Fredm]

This is Starwood's problem, not I.I. and Starwood has to fix it.

An extension by I.I. that qualifies as a Late deposit is too restrictive to be acceptable. But, they are working with what was given to them by Starwood.
A 60 day exchange window places you in flex time. Every little timeshare in the world is able to exchange for anything available at 59 days to occupancy. First come, first serve.

Starwood's response to you, that they do not have anything else to offer I.I. is not believable. Of course they do. They simply rather not.

I would call Starwood back. Ask to speak with a supervisor. The SVN rep mis-informed you by stating you had 2 years to use the deposited week. You actually had 18 months given the week they assigned.

Although their deposit assignment is not unusual given the bulk banking method they employ, Starwood should be responsible for what they say to the owner about the deposit. After all, they are the one who determines what it is.
It would be a good idea to reconstruct when you actually made the deposit request to Starwood.

Starwood may ultimately say too bad. But, it is a discretionary call if they are inclined to help.

 

[SNAvicki]

Well, thanks Fred and others. We did buy directly from Starwood, while in WMH in 2004. I still have the contact info for the Team Manager there and I have talked to her (Fran) a couple of times since we purchased. She will probably be the one I call first, or I'll send her an email. She really was a good source for us when we had questions previously.

First though, I'll try to get my daughter's feet on the ground long enough to make these plans.

As far as a studio in Europe, I'm sure she would be just fine w/ that. Compared to the typical hotel room in some European destinations it seems, a studio would probably seem like a mansion.

Thanks for the suggestions; I knew I could find help here!

 

[Ken555]

I had thought II deposits were good for TWO (2) years from the usage week, not two years from the date of deposit. Am I wrong?

--3 minutes later--

Okay, I just checked my account at II. I have a week listed now for my deposit last month of 2009's WMH summer week. It is a March 2009 week, and II shows it expiring in March 2011. This means II deposits are good for TWO (2) years from the DATE of the actual DEPOSIT, and NOT from the date you make the deposit.

This means that if you made your deposit last October, and you got an April 2008 week, you should still be able to use it until April 2010. Call II back and have them explain this discrepancy to you!

 

[SNAvicki]

I called last October, yes, but the week they deposited was April 2007 - (remember 2007 was my use year) 6 months PRIOR to my phone call. I guess they can do that.

I've got my daughter trying to finalize location and time. Europe seems difficult in summer, but she's flexible on location and some countries seem a little easier. Once I have a request agenda, I'm on the phone/email to argue my case - first with Starwood, bc I agree, it was really them who created the problem w/ wrong info.

Incidently, I was reading on mystarcentral about Deposit First Exchanges. Even knowing now what I do, I do NOT think they make it clear on the website that they could actually choose a week that has already passed to deposit " in your name". IT just says

Step 2. Request to Deposit Your Week
Owner Services will deposit a week and unit into your II account based on the Villa Type and Season you own.

Owner Services can deposit a week in your account up to 12 months in advance of the Season owned. You may travel from one year in advance to two years after the start date of the week deposited.


That's it about how it works. I think it's in need of clarification at best. They could add another sentence about the week they deposit may be in the past therefore you may have less than 2 years from the date you deposit to travel.

But this board has encouraged me to speak up! I promise I will keep you posted.

It will all work out, you guys just increase the chances of it working out best!

 

[Fredm]

I had thought II deposits were good for TWO (2) years from the usage week, not two years from the date of deposit. Am I wrong?

You are correct. Two years from the reservation date deposited.

 

[craftassistant]

Oh wow you guys have definitely given me food for thought as I am getting ready to get my dad to join SVN/II so I can take a trip to Hawaii, Austraila or Italy in 2010!

 

[SNAvicki]

Well...

I told you I would get back to you so here I am - after calling Owner Services @ SVN.

You guys are awesome. THank you, thank you, thank you. I didn't even have to speak w/ a supvr. I asked, but then after explaining the situation, she put me on hold, came back and said I now have a NEW WEEK deposited and it doesn't expire until 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(sorry...can you tell I'm excited??)

So...lots of possibilities for her. II has already been updated! Some places are actually showing available for her time frame. Naturally, not exactly where she wants, (she's decided Greece, England, Scotland) but she may work with it, or put in a request and hope. In any case, this whole exchange process has been a huge learning experience for me - w/ most of the education coming from you all here. So, again, thank you to everyone for their suggestions; you guys are the BEST !!