Recent Getaway purchase included a different kind of AC

[buzglyd]

I took advantage of the recent Monday specials to book a Palm Desert getaway. It included an AC with purchase. The AC posted and it's good for 12 months and has a request and extend feature. I've never had one like this before. If I use request, will it pull inventory that we don't generally see with most ACs?

 

[dioxide45]

I took advantage of the recent Monday specials to book a Palm Desert getaway. It included an AC with purchase. The AC posted and it's good for 12 months and has a request and extend feature. I've never had one like this before. If I use request, will it pull inventory that we don't generally see with most ACs?

I've received similar ACs during exchnage promotions. Generally they see more inventory than the freebie ACs that II just drops into many member accounts. I don't know if a request will help it get more than you can see online but may be visible with a regular deposit.

 

[klpca]

I took advantage of the recent Monday specials to book a Palm Desert getaway. It included an AC with purchase. The AC posted and it's good for 12 months and has a request and extend feature. I've never had one like this before. If I use request, will it pull inventory that we don't generally see with most ACs?

Yes, but the T&C will be very restricted and they will not let you make a request for a lot of properties. It can be a bit frustrating. If you click on the certificate number when you are on the My Certificates page, you will be able to see a list of restricted properties. I copy that list then paste it into Word or Excel so that I can format it in a list that I can read. Some of the restrictions are property based, others are location based. Still better than a freebie AC, but it still takes work to use it.

 

[Hindsite]

I've found them to be different, not always "better". As klpca says if you try and request you will struggle to get through the restrictions to find dates that work, it can be frustrating, but can be done. In reality inventory that is on the restriction list does routinely come up, so its a question of whether you want to give a request a go, but then check manually as often as you can.

I find that these ones have quite decent inventory far out, so you should be able to see MTU (Morritts Grand Cayman) 1-beds and studios through Nov and Dec 2026. Another example is: In Sept 2025, I got a 2-bed at one of the MVC's in Spain for end April 2026 using one, but in previous years they've shown up on the random ones and not the promo ones. I've not had one match a request so far, and I've extended and successfully used them when I was after target inventory that is reliably available with them. When I've extended them I make the decision within a few weeks of getting them so the 12 month window rolls immediately and picks up new inventory as it goes in. If you leave it within 30 day to extend it will be limited to the flexchange window

Basically, try and avoid getting locked into thinking one type is "better" than another, as it really depends on what you are looking for, and don't assume the inventory out at 10-12 months isn't any good.

 

[buzglyd]

Interesting. Thanks. This is a 12 month AC. Just on a brief search I did see a 1BR Thanksgiving week at Beach Place Towers so it made me think there might be decent inventory.

 

[klpca]

@Hindsite brought up an important point - those nice 10-12 month units that you are seeing are things that you should grab while you can. The closer you get, the inventory is more middle of the road. There are some last minute gems. We are currently in New Orleans on an AC week at HIVC. Great week for~$400. We previously stayed at the Hilton in Cabo (the one co-located with La Pacifica) via AC. So there are gems, but if you find something nice I would book it now.