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Seeking info on Interval International Getaway weeks

K

Kamaisy

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Hi all,

I was seeking information on II gold membership.
In short, I purchased a small biennial plan from Villa Group, and the main draw was the multiple getaway weeks on II. In the end, we purchased a returned contract from the developer that was apparently a business contract that had 4 II Getaway weeks. While signing the contract, this was upgraded to unlimited II getaway weeks, apparently because I was going to just pay the membership in full and not finance it.

My first question is if this sounds too good to be true. The original Villa offer included 2 II getaway weeks. When we were turned onto a cheaper member inventory contract, it bumped to 4 II weeks. Then to unlimited.

We were broadly told that junior suites generally went for $199 and up for a week,and that there were options for 3,4, or 7 day stays through II Getaways.

the other curiosity I had was roughly how much Tahoe weeks, or partial weeks, cost during the ski season (Dec -May), as I spend more nights in Tahoe skiing than any other vacation activity.

The price I paid for the 1000 Villa points I got is borderline a decent deal in and of itself, and the kicker was the 4/unlimited II Getaway weeks that came with the deal.

Any input here would be greatly appreciated.
 
As far as I can tell, once you have an II account you can purchase as many Getaways as you want. I don't know of anyone who's ever been limited to just 2 or 4. But I could just be ignorant of those types of accounts.

The cost can vary wildly, even within the same resort for the same unit size, and sometimes II has sales on Getaways.

Getaways are basically the weeks that nobody wants to use their timeshare weeks/points to exchange into. There are enough people that want prime ski weeks at the best Tahoe resorts that it is highly unlikely you'll see them as Getaways, although you'll see some of the less popular resorts during the not-so-popular ski season weeks show up.
 
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They make it seem like unlimited getaways are a big perk. Everyone gets unlimited getaways. Even those who bought a resale studio with a $200 yearly MF's. If you have a II account, you get unlimited getaways except for the same restrictions everyone has on certain resorts or locations based on where you own or in the case of Hyatt which won't let Hyatt owners get Hyatt getaways.
 
The first thought that came to my mind on reading this is that the Villa Group pulled wool over your eyes. Once you have an II account, which anyone with a timeshare that has an affliation with II, can buy unlimited Getaway weeks. These are mainly in over supply season and locations. If you are looking for ski weeks in desirable resorts and if they do show up in Getaway weeks, they are going to be very expensive. Getaway weeks range from a couple of hundred dollars to about $1.5K a week.
 
Also that $199 and up is a big range. Most 7 night getaways are in the $599-$899 range. While there are some in the $300-$400 range there are many more in the $900+ category. It is very rare for a non AI week to be available lower than $300. Most AI's that may have a $199-$299 getaway price have a mandatory fee payable to the resort somewhere in the $1500-10,000+ range for 2.
 
I should also note, you'll have a far easier time finding full-week Getaways than you will shorter stays.
 
The following are Interval Gold member pricing, since you mentioned Interval Gold in the opening post. Just did a quick check for Tahoe, I saw Dec 11-18 at Red Wolf at Squaw Valley in a 2 bedroom for $502. The Ridge Tahoe has a 1 bedroom the same week for $402 and a studio Dec 18-25 for $342. A little higher and lower pricing for regular members and Platinum members.
 
As others said, everyone with an II account gets unlimited getaways.

Getaways are usually third-tier timeshares in low demand locations during low or shoulder season. You are not going to find a cheap getaway in a two bedroom at a Tahoe Marriott during a ski season, but you may find a studio at the Ridge Tahoe as posted above.
 
Thank you for all the replies, from what I’ve heard, I’m happy.

I skiid 39 days in Tahoe last season, as early as November and as late as May. Midweek, weekend, my work is very flexible. I live in the SF area just a 3.5 hour drive away.

I’m trying to beat nightly hotel costs of 100-200/night out the door. I don’t think I’ll ever need a 2 bedroom, one bedroom is a perk, and the studio is what I’m generally going for. These will be solo trips, or possibly with a friend or the fiancé.

On top of that, we do random trips here or there for fun, again at nice hotels in the 100-200/night range throughout the year.

$342 for a studio week around Christmas sounds like a dream come true.

Can someone comment on checking in late/checking out early should I not be able to find 3 or 4 night stays?

And, as long as it’s not a dumpy motel, any accommodations work for me.
 
Kamaisy said:
Can someone comment on checking in late/checking out early should I not be able to find 3 or 4 night stays?
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I have yet to try it, but from what I've been told, generally for weeks-based timeshare reservations they don't mind you not using all the days, you just don't get anything back. Checking out early is definitely not a problem, but if you're not showing up on the first day of the reservation you should probably call the resort to let them know in advance.
 
@Kamaisy
You didn't say when you bought.

If you are still within your rescission period, send a letter immediately.

Any $1 timeshare on ebay that is affiliated with II will have access to II's "cash rentals", which they call Getaway weeks.
 
Hudshut,

thank you for the heads up. But any $1 eBay timeshare will have significant annual dues, no? I had a pretty low buy in for a biennial plan with pretty low fees, and optional points I don’t need to exercise.

if a $1 eBay deal has, say, $1000/yr in fees, my deal is better. Please advise.
 
I have 5 business days to rescind, contract signed Sat Oct 15, and can do it via email.

I tried to find a definitive list of affiliates to Interval International, but was unable.

Does RCI have a similar low cost cash vacation deal option similar to Getaways?

I found 3500 Diamond US collection points for 572 annually, and I believe this gives me the II membership. I was thinking of buying resale diamond pints last year, and there are multiple Tahoe resorts that I can book with those points.

Free Wyndham 86000 club access points for 596 annually. But I believe it’s RCI and not II.

Free 4000 Diamond annual US points $491 fee.

To give background, I paid Villa Group $10k for 1000 biennial points with $485 biennial fee, with the option to exercise 1000 more biennial points for another $485. This will get me 7 nights in a studio, or 5-6 nights in a one bedroom.

Any suggestions on timeshares that are cheap buy in, low fees, II affiliated?
 
You paid way too much. Save your $10K and rescind now. If all that you want is access to II, there are many free and low MF timeshare that you can pick up. But do your research after you rescind. I can assure you that you will be able to achieve both - saving the $10K and getting a low cost buy-in to get into II.
 
Kamaisy said:
I have 5 business days to rescind, contract signed Sat Oct 15, and can do it via email.

I tried to find a definitive list of affiliates to Interval International, but was unable.

Does RCI have a similar low cost cash vacation deal option similar to Getaways?

I found 3500 Diamond US collection points for 572 annually, and I believe this gives me the II membership. I was thinking of buying resale diamond pints last year, and there are multiple Tahoe resorts that I can book with those points.

Free Wyndham 86000 club access points for 596 annually. But I believe it’s RCI and not II.

Free 4000 Diamond annual US points $491 fee.

To give background, I paid Villa Group $10k for 1000 biennial points with $485 biennial fee, with the option to exercise 1000 more biennial points for another $485. This will get me 7 nights in a studio, or 5-6 nights in a one bedroom.

Any suggestions on timeshares that are cheap buy in, low fees, II affiliated?
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You can look at the resort directory at https://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=1500 to search different locations for resorts that are affiliated with II.
 
I emailed the recission and it was received by the verification officer. Will update once the deposit is returned.

Thank you all for the information, will look forward to getting into a free and low MF timeshare soon. Ski season is coming!
 
Kamaisy said:
I emailed the recission and it was received by the verification officer. Will update once the deposit is returned.

Thank you all for the information, will look forward to getting into a free and low MF timeshare soon. Ski season is coming!
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I would also send via certified mail just to be safe.

If it were me, I’d pick up a week at a quality resort that would net you a solid week (or two) when exchanging.

If you are willing to spend 10k, you could look at the Marriott grand residence and get a 5 week winter fractional. You won’t get it for 10k, but you should be able to get your money back (or a decent chunk of it) when you sell. I can’t think of a better location if you want to ski heavenly.
 
travelhacker said:
I would also send via certified mail just to be safe.
Click to expand...
I beleive it may be a Mexico timeshare. Sending Registered Mail is what one would do in this instance, but if the contract indicated email is okay then they could be covered.
 
I will send one tomorrow when we arrive back in the states. Easy enough. I did receive a confirmation from the verification officer that they received my cancellation request. I had threatened to resend and include Profeco, if they didn’t confirm receipt of my email, so I’m probably ok. The officer said I would get a call from someone within 24 hours. I feel good about the cancellation request going through. Thanks again!
 
I think the Marriot fractionals in South Lake Tahoe go for about 45k from what I’ve seen.

Considering that I do many short trips for skiing, and minimal longer vacations elsewhere, I feel like diamond points and II getaways would be the best for my ski habits.
 
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