What are the odds?

[suzannesimon]

I have 2 Frenchman's Cove Christmas weeks (one 2 BR & one 3 BR) that I would be willing to trade for Dest. Points if I could get the same unit sizes, or 3 2-bedrooms at Aruba Surf Club for the same Christmas week. I know I will have to bank or borrow to accomplish this but I don't want to convert to points unless there is a great chance I can get that week/units. I have enough points for the 13-month reservation timeframe, but I know Surf Club is really popular and probably most owners use or rent that week. Does anyone have a sense of how big of a long shot it would be? I'm talking about 2013 weeks.

 

[GregT]

I have 2 Frenchman's Cove Christmas weeks (one 2 BR & one 3 BR) that I would be willing to trade for Dest. Points if I could get the same unit sizes, or 3 2-bedrooms at Aruba Surf Club for the same Christmas week. I know I will have to bank or borrow to accomplish this but I don't want to convert to points unless there is a great chance I can get that week/units. I have enough points for the 13-month reservation timeframe, but I know Surf Club is really popular and probably most owners use or rent that week. Does anyone have a sense of how big of a long shot it would be? I'm talking about 2013 weeks.

Suzanne, I think you'll get your reservations. Please search for a thread I started called Sources of Inventory. Marriott has found a way to stock the Exchange for even sold-out resorts. I called DC in Jan 2011 and there was a ton of Aruba inventory 12.5 months out.

So....I think your odds are excellent. Also, depending on timing and needs, you may not have to give up your weeks until you've got confirmation that your Aruba weeks are there.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Best,

Greg

 

[suzannesimon]

Thank you. We do an extended family vacation every other year and I don't want to be hanging out there 5 months out with no place to go. Airfare is so expensive during the holidays if you don't make reservations over 6 months in advance.

 

[jimf41]

I ran a search using DC points for a 1bd as that's all the points I have on deposit. No openings for 2012 which leads me to believe you'll have the same luck for 2013.

 

[puckmanfl]

JIm

use a search for 1 nite using the flexible option..that should get you a 7 day sweep for a 2 bedroom even if not enuf points....

 

[jimf41]

Puck,

Nice tip! DEC 22 through 29 2012 shows availability except for the 26th and 27th for a 2bd.

 

[ilene13]

Remember that week is Platinum plus at the Surf Club. Most owners either use their weeks or rent them out.

 

[m61376]

I think it might be hard getting multiple weeks for the same exact timeframe for that week. As posted above, most owners bought to use or they rent them, since they rent for a lot of money and fairly quickly.

The flip side to the convenience of using points for other than 7 day reservations is that there will likely be dates during that timeframe (like the 26th and 27th) that are highly requested both by people booking week 51 and those booking week 52.

Especially since you need confirmation far enough in advance to purchase plane tickets, I'd only do it as a request first.

 

[suzannesimon]

I need multiple units for one week at Christmas. I'm guessing getting 3 2-bedrooms units will be easier than 1 2-bedroom and 1 3-bedroom. Frenchman's Cove has only one 3-bedroom in each building. I'm assuming 3-bedrooms are scarce everywhere.