What can I get for trading my studio?

[sm1203]

I bought at Shadow Ridge Enclaves (platinum) recently. From the developer which I know now wasn't the greatest idea but of course I discovered all the info about resales too late (guess they were hoping just that!) Anyway in spite of that I am really excited to start TSing. I already booked 2 platium weeks for 2010 at Shadow Ridge. I used the lockoff so I now have 2 to trade.

Here's the question: What can I even see offered to me with my studio? Only studios? What if the place I want to go doesn't have them? Can I even try for them? I can't get on II yet so I can't run a test but from what I have read here it seems there are some choices you can't even put yourself on the list for when trading up. Here are the places I would like to trade for next year: Williamsburg, HHI (Barony or Grande Ocean which I know are popular) or Timber Lodge Lake Tahoe. All in July/August, the hardest time to get. I think my 1BR won't be as hard to trade. The point of buying the lockoff was to have 2 weeks but they don't tell you you may not get anything you want with them! Also, what chance is there to upgrade to a 1 BR after making the trade for a studio? Sorry, lots of questions from this Marriott newbie!!

 

[tlwmkw]

The Marriotts in HHI are all 2 or 3 beds (the ones at Barony and Grande Ocean that you mention are all 2 beds) and aren't lock-offs. I think it would be extremely difficult to get those summer weeks with a studio- unless it is in flexchange and even that might be difficult. The one bedroom would also be tough and even using the full villa with the 2 beds may not get the trade because many of the people who own there use their weeks. I don't know about the other trades you are wondering about but I'm sure others on this BB will have input.

Good luck!

 

[JMSH]

I have traded my Grand Vista studio for HHI/ Heritage Club in August. I think if you are flexible and can take the last week of August your chances are much better as most kids are back in school by that time. Heritgae Club are also all two bedrooms with no lock offs so it was a very good trade. Heritage Club is not on the water but it is in Sea Pines and near the lighthouse. Great bike riding and a short distance to the beach. Great spot if you like to golf as well.

 

[GetawaysRus]

I have owned a Marriott 2BR lockoff for about 5 years now. In general, I have been pleased with the trades I have gotten using my banked studio week.

You are correct that when you lock off, the "trading power" of the studio will be less than the trading power of the 1BR Master side.

If I am hoping to make a trade into a highly desirable resort during a desirable timeframe, I would usually try to use the 1BR Master for that trade. It might even be necessary to use the full 2BR for a highly desirable trade.

If I am hoping to go during the off season, or to a lesser resort than my Marriott, the studio works well. Here are some examples (and maybe you'll feel better after reading my experience):

1. We decided to escape the Southern California heat and visit the mountains in Utah this summer. I've made a trade using my studio for a full 2BR at Marriott Mountainside in Park City, Utah for this coming June.

2. A few years back, we used the studio to trade for a full 2BR at Grand Timber Lodge in Breckenridge, Colorado in August. (Both Park City and Breckenridge are primarily ski resorts, so a summer week is low season and an easier trade.)

3. Another strategy that has worked for me is to use the studio when requesting a trade to a resort that only has 1BR units. Last year, we traded the studio for a 1BR at Los Abrigados in Sedona. And I've traded a studio for a 1BR at Island Park Village Resort (near Yellowstone).

So it does work to trade the studio, but you need to plan and be reasonable in your trading. Also, if you are flexible and can travel on short notice (within a 59 day timeframe - this is called the flexchange period), you can see anything that is still available with your studio.

 

[tlwmkw]

Getawaysrus,

When trading with your studio how do you see these other resorts with more bedrooms on II? I have tried this in the past and all they will show me is other studios. I have not done a lot of trading so I am eager to learn how to do this better.

Thanks! tlwmkw

 

[dougp26364]

Getawaysrus,

When trading with your studio how do you see these other resorts with more bedrooms on II? I have tried this in the past and all they will show me is other studios. I have not done a lot of trading so I am eager to learn how to do this better.

Thanks! tlwmkw

Go to the exchange section of the I.I. website, select the option the see all availability and set your dates and select the unit you want to exchange. This is assuming you've locked-off you unit and deposited your studio week. If you haven't deposited a studio week, you may not see the option to select the studio week to exchange.

Once you have selected all area's, selected your travel dates and selected the studio week to search with, you should see all availablity that particular week will pull. You'll then have to search through all the area's available to you with that week. It will show all size units available including studio weeks.

 

[dougp26364]

I bought at Shadow Ridge Enclaves (platinum) recently. From the developer which I know now wasn't the greatest idea but of course I discovered all the info about resales too late (guess they were hoping just that!) Anyway in spite of that I am really excited to start TSing. I already booked 2 platium weeks for 2010 at Shadow Ridge. I used the lockoff so I now have 2 to trade.

Here's the question: What can I even see offered to me with my studio? Only studios? What if the place I want to go doesn't have them? Can I even try for them? I can't get on II yet so I can't run a test but from what I have read here it seems there are some choices you can't even put yourself on the list for when trading up. Here are the places I would like to trade for next year: Williamsburg, HHI (Barony or Grande Ocean which I know are popular) or Timber Lodge Lake Tahoe. All in July/August, the hardest time to get. I think my 1BR won't be as hard to trade. The point of buying the lockoff was to have 2 weeks but they don't tell you you may not get anything you want with them! Also, what chance is there to upgrade to a 1 BR after making the trade for a studio? Sorry, lots of questions from this Marriott newbie!!

If you place an ongoing request with I.I. for an exchange using your studio, they'll limit your search to studio units. Of course, if you request a resort that does not have studio weeks, then you'll be allowed to search for units larger than the sleeping capacity of your studio. If you're search includes even one resort that has studio units, you're chances of getting a studio for studio exchange will be considerably greater than getting a match for a larger unit.

The best way I've found to exchange up in size is to do manual searches on the I.I. web site. It will show you everything available using your week, including units larger than your studio. You can then select the unit and week you want without an automatic match to another studio unit happening.

HHI in the summer is a tough trade even when trading like size units. Going from a studio to a two bedroom is tough but not impossible. You'd have to be extremely patient and persistant. You can make this request through I.I. as all HHI resorts are at a mininum of two bedrooms but, I'd strongly recommend you take any resort available. When making matches, I.I. will go down the line of strength of exchangers to match units up. Two bedroom, one bedroom and finally studio units will be considered. If there's anyone who's made the same request and they are requesting the exchange with a larger unit in they should get the exchange in preference to the smaller units used for exchange. There will be some varience as to what season you're exchanging with and the overall power of the studio week deposited but, in general, studio weeks will lag behind larger units when it comes to exchange requests.

Since Timeber Lodge has studio units available, if you place an ongoing search request with I.I., you'll almost certainly be exchanged into another studio. If you do online searches daily you may find a larger unit. But again, July is a high demand month for Lake Tahoe and it will be a tough exchange to get. August will be tough but not as bad.

Flexchange is the 59 day window prior to your arrival date. Almost all restrictions are taken off at that time and you'll see everything available online. You can get some killer trades during this period assuming there is availability where you want to go. It's very easy to trade up with a studio during flex change.

The best way to trade up using a studio is to be flexable. The more flexable you are, the better your chance for getting a larger unit. For instance, if you can travel to HHI anytime other than the summer months, you stand a better chance. Febuary, March, Sept or Oct. woudln't be nearly as hard as trying to get a July or August week. Being patient and using the Flex change period is another way to get some great trades out of your studio. But the most important thing is to be patient. You'll be down the list so others will be matched before you. You have to wait and hope that something comes your way.

We've made some very good exchanges using our studios. Partly because I've been patient, used them of shoulder season weeks or traded down in quality but up in size. I still lock units off and get great use from the studio portions so it is possible to get a good exchange, just so long as you don't lock yourself into a specific time and a specific resort. You must be flexible most of the time.

 

[Latravel]

Best option:
Wait until the flexchange period (travel within 59 days) and use up your studios. I use up my studios and AC's that way. I do this to optimize my trades plus, we usually like to make plans no more than 2 months out anyways.

If you wait until flexchange, most size restrictions are lifted. Size restrictions generally mean you can trade like for like, meaning a studio can pull a studio not a 2 bd.

Enjoy!

 

[m61376]

Getawaysrus,

When trading with your studio how do you see these other resorts with more bedrooms on II? I have tried this in the past and all they will show me is other studios. I have not done a lot of trading so I am eager to learn how to do this better.

Thanks! tlwmkw

When you search with your studio you will mostly see other studios and some 1BR's, with the latter being primarily off season weeks. Closer in (not necessarily in Flexchange, but not far out) you will see some 2BR's. Which 1BR's and 2BR units you can see will depend upon the relative trading strength of the week you booked with your studio and the resort it is from.

If you want to assess if there are just not the weeks for excahnge or whether your studio isn't strong enough to "see" them, you can search with either your 1BR or full 2BR unit, using a fake reservation number (8 digits [actually, 7 will work] starting with the number 8) and proceed just like you were doing a real search. Then if you can see something with your full villa that you can't see with your studio (very likely) you will know it is trasde power and not availability.

I would be very surprised if your studio pulled a HH in July or August outside of Flexchange. Once in Flexchange, if you check frequently and happen to carch a deposit, you'll be able to trade for it.

As for upgrading a studio trade to a 1BR- depends what you mean. Marriott will not upgrade you once you are on site. You can keep on checking II and if a 1BR appears during Flexchange, II will exchange your unit for it for a second exchange fee. Can do it if a 2BR appears too, and many have lucked out that way. Some have even seen a last minute catch the day of arrival.

 

[GetawaysRus]

Getawaysrus,

When trading with your studio how do you see these other resorts with more bedrooms on II? I have tried this in the past and all they will show me is other studios. I have not done a lot of trading so I am eager to learn how to do this better.

Thanks! tlwmkw

You're getting good advice from these posters. When using a studio and hoping to snag a trade to a larger room (such as a full 1BR), and if I am going to place an ongoing request with Interval International, I am careful to select only resorts that have 1BR units for possible trade. Take advantage of the TUG reviews section and your Interval International manual or website - do some homework and see what resorts would be acceptable to you.

You can also check yourself on the II website. As described above, select the location you desire and timeframe, then search using the banked studio unit and see what comes up. Sometimes you may be surprised at what you can get in exchange. That's how I picked up a full 2BR at Marriott Mountainside in Park City in exchange for a banked studio week. Remember also that you are now a Marriott owner, and Marriott studios seem to me to have greater trading power because your Marriott unit is desirable.

A final option is to call Interval and speak with a representative (rather than placing an ongoing exchange request). Interval wants to make trades - they make money on these exchanges by charging us fees. Sometimes an Interval rep will help you out and find something for you. That's how I made my trade to a full 2BR in Breckenridge. Another phone trade I've made in the past is to exchange my studio for a 1BR Master at Marrriot Grande Vista - I lucked out and got an Interval rep on the phone who was willing to help me out and make the exchange.

By the way, I own a white week at DSV2 in Palm Desert. You own a platinum ShadowRidge Enclaves (which I think is the nicer section of ShadowRidge). Your unit should have at least as much trading power as mine and probably more. Once you learn the ropes, you should do well with your trades. I bought from Marriott as well (and also before I found TUG). It was a lot of money, but I have been pleased with my ownership. We've had some fabulous international trips using Marriott points in addition to our timeshare stays. Your membership profile shows Guest. I'd strongly recommend joining TUG - you will get a lot of value for your TUG membership.

 

[sm1203]

Wow, thanks for all of that info! I am so glad I found this site. I can't actually get on the II website yet because I am too new an owner to have the membership. I hope by the time I do I know how to do these searches. I am limited because of kids' school vacations to peak times which is the problem for me. I can't do the flexchange last minute thing, especially if I need airfare. Doesn't sound like HHI will work out for 2010 but I will definitely try. I am realizing I may need to deposit the 2BR some years and give up the 2nd week of vacation to get the hot spots (have I mentioned that I want to go to Hawaii in the next few years??) This is the part the salespeople don't really warn you about isn't it? But I am up for the challenge!!

 

[m61376]

Wow, thanks for all of that info! I am so glad I found this site. I can't actually get on the II website yet because I am too new an owner to have the membership. I hope by the time I do I know how to do these searches. I am limited because of kids' school vacations to peak times which is the problem for me. I can't do the flexchange last minute thing, especially if I need airfare. Doesn't sound like HHI will work out for 2010 but I will definitely try. I am realizing I may need to deposit the 2BR some years and give up the 2nd week of vacation to get the hot spots (have I mentioned that I want to go to Hawaii in the next few years??) This is the part the salespeople don't really warn you about isn't it? But I am up for the challenge!!

Stick around...it is amazing what you can learn from others here. After two and a half years I am amazed at how much more there is to learn. But- be forewarned- this can become a very time consuming hobby .

That's the one complaint (ok, maybe not the one, but the biggest) I have with the Marriott timeshare presentations. They make it sound so simple to trade and imply that you simply need to lock off and you'll easily get 2 weeks, oftentimes in nice 2BR's, wherever and whenever you want. Can't afford a Platinum week- no problem- buy a Gold or Silver and trade in for those summer vacation weeks. Unfortunately this leads to disenchanted owners, when they discover the realities of what they've purchased.

Luckily, in your case, you'll be a very happy owner. You'll just have to make small adjustments in your strategies, as you clearly already have grasped. Congrats on your new purchase, btw!

 

[dougp26364]

Wow, thanks for all of that info! I am so glad I found this site. I can't actually get on the II website yet because I am too new an owner to have the membership. I hope by the time I do I know how to do these searches. I am limited because of kids' school vacations to peak times which is the problem for me. I can't do the flexchange last minute thing, especially if I need airfare. Doesn't sound like HHI will work out for 2010 but I will definitely try. I am realizing I may need to deposit the 2BR some years and give up the 2nd week of vacation to get the hot spots (have I mentioned that I want to go to Hawaii in the next few years??) This is the part the salespeople don't really warn you about isn't it? But I am up for the challenge!!

Don't forget that you'll have access to I.I. getaway rental options. This can be a good way to pick up a second week of vacation accomadations without actually owning a second week. Fee's are typically a little above what you would pay for a MF at the resorts listed. Sometimes they're even a bit less.

 

[dougp26364]

FWIW, here is a list of the exchanges we've made using studio weeks (not just with Marriott deposits) over the years.

Exchange

Marriott's Ocean Pointe
MPB
Unit: THGV (Efficiency)
Week: 18 Thu, April 30, 2009
Thu, May 07, 2009

Confirmed To:
Horizons by Marriott at Branson • MHB
Unit: TOMV (1 bedroom)
Week: 49 Thu, December 04, 2008
Thu, December 11, 2008




Marriott's Ocean Pointe
MPB
Unit: THGV (Efficiency)
Week: 20 Sat, May 19, 2007
Sat, May 26, 2007

Confirmed To:
Palace View South • PVO
Unit: 2BEDB (2 bedrooms)
Week: 45 Sat, November 10, 2007
Sat, November 17, 2007
Evaluation Completed



Marriott's Ocean Pointe
MPB
Unit: THGV (Efficiency)
Week: 19 Fri, May 12, 2006
Fri, May 19, 2006

Confirmed To:
Westgate Branson Woods • CEA
Unit: S1B (1 bedroom)
Week: 31 Fri, August 03, 2007
Fri, August 10, 2007



The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 10 Fri, March 10, 2006
Fri, March 17, 2006

Confirmed To:
Horizons by Marriott at Branson • MHB
Unit: TOMV (1 bedroom)
Week: 46 Thu, November 17, 2005
Thu, November 24, 2005



The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 2 Fri, January 14, 2005
Fri, January 21, 2005

Confirmed To:
The Falls Village Resort • FVL
Unit: 322B (1 bedroom)
Week: 30 Fri, July 29, 2005
Fri, August 05, 2005




Marriott's Ocean Pointe
MPB
Unit: THGV (Efficiency)
Week: 45 Sun, November 07, 2004
Sun, November 14, 2004

Confirmed To:
Horizons by Marriott at Branson • MHB
Unit: TOMV (1 bedroom)
Week: 51 Fri, December 17, 2004
Fri, December 24, 2004



The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 36 Sun, September 05, 2004
Sun, September 12, 2004

Confirmed To:
The Falls Village Resort • FVL
Unit: 222B (1 bedroom)
Week: 18 Fri, April 30, 2004
Fri, May 07, 2004


Marriott's Timber Lodge
MML
Unit: DTOGV (Efficiency)
Week: 49 Sat, December 07, 2002
Sat, December 14, 2002

Confirmed To:
Marriott's Ocean Pointe • MPB
Unit: OVTG (Efficiency)
Week: 48 Fri, November 28, 2003
Fri, December 05, 2003





The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 36 Sat, September 07, 2002
Sat, September 14, 2002

Confirmed To:
The Ridge Crest • RGC
Unit: 1BED (1 bedroom)
Week: 25 Fri, June 21, 2002
Fri, June 28, 2002



The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 26 Fri, June 28, 2002
Fri, July 05, 2002

Confirmed To:
The Ridge Crest • RGC
Unit: (1 bedroom)
Week: 25 Fri, June 21, 2002
Fri, June 28, 2002

 

[shellbelle]

So far, here's what we've traded 2 of our studios for. Only one of these trades has been in Flexchange. I haven't ever deposited our KoOlina studio for trade, but I imagine it would pull even better than these "dog" weeks I've deposited.

Marriott's MountainSide at Park City
MOU
Unit: (Efficiency)
Confirmed To:
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas • KAA
Unit: (Efficiency)

Supplemental Week • MSW
Confirmed To:
Marriott's Shadow Ridge • MRD
Unit: (2 bedrooms)

Marriott's MountainSide at Park City
MOU
Unit: (Efficiency)

Confirmed To:
The Royal Sands • RSD
Unit: (2 bedrooms)


Marriott's Summit Watch
MSW
Unit: (Efficiency)

Confirmed To:
Marriott's Newport Coast Villas • NCV
Unit: (2 bedrooms)


Marriott's Summit Watch
MSW
Unit: (Efficiency)

Confirmed To:
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort • DSS
Unit: (2 bedrooms)

 

[shellbelle]

Oops--on my previous post I should have left the dates in, but now it's too much work to put 'em back.

 

[sm1203]

Wow, those are really good trades! I never thought that would be possible. Which was during FlexChange?

 

[shellbelle]

Wow, those are really good trades! I never thought that would be possible. Which was during FlexChange?

Thanks! The Flexchange is the one to the Royal Sands. We decided last week to go somewhere for our anniversary, and that popped up, and looked good.

We're supposed to leave this Saturday. I'm kind of jittery about the whole swine flu thing, but DH (who lived in Brazil for 2 years and has traveled everywhere) isn't concerned at all, and teasing me big time about being such a worrywart.

 

[dougp26364]

Opps, never mind.