What is a II Resort Accommodation Certificate?

[AJCts411]

What is a II Resort Accommodation Certificate? New to timeshares.
I looked online at II and see that I have a "Resort Accommodation Certificate". Really see no information on what/if the costs to me might be. It almost looks like bonus sort of thing. (I certainly do not want to deposit my week) Pressing REDEEM..."Enjoy an extra vacation! Available destinations and travel dates change often, so if you don't find your ideal vacation now, just keep checking back." is displayed. As is travel dates. And destination choices. Can this be a freebie?

 

[sue1947]

These are cheap options II uses to get rid of excess inventory. The costs depend on the AC; I have 3. Two are $274 and one is $199. You can check yours by choosing an option and click through to the payment page. When you first check, the options will be fairly limited, but as the check in date gets closer, more things will open up. The really good stuff pops up as last minute cancellations.
I have no idea why some of us get these and some don't. They can be a good deal or completely worthless depending on what you can use. They don't cost you a week of your timeshare or anything other than money.

sue

 

[mdurette]

Yep, my guess is this is a Freebie - when does it expire?

 

[MOXJO7282]

It's not a freebie in the sense that you still need to pay for the exchange but if you do find something that works for you the total cost is very inexpensive. The problem is I've never found anything of value in the numerous certs I've received over the years. I'm sure some people with a broader travel window do find value so I wouldn't call them useless but would say it takes flexibility and low to medium expectations on the resorts that will be available to make them work.

 

[Jayco29D]

When I go into II, I see a lot of great elite Marriott and Hyatt timeshares in great locations for rent for about the same cost as their maintenance fee, sometimes less. To me, these are a good deal because you do not need to trade a week. Do other people see these too?

 

[chalee94]

https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...uently-asked-questions-and-information.74057/

What is an AC?

A. “Accommodation Certificate”Interval International (II) offers an incentive bonus to owners of high-demand weeks who deposit them with II. That bonus is an Accommodation Certificate (“AC”), which can be exchanged for a week through II. Your exchange choices will be limited and generally won’t be prime season weeks. Thus, there are effectively blackout dates and blackout resorts. The restrictions for your AC will differ from the restrictions on some other ACs.

In addition, you can use your deposited week to exchange for another week.

During the last 59 days (“Flexchange”) before a week for which you would like to redeem your AC, you can see almost any week available in the II exchange system, other than those weeks restricted for various resort system (such as Marriott) internal trading preferences.

The cost to redeem an AC ranges from $199 (and up...often plus tax...)

The AC is valid for one year from the date it is issued, which is usually soon after you make your deposit. Thus, to use your AC, you must reserve and take your additional vacation during that one-year period. That suggests some strategy, since the longer you wait before depositing, the longer you will have to use that AC once it is issued. The challenge is to balance that additional time against possible reduced trading power for your week due to delaying your deposit.

There is no guarantee that you’ll receive an AC every year you deposit your week. The demand for your week could change, possibly leading II to stop offering an AC for your week. Also, you won’t get an AC if you use the request-first method for requesting an exchange, under which you hold onto your week until you get an exchange that’s acceptable to you.

Because most available weeks that can be confirmed with an AC are off-season (except during Flexchange), ACs don’t work well for everyone. Many, many ACs go unused. However, if you don’t mind traveling in the off-season or scheduling your trip on short notice (during Flexchange), you might well be thrilled with the results.

 

[chalee94]

Last year I was looking to trade into Orlando in early December (relative low season in an overbuilt area). My ACs from my deposit couldn't see any of the Marriotts or Sheratons even though I could confirm that they were available with my actual deposits...but I got a random AC from II which was able to see some of the Marriotts, so I was able to get a sweet newly-renovated 2BR for $308 including tax.

So you never know what you'll find, but there can be some very good deals.