What should I do tomorrow...trading question

[buzzy]

I am contemplating my "plan of action" tomorrow when I reserve my 2 bedroom lockoff at Beachplace. I have in the past, always locked off and received 2-3 bedroom trades for each of my sides for 2 full vacations using our platinum season 2 bedroom. Usually these were easier trades in semi off seasons and with taking our 3 kids out of school to vacation.

Things have changed a bit and with our oldest in high school and block scheduling (not to mention trying to plan around sports and activities)and it is becoming difficult to obtain the vacation time needed for our Marriott and DVC timeshares. So, while we decide whether or not to sell in the future, I am asking Tuggers advice regarding whether or not we should deposit (or request first) the full 2 bedroom unit without locking off, so that we would receive 2 bedroom trades in peak season...(Ocean Watch and Hilton Head in the summer ect) These were trades we really were never able to receive with a studio or 1 bedroom but was wondering the best strategy in order to obtain a 2 bedroom trade in peak season (summers and holidays). Are we still better off taking our chances by locking off, depositing the full unit or reserving and doing a request first for the full unit. I guess I am trying to figure out the increase in percentage of trade power that the 2 bedroom unit deposit or request gives in obtaining the trade.

Thank you so much for the help!

 

[jdunn1]

You have to give up your entire two bedroom for the Carolinas in the summer. Just like you I tried for over a year and a half to get a summer Carolina week with just the one bedroom portion of my platinum Marriott. It never worked. Then, just last month a tugger who gave up their 2 bedroom platinum Orlando Marriott (Harborside) reported a trade into Grande Ocean for this coming July. This trade didn't happen for anyone last year, best I can tell, but this year it happened -- just it took the entire 2 bedroom to get it via trade. So, my advise is deposit first your entire two bedroom. Get the max trade power and put your search in NOW for this summer. I think you may already be too late for this summer but who knows. Good luck.

I'm pretty sure you will have better luck getting into Hilton Head than Myrtle Beach, just becuase there is only one marriott in Myrtle Beach and many more in Hilton Head.

 

[CashEddie]

To piggy back off of jdunn1, if you are trying to target Summer 2012, you can forget about it. You may get lucky in flexchange.

Best trade strategy is to plan your trades at least 2 years in advance to get the prime times you want. Deposit first is always going to be your best option. It really breaks down to this: the longer you have been in line, the higher priorty you are going to get (all other things being equal). As it has been stated many times on this board, II values size the most.

You can try to target summer 2013, but the thing is, you are going to be behind in line of all the people that made 2012 ressies back in 2011 to match up with something in 2013.

 

[buzzy]

You have to give up your entire two bedroom for the Carolinas in the summer. Just like you I tried for over a year and a half to get a summer Carolina week with just the one bedroom portion of my platinum Marriott. It never worked. Then, just last month a tugger who gave up their 2 bedroom platinum Orlando Marriott (Harborside) reported a trade into Grande Ocean for this coming July. This trade didn't happen for anyone last year, best I can tell, but this year it happened -- just it took the entire 2 bedroom to get it via trade. So, my advise is deposit first your entire two bedroom. Get the max trade power and put your search in NOW for this summer. I think you may already be too late for this summer but who knows. Good luck.

I'm pretty sure you will have better luck getting into Hilton Head than Myrtle Beach, just becuase there is only one marriott in Myrtle Beach and many more in Hilton Head.

Thanks! Do you think a deposit helps vs request first with trade power? This a reservation for 2013 that I will be making tomorrow so it will not be for travel this summer...thanks for the advice

 

[buzzy]

To piggy back off of jdunn1, if you are trying to target Summer 2012, you can forget about it. You may get lucky in flexchange.

Best trade strategy is to plan your trades at least 2 years in advance to get the prime times you want. Deposit first is always going to be your best option. It really breaks down to this: the longer you have been in line, the higher priorty you are going to get (all other things being equal). As it has been stated many times on this board, II values size the most.

You can try to target summer 2013, but the thing is, you are going to be behind in line of all the people that made 2012 ressies back in 2011 to match up with something in 2013.

Yes, this is for summer 2013 or 2014...I am making the reservation for Presidents week 2013. I have had some great trades in the past but with DC, was unsure of changes in the "game" and if it is tougher than in the past.