What's your fave independent exchange company?

[melizzard]

OK, so you probably all realize I'm perusing the independents by now ... I've only ever used RCI in the past. Typically when we travel, we have a specific city and probably a 2-month window we like to travel. I don't want to spend a lot of money joining other companies when it's not likely we'll get the exchange we want ... that's too much like RCI ...

Which ones do y'all like the best and for what reasons? I was looking at Platinum's Way list, but for '09, we want San Francisco in the spring and Tahoe in December (not Christmas). Platinum didn't have any SF weeks in the spring, but they say they may still get some. Well shoot, I guess we could play the "wait and see" game right up until next spring.

What do you folks do?

xxoo
Melissa

 

[chellej]

I really like trading places/ You do not have to pay a membership fee, their system is transparent - no secret trade power formulas, you do pay for size upgrades. Exchange fees are lower, $169 bonus weeks with early deposit. Great customer service.

Inventory is concentrated in the west, mexico and hawaii.

 

[joycapecod]

Both TPI and SFX are more West Coast aligned. I am leaving on 8/7 for the Donatello through SFX. I called, asked what they had available for a span of 8 weeks and there were several choices. I wanted to go in August, but still giving my niece a good 10 days home before she needs to pack off to college (this is her high school grad gift from me). The SFX system is not transparent and in order to get the best service I have called directly and spoken to a rep. I have received exchanges to Scotland (summer 2 bedroom 6/6, Mexico-Mayan Riviera Xmas weeks 2 units). I have an on going search now, but so far nothing, but it is for a very specific exchange.

TPI is available to see there existing inventory on line and thus fully transparent. If you make a deposit there, as far as I can tell no trade power issues. It is a week in, a week out. Thus far I have two banked weeks in TPI plus 2-45 day bonus certs and have found nothing that works for me. Since one of the bonus certs exipres in December 2008 I am slightly disappointed, but it is not the end of the world.

Since both models are vastly different I think you may need to think about which has the best likelihood of getting your exchange. I will say that for San Francisco my bet would be SFX. I have worked with Oscar and find him a delightful person to work with.

PM me if you want more dedicated details.

Joy

 

[Carolinian]

I like DAE. In fact I am leaving for a DAE exchange on the coast of Croatia in a few days. Of course, I am based in Europe, and they have done well for me here with exchanges but have also come through for the Caribbean and even Phillipines.

They do not have a membership fee, and they have a request first system, so you do not need to deposit a week or prepay an exchange fee to put in a request. You give them a deposit and pay the exchange fee only when they can confirm an exchange for you.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

San Francisco and Tahoe, I would say SFX.
Liz

 

[Transit]

Do any of the independents do well for east coast and caribbean exchanges?

 

[Kola]

I like DAE too both because of their "request first" option (no deposit) and because of their continuously updated bonus weeks list. Some of their bonus weeks prices are very attractive if the timing works for you. That alone puts them miles ahead of SFX which often keeps your deposited week for two years thereby making you accept any second rate exchange in desperation.

 

[melizzard]

Cory, from SFX, just told me he can get me San Fran in May if I deposit my week. Is it possible he would just say that, I deposit my week, then I don't get that Powell Place 1 BR in May?

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

That seems unlikely. Ask him if he can hold it for you and give you some confirmation of that so that online at least (for your records). They get San Francisco frequently.
Liz

 

[ptprism]

DAE has treated me very well and I have been happy with all of their exchanges. Not so with the big two, although I have had mostly good exchanges becuase I do my own research and don't believe their write ups. No luck at all with SFX. Thye just don't accommodate the way I like to search and trade. Some people love 'em, but I'm not interested in Hawaii or Las Vegas and I don't like the idea of getting what they decide to allow me. I want to search the avaialble units!

 

[melizzard]

DAE?

So, with DAE, how far out are you able to snag a good spot?

 

[DeniseM]

So, with DAE, how far out are you able to snag a good spot?

Nice resorts become available when an owner deposits one or the timeshare company does a bulk deposit of extra inventory. How early a particular timeshare can be deposited usually depends on that timeshare system, so there is no hard and fast rule about when something becomes available. However, what is important is how early you put in your request. Since many TS's are deposited 12 mos. out, you want to have your request in before 12 mos., for the best chance for an exchange.

 

[barndweller]

Melissa

If what you are after is San Francisco & Tahoe then SFX and TPI are your best bets. They both have good inventory for those areas and you can put in requests a year ahead. Neither require a fee to join and their exchange fees are less than the big two. You will not get big name brand resorts like Marriott but all my exchanges have been perfectly acceptable clean, comfortable accomodations. Of the 2, I like TPI best but only because they provide the best personalized service. I'm happy with SFX as well since I've gotten my requests filled with no problem (even for specific weeks) as long as I haven't requested a specific resort and their bonus weeks are a good value. I just wish they showed current unused inventory online.

Neither has much to offer outside the west, however. For that I use II. RCI was a total waste of time for me. I dropped them after only 1 year. They may have a ton of resorts listed in their catelogue but most are junk and the majority are in Florida, my last choice for a vacation. The decent stuff they have listed I can get through SFX, TPI, DAE, HTSE and II.

 

[PeelBoy]

Nobody mentioned Redweek. I like the system. My two bedroom very average resort in Myrtle Beach, with an average annual MF gets me into about 4 weeks of vacation, though during blue and white seasons. Lots of availability overlaps with DAE, where I get 1 to 1, or 1 to 2 if I split the lock off.

I also like DAE because of their resorts in Europe and Asia and probably Australia, which I have not been to. Customer service at DAE seems to be the best, much better than the big 2.

Independents are not for everyone. If you find one suits your needs, that's the best.

 

[pammex]

Cory, from SFX, just told me he can get me San Fran in May if I deposit my week. Is it possible he would just say that, I deposit my week, then I don't get that Powell Place 1 BR in May?

I think if Cory said he can get it, then he probably already has it. I have found SFX does not say yes, unless they are sure, but would be good to get something in email from him as per other poster.....Good luck!!

 

[John Cummings]

Do any of the independents do well for east coast and caribbean exchanges?

I have used SFX exclusively for the past 11 years and have been very happy with them. They have always delivered whatever I asked for. I can't say anything about the other Independents as I have never used them. I used both RCI and II prior to SFX.

I just came back from a week at the Manhattan Club in New York City on an exchange through SFX.

 

[melizzard]

I just came back from a week at the Manhattan Club in New York City on an exchange through SFX.

Wow, that's one of the ones I'd like to visit ... how was it?

 

[falmouth3]

Wow, that's one of the ones I'd like to visit ... how was it?

Me first. I'm in line 18 months in advance at SFX, requests in for nearly all of 2009. But if I get one of my other requests, my MC request might open up.

Sue

 

[John Cummings]

Wow, that's one of the ones I'd like to visit ... how was it?

New York City was fabulous. It was one of the most memorable trips we have taken. We actually spent more than a week there as we stayed 4 nights in the Michelangelo Hotel ( mid-Manhattan ) as well as the week at the Manhattan Club.

The Manhattan Club was very nice. My only complaint is the furniture is not very comfortable. We have already submitted our request with SFX for next year at the Manhattan Club.

You can view my detailed trip report in the "Lounge" forum.

 

[luv2vacation]

I realize that SFX deals primarily with west coast and Mexico properties, so how are they at TAKING east coast properties for exchange. I would actually like to go to some west coast places, like San Francisco, but own all east coast properties.

 

[John Cummings]

I realize that SFX deals primarily with west coast and Mexico properties, so how are they at TAKING east coast properties for exchange. I would actually like to go to some west coast places, like San Francisco, but own all east coast properties.

I suggest that you go to the timeshare forums web site where you can ask SFX directly. They have a "Ask SFX" forum where Mark of SFX will answer all your questions. He is a straight shooter and very responsive.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/index.php

 

[Judy]

DAE has affiliates in the UK and Australia. They usually have a ton of inventory in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other places where the British and Australians like to vacation. All of their inventory can be seen online (unless it's been picked up by an ongoing request) at www.daelive.com There are no trading power restrictions. Also, no quality restrictions - so be careful if you only want to stay in highly rated resorts.

 

[klconley]

Acronyms?

Cound someone please tell me what the acronyms mean, ie II, DAE, etc?? thanks. Kelly

 

[teepeeca]

KLConley

I'm not sure what "all" you are looking for, BUT, I'll start with a few.

RCI---Resort Condominiums International
II---Interval Internaitonal
DAE---Dial an Exchange
TPMaui ---Trading Places Maui
HTSE---Hawaii Time Share Exchange
PI---Platinum Interchange
TPI---Trading Places INternaitonal
SFX---San Francisco Exchange
EOY---every other year
EY---every year
EEY---every even year

Tony

 

[klconley]

Thanks Tony

Thanks for the acronyms