Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!

[gottspd]

I got confirmation of our trade into GO for summer 2012 (last possible week we could go - as my daughter's elementary school starts the day after we get home!!!).

I'm very excited about this trade. I didn't think there was much chance that we'd get in, so i'm quite pleased that we did.

I'm going to continue to look for a good deal on a platinum week at the HHI big 3 so I can stop worrying about whether we'll get the week we want or not.

 

[GregT]

Congrats! Great news and great trade!

What did you use for the trade, and how long have you been waiting?

Best,

Greg

 

[jdunn1]

Congrats and thanks for posting. That last week, even last two weeks of August (best I can tell) typically has good inventory in II. Anything from mid June, all of July and the first two weeks of August are near impossible.

If you happened to get a mid August week, then maybe things are finally starting to change in II for Hilton Head.

I got confirmation of our trade into GO for summer 2012 (last possible week we could go - as my daughter's elementary school starts the day after we get home!!!).

I'm very excited about this trade. I didn't think there was much chance that we'd get in, so i'm quite pleased that we did.

I'm going to continue to look for a good deal on a platinum week at the HHI big 3 so I can stop worrying about whether we'll get the week we want or not.

 

[gottspd]

Our week is Sunday, the 19th to Sunday, the 26th - I would have preferred Sat to Sat, but you can't have everything.

We traded our Cypress Harbour week. I reserved and deposited a good trading power week in April with II. I think I put the request in just about as early as I could - during this past summer, so we've been waiting for a while.

 

[jdunn1]

Based on several posts and personal emails I got last year about trading into the Marriotts in the Carolinas, this week is pretty much a sure bet, provided you are trading in with a two bedroom platinum or high demand gold week. Honestly, if I were you and you are happy with this week every summer, I do not think there is much benefit in buying at any of the Hilton Head resorts. You can probably get this week every year, if you want.

If, you want an earlier summer week then I think you need to own a summer week at one of the Hilton Head Marriotts. Barony has the best prices but Grande Ocean is not that far behind any more. Still, you are looking at close to 10k right now for a summer week, less if you can take a garden view and a bit more if you need ocean side or front. But, prices are falling -- just not at the same level as the inland Marriotts.

I finally broke down and bought a Summer week at OceanWatch because I could not get into that resort via II for anytime in the summer, other than last week or two of August -- when I just can't travel becuase of school.

Have fun. I will be at SurfWatch this Easter. First time I will ever be at a Marriott resort, so I cannot wait!

Our week is Sunday, the 19th to Sunday, the 26th - I would have preferred Sat to Sat, but you can't have everything.

We traded our Cypress Harbour week. I reserved and deposited a good trading power week in April with II. I think I put the request in just about as early as I could - during this past summer, so we've been waiting for a while.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Great trade!! We always go the last week in August and it is always a great week. Its never too crowded because many kids are already back in school and of course the weather is still summer like.

We're trying to get there this year as well but my daughter starts college so we're exploring our options.

 

[gottspd]

Based on several posts and personal emails I got last year about trading into the Marriotts in the Carolinas, this week is pretty much a sure bet, provided you are trading in with a two bedroom platinum or high demand gold week. Honestly, if I were you and you are happy with this week every summer, I do not think there is much benefit in buying at any of the Hilton Head resorts. You can probably get this week every year, if you want.

Really? Hmm... If I could get it everyweek, I'd be happy, but it seems like it's risky. My wife has said for the year after next, we cannot do it as we'll miss an orientation/open house for my son as he begins kindergarten, but that's not an issue until summer 2013.

 

[jdunn1]

I was in communication with a few other tuggers until late this past July about trading into the Carolinas. I was looking to trade into OceanWatch and so was someone else and a few others were trying to get into Hilton Head. Basically, those of us who could take a late August week were succesfull but it took until just about flex time to happen. The DC really messed things up for the Carolinas this past summer. Maybe summer of 2012 will be a little different.

I wouldn't take my comments as gospel, that's for sure but I did/do follow the Carolina exchanges best I can. I think I remember one tugger who owned a platinum Aruba week or something very high value who was able to get into OceanWatch for earlier in the summer than late August, and that was after nearly a year of waiting. Other than that, the only success stories I have heard have been the same kind of week you got, the very end of Summer, and probably start of school season for most kids.

I just would hate for you to spend close to 10k, when in reality (more times than not) you will be able to get that week with what you already have. Maybe you can try for that last week of August one more time and then see where resale prices are and maybe even by then, tuggers will start reporting successful exchanges into the Carolinas for earlier in the summer.

For now, if you want early August of July or mid June, you most likely need to own there or own a very exotic week (like presidents day ski week at a Marriott or New Years in Hawaii) to get a summer Carolina week at the big three Hilton Head Marriotts and you can all but forget about OceanWatch, no matter what you own.

I hope I am wrong about that -- would love to hear from some tuggers who own an inland Marriott week that were able to trade into the Carolinas for a peak July week. Just haven't heard from anyone, yet.

Really? Hmm... If I could get it everyweek, I'd be happy, but it seems like it's risky. My wife has said for the year after next, we cannot do it as we'll miss an orientation/open house for my son as he begins kindergarten, but that's not an issue until summer 2013.

 

[sail27bill]

gottspd--Congratulations on your successful exchange!! I was really excited too when I received my confirmation for Oceanwatch this past August from the 20th to the 27th. I used an old Starwood Harborside deposit (we could not go in 2009) and was confirmed 8 months in advance. I had requested from the end of July till the end of August. We were thrilled to get this match as we had requested GO as well (as we were afraid we wouldn't be successful).

When we got there, I sat for a presentation to find out about the points system. Our presenter was shocked that we exchanged in. (She didn't believe me and checked). According to her, there were only 3 II exchangers that week--everyone else were either renters or owners. If she is to be believed, Oceanwatch would be next to impossible to trade in. I am sure Marriott priority helps, but the uncertainty would kill me. I have tried pricing Platinum resales and they are still too rich for my blood for Oceanwatch and even GO. My friend who has a Marriott Aruba gold was not successful for Oceanwatch but she did get Barony close to flex-time. She was real mad I got in and not her. For now, I guess I will have to get used to renting. Hopefully 2012 will be a better year for exchanging. Hope you have a fantastic stay.

Anita

 

[mjm1]

Congratulations on your successful exchange. We hope to go to HHI in 2013 and may try using DC points rather than trading via II. We would go in late April/early May, so an exchange at that time may not be bad. However, I know trades are taking longer due to the DC program.

We are still waiting for a trade into Ko Olina for this coming late April. We are now inside of 5 months, so it will be interesting to see when that one comes through. We made alternative arrangements with MRP but hope we don't have to use it. Just a back up plan that some Tuggers suggested.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[EKniager]

gottspd--Congratulations on your successful exchange!! I was really excited too when I received my confirmation for Oceanwatch this past August from the 20th to the 27th. I used an old Starwood Harborside deposit (we could not go in 2009) and was confirmed 8 months in advance. I had requested from the end of July till the end of August. We were thrilled to get this match as we had requested GO as well (as we were afraid we wouldn't be successful).

When we got there, I sat for a presentation to find out about the points system. Our presenter was shocked that we exchanged in. (She didn't believe me and checked). According to her, there were only 3 II exchangers that week--everyone else were either renters or owners. If she is to be believed, Oceanwatch would be next to impossible to trade in. I am sure Marriott priority helps, but the uncertainty would kill me. I have tried pricing Platinum resales and they are still too rich for my blood for Oceanwatch and even GO. My friend who has a Marriott Aruba gold was not successful for Oceanwatch but she did get Barony close to flex-time. She was real mad I got in and not her. For now, I guess I will have to get used to renting. Hopefully 2012 will be a better year for exchanging. Hope you have a fantastic stay.

Anita

I believe your August week at OceanWatch falls into the Gold category. And unfortunately for those of us looking to buy a re-sale Gold on the cheap, those August weeks help prop up the price and keep it from diving into my target zone.

 

[gottspd]

I believe your August week at OceanWatch falls into the Gold category. And unfortunately for those of us looking to buy a re-sale Gold on the cheap, those August weeks help prop up the price and keep it from diving into my target zone.

Actually the week we got is the last week of platinum (week 34). Week 35 is the first of gold (which is the last week of August).

 

[jdunn1]

It hardly matter, but just so you are aware, week 33 is actually the start of Gold season at OceanWatch. This resort has a relatively short platinum season (weeks 20-32).

From what I understand there is a lot of competion amongst gold weeks owners to nab week 33, since that week usually starts around August 12th.

Actually the week we got is the last week of platinum (week 34). Week 35 is the first of gold (which is the last week of August).

 

[gottspd]

It hardly matter, but just so you are aware, week 33 is actually the start of Gold season at OceanWatch. This resort has a relatively short platinum season (weeks 20-32).

From what I understand there is a lot of competion amongst gold weeks owners to nab week 33, since that week usually starts around August 12th.

Interesting because for HHI, Gold starts on week 35...

 

[jdunn1]

They have slightly different seasons. You can get a prime August week in Myrtle Beach with a gold week and I think there is at least one Hilton Head Marriott where you can get a prime June week? I think there is one Marriott in Hilton Head with a gold week that extends into maybe the second week of June. Could be wrong about Hilton Head, though.