Interval International

Hello,

My wife and I purchased a Welk Resort TS 2 days ago. After researching, we realized we had made a horrible mistake, so I sent me letter today and rescinded our agreement.

We were intrigued, however, by Interval International. We are completely clueless when it comes to travel, timeshares, etc. The extent of my travel knowledge is that Priceline has cheap hotels.

1) how does Interval work? 2) is it worth it?

Thanks!

Interval International is an exchange company - you must own a timeshare, in order to have something to exchange with them. In simplest terms, you "deposit" your timeshare with them, and use it to exchange for another timeshare. Generally, you will be able to exchange for a timeshare that is similar in value to what you own, as defined by the resort, season, size unit, and demand for the area.

Interval International is a timeshare exchange company. In order to be a member (and play) you must own a timeshare that participates in Interval International and enroll that timeshare into Interval International. You can use that timeshare to exchange for a different timeshare week(s). Alternatively, you can buy additional vacations/stays through Interval International using their getaway segment.

PS. Denise just beat me to the reply.

If you can be flexible, you don't have to deposit your timeshare. You can enroll with the one you own, pay the membership fees, and take advantage of the getaways. If I recall, at my very first timeshare presentation, I was told that I could rent my week out for enough money to take at least 6 extra vacations a year this way. "Travel on other people' s money", they told us. Well there was no way this was true, and I am tied to the school calendar, but if you want to use your week and still use Interval, this is an option.

rp_mudlog said:

... 2) is it worth it?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Depends, everyone puts a different value on things.

To me it's not worth the cost to join and exchange.

I use a small independent exchange company called Dial An Exchange. Free to join, lower exchange fees and cheap getaways that don't require a deposit.

The trade off is a much much smaller pool of inventory to choose from but that works very well for me. I make requests and they try to fill them.

You can pick up an Interval resort here for free probably or a couple bucks. Keep in mind its trading value with II is dependent on several factors including TDI, location, size, how early you deposit, etc.

It will cost you $89 to join II and around $179 to do an exchange.

Last minute vacations can go for $200 and up cash. No limit.

Probably need to get more familiar with TSs before jumping in.

Stay away from Developer's sales people, they are hazardous to your financial health!:

Minor point of clarification...

rp_mudlog said:

We were intrigued, however, by Interval International.....1) how does Interval work? 2) is it worth it?

Click to expand...

Others have already very capably defined and described above the exchange company known as Interval International.

I will simply add for clarity that in order to join Interval International you must first own a timeshare at a resort which is affiliated with Interval International.
Some resorts are affiliated with II as an exchange company, many more resorts are affiliated with RCI as an exchange company --- and some resorts are affiliated with both exchange companies. RCI and II are the biggest (but certainly not the only) exchange company options.

In any case, ownership of a timeshare directly affiliated with RCI or II is required before being able to "join" either one of these "big two" exchange companies.

A friend told me recently that she had bought a timeshare FROM Interval and then took a vacation at the Marriott St. Kitts. I tried several times to ask what timeshare company it was that she bought into, and she kept saying that she bought it from Interval. Has anyone heard anything like this? Did she completely misunderstand the transaction or does Interval actually sell timeshares, too?

I dunno about that particular claim...

myoakley said:

A friend told me recently that she had bought a timeshare FROM Interval and then took a vacation at the Marriott St. Kitts. I tried several times to ask what timeshare company it was that she bought into, and she kept saying that she bought it from Interval. Has anyone heard anything like this? Did she completely misunderstand the transaction or does Interval actually sell timeshares, too?

Click to expand...

This must be a misunderstanding or misstatement of some kind. Interval International (and RCI too) are merely exchange companies; neither one owns or sells timeshares and neither one ever did so. Maybe your friend purchased a (one time use) "Getaway" from II?

Perhaps your friend is referring to a reseller with the word "interval" in its' name? Or maybe something was acquired via II's parent company (Interval Leisure Group) which owns Interval International? In any event, a claim of an actual timeshare ownership being purchased directly from II just simply makes no sense.

Interval Intl help

I'm new here, but hope this will help you.
We purchased the Ocean Landings resort in Cocoa Beach.
We then joined Interval Intl, deposited the week, and now able to use it at other locations.
So I hope that helps.

Only question I am confused about is, in my readings on the different pages it states "IMPORTANT: Major exchange company rules prohibit the rental or exchange of deposited weeks, exchanged weeks, bonus weeks, etc. Further, exchange companies have been known to take disciplinary action against violators of their rules when discovered via online sources such as this one. Place any such offers here AT YOUR OWN RISK of discovery by your exchange company".

Does this mean if I make a reservation at a resort and cannot use it, then I cannot rent it either?
Same for my Wyndham?
Now I'm confused.
Thanks.

AstaB said:

Does this mean if I make a reservation at a resort and cannot use it, then I cannot rent it either?
Same for my Wyndham?
Now I'm confused.
Thanks.

Click to expand...

That's correct - RCI and II do not permit you to rent exchanges.

Now, if you occasionally, rent an exchange quietly to friends or family who understand the situation, you will probably be OK. But people who start a cottage industry renting exchanges often get caught, because they are requesting a large number of guest certificates and that's a red flag.

However, reservations you make with your Wyndham points are not exchanges, and you can rent them.

Thank you Denise, I appreciate the help!