Changing System at Interval

All the brew-ha-ha over the new Starwood exchange/deposit system currently under construction at II had me fuming about the loss of my ability to do searches 24 month in advance with no requesting and no depositing. This has always been a big plus in II's favor over RCI. The changes to Starwood search ability to only 12 months got me thinking. I checked both my newest directory and the II website. All references to the advantage of searching first are gone. The only instructions now are to either request first or deposit first. They are referred to as the two ways to exchange. No where are there any instructions about searching with your unit to browse what is available for the next 24 months. I no longer have any old copies of the directory but I am pretty sure there used to be instructions given about searching first.

So is II going to do away with advance peeks at available exchanges? Are they going to just shorten the window to 12 months? Is this the NEW Interval International that everyone, not just Starwood owners, will get for their ever rising membership fees? Now that DVC has gone over to RCI and if Marriott goes to an internal exchange, there won't be much incentive to remain with II for me. SFX and TPI and the other independents are looking better and better.

I agree. I think that II is changing their system, and in the process, they are trying to convert as many weeks to points, as possible.

I'm thinking we might go through this again when Marriott converts to points....When/if that ever happens.

I realize that it's pure speculation on my part, but that's my hunch.

I trade thru II via my Diamond Points Membership. I have gotten some "sweet" trades over time. However, today I found something very odd.
Used to be I could search an area like California and check "all" boxes.
Today, there is a notice in Red letters saying each search is limited to three resorts. Then you have to go back and check three more and so on. What's going on?

ArtsieAng said:

I agree. I think that II is changing their system, and in the process, they are trying to convert as many weeks to points, as possible.

I'm thinking we might go through this again when Marriott converts to points....When/if that ever happens.

I realize that it's pure speculation on my part, but that's my hunch.

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That's my guess also, and I think they are going to limit searches to 12 months for everyone(not just Starwood owners).

It's comforting to know they are screwing everyone over, and not just Starwood folks! :annoyed:

The 12 month window is a Starwood policy, not an II policy. From talking to II, there are no plans to shorten the II exchange window. The further ahead a member makes an exchange the better it is for II. Why? Because that locks the member into keeping his membership until they travel on the exchange.

The resort directories are basically the same. Request First and Deposit First were always listed as the two ways to exchange. Depending on the method you use, you have from one year before to two years after the dates of your week to travel. This remains the same with the exception of the nonsense of Starwood weeks.

There's something new to me on II and I'm wondering if it's always been there and I missed it?

If you click on the "Travel" tab and then "Resort Deals," a page comes up for "Less Than 7 Night Stays." If you put in the area and dates to search, a redirect to "Condodirect.com" comes up with tons of hotel and timeshare cash rental choices. For example, I tried Hilton Head Island for Thanksgiving weekend, 4 nights beginning Wed, Nov 25th. The rental prices appear to be a bit lower than rack rates, but not as low as the MOD owners' discount for MVCI properties.

I didn't go any further with the options but did notice that there's a "sign in" button for condodirect.com. Maybe there's also a fee to belong to that? Has this always been an option or is it new?

Hyatt owners have always been limited to twelve month in advance search. I guess now they are trying to do that across the board.

I find limiting the search to just three locations very frustrating. I wonder if it is market research ploy- trying to find the most popular locations?

gmarine said:

The 12 month window is a Starwood policy, not an II policy. From talking to II, there are no plans to shorten the II exchange window. The further ahead a member makes an exchange the better it is for II. Why? Because that locks the member into keeping his membership until they travel on the exchange.

The resort directories are basically the same. Request First and Deposit First were always listed as the two ways to exchange. Depending on the method you use, you have from one year before to two years after the dates of your week to travel. This remains the same with the exception of the nonsense of Starwood weeks.

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What makes me wonder about that, is the what you and others have been told, "everything will come out in the new directory." I don't think II is going to print up a "special" batch of directories for just Starwood owners.

Also when I talked to the *wood II desk a few weeks ago, the rep alluded to the fact that "most people don't start looking till 12 months out or putting an ongoing search till then." They called me, because I've had an ongoing search in for summer 2010 since March of this year and they wanted to let me know "how exchanging works." Rep proceeded to tell me it's good to have members who understand, as most think "it's like booking a hotel room on a travel website."

When DVC was with II, we didn't get a hardcopy of the directory. DVC has a link on the member website to "DVC approved" resorts, back in the II days and now with RCI.

Twinkstarr said:

What makes me wonder about that, is the what you and others have been told, "everything will come out in the new directory." I don't think II is going to print up a "special" batch of directories for just Starwood owners.

Also when I talked to the *wood II desk a few weeks ago, the rep alluded to the fact that "most people don't start looking till 12 months out or putting an ongoing search till then." They called me, because I've had an ongoing search in for summer 2010 since March of this year and they wanted to let me know "how exchanging works." Rep proceeded to tell me it's good to have members who understand, as most think "it's like booking a hotel room on a travel website."

When DVC was with II, we didn't get a hardcopy of the directory. DVC has a link on the member website to "DVC approved" resorts, back in the II days and now with RCI.

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Marriott owners currently receive a resort directory specifically for them. II is apparently going to do the same thing for Starwood owners.

Susan,

I just saw that CondoDirect webpage that you mentioned. I put in various locations and dates, but found mostly hotel rooms being returned in my searches. It reminds me of an Expedia-type page. That being said, I like that we are being given this option. Saves having to open a new tab, and bring up another vacation search site.

Makes you wonder what new thing Interval is going to implement next.

gmarine said:

Marriott owners currently receive a resort directory specifically for them. II is apparently going to do the same thing for Starwood owners.

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I think Marriott has more members than Starwood, easier to spread the costs.

dmbrand said:

Susan,

I just saw that CondoDirect webpage that you mentioned. I put in various locations and dates, but found mostly hotel rooms being returned in my searches. It reminds me of an Expedia-type page. That being said, I like that we are being given this option. Saves having to open a new tab, and bring up another vacation search site.

Makes you wonder what new thing Interval is going to implement next.

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I think I like the option too, for the same reason you do. Especially as you get closer to the day you want to travel, if your exchange hasn't come through yet then you can keep an eye on what may be out there.

The concern I have is with all the talk about Starwood deposits being taken immediately and placed into the rental pool instead of the exchange pool. Last night when I looked for Thanksgiving weekend both MVCI Barony and Grande Ocean came up as options. Is II making MVCI deposits available for rental, too, through this condodirect.com? Hmmmmm.

SueDonJ,

CondoDirect has been around for a while now. I have booked 3 four night timeshare stays at Willowbrook Resort in PA in February, late April and July.

Joyce

Twinkstarr said:

I think Marriott has more members than Starwood, easier to spread the costs.

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Interval also prints a Westgate edition of the resort directory. I'm sure there are others as well.

Most have own versions

gmarine said:

Interval also prints a Westgate edition of the resort directory. I'm sure there are others as well.

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Nearly all of the majors and clubs have their own versions of the II and RCI directories. Quite often, its just a different cover page. Not too many years ago, if you purchased at an II Five Star resort, you got a directory indicating which resorts were Five Star. If you purchased at an II resort without a rating, you received a directory showing no ratings whatsoever.

AMJ said:

SueDonJ,

CondoDirect has been around for a while now. I have booked 3 four night timeshare stays at Willowbrook Resort in PA in February, late April and July.

Joyce

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Thanks, Joyce. I've never noticed it before at the II website, but it does make things easy.

deejay said:

Nearly all of the majors and clubs have their own versions of the II and RCI directories. Quite often, its just a different cover page. Not too many years ago, if you purchased at an II Five Star resort, you got a directory indicating which resorts were Five Star. If you purchased at an II resort without a rating, you received a directory showing no ratings whatsoever.

Click to expand...

Both the Marriott and Westgate versions are more than just a different cover page, however I cant speak for any other versions.