How to test exchange on ii

Hi:

I have a resale vistana beach club ts (non svn). I am having trouble on ii trying to see what exchanges are available. I'm not able to enter a reservation# (has n/a). Also, when I enter my unit number it says "The unit information submitted is not found in our records. Please contact your home resort." Thank you.

You have to register the unit with II before you can search with it - it sounds like you haven't done that, or maybe II messed it up - a common occurance. Then they check with Starwood to see if you actually own the week, and then it shows up in your Acct. You don't actually have to deposit it, to search. Find your deed and call II and ask for the Starwood desk.

Another good way to see what other owners can "see" with their SW resort is to join TUG so you will have access to the member's only Sightings Board when other owners post their best exchange sightings every day. There are a lot of Starwood Sightings.

Hi Denise:

I am registered with ii. I have an acct and that unit is on the acct. Could it be an ii mistake? When I checked with ii, they said the week has to be deposited to see what's available but that doesn't sound right. When I changed the unit # I also got "this is not a valid check-in date." Is it right that I can't initiate a request first exchange online? Also, where is the sightings board? Sorry for all the ques. Thanks.

karc said:

Hi Denise:

I am registered with ii. I have an acct and that unit is on the acct. Could it be an ii mistake? When I checked with ii, they said the week has to be deposited to see what's available but that doesn't sound right. Also, is it right that I can't initiate a request first exchange online? Also, where is the sightings board? Sorry for all the ques. Thanks.

Click to expand...

The problem may be that you are putting in a reservation number - you shouldn't have to do that to search. You will have to put in a phony reservation date. When you try to search do you see the unit(s) listed with an "exchange" button beside them? My week isn't deposited, and I can search with no problem.

The Sightings Board is right below the Lounge board, but it is a members only perk - you cannot see it unless you join TUG.

karc said:

Hi Denise:

I am registered with ii. I have an acct and that unit is on the acct. Could it be an ii mistake? When I checked with ii, they said the week has to be deposited to see what's available but that doesn't sound right. Also, is it right that I can't initiate a request first exchange online? Also, where is the sightings board? Sorry for all the ques. Thanks.

Click to expand...

Call II again, but this time ask them to tell you the "unit no" that is used to search. At first they may not know what you are asking so you may ask them to do a search for a particular location first and then ask them what the "unit no" was they used to search with. I had this same problem with my Christie Lodge at first. I have to input reservation no and unit no.

My Christie lodge unit number has to be entered as "3bed", while my Marriotts have various other codes. Once you find out what it is, you will need to remeber it for all future searches.

Good luck.

I called ii. They wouldn't search because I don't have a week deposited. When I explained about doing a test search, they said only people with fixed weeks can probably do it (I have a float). Don't buy that. I was not given the option to enter a res#, so I don't think that is it. I was looking at Terry's Marriott example and your post above. It may be as you stated and I need the starwood unit code (and possibly reservation code--for ex. with Marriott must begin with 8). Does anyone know that? Thanks, again for input and help.

I test trade with my *wood Lakeside Terrace float ski week all the time. I don't need a reservation number to search. I just plug in a date(fairly easy as LT only has Sunday check in) and off I go.

You may check the II directory and make sure what check in days are listed. If it's just Sat or Sun and you are using a Friday check in, I don't think it will work.


Do not get me started on the *wood II desk. Called and wanted to ask a question about a putting in a search in the future. Well the woman basically told me to call back when I was ready to do it, got the "I can only talk to you when you have your week deposited." I thought I was just asking a basic knowledge question.

Figured it out myself with playing around with my "fake" week in the request first section.


All the postings I have listed in the sightings forum are done with a "fake" week.

karc said:

I called ii. They wouldn't search because I don't have a week deposited. When I explained about doing a test search, they said only people with fixed weeks can probably do it (I have a float). Don't buy that. I was not given the option to enter a res#, so I don't think that is it. I was looking at Terry's Marriott example and your post above. It may be as you stated and I need the starwood unit code (and possibly reservation code--for ex. with Marriott must begin with 8). Does anyone know that? Thanks, again for input and help.

Click to expand...

That's not true - I have a floating week and it's not deposited!
But, I do not put in a reservation number - just a fake date, when I search.

DeniseM said:

.... But, I do not put in a reservation number - just a fake date, when I search.

Click to expand...

Can you give the OP an example of a unit no?

Is it possible that the op is just not following the correct procedures. Let's try it from the beginning:

• log into intervalworld
• click on exchange tab
• select destination - either entering location or using map
• select dates
• you should now be at a page for selecting your unit to exchange - if you do
  not see that, it is an II/Starwood issue

• if you can see your unit, click exchange
• if there are available resorts you will now see them or you can be given the option of seeing locations that are currently available or dates that are available

your test is done

thinze3 said:

Can you give the OP an example of a unit no?

Click to expand...

When I had the week added to my Acct. I put in the unit number from my deed, along with the other required info. for adding a TS to my Acct. Since then, I haven't done anything with the unit number - it's not necessary for a search.

OMG!! Success! I started playing with the check-in dates. It only worked when I entered Sunday check-ins but SVO says I can check-in Fri, Sat & Sun. Now that I'm in, not much choice But, hey, one step at a time. Thanks so much for all your help everyone.

karc said:

OMG!! Success! I started playing with the check-in dates. It only worked when I entered Sunday check-ins but SVO says I can check-in Fri, Sat & Sun. Now that I'm in, not much choice But, hey, one step at a time. Thanks so much for all your help everyone.

Click to expand...

I found that Starwood limits deposits at some resorts to Sat/Sun check ins.

karc said:

OMG!! Success! I started playing with the check-in dates. It only worked when I entered Sunday check-ins but SVO says I can check-in Fri, Sat & Sun. Now that I'm in, not much choice But, hey, one step at a time. Thanks so much for all your help everyone.

Click to expand...

I had the same confusion. You need to enter a Saturday check in date for searches regardless of Starwood's Fri/Sat/Sun check in on whatever reservation you may actually eventually use for an exchange and whatever check in date your exchanged location has.

Here is one way to check on strength of timeshare unit!

Go into search by using today's date (say March 8, 2009) and go as far into the future as your deposit date will let you. This is two years after your 2010 floating week designation, say March 7, 2011.

Then, choose all destinations.

Do the search and tell us how many destinations that you see.

Assuming Orlando, Florida is one of the choices as it is so overbuilt for exchanges, that you should show three or more pages of resorts. Then tell us how many pages of resorts that you see and name a few of the best ones that you see.

I will do the same with my week Marriott Grande Ocean (MGO at Hilton Head)and my 1 BR Polo Tower (Las Vegas week #16 that I bought for $9.50 on ebay) unit so you can determine if you have a good trader.

Finally, tomorrow morning at 5:15AM EST is the best time IMHO to do a search on II, so wait till tomorrow for the best results on your search.

Patrick

Folks - trade tests should go on the Sightings Board, please. It's right below the TUG Lounge and it's one of the perks of TUG membership.