Instant Exchange Strategy

[jamal Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamal]

Anyone have a strategy for getting the choice resorts using instant exchange? I'm looking at a couple of weeks back to back in Hawaii early April.
TIA....

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

A lot of new inventory becomes available shortly after midnight so search then for best results. Put it on hold and you'll have almost 2 days (i.e. midnight of the following datY) to make all your flight arrangements. If not, then they get released automatically.

[jamal Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamal]

Thanks for the tip, I will try that tonight.... I assume midnight, Eastern Time?

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Last year the first 'last minute' Hawaii units for April check-in didn't show up until the 5th of March, most did not show up until the 18th or later. My searches were done at 7 am EST. In general, this year's last minute Hawaii has been much more plentiful than last year's but you still have to wait for the 45th day before your desired check-in date. That won't be until at least the 15th of February for April 1st.

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

I assume midnight, Eastern Time?

That's correct. Just make sure you don't book the weeks that I want Better yet, just book it and put me down as the guest

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

I saw a Pahio in Princeville this morning for 4/12 checking, exactly 45 days out.

[shopgirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shopgirl]

When you are saying "Instant Exchange," you are referring to Last Minute weeks exchanges? Or are these the 9,000 points or less you are asking about?

I am just curious because I can pull the absolute best stuff with my lowly blue week trader at the last minute and am happy to use my blue weeks in that way. For our $416 maintenance fees, I have found some really incredible places, including Shearwater and Bay Club at Waikoloa at 1:00 Eastern Time this morning.

Airfare from Denver to Lihue for my dates was only $505 last night as well. We usually pay about $700 for airfare, when we plan in advance. I can save a lot of money with last-minute exchanges and am happy to take advantage of the system.

Yep, that last-minute travel stuff looks fun, but I am such a planner that I doubt I can take advantage of it. I will have to change my mindset and Rick's too.

[jamal Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamal]

Hi There,
I was referring to the 9000 points instant exchange. It appears that at around midnight, a good number do come up. If you are fast enough, you are able to put them on hold, otherwise, you snooze, you loose.... I contact RCi through email and asked why I was unable to hold some units when made available, they indicated that they usually have Phantoms and they are not necessary units available for holding. Doesn't make sense, if they are not available why have them show up?