When to use SFX over II for exchange

[jmatias Member Find all posts View Profile Close jmatias]

We are primarily Marriott owners so our main exchange company is II since we have the Marriott preference.

We do have resorts that also trade with SFX.

I don't have any exchange experience with SFX so I'd like to hear about the resorts others have traded into and your overall experience with SFX.

Thanks!

Jen

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Jen,

First, check out this thread, your question with 40 replies:

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthr...=SFX+exchanges

I am also a Marriott and "other" owner, with some limited but excellent experience with SFX. And since this year my "Marriott priority" hasn't delivered yet, and by the time it does I will be aggravated, well, I'm questioning it's value.

Marriott's aside, SFX has a number of benefits "over" II... First, if you deposit a Prime demand week now and take advantage of their bonus offer, their bonus weeks are MUCH better than II's.. virtually no restrictions (a few, like you can't use it to exchange into NYC). When I booked my summer HI trip, I was able to use an exchange for the first week (into Maui) and the bonus week for the second (Big Island). I was able to book BOTH almost a year out, no "flexchange" hassles. They may also be offering a 3-for-1 depending on what you're depositing (must be PRIME deposit), that would give you an exchange, a bonus week (almost) anywhere, PLUS a mexico bonus week. Prices for the bonus weeks can vary, I think the current special is $399 for a 1 bedroom; but the offers do expire/change, so check the website for details.

Plus, SFX bonus weeks are issued on a rational basis in terms of expiration. They encourage earlier deposits by having the bonus weeks for 2007 deposits expire on 12/31/07, even if you deposit now. If you deposit now with II for an AC, your AC will expire in May of 07...

I will soon be making another deposit (or two) with SFX, and will keep you posted, but I really think it's worth trying something different; I have found SFX to be refreshing, at a minimum.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I am a new user of SFX - but the additional locations & resorts where they have availability is a big draw for me....

I recently stayed at Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta thru an RCI exchange and now I can not go back for FIVE years to ANY Mayan Palace resort - SFX has a 'special' relationship with the Mayan group and I could go every year if I so desire.

SFX also has more availability in London at several properties - II currently only has Carleton Court. As I like to travel slightly off season May/Sept/Oct this will work well for me. Same with San Francisco......more properties and availability.

I look at SFX as having the best of what RCI and II has - all in one company.
I have done very well with II and the Marriott prefernce with my 4 weeks....but I am willing to take a chance with SFX. The 'almost' no restrictions bonus weeks are a major plus for me.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We are primarily Marriott owners so our main exchange company is II since we have the Marriott preference.

We do have resorts that also trade with SFX.

I don't have any exchange experience with SFX so I'd like to hear about the resorts others have traded into and your overall experience with SFX.

Thanks!

Jen

I have used SFX exclusively for the past 9+ years. Prior to that I was a member of both II and RCI. We just got back from 2 weeks at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta ( last 2 weeks of April ) that we exchanged through SFX. We have been extremely happy with SFX as they have always come through for us. Apart from the fact that they have always satisfied all of our requests, the lack of restrictions is a major plus. We deposit our 2 weeks every year and receive 4 bonus weeks ( 2 for each week deposited ). Some of the exchanges we have made were: several weeks at the HGVC/Flamingo Las Vegas, Royal Mayan Cancun, Grand Mayan Riviera Maya. Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta. Scottsdale AZ in March ( very tough week ), etc. We often do 2 weeks back to back. All in all SFX simplified my exchanging by virtually satisfying exactly what I wanted with no hassles.

[jmatias Member Find all posts View Profile Close jmatias]

Thanks for the replies!

I just wish SFX had a better online site that lets you search for exchanges like II. Without being able to "see" whats available I feel a little hesitant about giving my weeks to SFX.

Aloha,
Jen

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Thanks for the replies!

I just wish SFX had a better online site that lets you search for exchanges like II. Without being able to "see" whats available I feel a little hesitant about giving my weeks to SFX.

Aloha,
Jen

Hi Jen - I think you may be referring to seeing online availability and then being able to book it online?

If so, here is the situation. It is my understanding any weeks you see available online with other exchange companies are weeks they have "no requests" for from their Members. That doesn't make them undesirable weeks, but those are the weeks you are looking at.

Would it be fair to say the "best weeks" are rarely seen to be available online because there is always a queue for them, simply because Demand is always greater than Supply?

We look at it this way... If 80% of the timeshare world is requesting 20% of the best timeshare space, that top layer of 20% you virtually never see online, because the moment it's deposited it's matched against a pending request and booked... you never get to see it !!

SFX Preferred Resorts is the 20%... the top layer, and that's why our Members do not go online to shop for existing space, simply because our business model does not incorporate the "80%" that you get to see with other companies.

Our business model is different and specialized.

Hope this insight helps...