Where should I deposit to get Aruba exchange?

[CatLovers Member Find all posts View Profile Close CatLovers]

Which timeshare company is my best bet for accessing Aruba inventory? I'd like to go there for X'mas week 2008 (yes, I know, tough trade!), and since I have a deposit I need to make in the next week, I figure I might as well deposit it in the company that has the best chance of getting me this trade.

Btw, I already have an ongoing search in place at RCI, so I'm looking for suggestions within the alternative companies.

If you have any insights whatsoever, I'd appreciate them.

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

Please tell us what TS, week # and unit size you are depositing so we can make an appropriate suggestion.

[CatLovers Member Find all posts View Profile Close CatLovers]

I actually have several choices of weeks to deposit - prime summer weeks in Panorama (Canadian Rockies), Hot August Nights week in Reno NV, 4th of July week at Winners Circle in Solana Beach CA, a June (Harbour Inn) week in Ontario, Canada's lake country. The Panorama and Winner's Circle weeks have all been VERY strong traders in RCI (which has been my only experience so far). All of these are one-bedrooms.

Of these, SFX only takes the Panorama and Winner's Circle weeks; almost all the other companies look like they'd take most, if not all, of them.

But this leads me to another question? Do the trading companies (other than RCI and II) have the same concept of "trading power" that RCI does? Or once they accept the week, is it first-come, first-served?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

This is a slim and none trade with any exchange company.

Aruba timeshares are pricey and owners use them or rent them for more than they would realize in an exchange.

The chances of RCI coming thru are dreadful.

I would widen the search to other islands if I were you and still not expect much.

JMHO.

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

I actually have several choices of weeks to deposit - prime summer weeks in Panorama (Canadian Rockies), Hot August Nights week in Reno NV, 4th of July week at Winners Circle in Solana Beach CA, a June (Harbour Inn) week in Ontario, Canada's lake country. The Panorama and Winner's Circle weeks have all been VERY strong traders in RCI (which has been my only experience so far). All of these are one-bedrooms.

Of these, SFX only takes the Panorama and Winner's Circle weeks; almost all the other companies look like they'd take most, if not all, of them.

But this leads me to another question? Do the trading companies (other than RCI and II) have the same concept of "trading power" that RCI does? Or once they accept the week, is it first-come, first-served?

I am not home so can't access my II account/directory.
II has a very strong presence in Aruba and has very nice resorts.
There is only 1 or 2 I wouldn't put in a request for.
That said, with II - quality matters and you need to find out how II rates your resort. Winners Circle July 4th sounds pretty darn good to me (I am not familiar with Canada trade power) and the fact that you can request NOW - more then 18 months out would put you at the front of the pack.
You are asking for a popular week but you are also giving a popular week.

I wouldn't be as confident that SFX would have a holiday week to give you - your best bet is going with one of the 'big guns' because volume will help you with this request.
FWIW, a friend has traded into Aruba Christmas and New years thru II several times.

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

This is a slim and none trade with any exchange company.

Aruba timeshares are pricey and owners use them or rent them for more than they would realize in an exchange.

The chances of RCI coming thru are dreadful.

I would widen the search to other islands if I were you and still not expect much.

JMHO.

We cross posted - but I do feel that II would be the way to go from personal, non-Marriott experience (I have gotten in using a Marriott)

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

We cross posted - but I do feel that II would be the way to go from personal, non-Marriott experience (I have gotten in using a Marriott)

Yes II would be where I would send the OP as well for any chance at this trade. Might be at the last moment so she should book a cancellable hotel, get her tickets and if something pops up last minute? Cool beans.

Winners Circle is a a SCAL coastal timeshare that is probably a very very good RCI trader but we already know that RCI won't have inventory for Xmas on Aruba.... maybe SXM but I haven't seen any acceptable <to me> RCI caribbean Xmas in ages.

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

Yes II would be where I would send the OP as well for any chance at this trade. Might be at the last moment so she should book a cancellable hotel, get her tickets and if something pops up last minute? Cool beans.

OP is looking for Christmas 2008 - since II gets most of their deposits less then 12 months out, OP has a good chance of getting the exchange especially with an early deposit and early request.

I traded a Fairway of the Mountains week 20 1BR (not5*) into La Cabanna studio for New Years week 52 at 11 1/2 months out, Marriott to Marrriott week 52 (platinum plus week) at 12 months out and a Marriott Orlando studio into a 1BR week 51 La Cabanna 1BR at 8 months out.

I am not saying it is easy but with such a long lead time and the large amount of resorts, II Aruba in Dec-April is not impossible with a decent trader.

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

La Cabanna had a Christmas Week 2007 available two days ago, on II. I believe it was a 1 bdrm, but I would have to go back, and double check, to be sure. I am blocked from seeing this resort with my Marriott's, so I must have seen it with Sheraton.

[CatLovers Member Find all posts View Profile Close CatLovers]

Thanks for the advice

Thanks everyone for your advice. After reading what you all had to say, I spoke to a very helpful II rep earlier this evening and he echoed what many of you have said - that if I request this far out and use one of my strong traders, I should be able to get a Xmas 2008 week in Aruba. In fact, he even thought that I could be selective in specific resorts that I would accept or not - quite honestly I am willing to take just about anything, so his comments following on the heels of yours made me feel much more confident.

He mentioned to me that most of their holiday week Aruba deposits never even make it to inventory because there is always a waiting list. But if I am on the waiting list, then I should be able to get one.

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

Thanks everyone for your advice. After reading what you all had to say, I spoke to a very helpful II rep earlier this evening and he echoed what many of you have said - that if I request this far out and use one of my strong traders, I should be able to get a Xmas 2008 week in Aruba. In fact, he even thought that I could be selective in specific resorts that I would accept or not - quite honestly I am willing to take just about anything, so his comments following on the heels of yours made me feel much more confident.

He mentioned to me that most of their holiday week Aruba deposits never even make it to inventory because there is always a waiting list. But if I am on the waiting list, then I should be able to get one.

Please keep us posted as to when you get your trade.
I beleive La Cabanna and Casa del Mar owners can deposit 2 years ahead so get your request in now....and which resort did the VC say NOTto request?