Trading 2br for 3 br

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

Have friends who own a 2 br floating platinum at Marriott's Surf Watch in Hilton Head. As of yet they don't have a specific week for 2008. They would like to trade their 2008 2br paltinum for a 3br in Sept. 2008 (gold?) They haven't used their week yet (accumulated points for hotels in Germany) and aren't particularly computer savvy. Marriott told them to secure a premium summer week first then call II in hopes of trading. Anyone know of a different way of accomplishing this? Is there asite or forum where they could do this other than through II? Thanks

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

To TS4M's

I think that maybe your friend was given incorrect info, from someone. However, there are ways that he can achieve his goal.

II, does not allow you to request a higher number of bedrooms, unless the resort you are requesting, does not feature less bedrooms, then you are requesting. For instance....There are resorts that only offer two, or two & three bedrooms. If a resort has no fewer than two bedrooms, than you can request a two bedroom, using a one bedroom.

In the scenario that you have described, this will not work. I know of no resort that offers only three bedrooms. Therefore, your friend will not be able to use a two bedroom, to request a three bedroom, through II.

Also, it is rare that someone who owns a three bedroom would not either be using it, or locking it off, to a two bedroom, & a one bedroom.

I think the best thing for your friend to do is to secure the best platinum week possible. (July 4th would probably be the best, although very difficult to get. A good week, would be July thru mid August) After that, he has a few options.......

1) He can rent it. With the rent money, he can then rent the week he is looking for, assuming that he can find a three bedroom.

2) He can lock-off his unit, and deposit it with II. Hopefully, he will receive an AC. ( An 'AC' is a certificate which will allow your friend to get an extra week, from II, for little money.) He can then do searches himself, with his unit, and grab a 3 bedroom, when he sees the dates that he is looking for.....I think that he has a decent chance of grabbing a 3 bdrm in Sept. If he is on top of things. I do see a number of them, at Surf Watch, although rare, at other resorts. He will have only used one of his weeks, and will also have an AC. so, after getting the week he wanted, he will still have one week banked with II, and an AC.

3) He can try and do a direct exchange with someone.

I hope that helped, a little.

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

Angela,
Thanks for the info! I don't believe that Surf Watch allows lock outs or even has that capability. I think the idea of securing a week and renting it and then using that money to rent the SEpt. week makes sense. You mentioned a direct exchnage with someone. Forgive my TS ignorance but how do you do that? On this site? Another site? Do you know if Marriott has a site where owners can trade? Also I've read where it is better to buy TS reasale rather than direct from Marriott let's say. Why is that? Don't you lose the benefit of accumulating points by going the resale route? Thanks again!!

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

chasman,

I've never given much thought to why I see lots of 3 bdrms at Surf Watch. Not having the ability to lock them off, would certainly explain it.

OK, I too think that I would rent the unit, and then rent what I wanted with the money. He should be able to get a very good price for his platinum week.

I'm going to see if I can find a thread for you, on resale vs buying direct.

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

I found this thread which deals with Marriott, and buying resale. I think it might answer some of your questions.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...veloper-3.html