My SFX exchange experience

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

I was looking at my II exchange book and noted that Kona Coast is actually two resorts with a whole bunch of different resort codes. I also noted that exchangers pay an energy surcharge for air conditioning if requested.

Any comments on this particular option being "comparable" to the Grand Chateau in accomodation quality and staff? I would tend to think it is. I recall getting a similar offer from II for our first exchange with NCV to Hawaii in 2004 but we opted for Waiohai instead.

Are the resort accomodations designed to be used without a/c? I actually prefer "natural" when in Hawaii but the units have to be designed to allow natural airflow. If anyone has been there recently and has an opinion on this, along with the energy charge, I'd be grateful.

I'll also read reviews on this resort option (I've read up on the others already), so I can have an informed answer for what SFX offers when I call. I'm happy to see that, even in light of proximity to Thanksgiving, SFX is able to offer some good options for us.

Pat

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

SFX called Friday with another offer but I was in the middle of a job and didn't have the time or ability to evaluate it. I'll call them back on Monday. I like the fact that they're communicating regularly on this process.

I'll still presume that, if they run across a Waiohai or Poipu Point interval, they'll automatically confirm me into it. Otherwise, I'll get the phone calls.

For the gallery, any commentary on Kona Coast Resort, Beachwalk Waikiki, or Lawai Beach Club? I have an instinct that one of those will be the next offer.

Pat

I am glad you are getting some calls - I have had nothing on my Va. - SC. coast search..... any suggestions. Travel is from Jun 27 -Aug 3 with the exception of one week in July. I am beginning to feel that SFX does not have sufficent banking for the east coast.

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

I am glad you are getting some calls - I have had nothing on my Va. - SC. coast search..... any suggestions. Travel is from Jun 27 -Aug 3 with the exception of one week in July. I am beginning to feel that SFX does not have sufficent banking for the east coast.

I haven't heard a single thing about Hawaii either for later this year. Request has been in for three months. Have requested any island except the big island.

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

My bet is your best results will be on Kauai or Hawaii. Of course, this depends on the time of year you travel. Perhaps, as we are requesting the week after Thanksgiving, we're getting more returns... FWIW, our request with II for Thanksgiving week for a Marriott exchange in the islands is still unfilled after being in 7 months now and 2 months after the 12 month reservation period began.

Pat

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

I haven't heard a single thing about Hawaii either for later this year. Request has been in for three months. Have requested any island except the big island.

I requested Nueva Vallarta for next January at 18 months out - not one contact from SFX - and no response to my 'comment update' - I am also feeling a bit nervous..see what II/RCI does to you

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

My bet is your best results will be on Kauai or Hawaii. Of course, this depends on the time of year you travel. Perhaps, as we are requesting the week after Thanksgiving, we're getting more returns... FWIW, our request with II for Thanksgiving week for a Marriott exchange in the islands is still unfilled after being in 7 months now and 2 months after the 12 month reservation period began.

Pat

We all need nerves of STEEL - check with ArtsieAng about how long it took for her MAR to MAR Hawaii exchange thru II....as I recall, it wasn't very long but she requested at 8-9 months out (maybe???)

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

Yes, our last exchange to MAW came at about 5-6 months out, but confirmed immediately with our replacement week (from our initial purchase) during lower season there (October). That was back when MAW was still ratcheting up and sales weren't that brisk. All that has changed. We'll see

Pat

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

Pat, I toured Kona Coast II when I was there in November. I was very impressed with the units. The two bedrooms are very nicely furnished and the penthouse units have a separate office area for your unit, complete with computer. Of course, those are probably very hard to get. I think the PH units were 3 bedroom.

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

recent experience at Royal Sea Cliff

Anecdotally ... our recent (Sept/Oct) exchange into Royal Sea Cliff was outstanding, far exceeding expectations based on less-than-stellar reviews from other - and last I looked in RCI it had been downgraded to Silver Crown, I think. We took a chance on this over Kona Hawaiian Village because in my book, ocean views and oceanfront location of pools and hot tub count a lot. We got a totally refurbished unit, it was huge and spotless and gorgeous, not to mention the fabulous ocean view we had from the spacious lanai. And, the staff was great too. IMO it was comparable to our stay at Monarch at Sea Pines (oceanfront bldg), the only Marriott we've been to. I don't know when all RSC units are scheduled for complete refurbishment, but if you can find that out, this one could be worth adding to your list of acceptable resorts.

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

I haven't heard a single thing about Hawaii either for later this year. Request has been in for three months. Have requested any island except the big island.

I haven't heard anything from SFX either - I had to cancel an exchange and my new request is only several weeks old (Hawaii in May). I have just within the last week but in requests with DAE and trading places and within 2 days DAE offered me a resort I would take but the timeframe was wrong and also within a few days trading places offered me the right time frame but I decided I did not want wyndam wakiki.

The last time I requested Hawaii from SFX, I had several offers from RCI and booked them before SFX could offer me anything.

Mark is very responsive but in general I just don't like their business model. I like to be able to speak to a live person when I need to. When I tried to cancel my exchange, I played phone tag with the rep for 4 days and eventually got it cancelled but would have really liked to have talked to someone about it. I never did get to speak to a live person.

I am glad that SFX works for some but the other independents seem to do a better job for me.

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

Unless I read any remarkable annecdotes to the contrary, I'll be accepting the match to Kona Coast within their acceptance timeframe (advised to me as 10:30am Tuesday). The SFX CSR has kept regular contact (via phone) and not pushed any agenda or resort nor attempted to disuade me from taking the time I need to make up my mind. The exchange has my wife's stamp of approval so it looks to be a go.

SFX sent a reminder today via e-mail (with the above noted timeframe) as an additional response to make sure we are all on the same page.

I've outlined my experience as accurately as possible so as to help others who are or contemplate an exchange with SFX. I'll continue to post updates through our stay this November as warranted.

Most here know I've had a few guarded opinions regarding SFX (in the past) so I'm not gushing over this experience, but I will say it was handled professionally. For me, that's saying a lot

Thanks everyone for the opinions and, if anyone has advice on "where" or "how" to request villas at Kona Coast, I'm all ears

Pat

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

Pat,

Thanks for posting your experience. I think there are very strong opinions about the SFX experience both ways. I appreciate that you shared yours in a straight forward way. Thanks again.

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

We stayed at Kona Coast seven or eight years ago. We liked the resort! The unit in phase I is huge, but phase II was more updated and has more units with view. If you are going in summer, make sure you pay a flat weekly fee to get the air-conditioning. We didn't get it at the beginning then as it got hotter and hotter, we caved in and got the air a day or so later. We still had to pay the same fee as I recall. I recently visit the resort again and it looked just as nice as it was when we stayed there many years ago.

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

Called and left voice mail this morning for SFX agent (followed up with an immediate e-mail confirming the voice mail). Agent returned call within one hour, took payment information and processed exchange. Asked whether I wished travel insurance. I declined. I was charged the Gold level exchange fee AFAIK, since my platinum membership expires prior to the reservation (in November). Confirmation e-mail received. Good to go for Kona Coast II weekend after Thanksgiving. As an advisory, the energy surcharge for a 2BR should one wish air conditioning is $80.43 for the week.

I've included these details as accurately as possible to hopefully explain their SOP as well as to show how a "nobody" (I have no contact with nor know anyone at SFX) gets treated during the exchange process.

My opinion? Subject to revision, I think a Marriott owner should consider SFX for certain trades but not for trades where they desire a Marriott in exchange. I think our trade was an example of that. I was fine trading outside of Marriott.

Pat

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

I am glad you got it we liked it very much. The AC is not a must you can try with out it and if you want it later just go to the desk and tell that you want it and they will give you the key to turn it on.

Have fun!!!!!