Q: Holiday Exchanges

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

Do you have trouble finding a Holiday Exchange

Do you feel/think the timeshare resorts and
the big Exchange Companies like RCI and II
hold back these weeks until the last minute

What is your opinion

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

Do you have trouble finding a Holiday Exchange? Do you feel/think the timeshare resorts and the big Exchange Companies like RCI and II hold back these weeks until the last minute. What is your opinion?

Do they hold them back, no way. Do they hold them out, yes, they know what will rent for them. Those that they do leave in the system get taken right away by someone with the requisite trade power and the higher value holiday weeks provide a longer 'train' of exchanges that provides more revenue than if they held a week back and most anyone could grab it when it became available.

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

Isn't a few manage companies also has its own renting program? Too bad it is very hard to put tag on these rooms so one can trace their path.

Jya-Ning

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

Holiday travel

Ever since we have owned timeshares we have gone away easter and Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving beach exchanges started becoming very difficult to find in 2003. We did manage a nice trade. For 2004 we went to Orlando, not so difficult <unless you are looking for a 3 BDRM at OLCC.

Now that DS is no longer in elementary school we no longer travel that week.

That is a GOOD thing as I haven't seen many that I would exchange to since 2003. At least not with enough lead time to get reasonable airfare.

Easter break <or anytime in the first quarter> has also become an exceedingly difficult exchange for warm beach resorts. Noticeably less availability beginning in 2005. It took me 18 months with an excellent trading week to find something and even then it was not on my "short list". Still A valuable exchange for most.

I have IN WRITING from RCI that only 20 weeks were deposited in TOTAL from the resorts I was looking for in 2007, week 13, for 2006.

We do have a 2008 easter break trade but it came from a bulk spacebank. I could have gone to the same resort in 2007 but they have a 1-in-4.

So the answer is YES it has become more difficult and YES I believe that these weeks are being deliberately held back for their cash value.

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

And Lawren is talking about Thanksgiving and Easter, much easier than Xmas and even President's week...

I have noticed a wealth of Thanksgiving weeks within the 30 day window... We don't usually see that for the prime winter holidays

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

Every year I treat my sister and her family to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years weeks oceanfront in Florida . This year they check in for 3 weeks during Christmas starting Dec 15th and check out of the last one on Jan. 5 For Thanksgiving they check in Nov. 17th to the 24th. I start my searches early, about a year ahead of time and it always works out.

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

Every year I treat my sister and her family to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years weeks oceanfront in Florida . This year they check in for 3 weeks during Christmas starting Dec 15th and check out of the last one on Jan. 5 For Thanksgiving they check in Nov. 17th to the 24th. I start my searches early, about a year ahead of time and it always works out.

Mav may I ask where they have stayed and where they are staying specifically for check-in Fr-Sa-=Su prior to Thanksgiving and also the week before New Year's?

Just to satisfy my own curiosity.

If you are not comfortable replying here you may certainly e-mail or PM me.

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

Every year I treat my sister and her family to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years weeks oceanfront in Florida . This year they check in for 3 weeks during Christmas starting Dec 15th and check out of the last one on Jan. 5 For Thanksgiving they check in Nov. 17th to the 24th. I start my searches early, about a year ahead of time and it always works out.

Mav,

May I become an honorary member of your family?

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

For the last few years I have successfully exchanged for the Christmas/New Years week for So. Cal resorts at varying lead times in RCI weeks....in addition to booking my own floating unit for the same time.

We are planning a family reunion and I have exchanged a year and a half out for Christmas New Years week for 2007/2008 into three separate 3 bedroom units.....and there were (and still are) many 2 and 1 BR units available at the same time/place.

It is a high demand week but perhaps not as high as other destinations....so that may factor into the results.

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

Hi Lawren,
For Thanksgiving they will be at Atlantic Terrace in Daytona which only has Fri. checkins. I would prefer a Sun check in for Thanksgiving at Ocean Walk, but every year I am afraid to hold out for it. They love Atlantic Terrace and don't mind the Friday check in.
On Dec 15 they check into Fairfield Ocean Walk, on Dec 22nd into Atlantic Terrace, and on Dec 29th back to Ocean Walk. They LOVE both resorts and both are their "home away from home".

Hi MShatty,
We own a ton of weeks so I treat them to 8 or 10 a year. Keeps me from having to buy any birthday, Christmas, wedding etc. etc. etc gifts.