Polo Towers Villas owner new to the forum

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

Hi Im new to the forum. Ive been a Polo Towers Villas owner for 5 years or so. Im not a member of the Club. Don't know if that is good or not. I just make a reservation and then deposit it into II if I want to trade. I've not had too much luck finding good trades as of late. I think it is because instead of me depositing the week DRI just put it into II's system for me. I'm now guessing that the week deposited wasn't that good.

I was hoping to use my time share to trade for a week in Hawaii next year for my honey moon but I haven't seen any availability. I have a 2br float, and haven't deposited this years yet so I think I need to get on that.

Im hoping to get more use out of my time share with the help of this forum. Ive had semi buyers remorse ever since I bought.

Well thats my story, err ramblings.

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

Welcome to TS4Ms!!!

Read a lot and you'll be able to determine if THE Club is right for you or not. I would expect that II trades would work out a lot better for you. You probably know that RED=/=RED there are many shades.

Hi Im new to the forum. Ive been a Polo Towers Villas owner for 5 years or so. Im not a member of the Club. Don't know if that is good or not. I just make a reservation and then deposit it into II if I want to trade. I've not had too much luck finding good trades as of late. I think it is because instead of me depositing the week DRI just put it into II's system for me. I'm now guessing that the week deposited wasn't that good.

I was hoping to use my time share to trade for a week in Hawaii next year for my honey moon but I haven't seen any availability. I have a 2br float, and haven't deposited this years yet so I think I need to get on that.

Im hoping to get more use out of my time share with the help of this forum. Ive had semi buyers remorse ever since I bought.

Well thats my story, err ramblings.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

We also own a Villa's at Polo Towers unit. We upgraded from our original tower 2 unit probably in 2002. We purchased our original unit in 1998. Right now we still own a Skyview unit in tower 1 as well as our Villa's unit.

In the past, we had pretty good luck with our exchanges. Up until 2010 I.I. has offered AC's for most weeks deposited. If you didn't get an Accomadations Certificate for your deposit (essentially a restricted extra week to exchange), then yes, DRI deposited a crappy week for you. NEVER let the management company choose the week to deposit. They have no incentive to give you a strong week to trade.

If you haven't reserved you 2009 week, you're already behind the power curve and losing exchange power. Use your I.I. catalog, see which weeks are the strongest in the demand index and try to reserve one of those weeks. Reserving a strong week and depositing early are the two things you can control to get the most trade power possible.

IMO, if you use your week for personal use, joining DRI's THE Club points based reservation system is a waste of money. If you're like us and now exchange those units, it might be worth looking at and calculating the cost vs return. For us it was what I consider a no brainer. We never stay at Polo Towers anymore and our two units were worth 26,500 points. The points are pretty easy to exchange through I.I., they have a set value so reserving a prime week wasn't necessary and, I can stretch them by making partial week reservations or last minute exchanges (last minute exchanges cost half as many points).

As far as Hawaii goes, that's always been a tough exchange for Polo Towers. Impossible if you're only looking online. You'd need to reserve a strong week and make your request as far out as possible. I have seen Hawaiian weeks available with my Polo Towers units during Intervals Flex Change period (last minute exchanges) but, you have to be able to plan and travel within 59 days and, you can't be overly particular about the resort or which island. I've seen some Marriott's come up within the Flexchange period.

I suspect your buyers remorse has more to do with not learning how to maximize your ownership. If you read my posts, you'll see I'm not a big DRI supporter. However, we have owned at Polo Towers since 1998 and I have managed to get good value from our purchases. Learn how to manage the system and I'd almost bet your enjoyment from your ownership will increase considerably.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

In the FWIW column these are the exchange's we've received using our Polo Towers units:

Exchange

The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: 2BED (2 bedrooms)
Week: 40 Fri, October 05, 2007
Fri, October 12, 2007

Confirmed To:
Marriott's Ocean Pointe • MPB
Unit: THMV (2 bedrooms)
Week: 44 Sat, November 01, 2008
Sat, November 08, 2008


Exchange

The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 2BED (2 bedrooms)
Week: 36 Sun, September 09, 2007
Sun, September 16, 2007

Confirmed To:
Westin Kierland Villas • WKV
Unit: 2102 (1 bedroom)
Week: 4 Sat, January 26, 2008
Sat, February 02, 2008



Accommodation Certificate (recieved from a Polo Towers deposit)

Confirmed

Confirmed To:
Cypress Pointe Grande Villas • CYX
Unit: UUU2+ (2 bedrooms)
Week: 42 Sat, October 20, 2007
Sat, October 27, 2007


Accommodation Certificate (recieved from a Polo Towers deposit)

Confirmed

Confirmed To:
Lagonita Lodge • LAG
Unit: E (1 bedroom)
Week: 38 Fri, September 21, 2007
Fri, September 28, 2007


Exchange

The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: 1BED (1 bedroom)
Week: 20 Fri, May 19, 2006
Fri, May 26, 2006


Confirmed To:
Gatlinburg Town Square • GTS
Unit: UUU2 (2 bedrooms)
Week: 22 Sat, June 02, 2007
Sat, June 09, 2007


Exchange

The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 2BED (2 bedrooms)
Week: 36 Sun, September 03, 2006
Sun, September 10, 2006

Confirmed To:
Escapes! to Stonebridge Village • ESB
Unit: 769AB (2 bedrooms)
Week: 17 Fri, April 27, 2007
Fri, May 04, 2007



Accommodation Certificate (received from a Polo Towers deposit)


Confirmed To:
Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club • PCC
Unit: 2BDLO (2 bedrooms)
Week: 48 Sat, December 02, 2006
Sat, December 09, 2006


Exchange

The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 10 Fri, March 10, 2006
Fri, March 17, 2006

Confirmed To:
Horizons by Marriott at Branson • MHB
Unit: TOMV (1 bedroom)
Week: 46 Thu, November 17, 2005
Thu, November 24, 2005


Exchange

The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 2 Fri, January 14, 2005
Fri, January 21, 2005

Confirmed To:
The Falls Village Resort • FVL
Unit: 322B (1 bedroom)
Week: 30 Fri, July 29, 2005
Fri, August 05, 2005


Exchange

The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 2BED (2 bedrooms)
Week: 36 Sun, September 04, 2005
Sun, September 11, 2005

Confirmed To:
Horizons by Marriott at Branson • MHB
Unit: DZZAA (2 bedrooms)
Week: 22 Thu, June 02, 2005
Thu, June 09, 2005


Accommodation Certificate (received from Polo Towers deposit)


Confirmed To:
Greensprings Vacation Resort • GSS
Unit: UUU2 (2 bedrooms)
Week: 19 Sat, May 07, 2005
Sat, May 14, 2005



Exchange

The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 1BED (1 bedroom)
Week: 36 Sun, September 05, 2004
Sun, September 12, 2004

Confirmed To:
Marriott's Manor Club Sequel • MSE
Unit: TOMV (1 bedroom)
Week: 37 Sat, September 11, 2004
Sat, September 18, 2004


Exchange

The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: UUU2 (2 bedrooms)
Week: 10 Fri, March 07, 2003
Fri, March 14, 2003

Confirmed To:
The Ridge Tahoe • RGT
Unit: 2BED (2 bedrooms)
Week: 23 Sun, June 06, 2004
Sun, June 13, 2004


Exchange

The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 36 Sun, September 05, 2004
Sun, September 12, 2004

Confirmed To:
The Falls Village Resort • FVL
Unit: 222B (1 bedroom)
Week: 18 Fri, April 30, 2004
Fri, May 07, 2004



Cruise Exchange

The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 2BED (2 bedrooms)
Week: 36 Sun, September 07, 2003
Sun, September 14, 2003

Confirmed To:
RCCL Vision of the Seas
Cruise Confirmation Number: xxxxxxxxx Sat, January 04, 2003
Sat, January 11, 2003


Exchange

The Suites at Polo Towers
PLT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 36 Sat, September 07, 2002
Sat, September 14, 2002

Confirmed To:
The Ridge Crest • RGC
Unit: 1BED (1 bedroom)
Week: 25 Fri, June 21, 2002
Fri, June 28, 2002


Exchange

The Villas at Polo Towers
VPT
Unit: 0BED (Efficiency)
Week: 26 Fri, June 28, 2002
Fri, July 05, 2002

Confirmed To:
The Ridge Crest • RGC
Unit: (1 bedroom)
Week: 25 Fri, June 21, 2002
Fri, June 28, 2002

Accommodation Certificate (received from Polo Towers deposit)


Confirmed To:
Marriott's Ocean Pointe • MPB
Unit: OVTM (1 bedroom)
Week: 49 Sun, December 09, 2001
Sun, December 16, 2001

Not listed in my history at I.I. (doesn't go back that far) are a 1 bedroom Suite's at Polo towers week 10 for a Westgate Town Center week 11 in 2000 and a 1 bedroom Suite's week for a 1 bedroom January week at Quarter House in New Orleans.

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

Thank you Doug, that is why I am here to learn what I can. I was under the impression that PT was always a strong week.

Where is it that I can find strong weeks?

Also if you don't look online where else can you look?

I have seen those AC certificates but before I always deposited as a split for two weeks instead of a 2br 1 week. I want to make a reservation and deposit my week on Monday when they open.

Thanks for the advice,

Dan

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

In the FWIW column these are the exchange's we've received using our Polo Towers units:

[

Thanks, this shows I can get something nice once I learn how to use the system in the best way I can.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Thank you Doug, that is why I am here to learn what I can. I was under the impression that PT was always a strong week.

Where is it that I can find strong weeks?

Also if you don't look online where else can you look?

I have seen those AC certificates but before I always deposited as a split for two weeks instead of a 2br 1 week. I want to make a reservation and deposit my week on Monday when they open.

Thanks for the advice,

Dan

There is a travel demand index in the resort catalog sent out each year by I.I.
Dpending on the version you have (some clubs have their own version), that demand index should be around page 201 for Las Vegas. When looking online, i believe there is a clickable link for the travel demand index with every resort description.

In the past, even when you lock-off your week, the one bedroom units, when deposited, have recieved an AC. I have noticed online that AC's are not advertised for any Polo Towers deposit for 2010. In the past, it use to be any week received an AC. A couple of years back, it went to weeks between mid Feb. and the end of Oct (or something to that effect). For 2010 it looks as if the AC's are gone completely.

Sometimes if you call I.I. they'll tell you if/what weeks are eligable for AC's if they're not listed online. Since I've joined THE Club, I have no reason to really search to see if any weeks deposited receive an AC. So I guess it's possible that it's just not listed online and you'd have to call.

Do NOT let Polo Towers deposit the week for you. The only times they tried that move with me they gave me the lowest travel demand week they could find. Of course they tried to tell me it didn't matter. Of course it doesn't matter........to them. They don't even own a week and really dont' know or care. They only know what someone else who probably doesn't own or use a week tells them.

You also much watch to make sure they don't try to change your reserved week once you let I.I. know you wish to deposit your week. I've had them pull that number on me in the past as well. So long as the exchange I wanted went through (instant online exchange), I really didn't care. But, if it affected an ongoing search I was placing or affected my exchange request, I'd have to call them and tell them that wasn't something they could do. Of course they'd try that same old song and dance about how it didnt' matter what week was deposited. The appropriate responce to that is, "If it doesn't matter, then put it back the way I requested!" They always corrected their mistake but, it cost me time, phone calls and lost days in a search request for the exchange I wanted.

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

Ok I have a reservation made for a high week based on the chart I found online. Now I know when I purchased they said that I needed to call Polo Towers to get a different number to exchange. When I go on II to deposit my week it just asks for the reservation number. Do I have to call for a different number? It looks like I should be able to just deposit it.

Im thinking they have you call to take your week and give you a worse week like in August or something.



Doh! I just read if I deposit a week between April 16, 2009 and September 16, 2009 I can get an AC. So is it better to do that to get the extra week or to deposit a better week?

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Ok I have a reservation made for a high week based on the chart I found online. Now I know when I purchased they said that I needed to call Polo Towers to get a different number to exchange. When I go on II to deposit my week it just asks for the reservation number. Do I have to call for a different number? It looks like I should be able to just deposit it.

Im thinking they have you call to take your week and give you a worse week like in August or something.



Doh! I just read if I deposit a week between April 16, 2009 and September 16, 2009 I can get an AC. So is it better to do that to get the extra week or to deposit a better week?

Since the instructions are to call to deposit, it's probably best to follow those instructions. I'd just make sure that, when I called, my reserved week did not get changed. Since you're wanting to deposit your week, I'd have them handle it while you are on the line, get the resrvation number and the week they've deposited. Then I'd follow up online with I.I. to make sure that's the week they deposit. It might take a couple of days to actually see the deposit or, it could get done instantly.

As far as an AC that's up to you. I'm surprised that I.I. wants weeks between April and September. Those are particularly strong weeks to deposit. I've often felt that, AC's have more to do with the developer and less to do with what I.I. really wants or needs. For instance, IMHO the Marriott right behind Polo Towers is a FAR supperior resort, yet I.I. does not offer AC's for that resort. This makes little sense to me. Sure you can say that there's a lot of developer inventory but, Polo Towers has always received an AC for most weeks when deposited. Even when Polo Towers had a lot of developer inventory. Something doesn't add up in my mind.

AC's cost more to use. Cost is determined by the size of unit your reserve. Something to keep in mind if you take a week based on the offer of an AC.

Should you change and deposit a week that gives you an AC? That's up to you. Do you need or could you use the extra week? If so, then it might be the correct thing to do. IMHO, AC's are best used if you can travel on short notice. Otherwise there's a grid of area's you can choose from, filled mostly with shoulder/mud season weeks. If you can travel on short notice, an AC will see anything still sitting around in I.I.'s inventory. There are a few black out dates but, other than that, they're great for short notice travel dates (less than 60 days).

For us, AC's aren't a reason to deposit. The last three AC's we've exchange from our Polo Towers deposits have been gifted to co-workers. They've enjoyed them and it's made me look great at work but, we haven't used an AC for personal use since we went to Williamsburg. Of those three, two were used to go to Orlando. That exchanges is about as easy as falling off a log. The Big Bear Lake exchange had to wait until the Flexchange period (less than 60 days), even though it was a late September week that really should have been in shoulder season. It irritated me that we had to wait that long to book that vacation for this co-worker, who was using it as a trip to celebrate their first aniversary. I could see those units with a weak studio unit I had on deposit but, the AC wouldn't pull it outside the Flexchange period. That told me that AC's no longer had any decent pull what-so-ever.

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

Thanks Doug, I don't remember the instructions exactly but I thought I remember them saying to call to do the deposit. Im still up in the air if I would actually use the AC. I would like to get it to make the most out of my deposit but if I get less trade for it than it wouldn't be worth it.

I really want to try and get a week in Hawaii next year. This will be our honeymoon trip so we would like some place tropical and would prefer US soil although we thought about seeing what the Bahamas has to offer. Just would need to start on the passport process.

Is it best to deposit my week right away? Would that give me more trading power? You've been very helpful and for that I thank you. Im a member of a few forums and I try to contribute when I can. I hope to be able to add some value here over the next few years once I get more educated.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Thanks Doug, I don't remember the instructions exactly but I thought I remember them saying to call to do the deposit. Im still up in the air if I would actually use the AC. I would like to get it to make the most out of my deposit but if I get less trade for it than it wouldn't be worth it.

I really want to try and get a week in Hawaii next year. This will be our honeymoon trip so we would like some place tropical and would prefer US soil although we thought about seeing what the Bahamas has to offer. Just would need to start on the passport process.

Is it best to deposit my week right away? Would that give me more trading power? You've been very helpful and for that I thank you. Im a member of a few forums and I try to contribute when I can. I hope to be able to add some value here over the next few years once I get more educated.

If you're wanting Hawaii, then stick with the highest demand week you can and yes, depositing that week early will get you the highest trade value for your week. We almost always deposit our exchange weeks 12 months out, even if we don't know where we want to go.

Also, keep in mind that the earlier you make you request, the further ahead in line you'll be. To some extent it is first come, first served after exchange value has been taken into consideration.

Let's say you and one other owner at Polo Towers reserve the exact same week and make the exact same exchange request. But, let's say the other owner deposits and requests one month before you. If that exchange becomes available, all other things being equal, the person who made the deposit and request first will get the exchange. So, the early bird can get the worm when depositing and making exchange requests.

Hawaii can be a tough exchange. If that's what you want, you'd better get on the ball. I see no profit in waiting around to deposit and request when you know when/where you want to go. I'd also consider locations like the Caribbean and I would definately get that passport paperwork in the mail. The world is becoming smaller and you never know when you might need a passport on relatively short notice. IMO, it's better to have the passport now in the event you see a great price on a cruise than to have to pass on a vacation just because you can't get your passport in time.

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

I was looking at your photos Doug and you have my favorite hotel on the first page. The Hilton Hawaiian Village. I've been saving up my Hilton Honors points to help put in for a week there or the Hilton in Kona.

Thanks again for the advice. I'm depositing now.


Edit

Well I see some Hawaii for December but not for 2010. The thing is that I see them no matter what I choose to exchange. If I choose the split week studio or 1 BR from last year, or the full 2br from this year. I was hoping to see more choices from my 2br 1 week.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I was looking at your photos Doug and you have my favorite hotel on the first page. The Hilton Hawaiian Village. I've been saving up my Hilton Honors points to help put in for a week there or the Hilton in Kona.

Thanks again for the advice. I'm depositing now.


Edit

Well I see some Hawaii for December but not for 2010. The thing is that I see them no matter what I choose to exchange. If I choose the split week studio or 1 BR from last year, or the full 2br from this year. I was hoping to see more choices from my 2br 1 week.

You're not likely to see anything for December of 2010 yet. Most resorts don't allow deposits more than 12 months in advance. That means 12/10 units aren't likely to be deposited until 12/09.

Make your request now and wait. You'll be about as far ahead in line as one can get making a deposit and request 21 months ahead of time. I currently have a deposit and request for July of 2010 for Lake Tahoe into the Marriott property there. The earliest a Marriott owner can reserve and deposit would be 13 months in advance and that's only if they're multiple week owners reserving consecutive weeks. I don't expect to have any chance of a confirmation until sometime in July of this year.

I'm in line early and that gives me just a little be more of an edge than someone waiting until July to deposit/request an exchange week. It can be an advantage to know where you want to go before exchanges even become available. I pretty much have a plan for all of 2010 and am looking forward to destinations in 2011.

It's encouraging that you can see availablity for 12/09. That's a good indication that you'll have adaquate exchange power to get into Hawaii for the dates you desire in 2010. I'd be feeling pretty good about my chances at least.

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

I must have worded it wrong. I meant I can see December 09 this year, but am looking for the first half of next year. Im glad that it looks like I should have a chance. Oh also I reviewed my notes I had and I had to call Polo Towers to deposit into II if I split up my lockout into two weeks since II's system has it just as a 2br. If I deposit it as a 2br I didn't have to call. Now I will have to see if my oppertunities look better with it deposited as a 2br instead of 2 deposits of the lockout. So far when I do the search I don't see any difference in my results no matter if I choose the studio, 1br, or 2br.

Your post intrigued me too. How do you request a specific resort property? Is this through II or another one?

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I must have worded it wrong. I meant I can see December 09 this year, but am looking for the first half of next year. Im glad that it looks like I should have a chance. Oh also I reviewed my notes I had and I had to call Polo Towers to deposit into II if I split up my lockout into two weeks since II's system has it just as a 2br. If I deposit it as a 2br I didn't have to call. Now I will have to see if my oppertunities look better with it deposited as a 2br instead of 2 deposits of the lockout. So far when I do the search I don't see any difference in my results no matter if I choose the studio, 1br, or 2br.

Your post intrigued me too. How do you request a specific resort property? Is this through II or another one?

You can either do this online or by calling I.I. IMO, it's often easier to call I.I. than to deal with their online system.

All you need to do is call and I.I. advisor and tell them what you want and the dates you're willing to accept. You can request specific resorts or, just a specific destination. You can also tell them the minimum size unit you'll accept or minimum amenities (like a full kitchen) you'll accept. Once a match is made, the exchange is confirmed automatically. They will require the exchange fee be paid at the time of the request.

The advantage to this is, a resort won't get away when you're not looking. If I know where I want to go and a timeframe but, I don't see it immeadiately online, this is what I do. Hawaii is one of the top requested destinations. Many exchange requests are filled before the unit has a chance to hit the online system. IMO, calling Interval and making an exchange request is probably your best bet for getting your request filled in a timely manner.

Now, this doesn't mean you stop searching online yourself. Sometimes I.I. misses one and it hits the online inventory. If you see something you'll accept online and your request hasn't filled, you can still grab it.

Also, after you've made your request, watch you account and keep looking at your ongoing request. Generally speaking, if you look for an ongoing request and it's disappeared, then you can click on the tab that says my history and find you exchange. I knew about my Hawaiian exchange a few days before I recieved a confirmation E-mail. My pending request disappeared and, when I checked my history, I could see my confirmed exchange. It still took a few days before I.I. notified me of the exchange and E-mailed me my confirmation paperwork.