Ongoing search with VRI?

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

I'm wondering how many have tried/had success with ongoing search in VRI. The system sounds simple, not much in terms of trading power issues - so I guess the question is more about how many members use the system as opposed to other alternatives...

I sent an email to VRI customer service asking about odds of success for a few locations, but have gotten no response.

I'd be interested in things like Newport in summer, maybe an October week at San Clemente Inn, or a ski week at Clocktower Whistler (though the unit size is a problem there - would they give me a one bedroom and a studio in exchange for a two bedroom like II?).

Thoughts/experiences?

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

I'm wondering how many have tried/had success with ongoing search in VRI. The system sounds simple, not much in terms of trading power issues - so I guess the question is more about how many members use the system as opposed to other alternatives...I sent an email to VRI customer service asking about odds of success for a few locations, but have gotten no response.

I'd be interested in things like Newport in summer, maybe an October week at San Clemente Inn, or a ski week at Clocktower Whistler (though the unit size is a problem there - would they give me a one bedroom and a studio in exchange for a two bedroom like II?).

Thoughts/experiences?

Yes, that is the REAL question that needs an answer.


Do you have to join for a yearly fee?
And what did u recently post about "request first" = that would be the way to go I would think....

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

I'm a VRI system member through a MROP ownership.

There should be some differentiation in trading power issues, principally in date of deposit into the system. Unit size is able to upgraded for a reasonable fee, I think what ever you get in trade can be upgraded if available, but no one bedroom and a studio in exchange for a two bedroom like II

I'm interested in Newport in the Summer also but there probably are very few of those deposited to any exchange system, Whistler ski weeks also probably would be rentals rather than exchanges.

I deposited a 3BR 20 mths out as a home MROP resort, thought that would give me one one of the maximun trading powers with VRI*ety, for a Summer 2011 trade.

Lesser weeks deposited in RCI have already provided the Summer 2011 vacation.

MF's for 2011 are due for MROP and others for 2011 over the next few months so I'm still hoping for that exchange into the Wellington in Newport but have expanded the search into Cape Cod for some of the better places.

I think I will ride this one out, I'm willing to wait and see what may turn up. If nothing then no more VRI*ety for me.

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

Hmmm.

I don't think there is any membership fee associated with the regular membership - I called to set up an account and there was no question of $.

I could try a request first, I suppose. But in terms of trading power, it seems that the issue is really who lines up first/how far ahead you can request, rather than how far from checkin you deposit, no? Not sure, as the young man I spoke with last night was not very knowledgeable.

Season/size upgrades wouldn't be an issue with my deposit.

Wellington would be lovely, I looked at them last summer - units and location are excellent. There are quite a few Wyndhams in the area so I got there through RCI last year.

Agreed that Whistler is unlikely. The VRI resort is well located, though reviews indicate the units are small and tired.

Anyone else?

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

For the size of VRI there is very little time share chat regarding it. I find it quite strange.

One of the Judys owns a bunch, perhaps Judy S? and sometimes posts on VRI related threads.

As far as trade power and which deposit gets what, these two statements from
VRI*ety's How to Deposit need to be reconciled.

"2. Deposit Your Week
To exchange within the VRI*ety® program, you must first deposit your week into the “bank.” Depositing early is always recommended and provides a higher request priority. ..."

"4. Request an Exchange
................... Requests may be made up to 24 months in advance and will be fulfilled based on availability and in the order received..........."

and how it actually works in practice I have no idea.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

I just got my 2011 MROP /VRI mf and it is $657. I usually get the 3br Coral Ridge to trade with and that's how I got SF this year. I hopefully will get Santa Fe this year. When I traded thru VRI there was a $89 exchange fee. I got it the first time I called in so I didn't have to wait for a search. shaggy

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Just an update. Paid my mf's and tried 3 times to get someone who could get me some help like I had last year in Trading Places. The fees went up, the rep told me to go on the website to see what was available, etc. Got pissed off and gave week to RCI. It was a 3BR July 4th week at Coral Canyons in St George/Washington.

I found some great trades, Costa Rica & Tradewinds/Belize!! I think the latter has my name on it!! shaggy

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

Just an update. Paid my mf's and tried 3 times to get someone who could get me some help like I had last year in Trading Places. The fees went up, the rep told me to go on the website to see what was available, etc. Got pissed off and gave week to RCI. It was a 3BR July 4th week at Coral Canyons in St George/Washington.

I found some great trades, Costa Rica & Tradewinds/Belize!! I think the latter has my name on it!! shaggy

good for you, Shaggy.
I've got a "request first" search against mine in II for now. Not sure what to do if that doesn't work soon. It's week 27 for 2011, so I have a little more time to decide if I'm not giving it to RCI.

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

Ok, well, I'm coming up against the 9 month mark so I cancelled my request first with II and buckled and gave the week to RCI. Though initial overall results are not indicating "tiger," I placed a separate request against this deposit for two VRI resorts and the search showed up as "internal" for each.... I eagerly await results...

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

Good to see the update.

I didn't realise you hadn't deposited to VRI previously.

On my VRI*ety situation I'm still hanging in there, hoping for a summer 2011 exchange. If not obtained I won't deposit with them again.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

I'm wondering how many have tried/had success with ongoing search in VRI. The system sounds simple, not much in terms of trading power issues - so I guess the question is more about how many members use the system as opposed to other alternatives...

I sent an email to VRI customer service asking about odds of success for a few locations, but have gotten no response.

I'd be interested in things like Newport in summer, maybe an October week at San Clemente Inn, or a ski week at Clocktower Whistler (though the unit size is a problem there - would they give me a one bedroom and a studio in exchange for a two bedroom like II?).

Thoughts/experiences?

I haven't followed the details of integration - or lack thereoff - of VI tinto VRI.

That being said, it has been my impression that VI is mostly, if not entirely, separate from VRI*ety. I don't recall seeing any VRI inventory in my occasional searches in VRI*ety. I actually see much more VI inventory on line at DRI than I ever do at VRI.

*****

But they also get some other interesting pieces of inventory into the system. For example, I've deposited my Winners Circle in VRI*ety, split the deposit into a mid-week and weekend exchanges, and swapped the midweek for three nights in Fort Myers, where I had meetings, then was able to use the weekend piece for 4 weekend nights at a Whiski Jack in Whistler.

I thought that was pretty interesting because there is no connection that I am aware between VRI and Whiski Jack/Raintree. Further Whiski Jack is entirely one week intervals, and the week I received was fixed week.

How I was able to swap into a non-VRI resort and split a fixed week is beyond me - but I'm certainly not complaining!!!

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

I got cold feet with VRI, figuring that with RCI I will be able to get something I can use if not VRI. Next year maybe I will give VRI another try.

Steve, your experience is interesting - and I did see the "split week" option noted on the VRI website but wasn't able to get details on how that would work. I think they could use some better educated phone reps.