Help with AC. Confused.

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

Today I got in the mail an offer for a Bonus Resort AC.

It says that my week that I have owned for 7 years and have NEVER gotten any AC offers on, all of a sudden they are offering me one if I deposit it before March 14th.

First of all since I have never gotten an AC before I'm not really sure what good it is to me.

Second, does that mean that my week just jumped in trading power?
It's a week 24 in Ft. Laud Beach Resort. I thought everyone hated summer weeks in Florida in the exchange companies.

Third, should I deposit my week with them? I haven't been that happy with
my trades with II in the past. It seems that I'm usually trading down not equal but am willing to give them another chance if this AC thing is a good
thing.

Fourth, do I have to pay an exchange fee to use the AC? If so what kind of trading power does the AC have?

Has anyone had this happen to them this year also?

I was contemplating giving it to SFX to get one of their bonus weeks but SFX has most of their resorts in places far from me.

Hoping you guys can help me decide to deposit or not.
What do you pros think?

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

When we have gotten an AC, it has turned out pretty well. There were some limitations on the trades I could see, but I was pleased with the variety. The closer I was to a trade date, the better the offerings.

Yes, there is an exchange fee, something like $299 if you get a 2 BR unit, and less for 1 BR and studios. It should say something about that on the AC offer.

It is good for one year of your deposit date.

I haven't used SFX, so cannot compare.

As for equivalent trades, each of us has some feeling about our own deposits value, but it is best to take a look at past records and the reports of other folks to get a bit "truer" idea....wish I could say that my weeks were all tigers, but in reality, they only traded tiger like at rare times.

If you do get the AC, happy trading!

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

Katie,
Does that mean that my trade value went up?

It sounds like you think this is a good thing.

I'm not sure $299 for a trade is such a great thing, is it?

I'll probably end up using it for Orlando so that seems to be the price of a last call with RCI, maybe I can get a Marriott for this price, then it would make sense.

I'm puzzled why all of a sudden they give me one of these on my hurricane
week in Ft. Laud. that has been poo pooed all these years.

I don't think I'll ever figure out how these exchange companies think.

Do you think it's because they redid my resort and it's much nicer now so it's more desireable than it was before the assessment? I'm just guessing.

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

We always use our AC's. Mostly at Marriott's in Orlando. Because of the oversupply of units there, we find it very easy. I have an AC that it is in my account now. If you tell me the week in Orlando you are looking for I would be happy to search and see what I can pull.

Now, we also use them for summer months in New Hampshire. This is a bit more tricky as the AC won't pull them in advance. I have to wait until flex time (60 days out) to pull something. So, the pickings are not as much. But, for the last 2 summers I have found what I wanted.

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

Thinking of during Food & Wine festival time. October anytime.
Thanks for checking.

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

If your resort isn't at least a "silver pineapple" rated resort in II, it won't see a lot of the nicer inventory (it appears to be listed as a standard resort in II). Orlando may be an easier destination for it to see quality, hopefully someone else can tell you that as I don't generally look for Orlando. But it will see a lot of "standard" resorts that the nicer resorts don't see. II is more quality sensitive than RCI.

SFX' bonus weeks are more versatile in that you don't have to wait for the 60 day window to use them. But they now cost $499.

Do you own week 24 or 34? I would think 34 to be considered much more of a hurricane week than 24, no?

eta: I now see you want to use the AC for Orlando -- there are plenty of months in which you can use the AC in advance of the 60 day window in II, depending on the "grid" on the A/C. I once used one for November well in advance.

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

Katie,
Does that mean that my trade value went up?

It sounds like you think this is a good thing.

I'm not sure $299 for a trade is such a great thing, is it?

I'll probably end up using it for Orlando so that seems to be the price of a last call with RCI, maybe I can get a Marriott for this price, then it would make sense.

I'm puzzled why all of a sudden they give me one of these on my hurricane
week in Ft. Laud. that has been poo pooed all these years.

I don't think I'll ever figure out how these exchange companies think.

Do you think it's because they redid my resort and it's much nicer now so it's more desireable than it was before the assessment? I'm just guessing.

I couldn't tell you really what prompted the AC.

But $299 is good, remember you are not paying a maint fee .... this is equivalent to a free deposit.

The matches on the AC will vary depending on time of search.

If you want a Marriott, you could get it, but closer to the date, rather than far out....but then again, I have seen strange things in every exchange company...and I say, you just never know.

If you are seeking October time frame I think you will see inventory.

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

Well since this is the first year that I've been offered one I guess I could try it out and see how it goes. I was thinking of using my week this year but I just bought 2 more timeshares so I've got more options now so could do something else and use this later.

Pretty soon I'm gonna have too many options and not enough time off from work. I guess that's a good problem to have.

I'm always going to Orlando so I don't think it'll be a total loss.

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

Thinking of during Food & Wine festival time. October anytime.
Thanks for checking.

These are the Marriotts I can pick up with my AC for October:

Marriott's Cypress Harbour
MCP
Orlando, FL, USAResort Details & Photos | Map It!
Oct 01 2010 - Oct 08 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 02 2010 - Oct 09 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 03 2010 - Oct 10 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 04 2010 - Oct 11 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 07 2010 - Oct 14 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 08 2010 - Oct 15 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 09 2010 - Oct 16 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 11 2010 - Oct 18 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 14 2010 - Oct 21 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 16 2010 - Oct 23 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 17 2010 - Oct 24 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 18 2010 - Oct 25 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 21 2010 - Oct 28 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 22 2010 - Oct 29 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 23 2010 - Oct 30 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 24 2010 - Oct 31 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 25 2010 - Nov 01 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 28 2010 - Nov 04 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 29 2010 - Nov 05 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 30 2010 - Nov 06 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 31 2010 - Nov 07 2010 2 6 8 268

Marriott's Grande Vista Resort
MGR
Orlando, FL, USAResort Details & Photos
Oct 01 2010 - Oct 08 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 01 2010 - Oct 08 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 02 2010 - Oct 09 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 02 2010 - Oct 09 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 03 2010 - Oct 10 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 04 2010 - Oct 11 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 08 2010 - Oct 15 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 08 2010 - Oct 15 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 08 2010 - Oct 15 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 09 2010 - Oct 16 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 09 2010 - Oct 16 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 09 2010 - Oct 16 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 11 2010 - Oct 18 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 11 2010 - Oct 18 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 14 2010 - Oct 21 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 14 2010 - Oct 21 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 14 2010 - Oct 21 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 16 2010 - Oct 23 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 16 2010 - Oct 23 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 21 2010 - Oct 28 2010 2 6 8 268

Marriott's Harbour Lake
MHZ
Orlando, FL, USAResort Details & Photos | Map It!
Oct 01 2010 - Oct 08 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 01 2010 - Oct 08 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 02 2010 - Oct 09 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 02 2010 - Oct 09 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 03 2010 - Oct 10 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 03 2010 - Oct 10 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 07 2010 - Oct 14 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 07 2010 - Oct 14 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 08 2010 - Oct 15 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 08 2010 - Oct 15 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 08 2010 - Oct 15 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 09 2010 - Oct 16 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 09 2010 - Oct 16 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 09 2010 - Oct 16 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 14 2010 - Oct 21 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 14 2010 - Oct 21 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 14 2010 - Oct 21 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 16 2010 - Oct 23 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 16 2010 - Oct 23 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 17 2010 - Oct 24 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 17 2010 - Oct 24 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 17 2010 - Oct 24 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 21 2010 - Oct 28 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 21 2010 - Oct 28 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 22 2010 - Oct 29 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 22 2010 - Oct 29 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 23 2010 - Oct 30 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 23 2010 - Oct 30 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 24 2010 - Oct 31 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 24 2010 - Oct 31 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 24 2010 - Oct 31 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 28 2010 - Nov 04 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 29 2010 - Nov 05 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 29 2010 - Nov 05 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 29 2010 - Nov 05 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 30 2010 - Nov 06 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 30 2010 - Nov 06 2010 1 4 4 144
Oct 30 2010 - Nov 06 2010 2 6 8 268
Oct 31 2010 - Nov 07 2010 0 2 4 024
Oct 31 2010 - Nov 07 2010 1 4 4 144

Marriott's Royal Palms Resort
MRP
Orlando, FL, USAResort Details & Photos | Map It!
Oct 01 2010 - Oct 08 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 02 2010 - Oct 09 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 03 2010 - Oct 10 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 08 2010 - Oct 15 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 09 2010 - Oct 16 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 16 2010 - Oct 23 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 17 2010 - Oct 24 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 22 2010 - Oct 29 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 23 2010 - Oct 30 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 29 2010 - Nov 05 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 30 2010 - Nov 06 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 31 2010 - Nov 07 2010 2 6 6 266

Marriott's Sabal Palms Resort
MSP
Orlando, FL, USAResort Details & Photos | Map It!
Oct 01 2010 - Oct 08 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 02 2010 - Oct 09 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 03 2010 - Oct 10 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 10 2010 - Oct 17 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 15 2010 - Oct 22 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 16 2010 - Oct 23 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 17 2010 - Oct 24 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 22 2010 - Oct 29 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 23 2010 - Oct 30 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 24 2010 - Oct 31 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 29 2010 - Nov 05 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 30 2010 - Nov 06 2010 2 6 6 266
Oct 31 2010 - Nov 07 2010 2 6 6 266

The Palms are closest to Disney.

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

Do you own week 24 or 34? I would think 34 to be considered much more of a hurricane week than 24, no?

Actually Hurricane season starts June 1st and ends Nov. 30th.

We usually don't have our worst hurricanes in June but it is possible to get one depending on how hot the spring is. Of course August is usually worse since that's the hottest time for us. We have had a few "surprise" hurricanes sneak up on us in October. One year I lost my car in a flash flood hurricane. Broke a few ribs too trying to get my car out of the water. Later some nice man with a winch pulled me out but by then my car was a submarine.

When Katrina came thru we didn't even go on Hurricane alert at my job until I was already driving home. She surprised us too. I almost drove off of the I-95 ramp because I couldn't see sh-t. I work at the largest city hospital too. Our city is terrible at when to put the hurricane plan into place. Apparently it's really expensive so they wait for FEMA to give the word that they'll reimburse first and sometimes they just don't pull the trigger but then other times they get ridiculous and pull the trigger waaaaaaaay too early and nothing happens. Politics, who can figure it out.

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

These are the Marriotts I can pick up with my AC for October:

The Palms are closest to Disney.

Wow, Great availability. Sounds like this will work out good for me.

Do all the A/C's see the same exchange ops?

Do you think if I deposit now only 5 months out from check in that my A/C will see the same things?

Thanks.

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

Wow, Great availability. Sounds like this will work out good for me.

Do all the A/C's see the same exchange ops?

Do you think if I deposit now only 5 months out from check in that my A/C will see the same things?

Thanks.

II is offering u an AC to deposit because the demand for your area during school vacation time is greater then the deposits they have onhand, so they need your week.
I always think of the start of hurricane season as August 1, hence glitters question.

No, not all ACs see the same thing - it depends on what is deposited.
If your resort is 'standard' it will not see the same resorts as a silver or gold resort BUT I can't imagine that it does not 'see' a lot of stuff based on the location and date.

On the other hand, in areas with lots of inventory, you will do fine even months ahead.

The bottom line is II now WANTS your week - while other resorts are NO LONGER being offered an AC, u r getting one.
That tells me you will have better trading power then before even at this late date. So chances are going forward, your resort will do better trading up.

I am curious - in your AC offer, what dates are they offering an AC for???

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

Just wanted to let you know - the AC I saw all those resorts with was from a Standard Resort - Coconut Palms II - I did deposit high demand week - it was either Bike Week or Daytona 500. Can't remember which.

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

II is offering u an AC to deposit because the demand for your area during school vacation time is greater then the deposits they have onhand, so they need your week.
I always think of the start of hurricane season as August 1, hence glitters question.

No, not all ACs see the same thing - it depends on what is deposited.
If your resort is 'standard' it will not see the same resorts as a silver or gold resort BUT I can't imagine that it does not 'see' a lot of stuff based on the location and date.

On the other hand, in areas with lots of inventory, you will do fine even months ahead.

The bottom line is II now WANTS your week - while other resorts are NO LONGER being offered an AC, u r getting one.
That tells me you will have better trading power then before even at this late date. So chances are going forward, your resort will do better trading up.

I am curious - in your AC offer, what dates are they offering an AC for???

It says May 27th to Sept. 8th. All thru our Hurricane season. So does this mean that II is finally recognizing that there is summer demand here in Florida for the beach or are they really, really desperate? I know that the resorts seem full in the summer. We pay less than you snowbirds too and for me it's ideal beach weather. Alot of Floridians vacation in FL in the summer. Mostly it's locals in the TS's.

Occasionally I run into a South African or a European but there are just a token few during the summer. Sometimes we have a few New Yorkers that somehow think that Disney is a day trip away. Don't worry I always set them straight and direct them to Kissimmee.

The form says it's good for one year or up to 24 hours before I want to travel. Doesn't say how long I have to use it though. Hopefully it's 2 years. Do you guys know?

So Pat does this mean that my doggie trader has somehow morphed into a ferocious Tiger? ......Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I guess I won't sell it after all. Maybe I can get Hawaii with it afterall.

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

Just wanted to let you know - the AC I saw all those resorts with was from a Standard Resort - Coconut Palms II - I did deposit high demand week - it was either Bike Week or Daytona 500. Can't remember which.

According to the II grid it definetely shows pretty high on the greatest availability side. Maybe people are using their week this year instead of depositing it since they just refurbished the resort and the newsletter from the resort was encouraging people to come and see all the improvements to the resort.

Maybe they'll use this as an excuse to dump all the foreclosed inventory on the current owners at "great" prices.

As a matter of fact I even checked SFX and according to their website they are also looking for Florida inventory at this time.

Maybe the exchange companies know that something that we don't know.

Anyway, I'm glad to see that the "Red" season which they tout as all year is getting some recognition to those of us who bought the doggie weeks.

I was gonna stay there this year but now I think I'll try for a Marriott in Orlando and pick up a last call in it's place somewhere else.

Either way, I don't think I'll lose, right?

Thanks guys for your help.