Confused on how everything works.haha

[cathycasi25 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cathycasi25]

I am such a newbie when it comes to this so bare with me .So my parents and I purchased a timeshare with westgate back in February and we have a interval membership. The contract that we have received states that we have:

assigned year: odd
partial week: 2
all season - float week/float unit.

When I tried to exchange on interval it only has one date listed for 2011. I am a little confused because I thought float week was throughout the year. If I deposit that week for another vacation, do I lose my ability to book at the actual timeshare location throughout that year? The sales person kept using the terms unlimited getaways but I have yet to see that anywhere. Because of this confusion I am quite for lack of a better word terrified to exchange on interval because I really don't know what to do. I've looked on all websites to find out more information. I really should not have jumped feet first but I have the timeshare now what should I do with it.haha

I do apologize if what I am asking is confusing. If this question was asked somewhere else, mods feel free to delete this one.

Thanks,

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

Welcome to TS4ms.

I am not familiar with Westgate, but I will try to give you a quick answer, which might help steer you into landing a trade. Keep in mind, that my answer is based on my general knowledge of how floating weeks usually work... Westgate can clarify this when you call them.

Does your ownership begin in 2011?

If you have a floating week, you must call your resort to get a week assigned. Once Westgate tells you what week you are assigned, you then can deposit that specific week (example: week 32 August 12 2011 for a Friday to Friday check in).

II may say you have 2011 available for deposit, but it isn't really there until you tell II officially that Westgate has given you a specific week.

You should call Westgate and ask for a week that has some strength in trading, for Orlando my guess would be school breaks (like President week, Easter/Passover time/Christmas or such). Or possibly July 4th week.

Look at the timeshare calendar to get an idea of exact dates before you call Westgate.

Be sure to get a reference number from WG that tracks your assignment.

Then call II and tell them which week you have been assigned, and if you want to deposit it at that time.

However if you think you will want to use the week at WG, don't deposit it...just use that week's dates when you are surfing II to see what might be available. You can search without depositing. Once you deposit, you have relinquished your week.

I hope this helps.

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

The II Getaways are different from deposited weeks. You still keep your TS week and pay with a credit card to purchase the getaway week. There is a box with a link on the lower left side of the main page to help you search for specific getaways. This time of the year, there's not alot available within popular US destinations. If you are looking for summer destinations, I suggest checking the getaways around March or April. There are also getaway specials. From time to time, I have gotten really good deals with these. Last year, I got two weeks in the Pocono Mountains (PA) for $260.00 total!

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Use a getaway and your week - that is a good plan

When I tried to exchange on interval it only has one date listed for 2011. I am a little confused because I thought float week was throughout the year. If I deposit that week for another vacation, do I lose my ability to book at the actual timeshare location throughout that year?

A float week means you get to request any week during the year that your ownership qualifies for. The resort may have restrictions on what your specific times you qualify for by a season or other term. Once you pick a week and it is confirmed as available you have used your time for that odd year regardless of your physical use of the unit or depositing it with II for exchange to another resort. You only have one 7 day period of use every other year you actually own. Try to maximize that value by reserving the best week (in terms of desirability as in a holiday week is more desirable than a week in mid-September). Also remember that exchanging with II means spending a bunch of additional money for annual membership and the exchange fee which now days add up to as much as annual fees used to be a decade ago.

The sales person kept using the terms unlimited getaways but I have yet to see that anywhere. Because of this confusion I am quite for lack of a better word terrified to exchange on interval because I really don't know what to do. I've looked on all websites to find out more information. I really should not have jumped feet first but I have the timeshare now what should I do with it.haha

Getaways are relatively low cost weeks you can pay to obtain from II on a rental basis - you do not use your owned time in exchange but merely pay the asking price & get the use of that timeshare/week with no other strings attached. It is a great way to get value out of your ownership. Using a getaway does not impact your ability to reserve and use your time at your resort in the year that you have rights to. By using getaways and your week at the resort rather than exchanging your week you save the exchange fees and get at least 2 weeks (or more if you use more of the unlimited getaways) out of what you bought.n

Hope that helps & keep asking - we're happy to try to help you understand it all.

[cathycasi25 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cathycasi25]

Thanks so much for everyone's quick and informative responses It has helped me understand more about my timeshare and how to use it. I may use this thread to ask more questions.haha but for right now, thank you

A little off topic but has anyone notice how much soliciting calls you get in a day from people trying to help you with renting your timeshare? It's mind boggling!! I think I receive about 4 calls a day from different companies asking me if I need help on selling/renting my timeshare. This forum has been a fraud saver. haha

edit: after everyone's responses I am a little less scared. So depositing and exchanging a week is totally different things from what I understand?