II for DRI points

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

I'm looking for some help on how to place a deposit with II. I am a DRI points member. Since I don't have a week to exchange, how does II determine how many points I need to deposit? (I have more than one week's worth of points and don't want to use them all if I don't have to.)
I've only ever used II for getaways, but haven't seen any good deals for a long time.
At this point I don't have any specific places I'd like to visit. Perhaps that would be my first step?
Thanks for all your help!

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

With Diamond points you don't make a deposit. Points are taken only when you have actually secured an exchange. You can place a request or make an online instant exchange. The amount of points taken are determined by the resort you have gotten. Some are valued higher than others and the size makes a big difference, too. Units available within the last minute window are generally valued at 1/2 the normal points.

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

barndweller,

It sounds like you know a lot about Diamond. Apparently, they now manage one of my resorts (Mystic Dunes) but we've received very little info from them so far. I expect to me hit up to convert to their points (not likely to happen).

Any general info you can provide on them or any good reference links will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sheila

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

Actually, converting to points is what convinced me to not sell my two Polo Towers units. DRI's points program is at least worth looking at.

The two Polo Towers units had become strictly exchange units for us. With all the changes taking place with the two big exchange companies, I was worried about our value's going down. DRI has enough resorts in enough locations that their internal exchange program looked attractive so, we joined. So far it's worked out great for us but, like I said, those two units at Polo Towers were being used strictly for exchanges. If we were using them for personal use, we might not have joined.

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

We don't use our Mystic Dunes too often, but it's great when we do. 3br lockoff week 52. Hard to get a unit that size that week in Orlando if the whole family comes along.

Sheila

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

We don't use our Mystic Dunes too often, but it's great when we do. 3br lockoff week 52. Hard to get a unit that size that week in Orlando if the whole family comes along.

Sheila

The nice thing about points is, when you want to use your unit, you have a home resort advantage and can reserve you home unit. If you want to exchange and, if DRI has a resort in a location that fits your need, all internal exchanges are covered by the one membership fee of $235, which also includes Gold membership to I.I. External exchanges outside the DRI family still have the I.I. exchange fee. So far we've been able to manage all our exchanges internaly with DRI.

There's also the benefit of DRI's points system favoring owners before outside exchangers. It's been easy for me to get reservations in Santa Fe, NM and, we have a reservation for Estes Park, CO next year. Both would likely have been more difficult due to a lack of resorts in those locations if we had to go through I.I.

Another benefit is choosing the size and nuber of nights you want to stay. We often utilize the flexiblity of just 3 or 4 nights for resorts within driving distance. It allows us to stop using full week exchanges when we only want a few nights.

Then there's the change back aspect. Rather than over exchange by using a high value week for a lower value week or season, you pay only for what you want/need. If you don't need that 3 bedroom unit as Mystic Dunes but would be happy with a one bedroom or studio, you can do that.

Points may not work for you or, the cost to become a member may be to high. I still believe it's worth listening about the program.