Contemplating joining Interval International

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

Hello everyone! I have had a 3 bedroom timeshare in Dillon, CO on the 32nd week (August) for the past several years and am thinking about joining II so I can take the family elsewhere. My major holdup with taking that step is that friends have stated that they just can't seem to get anything for their timeshares in Colorado. I'll admit, I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the trading/depositing process of II. I do know that my timeshare, Spinnaker at Lake Dillon, is a member of II. Any information that you all may give would be extremely appreciated!

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

Hello and [SIGN]Welcome to TS4Ms[/SIGN]

One way to get an idea of your trading power would be to check II's "travel demand index." Since I am avoiding some work I need to get done, I checked for you. Week 32 in Colorado has an equal supply/demand ratio. So since demand doesn't exceed supply, your trading power may not be great, but it will be better than if supply exceeded demand.

Your resort is listed in II as a standard resort, so you may have trouble seeing some of the more elite resorts in II. On the other hand, your large unit size will be of some help.

If you are interested in trading with II, you should start by calling and asking if your week would be eligible for a 'bonus week,' or Accommodation Certificate. If yes, you will get an extra week that is good for short notice trades. If no, that is further indication of low demand.

You might also check into some independent exchange companies, depending on where you would like to go.

In fact, that's a good place to start... where would you like to go, and during which timeframe?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

You should also consider trading with some of the Independents on this forum like SFX, DAE, Trading places and Platinum. i do not think that SFX would take your unit but you can ask each one of the reps here if they will and the likely hood of an exchange to where you want to go. Also it is much cheaper to use the independents than II. Lower exchange fees and some have no membership fees.

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

My thought when I read this is that II and many other exchange companies have very few 3BR deposits - would you be okay with trading into 2BR units?

The upside with II is that you can search with your unit without depositing it.
So for the 1 year fee, you will be able to see what you might get.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

You should give II a call and inquire as to what it will cost, maybe they will have a special deal- never hurts to ask and they just might want to entice you into joining.

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

Thank you all for the advice....I do sincerely appreciate it! Glitter....glad I was able to give you an excuse for avoiding work! Thanks for looking that information up!

To answer the couple of questions that were posed to me:

* Where do you want to go and what timeframe. - I have 2 boys (7 & 10) so whereever we go will need to have activities for them. IHonestly, haven't really thought that far ahead yet and would want to see what II has to offer. As for when....summer (when school is out).

* Would you be willing to trade from a 3BR to 2BR unit? Yes, that's no problem.

After reading all your posts (again, Thank You), I have some more questions too.

* Who are these "independents"? Are they simply smaller versions of II?

* Is there somewhere to go that outlines the guidelines of II? I went to the website intervalworld, but there isn't a whole lot on there unless you're a member.

* Any suggestions as to where to take the family? (I know, I'm creating an avalanche with that question!)

It sounds to me like I simply need to call II and feel them out.

Thank you all so much for the assistance!

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

* Who are these "independents"? Are they simply smaller versions of II?

They are some what, Smaller exchange companies.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...nge-companies/

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

* Any suggestions as to where to take the family? (I know, I'm creating an avalanche with that question!)

Ok, here's my very short list for summer exchanges with kids. I could expand it, but I think either of these would make an ideal first exchange:

Coastal Carolinas (Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach)
Hawaii

Or do you want to stick to the mountains? If yes, there is great summer inventory around, beaches are tougher to trade into for summer...

For Hawaii, there are a few independents that you'd do better with than II. Trading Places International and Hawaii Timeshare Exchange come to mind. SFX would be good, too, but they only deal in 5* resorts.

For Hilton Head/Myrtle Beach you're better off with II.

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

I'm going to agree with Avery, and second Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach, especially if you are thinking of trading with II. They are great summer locations. Cape Cod, is also nice.

Where do you live? Did you want to drive, or fly?

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

Great ideas! My kids really haven't been any place major other than Denver and Kansas City, but now they are getting to the ages where they'll actually remember going somewhere!

We live in central Kansas and we'd fly.

[bsheets326 Member Find all posts View Profile Close bsheets326]

One problem might be that you own a summer week in CO. Although it's beautiful out there in the summer, most people are looking to go to CO during ski season. I think it might be difficult to get a summer trade to Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach with that week. On the other hand, there are lots of easy trades out there such as Orlando. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but I have owned similar weeks in the past, and they generally don't trade all that well. The best advice is to deposit you week early and search as far out as possible.
Brent

[CatLovers Member Find all posts View Profile Close CatLovers]

One way to get an idea of your trading power would be to check II's "travel demand index."

So as a fairly new member of II myself, I need to know: how does one check the "travel demand index"?

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

So as a fairly new member of II myself, I need to know: how does one check the "travel demand index"?

It is in the print book that they will send you about a month after joining and it has indexes for every region. They used to have it online also but, unless I am mistaken, you can only access it now in hte print copy.

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

Disneyworld is the best! Washington state is really nice, so is Oregon, Yellowstone, Lake Tahoe, Northern California, etc. So many great places to see! You should be able to get something great for your week. We always get Marriotts in Orlando for our Colorado weeks through II, but I would not join II for one timeshare because your annual dues are going to be way too high to justify a membership. Try some of the other companies that do not charge an annual fee.

I think II and RCI should stop charging those annual fees. They just have too much competition out there that only charge for the exchanges.

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

What is the cost of II these days? Are there resales (do memberships transfer)?

Are any of the small exchange companies specializing in the Carribean?

This board is full of info and has gotten addictive! Too bad I didn't discover the boards until after my sales presentation.