Help trying to plan deposits/searches for Dec 2010 trip

[julieab Member Find all posts View Profile Close julieab]

I'm planning a 2 week trip for Dec 2010. The resort starts to deposit 11 months out.

I understand that I have a 3 year travel window with a deposit (1 year prior to 2 years after). I understand I can deposit up to 24 months in advance if my resort will let me. But when can I put in an ongoing request? Can I do it at the time of deposit or do I have to wait until that 1 year prior date comes up?

Then there's the question of when to deposit. I know not to deposit less than 12 months prior, but I've read that sometimes trading power can be diminished if deposited TOO far in advance because demand hasn't grown for that week yet (lack of people able to put in requests for your deposit that far in advance?). What is the truth to this? I'm concerned if I deposit too soon, my otherwise good week will not be good enough to pull the resort I want. I don't want to jepardize its power.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I have always deposited 12 to 15 months prior to check-in date. You may start your on-going search exactly 24 months prior to start date. Most of my exchanges have been booked 15 to 18 months prior.

In actuality I end up using the prior year's deposits for the next year's vacations if that makes any sense.

[julieab Member Find all posts View Profile Close julieab]

In actuality I end up using the prior year's deposits for the next year's vacations if that makes any sense.

Yes, that would be ideal except I'll be a new owner of one timeshare and probably won't be able to get a good reservation until 2011 (they book 24 months out) and my other books 12 months out and was only able to get a good reservation for 2010 to deposit.

Guess I'll have to take my chances with one and cross my fingers! Thanks for the answers.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

You may start your on-going search exactly 24 months prior to start date.

You won't get a match until 24 months out but I was able to start a search sooner than that in the past. I don't know if it will still work with the latest changes they put in this January. On August 15, 2006, I started a search for Ireland that ran from Memorial Day thru September, 2008. So I was really adding a day to my search every day until the end of September without having to extend the date online every day. On the 17th of August, 2006, I had an 8/16/08 Fitzpatrick Castle unit on hold. My guess is that you can start the search 24 months and 10 weeks ahead....or atleast you could back then.