What are my chances?

[cathyb Member Find all posts View Profile Close cathyb]

Have exchange request in with SFX (gave July5-12 Maui Whaler week) for Aruba (preferred) and some other Carribean islands. My dilemna is that I already have a confirmed St. Maarten week in Feb. 2008 (not 2007) that I need to tack on to -- either before or after. Recognize I am very early in the waiting game and that is ok as long as it is not fruitless

1. How often does SFX get Carribean weeks other than St. Maarten in high season as a rule? I believe there are certain islands you offer more often.

2. If I am being overly optimistic on getting a match, please let me know and I will make other arrangements with my Marriott or Starwood points.

Any insight is greatly appreciated

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Have exchange request in with SFX (gave July5-12 Maui Whaler week) for Aruba (preferred) and some other Carribean islands. My dilemna is that I already have a confirmed St. Maarten week in Feb. 2008 (not 2007) that I need to tack on to -- either before or after. Recognize I am very early in the waiting game and that is ok as long as it is not fruitless

1. How often does SFX get Carribean weeks other than St. Maarten in high season as a rule? I believe there are certain islands you offer more often.

2. If I am being overly optimistic on getting a match, please let me know and I will make other arrangements with my Marriott or Starwood points.

Any insight is greatly appreciated

Hi Cathy - thank you for your post. The answer to number one honestly is... no matter what high number of deposits we tell you we get, it really has no relevance as to the probability of being confirmed. Deposits received last year or the year before do not project how many deposits we will recieve for 07 or 08. Exchange companies do not know when or if Members will deposit their weeks. The numbers vary every year. Even if Members have had great success with exchanges, there are certain years they want to use their property where they own, which means their weeks don't enter the exchange pool.

The best we can say is, it is worthy of a search. Although prime time in a high quality resort for the Caribbean is considered a difficult exchange (with all exchange companies), if we thought it was a lost cause, we would advise you accordingly. In your favor is very high trading power. A great week deposited in prime time, and a request far in advance putting you towards the front of the queue.

Hope this helps...