Help me plan my Hawaii trip.

[DebbieM Member Find all posts View Profile Close DebbieM]

About 10 days ago I was able to reserve the first two weeks in October at Wyndham's Kona Hawaiian Resort (where the units are all 2 bedrooms). I used only 28k Wyndham points for each week via RCI weeks. There were other weeks available at the time, so you might want to call Wyndham and have them do a "search first" with RCI to see if anything is still available. It doesn't cost you anything to try!

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

About 10 days ago I was able to reserve the first two weeks in October at Wyndham's Kona Hawaiian Resort (where the units are all 2 bedrooms). I used only 28k Wyndham points for each week via RCI weeks. There were other weeks available at the time, so you might want to call Wyndham and have them do a "search first" with RCI to see if anything is still available. It doesn't cost you anything to try!

That's crazy so far out - wow!!

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

5000 HGVC points will get you a 2BR in Hawaii at that time. Plenty of availability on the Big Island right now.

Kurt

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

About 10 days ago I was able to reserve the first two weeks in October at Wyndham's Kona Hawaiian Resort (where the units are all 2 bedrooms). I used only 28k Wyndham points for each week via RCI weeks. There were other weeks available at the time, so you might want to call Wyndham and have them do a "search first" with RCI to see if anything is still available. It doesn't cost you anything to try!

On March 5, we recieved confirmastiom for 24 April and 1 May... one week each Wyndham's Mauna Loa Village (1BR)and Wyndham's Kona Hawaiian Resort (2BR). These are from Wyndham point deposits with RCI.

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

I just rented a week for next month at Wyndham Waikiki Beachwalk. It is a 2BR, 2BA, Deluxe unit and the price was very reasonable. I am renting it directly from the owner. He has several more weeks at various Wyndham locations in Hawaii and elsewhere.

[konaemi Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close konaemi]

I recommend Maui and Big Island. There are some nice timeshares in the Kihei area of Maui. They are smaller and do not have the amenitites like the ones in Kanaapali but it is difficult to get a 2BR at Marriott or Westin. Kihei is more convenient to the sights of Maui. Maui Schooner is nice and Trading Places manages the resort so good chance of trade there.

On the Big Island, Kona Hawaiian Resort is great especially if you can get an exchange with Wyndham. 5000 points can get you a reservation at HGVC Waikoloa or Bay Club during the Gold season week 36 to 41.

If you are interested in Kauai, I have seen exchanges for Point at Poipu and even Westin Princeville. It may be more rainy on Kauai in September.

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

Thanks guys. My friends decided that airfare was too much and they want to do San Francisco and Tahoe instead. But I'm gonna save this thread because you guys have awesome ideas.

The only bad thing about being the "travel agent" for all these girlfriend trips is that they change their minds at every turn of the wind and then I've gotta go to square one again. Ay ya ya.

I don't think they have a clue how much time goes into planning these vacations but they all love my TS's. They think they are magically always available. Boy do I have alot of educating to do.

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

San Fran can be a difficult trade, but Lake Tahoe is doabole...you have great patience and are a good friend to put in all this effort....enjoy the planning!

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

The only bad thing about being the "travel agent" for all these girlfriend trips is that they change their minds at every turn of the wind and then I've gotta go to square one again. Ay ya ya.

I don't think they have a clue how much time goes into planning these vacations but they all love my TS's. They think they are magically always available. Boy do I have alot of educating to do.

I know exactly what you are faced with. My daughter does that same thing to me. The first couple times, I reserved her a week only to have her change her mind because her friends changed their mind. Bear in mind that my daughter is not a young person. I have continually told her that I need to have a definite location and date well in advance and she can't change her mind once I get the week for her. I was able to cancel the first time and got my week back with no charges. The second time, she had to pay me the exchange fee for the week. That was when I had several banked weeks. After that, I just sold my excess weeks and ignore her when the subject comes up.

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

My dh still doesn't get it as to the planning required.

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

San Fran can be a difficult trade, but Lake Tahoe is doabole...you have great patience and are a good friend to put in all this effort....enjoy the planning!

I see that. I have some Wyndham points but I don't think I have enough for a week so we'll probably just do a few hotel rooms.
I think the hotel rooms will work out better anyway with having two beds in each room since the studios only have one bed and a sofa bed so we're definetely not doing that.

I'm thru with sofabeds if I can help it. I'd rather pay more to stay in a hotel room and eat out instead.

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

I know exactly what you are faced with. My daughter does that same thing to me. The first couple times, I reserved her a week only to have her change her mind because her friends changed their mind. Bear in mind that my daughter is not a young person. I have continually told her that I need to have a definite location and date well in advance and she can't change her mind once I get the week for her. I was able to cancel the first time and got my week back with no charges. The second time, she had to pay me the exchange fee for the week. That was when I had several banked weeks. After that, I just sold my excess weeks and ignore her when the subject comes up.

That's the problem with family and committments. They think it's okay to just say "sorry, I changed my mind". It happens to me all the time with my family of course after I've reserved things. Now I ask them for cash up front and a firm committment before I go planning things with them or I just wait til the last minute and take whatever we can get. Works out better for me since it's usually for last minute FL ressies and there is always lots of availability. Now going far away, forget it. Cash up front baby.

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

My dh still doesn't get it as to the planning required.

I don't think most people understand, only your fellow TS4M friends.

[HassieRiver Member Find all posts View Profile Close HassieRiver]

What the best Helicopter Tour Service on the Big Island of Hawaii?
We are going to be in Kona September 16-23, 2010 and would like to do a helo tour of the Island.
Thanks, Don

[konaemi Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close konaemi]

The best helicoptor tour is Blue Hawaiian in Waikoloa. They have the most modern helicoptors and very well maintained. My friend is a career helicoptor mechanic and knows and trust the mechanics of this outfit.