Focus on Interval International

If you own a timeshare at a resort that is affiliated with Interval International, I do hope that you are reading the mailings and the publications that you are getting on a regular basis.

All too often, timeshare owners fall into the “I know everything about my timeshare, so I don’t need to read anything” mode, and therefore miss out on some great information and some great deals.

Here’s just a snapshot of what II has available for their members:

-Two (2) levels of membership; Standard and Gold
-Four (4) methods of exchanging; deposit first, request first, flex exchange and short stays
-Financial services including a credit card that earns points and various deposit products including an FDIC insured money market account
-Lower exchange fees if you complete the transaction online
-Best price guarantee on Getaway Weeks
-Priority Pass which gives members access to over 600 airport lounges
-One (1) free magazine subscription from your choice of five Conde Nast publications
-Retirement of the outdated “red, yellow, green” coding later this year with the far more specific Travel Demand Index being used exclusively
-Personal assistance 24/7 for travel and non-travel related issues with Gold Concierge (available with Gold Membership)
-Discounts at the prestigious Preferred Hotel chain

A quick note about the new “short stay” option that they have just introduced.  Though not as flexible (or as cumbersome as some people may feel) as RCI Points, II’s “Short Stay” option allows members to deposit one week, 7 nights, of timeshare and exchange it for two (2) stays at from 2 to 6 nights at other resorts.  The only stipulation is that the reservations must be made 30 days or less from date of check in.

What this means is simple…II members may now be able to exchange 7 nights of timeshare for as many as 12 nights of timeshare!  Unfortunately, both of the exchanges are subject to the $139 fee…the world is not yet perfect!  Nevertheless, this is a terrific perk that II has instituted for its members and one that I urge you to try out.  I’m curious to find out how this system will be operating a year from now…will everyone try to take advantage of it causing II to rethink?  Will travel continue to be down so that the short stay option become even more viable for members and even more lucrative for II?  Is this a precursor to some sort of point-based system?  Time will tell.

I’ve only touched on some of the many benefits that II offers members.  Its important for timeshare owners to make the most of what they have and make the most of what they pay for.  If you have an II membership or a membership in another exchange company, its up to you to do your homework and get the very most out of those membership dollars.

In the future, I’ll be highlighting RCI as well as some of the most popular “boutique” or alternate exchange companies out there.

Happy travels!

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About Lisa Ann Schreier
Lisa Ann Schreier, “The Timeshare Crusader,” is the founder of the consumer consulting company Timeshare Insights. A timeshare thought leader, Lisa is the author of both Surviving A Timeshare Presentation and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies, and is also a frequent blogger and speaker. She can be reached at lisa@timehareinsights.com.

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