Owning a deeded timeshare week offers a predictable vacation option each year. However, many timeshare owners are unaware of the flexibility and potential upgrades available through exchange programs like Interval International. This guide will provide insights into how you can upgrade the villa size of your timeshare exchange to enjoy larger accommodations, making your vacations more comfortable and memorable.
Read on to take a closer look at how the upgrade process works, the fees involved, and a few other important considerations to make sure you get the best exchange possible.
Understanding Timeshare Exchanges
When you own a timeshare week, your standard option is to stay at your home resort in the unit size you own. However, Interval International allows members to exchange their weeks for stays with some of the most popular name-brand timeshare systems. Here are just a few of the top brands affiliated with Interval International:
Interval International typically receives more deposits than they fulfill in confirmed exchanges. This often allows you the option to pay an upgrade fee to secure a larger unit than the one you own. This is particularly useful for those traveling with more guests or would simply enjoy the additional space a larger villas size offers.
If you’d like to learn more about Interval International’s timeshare exchange system, its partnered brands, and how to maximize your vacation experiences check out our guide here: Exploring Interval International: The Ultimate Guide For Timeshare Owners
How Much Are Upgrade Fees?
Interval International requires an upgrade fee to confirm exchanges into larger units. This fee, introduced in June 2016, adds flexibility by making bigger units more accessible.
Before 2016, upgrading to larger units through Interval International didn’t incur extra fees. However, around June of 2016, a new upgrade fee policy was introduced.
While this change instated a fee for upgrading unit sizes, it also greatly increased the availability of larger units. The fee encouraged members to reconsider automatic upgrades, which previously led to many smaller units being overlooked while larger units were quickly booked by other Interval International members.
The fee varies depending on how many unit sizes you upgrade. For example, moving from a studio to a two-bedroom unit involves a higher fee than upgrading to just a one-bedroom. Below is a list of exactly how much each upgrade will cost you when using a standard membership. There are ways to get reduced upgrade fees, which we’ll cover later in the article.
- Studio
- to One Bedroom – $99 (One step up)
- to Two Bedroom – $198 (Two steps up)
- to Three Bedroom – $297 (Three steps up)
- to Four Bedroom – $396 (Four steps up)
- One Bedroom
- to Two Bedroom – $99 (One Step Up)
- to Three Bedroom – $198 (Two steps up)
- to Four Bedroom – $297 (Three steps up)
- Two Bedroom
- to Three Bedroom – $99 (One Step Up)
- to Four Bedroom – $198 (Two steps up)
- Three Bedroom
- to Four Bedroom – $99 (One Step Up)
Discounts for Gold and Platinum Members
Interval International Gold and Platinum members enjoy discounts on upgrade fees.
- Gold members save $20 per upgrade step, reducing the fee from $99 to $79.
- Platinum members receive a $40 discount, bringing the fee down to $59.
Occasionally, Interval International offers limited-time promotions for free upgrades., which can be a great opportunity to maximize your exchange without additional costs. Keep an eye out for these promotions to pop up every once in a while!
Strategies for Successful Upgraded Exchanges
While using upgrades to change the villa size you’re exchanging into is fairly straight-forward, there a few important considerations to keep in mind. Below, we’ll cover the most popular questions our clients have when performing this type of exchange.
Upgrade Villa Size with On-Going Search
When setting up an ongoing search, there is an option to limit the size of the confirmed unit to one larger than the original. However, this might also restrict your ability to successfully confirm an exchange if a larger unit size is not available at your chosen resorts, or during your chosen travel period.
Using Interval’s FlexChange Program To Avoid Upgrade Fees
Interval International’s Flexchange service enables owners to make last-minute timeshare reservations. These reservations depend on availability and must be booked between 24 hours and 59 days prior to the desired arrival date.
When confirming an exchange within the Interval International Flexchange program, no upgrade fee is required. By being flexible and securing last-minute trades within the Flexchange window, you can completely avoid unit size upgrade fees.
Trading Power Considerations
You might wonder how trading power factors into trading a smaller unit for a larger one. Interval International uses a proprietary trade power algorithm that determines which deposits can be matched with which exchanges. All the normal trading power tips still apply (using an owner deposit to deposit the most desirable week possible, depositing as early as possible, etc.), but often deposits of small unit sizes will still permit upgrades in unit size. Essentially, if a larger unit shows as available for exchange on the intervalworld.com website, you can secure it by paying the upgrade fee.
Limitations for Points Owners
If your timeshare is part of a pure-points-based system affiliated with Interval International (such as Marriott Vacation Club points), you cannot pay a fee to upgrade to a larger unit. Each point system provides a chart indicating the points required for different unit sizes, with larger units typically costing more points. Upgrade fees are applicable only to exchanges based on weeks deposits.
Buying the Perfect Deeded Week for Trading Purposes
When purchasing your deeded week, also referred to as a legacy week in the context of Marriott timeshares, it’s important to plan ahead for the possibility of exchanging your week. Targeting a lock-off unit, at a resort with a balance between affordable maintenance fees and highly desirable weeks can make a huge difference in getting the best value when trading.
If you’d like to learn how to buy the perfect Marriott week for trading purposes, what fees are required to exchange, and how to double your vacation time using the upgrading system in Interval International, check out our in-depth guide here to learn everything you need to know: Buying A Marriott Legacy Week To Trade With Interval International.
Wrapping Up
Upgrading your timeshare exchange through Interval International can significantly enhance your vacation experience by providing more spacious accommodations. By understanding the fee structure, utilizing member discounts and promotional opportunities, and being mindful about your deposits, timeshare owners can get an incredible value with Interval International exchanges.
If you’re interested in purchasing a Marriott legacy week, you can browse our wide selection of Marriott listings, or feel free to fill in an online form to contact us and get a free consultation with one of our Marriott Vacation Club specialists that can answer any questions you have about the process.
