Navigating Marriott Vacation Club Exchanges: Common Mistakes to Avoid

A frequent stumbling block for many Marriott Vacation Club owners is unrealistic expectations regarding exchanges. Understanding the supply and demand dynamics is crucial. Popular destinations and peak travel times, such as winter in the Caribbean or summer in Myrtle Beach, see high demand. Expecting to secure these exchanges with a low-value week is often impractical. It’s a good strategy to start your exchanges by checking the Travel Demand Index on Interval International’s website for your home resort and the resort you are trying to trade into to set more achievable expectations.

Timing is key when it comes to depositing your weeks for exchange. The earlier you deposit, the greater the trade power you retain. Ideally, you should reserve your weeks 12-13 months in advance and deposit them promptly. Delaying this process can diminish your trade power, reducing the likelihood of securing desirable exchanges.

If you’d like to learn about Marriott vs. Owner Deposit for Interval International exchanges, and how to maximize the trading power & expiration date of your deposit, check out our article here: Marriott Deposit vs. Owner Deposit: Navigating Timeshare Deposits with Interval International.

Many owners miss out on prime exchange opportunities by not setting up ongoing search requests, commonly known as “OGS.” These requests allow you to be in line for exchanges before they appear online. Setting up an ongoing search is straightforward and can significantly increase your chances of securing a sought-after property. Remember, the requests should be placed more than a year in advance whenever possible to take full advantage of available deposits.

How to Set Up an Ongoing Search

Creating an ongoing search is straightforward. On the “My Units” page, you’ll find a button titled “Place Request.”

Click it, then search for and choose the resorts you’d like to visit before selecting your travel dates.

Remember, the system may assign any check-in date within your chosen timeframe. For a specific check-in day, you’ll need to contact Interval International, as this cannot be done online. They can adjust your request if necessary.

However, narrowing your check-in days could reduce the likelihood of fulfilling your request due to decreased flexibility. If you choose not to travel to the requested destination, note that online cancellations aren’t possible. You’ll need to call Interval International to withdraw any unwanted requests.

Leveraging the Marriott-to-Marriott priority can provide a significant advantage. When a Marriott owner deposits a week, it becomes available exclusively to other Marriott owners for a limited time. This priority can place you ahead of non-Marriott owners in the exchange queue, enhancing your chances of obtaining a preferred exchange.

Even with an ongoing search request, it’s important to regularly check online for available exchanges. Sometimes opportunities arise that haven’t been matched through requests due to cancellations or late deposits. Checking early in the morning or during weekends can be particularly useful, as these are common times for bulk deposits to appear.