Deposit First vs. Request First

Once you deposit your week with Interval International, it is gone.  So if you choose Deposit First, you cannot stay at your home resort that year. Unless you choose Request First.  If you choose this option, Request First, you can still stay at your home resort if you don't receive the exchange confirmation you are looking for. 

That being said, when using Request First, the requested exchange must be prior to or the same as the dates of the week you are relinquishing (your home week). Because of this, you have a narrower window of time in which to take your vacation.  The Deposit First method offers the largest window for exchange.

While staying at Marriott Custom House this past summer, I went to an owner's only "seminar".  In my opinion, it was a Marriott Vacation Club Destinations sales presentation with "tips" throughout. The presenter recommends "Request First", suggesting that you will have more "trading power". However, when I called Interval International, they said this is not the case.  But you do retain the ability to stay at your home resort if you are unable to get confirmed in a place (or a date) that is acceptable to you.

In summary, Deposit First offers the most flexibility, and Request First offers the most security.

Note: If you choose Request First, and your exchange request is not confirmed, and you do not wish to stay at your home resort, you must DEPOSIT your week at least 60 days prior to the check-in date  to avoid a late-deposit restriction.

Deposit First:

Request First:

 

I realize this post is specific to Interval International members.  That will not always be the case on this blog.

More Interval International Tips

Two Years to Complete an Exchange

Once you deposit your week with Interval International, you then have 2 years from the end of the week you deposited, to complete an exchange.  For example, if you deposit week "December 19-26 of 2014", you must complete a stay (on an exchange from THAT week) by December 26, 2016.

Extending this Two Year Exchange Period

If you make an exchange request, and do not receive confirmation in two years, you can pay more to extend beyond the Two Year period.  There are 6 month and 12 month options, and you call Interval International to do so.  HOWEVER, there is a big CAVEAT here.  Your extension will only be for available inventory only.  What that means, is you must request a resort that is available in inventory. You no longer can have a request in their computer, searching all the time for your requested resort to be deposited. Essentially, the high demand, very requested, or high season weeks won't be available to you. Before the extension period, you can still place a vacation request, even if an instant confirmation is unavailable.

 

Benefits of Exchanging Online vs. Over the Phone

Lower fees from Interval International.  However, once you get your exchange request in online, you can call and change dates. For example, online will look at an exchange starting on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  You can call and tell the Interval International person on the phone, if you only can start your week on a Saturday, for example.  They have more control.

However, if you restrict the check-in day you will accept, you will limit the number of deposits that match your request.

Have your Confirmation EMAILED

If Interval International has to mail you your packet, once they make a match and have a confirmation for you, you will not get the 24-hour grace period. This applies to "Deposit First Confirmations".  "Request First Confirmations" are final. More on this, next week.

Deposit First exchange confirmations have a 24-hour grace period where you can cancel the confirmation with no penalty.

Cancellations outside the initial 24 hours following confirmations are in accordance with II’s Exchange Cancellation Policy.